NFL power rankings Week 12

Mark Maske assesses the league’s top teams.

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1. Texans (10-1)

They had no right to win in Detroit on Thanksgiving. Aside from the crazy rule about an improper challenge negating an instant replay review, how did the officials miss that call in the first place? But things like that go your way when you're having this kind of season.

Paul Sancya / Associated Press

2. Ravens (9-2)

Fourth and 29? Really? What were the Chargers doing on defense? But again, that's what happens in a charmed season.

Danny Moloshok / Reuters

3. Falcons (10-1)

It was a struggle in Tampa but Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest of the Falcons made just enough plays to escape with the win.

Brian Blanco / Associated Press

4. Patriots (8-3)

The Thanksgiving night triumph over the Jets was a good first step without Rob Gronkowski. But not every opponent will be as generous as the Jets.

Rich Schultz / Getty Images

5. Broncos (8-3

The AFC West race is essentially over. Now it's about jockeying for playoff seeding.

Charlie Riedel / Associated Press

6. 49ers (8-2-1)

There is no QB controversy, at least not at this point. The offense looks much more explosive with Colin Kaepernick instead of Alex Smith at QB. And virtually all the other elements of a Super Bowl contender already were in place.

Chris Graythen / Getty Images

7. Bears (8-3)

All it took was having Jay Cutler back in the lineup for the Bears to resemble top contenders again.

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

8. Giants (7-4)

Welcome back, Eli Manning. The Giants looked like the defending Super Bowl champs once more. It was right on cue. They only seem to play well when practically everyone has turned against them.

Adam Hunger / Reuters

9. Packers (7-4)

The offensive line couldn't block Giants' pass rushers Sunday night and the defense suffered without Clay Matthews. Just when they seemed to be rounding into form, the Packers took a major step backward.

Al Bello / Getty Images

10. Colts (7-4)

They regrouped after the ugly performance against the Patriots and are the front-runner in the AFC wild card chase.

Darron Cummings / Associated Press

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