Benigno's Best: Week 12 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers 10-0 (1)
World Champs now with 16 straight wins and counting, after holding off Bucs at Lambeau. Is B.J. Raji the new Fridge? Turkey Day showdown in Motown up next. What about that defense?
Next: @ Lions
2. San Francisco 49ers 9-1 (2)
Niner D forces five turnovers in rout of Cardinals. They can clinch the division this week with win and Seahawks loss. It's a holiday night showdown up next in Baltimore as the brothers Harbaugh square off.
Next: @ Ravens
3. New Orleans Saints 7-3 (3)
Saints enjoyed their bye week, Brees and the offense continue to light it up, but is the defense good enough to get them where they want to go?
Next: vs. Giants
4. Houston Texans 7-3 (4)
Come off bye week with two game lead in AFC South. This team has won without Andre Johnson and Mario Williams. Now we find out if they can win without Matt Schaub as Matt Leinart takes over at quarterback.
Next: @ Jaguars
5. Baltimore Ravens 7-3 (8)
If these guys played all their games at home they would be undefeated. Rediscovered Ray Rice in win over Cincy and now have legitimate deep threat in Torrey Smith. Will Ray Lewis play in Harbaugh Bowl on Thursday?
Next: vs. 49ers
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3 (5)
Why is it that when we talk about the elite quarterbacks we always mention Rodgers and Brady and Brees, but never Big Ben? He's on his way to Canton on roller skates.
Next: @ Chiefs
7. New England Patriots 7-3 (6)
Belichick sticks it to old pal Scott Pioli as Patriots bomb crumby Chiefs in Foxboro. Let's face it, is there a better tight end in football than Rob Gronkowski?
Next: @ Eagles
8. Chicago Bears 7-3 (9)
Monsters of Midway red hot after fifth straight win in beat down of Chargers, but can they keep it up without Jay Cutler?
Next: @ Raiders
9. Detroit Lions 7-3 (unranked)
Motown Cats return to top ten after comeback from 24-7 deficit to Panthers and posting 49-35 win in Detroit. Cats first team in half a century to come back three different times from 17 plus margin to win in same season. Can they recapture 1962 on Turkey Day versus Pack?
Next: vs. Packers
10. Dallas Cowboys 6-4 (unranked)
Tony Romo playing best ball of his career as boys make it three straight with OT survival in Washington. They're tied with Giants in NFC East with two big games left to play against them. Why does Rob Ryan get more face time than Jason Garrett?
Next: vs. Dolphins
Fading Out: New York Giants & Cincinnati Bengals
Closing In: Oakland Raiders & Atlanta Falcons
Have an issue with Joe's Top Ten? Offer your rebuttal in the comments below...
