DTTWSB Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

December is finally here which means to two things, the weather gets colder and good football teams play good football in this month. This is the month that separates the contenders from the pretenders. There are a few teams that have played well through the first three months of the season but have some skeptics. Winning football games is the only way they can prove they belong. With that said, here is the Week 13 edition of my power rankings.

1. New York Jets (9-2): Last week the Jets disposed of the Bengals on Thanksgiving night. If they can keep their intensity up they will be an extremely tough out in the playoffs. With that said, they'll need all 10 days to prepare for the Patriots this week.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): This was the most fortunate team in the league last week. They should have lost to Buffalo but as good teams do, they found a way to pull out the victory. Offense is not their specialty but I think they have enough to make a Super Bowl run.

3. New England Patriots (9-2): The New England machine keeps chugging along week after week. Through the first three months of the season their young players have been getting more and more experience. Youth no longer affects this team. It also helps when you have one of the best head coaches in the league as well.

4. Atlanta Falcons (9-2): I've been denying this all season, but right now I have to say that the Atlanta Falcons are the best team in the NFC. They have a balanced offense and a defense that doesn't make mental errors. The rest of the conference better hope they don't get homefield advantage because they don't lose in Atlanta.

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-3): Believe it or not, the Ravens win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday was impressive. Tampa Bay isn't a joke anymore and the Ravens defense stepped up and played tough. There is still something off about this team but for now they deserve the number five spot.

6. New Orleans Saints (8-3): I think this has been the most overlooked team in the league this season. To be honest I don't blame people for overlooking them. They have a shady defense and rely too much on quarterback Drew Brees and that offense. I'm not sure if that's going to cut it come January.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4): The Eagles lost their first game with quarterback Michael Vick in the starting lineup last week. This team played a tough game against the Bears in Chicago which is a tough place to play. I don't see any reason why they won't be able to bounce back and get rolling again.

8. New York Giants (7-4): With a depleted offense, the Giants got a much need win last week. Health could be the reason why this team ends up watching the playoffs from home instead of playing in them. They have some important games coming up starting this Sunday when they play host to Washington.

9. Green Bay Packers (7-4): My fear with the Packers this offseason showed its ugly head last Sunday in Atlanta. This team cannot run the football to save its life. Also, their defense doesn't get stops in critical times of the game. They are a very good team but not a serious contender.

10. Chicago Bears (8-3): I think it's about time we start giving the Bears some credit. Their win last week against the Eagles will give them confidence through the roof. Right now they're in good position to win the NFC North. At Soldier Field they turn into the Monsters of the Midway, no team wants to play them there.