NFL 2012 Week 15 power rankings

Some interesting results shifted the power rankings, and we have a new top team.  We also have more AFC teams in the top five than the NFC, not a usual situation this season.

Top half of the league [Last week's position]
1.  Denver Broncos (11-3) [4] : A clobbering of the Ravens and most dynamic offense in the AFC propels this team to the top
2.  San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) [2] : Their defense couldn't stop the Patriots, but they slowed New England enough for their offense to take control
3.  New England Patriots (10-4) [1] : Still dangerous, although their questionable defense hurts them
4.  Houston Texans (12-2) [3] : Their defense held back Indy, clinching their division and keeping them on track to gain the top AFC seed
5.  Atlanta Falcons (12-2) [5] : A rare shutout against the Giants practically guaranteed them the top seed in the NFC
6.  Seattle Seahawks (9-5) [6] : Although some are accusing Pete Carroll of running up the score against Buffalo, the Seahawks needed a strong victory to solidify their wildcard bid
7.  Green Bay Packers (10-4) [10] : A strong win over the struggling Bears won them the division and a strong position
8.  Chicago Bears (8-6) [7] : The Bears slipped, but their offense remains strong
9.  Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) [11] : The Bengals are one win away from a playoff spot
10. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) [9] : In danger of failing to capture the AFC North title, the Ravens are now longer the strongest team in that division
11. Washington Redskins (8-6) [12] : The Redskins now lead the NFC East and are gaining momentum
12. New York Giants (8-6) [8] : After suffering their worst loss in years, the Giants playoff hopes are fading
13. Minnesota Vikings (8-6 [16] : The Vikings jumped into strong playoff contention, but they face some stiff competition in the next two weeks
14. Indianapolis Colts (9-5) [14] : They lost any shot at the division, but a wildcard berth is theirs
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) [15] : The Steelers are seeing their playoff hopes evaporate, but they still have strength
16. Dallas Cowboys (8-6) [19] : One of their best Decembers in years is not only keeping them in the playoff hunt, but rises them into the upper half of the league's power

Divisional power rankings [Last week's position]
1.  NFC North [1] : This division returns to the lead with improvements by Green Bay and Minnesota
2 (tie). AFC North [2] : Baltimore's fall is risking knocking this division to third place
2 (tie). NFC West [2] : Seattle's improvement boosts this division, which is likely to produce two playoff teams
4.  NFC South [4] : There is a huge gap between this division and the next, meaning these four are clearly the best
5.  NFC East [5] : This is the only division with three teams with winning records, but none of them have been consistently stellar.
6.  AFC East [6] : With the Jets loss, the Patriots are the only strong team in this division
7.  AFC South [7] : This division holds two playoff teams, but also holds two of the worst teams in the league.  At least the Titans showed some life this week.
8.  AFC West [8] : Worst division by far, Denver is the only good team, and Oakland and KC are among the worst in the league

Playoff races:
Some division titles were set this week, and playoff spots solidified.  The playoff contenders have shrunk, and battles continue.  Few seeds are set, so no team will be slacking off.

AFC:  Three division titles are set, and Baltimore leads the remaining one.  The Ravens and Colts are in the playoffs, leaving just one slot to fill.  Cincy gains it with a win.  That leaves the seeds.  Houston has a one-game lead for the top seed, but they face some stiff challenges in the next two weeks.  New England had the best shot, but their loss to San Francisco advances Denver.  I see Denver taking the top with two more wins.  Houston would need to win the rematch against the Colts in Indy to capture the other bye week.  The AFC North winner will definitely be the fourth seed, with Indy as fifth and Cincy as sixth.

NFC:  Only half of the division titles are set, but a 49ers victory over Seattle this week would clinch that division.  Atlanta will clinch the top seed with a win over Detroit on Saturday night.  San Fran should capture the second seed if they beat Seattle.  If the Seahawks engineer an upset, the Packers get that bye week.  The NFC East champ is definitely the fourth seed.  Wildcards are a harder to pick here, especially if Seattle loses to San Fran.  If they win, they get the fifth seed.  Minnesota leads the race for sixth seed, but they still face the Bears again.  Chicago could go 10-6 and capture the sixth seed, as could Minnesota.  Washington has the best chance to win the NFC East and capture the fourth seed, especially since both the Giants and Cowboys have tough opponents this week.