We are bound to see more shuffling in the NFL playoff race in the last month of the season, but some of the premier teams are starting to make their mark atop each conference postseason picture.
Let's take a look what the playoffs would like if the season ended today.
Can all these teams hold their current positions?
NFC
1. Green Bay Packers (11-0)
The Packers are still rolling, and 16-0 is a distinct possibility.
They travel to face a struggling Giants team this week, and three of their last four are at home, with the only road game in Kansas City. Start etching Aaron Rodgers' name into that MVP trophy.
2. San Francisco 49ers (9-2)
Because they have a solid defense, I totally expect the 49ers to return to form during the last five games of the season.
It'll help that four of their last five are against the NFC West. A game against the Steelers on December 19 on Monday Night Football could determine the No. 2 seed.
3. New Orleans Saints (8-3)
What did I tell you about the Saints at home in prime time? No one better.
Drew Brees should get MVP consideration because of the efficiency in which he directs his offense. The defense isn't stellar, but certainly good enough.
4. Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
The Cowboys are getting hot precisely when the Giants have lost three straight. With a game lead in the division, things are looking skyward for Dallas, but they face their rivals from the Big Apple twice in the final five weeks.
5. Chicago Bears (7-4)
A road loss to an AFC team wasn't horrible for the Bears. They hold the tiebreaker over the Falcons and their next three are against the Chiefs, Broncos and Seahawks.
Can Caleb Hanie improve? He must play better than he did last week if Chicago wants to stay put in the NFC playoff picture.
6. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)
This is the Falcons team I thought we'd see all season. Balance on offense, ferocious run defense and the occasional sack.
They've won five of their last six and consecutive road games at Houston and Carolina aren't as threatening as they seemed earlier in the year.
They'll need to hold off Matt Stafford and the Lions, a team they beat in Week 7.
AFC
1. Houston Texans (8-3)
Welcome to the T.J. Yates era in Houston. The Texans should make the postseason, but they were in prime position to lock up home field and do some major damage in the playoffs before the injury to Matt Schaub.
With games against the Panthers and Colts remaining, at worst, they should get to 10 wins.
2. New England Patriots (8-3)
New England is getting hot at the perfect time. They struggled during the middle of the season, and although their defense is still "ranked" near the bottom of the league, it is improving.
Tom Brady is nearing Aaron Rodgers' level in terms of the surgical way in which to lead an offense. It's very possible the Patriots enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak.
3. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
They'll battle the Steelers for the AFC North crown, but they don't have to worry about the playoffs—they'll be in.
I'd still like to see more consistency from Joe Flacco, and with two games against the Browns and one against Indianapolis, at worst, they should get to 11 wins.
4. Oakland Raiders (7-4)
The boom-or-bust, true dark horse in the AFC playoffs. I know the Broncos are the talk of the AFC West right now because of Tim Tebow, but with Oakland's running game, Carson Palmer and the speedy wide receivers, they're a team I wouldn't want to play.
They should get to, at the very least, nine wins, which should be enough to capture the division title.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
The Steelers were stymied offensively against the Chiefs, but they were still able to pick up a crucial road win in prime time.
They should be fine, because Ben Roethlisberger has shown the ability to improvise regardless of the situation.
Two games against the Browns and the Rams should get them to 11 wins. Can they finish ahead of the Ravens to win the AFC North? It'll be tough.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
Another second-half comeback for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. The Cincinnati quarterback is my Rookie of the Year.
The defense gains strength as the game progresses, and Cedric Benson looks to be back to form. Their remaining schedule isn't easy, with games against the Steelers, Texans and Ravens. Unless they go 2-3 down the stretch, they should be in.
Week 13 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. New Orleans Saints
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. New England Patriots
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Houston Texans
8. Dallas Cowboys
9. Oakland Raiders
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Atlanta Falcons
12. Chicago Bears
13. Detroit Lions
14. New York Giants
15. New York Jets
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. Denver Broncos
18. Miami Dolphins
19. Seattle Seahawks
20. Buffalo Bills
21. Tennessee Titans
22. Kansas City Chiefs
23. Arizona Cardinals
24. San Diego Chargers
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Philadelphia Eagles
27. Minnesota Vikings
28. Washington Redskins
29. Carolina Panthers
30. Cleveland Browns
31. St. Louis Rams
32. Indianapolis Colts
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