2012 NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Super Bowl Contenders Week 13: With 12 weeks of the NFL season in the books, the playoffs are officially in site. Many of the division races are already wrapped up, but there are a handful of teams fighting for the wild card spots in both the AFC and NFC. Breaking down the Super Bowl contenders, both conferences appear to have some major players at this point. Here is a look at how the top contenders stack up in the latest addition of NFL Power Rankings.
2012 NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Super Bowl Contenders Week 13
1. San Francisco 49ers (8-2-1)
Does anyone really want to play San Francisco? Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and a host of other star players lead a defense that shuts down opposing offenses and physically beats them up. Meanwhile, the offense is just as physical with Frank Gore leading a power running attack that leads the NFL in rushing. Not to mention that San Francisco’s offense has gained an element of explosiveness in the past two weeks since dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick has taken over as starter. The 49ers have the stingiest defense in the game and run the ball better than any team out there. Is there a more proven recipe for success that that?
2. Houston Texans (10-1)
The Texans are tied for the best record in the NFL thanks in large part to their balance on both sides of the ball. Running back Arian Foster has already topped 1,000 yards and is leading the league in touchdowns. Meanwhile, receiver Andre Johnson finally looks healthy, and he and quarterback Matt Schaub have proven that the Houston passing game can make teams pay if they stack the line to stop Foster. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end J.J. Watt may be the most disruptive player defensive player in the game. The lone negative for the Texans is that a rash of injuries to their linebackers has taken its toll on a defense that was a top three unit when fully healthy. The offense has been able to compensate thus far, but Houston isn’t quite as good as it was when its defense was at full strength.
3. New York Giants (7-4)
It is becoming obvious the bad losses like the ones they suffered to Philadelphia and Cincinnati are just going to come with the territory for the Giants. However, they have also dismantled the San Francisco and Green Bay. The offense is actually much more balance than the unit that helped the Giants win the Super Bowl last year, and Eli Manning is still as clutch as they come when it comes to making big throws in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the pass rush that has been surprisingly quiet so far is starting to come around. Plain and simple, New York plays its best in big games against top competition, and in the long run, that’s all that really matters.
4. New England Patriots (8-3)
Even without star tight end Rob Gronkowski, the New England offense remains a juggernaut. Quarterback Tom Brady heads the fourth-best passing attack, and the surprising rise of Stevan Ridley has New England’s rushing offense ranked sixth in the league. More importantly, the revamped Patriots’ defense is starting to play at a high level. New England has a top-10 rush defense, and the Patriots are forcing turnovers and making big plays on special teams, as well. With a proven QB, a high-scoring offense and an improving defense, New England looks primed for another deep postseason run.
5. Denver Broncos (8-3)
What a difference a QB makes. Peyton Manning has the Broncos on a six-game winning streak and cruising to an AFC West title. Losing running back Willis McGahee wasn’t ideal, but Manning and the sixth-ranked passing attack is more than capable of carrying the load. Meanwhile, the defense currently ranks in the top five against the pass and in the top 10 against the run. Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil lead what is fast becoming one of the best pass rushes in the league, and with Manning staking the Broncos to early leads, Denver’s defense has had plenty of opportunities to attack opposing QBs. This team is starting to look a lot like the Indianapolis teams that were perennial Super Bowl contenders.
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