NFL Power Rankings 2012: Teams That Will Fall This Season

Every season in the NFL brings its fair share of new obstacles and surprises, and 2012 will be no different, as several teams have added and lost some key pieces this offseason.

One offseason can dramatically change a team, whether it be for better or for worse. Some teams are aging, others have lost productive players and some have been faced with off-the-field distractions.

Here's a look at some teams I see falling this season, complete with my full NFL power rankings below.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2011 Record: 12-4)

The Steelers have an aging squad defensively, and they lost a steady veteran presence in receiver Hines Ward in the offseason.

They did help themselves on the offensive line with rookie guard David DeCastro, which should help Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket, but DeCastro will need a little time to develop.

On top of that, there should be some growing pains assimilating to Todd Haley's new system. There are just a few more question marks for the Steelers this offseason than in previous years.

I still see the Steelers as a top-10 team, but they don't look as strong this season to me. 

New Orleans Saints (2011 Record: 13-3)

The Saints still have a great deal of talent on the roster, including quarterback Drew Brees, but you can't deny the loss of head coach Sean Payton for the season after Bountygate.

Payton is not only one of the great offensive minds in the game today, but he's also developed a rapport with Brees throughout the years, as well as the rest of the team.

There is a lot of room for a slip-up here, although I don't think it will come from Brees.

Oakland Raiders (2011 Record: 8-8)

The Raiders lost a strong backup running back in Michael Bush, as well as cornerback Stanford Routt and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Those were key pieces for the Raiders in 2011, and they still finished a mediocre 8-8, allowing 27.1 points per game in the process. What happens when those players are gone this season?

The Raiders still don't have a star in the receiving corps (although Denarius Moore has been a pleasant surprise), and I don't trust Carson Palmer under center, who has thrown a combined 36 interceptions in his last two seasons in Oakland and Cincinnati.

NFL Power Rankings 

Team	2011 Record
1. New York Giants	9-7
2. Green Bay Packers	15-1
3. New England Patriots	13-3
4. San Francisco 49ers	13-3
5. Baltimore Ravens	12-4
6. Houston Texans	10-6
7. Philadelphia Eagles	8-8
8. Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
9. Detroit Lions	10-6
10. Atlanta Falcons	10-6
11. New Orleans Saints	13-3
12. Chicago Bears	8-8
13. Denver Broncos	8-8
14. Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
15. Dallas Cowboys	8-8
16. San Diego Chargers	8-8
17. New York Jets	8-8
18. Kansas City Chiefs	7-9
19. Arizona Cardinals	8-8
20. Tennessee Titans	9-7
21. Seattle Seahawks	7-9
22. Buffalo Bills	6-10
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-12
24. Carolina Panthers	6-10
25. Washington Redskins	5-11
26. Oakland Raiders	8-8
27. Miami Dolphins	6-10
28. Jacksonville Jaguars	5-11
29. Cleveland Browns	4-12
30. Indianapolis Colts	2-14
31. St. Louis Rams	2-14
32. Minnesota Vikings	3-13

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