We are back with the week 12 NFL power rankings, bringing you another installment after another seesaw weekend in the league. There were tie games, there were dominant performances by top tier teams, there were upsets by teams in desperation, there were more referee mistakes and of course, good football all around. The best two teams in the NFL continued their winning ways, but was there any change in the way they are listed in my week 12 NFL power rankings? Let's see....

Week 12 NFL Power Rankings

1. Tennessee Titans - 10-0 - All Tennessee keeps on doing is winning. They win when people pick them to lose, they win when they get behind in the game early, and they win in any number of ways. I don't care about their schedule, 10-0 in an NFL season gets you to the top perch. And don't let the record fool you, the Jaguars are a solid football team, especially when motivated as they were to try to take out the NFL's top dog.
2. New York Giants - 9-1 - I knew the Giants would beat the Baltimore Ravens at home, but to absolutely dominate them in the way they did, talk about sending a message to the league. 200 yards running against a team that came in giving up 65 rushing yards per game. The Giants came close to equaling that per quarter. Me thinks that early loss to the Browns helped this team, let's see how they continue coping with the spotlight.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers - 7-3 - This team is struggling right now, as much as a 7-3 first place team can. They have gutted out some tough games while losing a few equally tough ones but the injury situation may be their downfall eventually. The Steelers need to stop focusing so much on the wrongs the NFL and the referees and the CIA commit against them, and get back to basics.
4. Indianapolis Colts - 6-4 - I hate to say I told you so, but the Colts were not going to ride off quietly en route to a losing season. They are in a real dog fight for a wild card spot, but who's betting against Peyton Manning? Not me. But Bob Sanders needs to be healthy for it to happen.
5. New York Jets - 7-3 - The Jets sky rocket into the number 5 spot as I can no longer ignore them. Great win against a division rival and a strong team. I'm still not sold on this team as being a championship contender, but I just might like their chances aginst the Tennessee Titans this weekend. You'll have to check out my week 12 NFL picks for that.
6. Carolina Panthers - 8-2 - I know they won the game. I know I have supported them all season. I know they are 8-2, with the third best record in the entire NFL. But that was a real ugly performance against the Lions. Where has Jake Delhomme gone? Throwing for less than 100 yards, two weeks in a row? This team needs to retool to be more than a one and done playoff team.
7. Baltimore Ravens - 6-4 - The Ravens stay at the number seven spot after being taken to the shed by the New York Giants. That game said more about the Giants than it did about the Ravens, and I think the defense is going to put a serious hurting on future opponents after their performance this Sunday.
8. Arizona Cardinals - 7-3 - I don't think anybody imagined Kurt Warner having the kind of season he's been having. But with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, why not? Best starting wide receivers in the league, with Steve Breaston rounding out the troupe and a young running back who can gain tough yards helping out as well.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 7-3 - The Vikings aren't a pushover, and they really wanted to go into Tampa Bay and win a game to take over first place. But the Buccaneers showed some grit in edging them out and taking care of their home turf. Who is going to run the ball the rest of the season though?
10. New England Patriots - 6-4 -In the middle of a major log jam for those AFC wild card spots. Will the defense hold together for the rest of the season? A handful more tough divisional games remain, and will determine the fate of this team.

A few new teams catapulted themselves into my week 12 power rankings after I could no longer keep them out of it. Welcome to the club, Jets and Cardinals. Time for the Panthers to right the ship, if an 8-2 team ever has needed to do that. And for those keeping score, 6 AFC teams this week, and 4 NFC teams this week. Enjoy the week 12 NFL power rankings and spread the word.