2012 NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Falcons Rise To The Top

1. Atlanta Falcons (6-0) - The Falcons edged the Raiders 23-20 to stay unbeaten. Even though they haven't been pretty all the time, they are the lone unbeaten team in the NFL and deserve the top ranking. Previous Ranking: 3

2. Houston Texans (5-1) - The Texans got throttled by Green Bay on Sunday Night Football. They were due for a bad game and the fact is that Houston is the best team on paper in the AFC. Previous Ranking: 2

3. Baltimore Ravens (5-1) - The Ravens have impressive victories over Cincinnati, New England and Dallas this season. However, the loss of Ray Lewis could be devastating to this defense. But as of now, they look like the a contender in the AFC. Previous Ranking: 5

4. San Francisco 49ers (4-2) - The 49ers got taken to the woodshed by the New York Giants, losing 26-3 at home. We saw what happens when Alex Smith turns the football over and the 49ers can't run the football. Previous Ranking: 1

5. New York Giants (4-2) - The Giants went into San Francisco and beat the 49ers in a NFL Championship game rematch. The Giants defense played lights out, and the team continued its road success. Previous Ranking: 10

6. Chicago Bears (4-1) - The Bears were off this week and return to action this week against Detroit. The Bears have outscored their last three opponents by a combined 71 points. Previous Ranking: 6

7. New England Patriots (3-3) - The Patriots fell to Seattle on the road 24-23. Although there is no shame in losing against the 12th man, NE blowing a double-digit fourth quarter lead is alarming. Previous Ranking: 4

8. Seattle Seahawks (4-2) - The Seahawks have home victories over Dallas, Green Bay and New England. Russell Wilson keeps getting better and that pass rush is very good. Look out for Seattle as a potential playoff sleeper in the NFC. Previous Ranking: 13

9. Denver Broncos (3-3) - The Broncos executed one of the best comebacks in NFL history Monday night, coming from 24 points down to beat San Diego by nine. Payton Manning was not sacked, and the Denver defense forced six turnovers. Previous Ranking: 15

10. Minnesota Vikings (4-2) - The Vikings fell on the road against RG3 and the Washington Redskins. Percy Harvin continued his impressive play on the season with 11 catches for 133 yards against Washington. Previous Ranking: 8

11. Green Bay Packers (3-3) - The Packers got their season back on track with a 42-24 beatdown of the Houston Texans. Aaron Rodgers made fantasy owners happy with his six passing touchdowns, three of them to Jordy Nelson. Previous Ranking: 16

12. Arizona Cardinals (4-2) - The Cardinals fell again last week, and once again their starting quarterback was forced out of the game with an injury. The Cardinals offensive line has given up 22 sacks in the past three games. Previous Ranking: 7

13. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) - The Eagles have lost two games in a row by a combined five points. The Philadelphia defense allowed 17 points in the fourth quarter to Detroit and the Eagles committed three turnovers. Previous Ranking: 9

14. New York Jets (3-3) - The Jets got back on track with a dominant 35-9 victory over the Colts this past Sunday. Shone Green had himself a game, with 32 carries, 161 yards and three touchdowns. Previous Ranking: 20

15. Miami Dolphins (3-3) - The Dolphins have been a pleasant surprise in Joe Philbin's first season. With two heartbreaking overtime losses on the season, Miami could be 5-1 on the season. Previous Ranking: 18

16. St. Louis Rams (3-3) - The Rams have won more games already in 2012 that they did all of 2011. Jeff Fisher has the defense playing very well, as the Rams rank sixth in the NFL in passing defense. Previous Ranking: 11

17. Washington Redskins (3-3) - Robert Griffin III had his most complete game in Washington's 38-26 victory over Minnesota. The Redskins ranked 2nd in the league in rushing and eighth against the run. Previous Ranking: 21

18. San Diego Chargers (3-3) - Not much needs to be said about what happened in San Diego on Monday night. The Chargers had a chance to take a commanding division lead, and they literally threw it away. Previous Ranking: 12.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) - Even though A.J. Green continues to dominate the NFL, the Bengals fell to the lowly Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Bengals defense even made Brandon Weeden look pretty good. Previous Ranking: 19

20. Dallas Cowboys (3-3) - Poor clock management cost Dallas the game against Baltimore. With DeMarco Murray hurt and a brutal schedule looming, it may get ugly for the Cowboys. Previous Ranking: 19

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) - The Steelers lost a heartbreaker against Tennessee on Thursday night. The Steelers rank second to last in the NFL in rushing and are banged up on defense. Previous Ranking: 14

22. Detroit Lions (2-3) - The Lions snapped a three-game losing streak with a OT victory over the Eagles. The Lions out gained the Eagles by almost 100 yards and forced three Eagles turnovers. Previous Ranking: 23

23. Buffalo Bills (3-3) - Say what you want about the Bills and their horrendous defense, but they are tied for first place in the AFC East. With Fred Jackson getting healthy and C.J. Spiller, Buffalo boasts one of the best rushing offenses in the league. Previous Ranking: 28

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) - Tampa Bay had been so close the past three weeks with nothing to show for it. Well, it seems that they took out some frustration against Kansas City, beating the Chiefs 38-10. Tampa Bay has three losses by a combined 15 points. Previous Ranking: 24

25. Tennessee Titans (2-3) - The Titans stepped up and got a huge victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Jake Locker still remains sidelined for Tennessee. Previous Ranking: 30

26. Indianapolis Colts (2-3) - Just when you think the Colts are turning the corner around Andrew Luck, both the team and the No. 1 overall pick turn in dud performances and the Colts get crushed against the New York Jets 35-9. Previous Ranking: 22

27. New Orleans Saints (1-4) - The Saints were off this week after an emotional victory against San Diego. San Diego faces a crucial divisional opponent this week in Tampa Bay. Previous Ranking: 25

28. Carolina Panthers (1-4) - The Panthers have been very inconsistent on offense all season. Cam Newton has been up and down in his sophomore season, and the running game has been non-existent for the Panthers. Previous Ranking: 27

29 Cleveland Browns (1-5) - The Browns get out of the cellar this week as they pulled off their first victory of 2012 over Cincinnati. Previous Ranking: 32

30. Oakland Raiders (1-4) - Oakland almost pulled off the upset over Atlanta, losing 23-20 on a last-second field goal. The Raiders have played a brutal schedule so far against teams like San Diego, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Denver. Previous Ranking: 29

31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) - The Chiefs only mustered 261 yards of offense against Tampa Bay. Jamaal Charles continued his inconsistent season, as Charles rushed for 40 yards on 12 carries against Tampa Bay. Previous Ranking: 26

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) - NFL teams should not lose 41-3; however, that's just what Jacksonville did two weeks ago against Chicago. The Jaguars were off this week, and the bye could not have come at a better time. Previous Ranking: 31