NFL Power Rankings: Teams Falling Out of Playoff Position Following Losses

With the season chugging along through the halfway mark, teams are jockeying for playoff position, and these teams aren't doing themselves any favors with Week 9 losses.

While there is still a huge portion of the season left to turn things around, a number of teams are headed in the wrong direction and need to turn things around before their seasons go to waste.

The NFL is always unpredictable, and this week was no different.

Let's take a look at the teams who are quickly fading out of a playoff position following Week 9 losses.

Cincinnati Bengals

Heading into last season with a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton, many expected the Bengals to be among the NFL's worst teams. But they shocked their critics by making the playoffs.

They were expected to make a run toward the playoffs yet again after starting the season 3-1, but have since dropped four straight games, including Sunday's 31-23 loss to the red-hot Denver Broncos.

The AFC is very even so far this season and there's still a chance that Cincinnati could turn things around.

But at 3-5, they're on the outside looking in and need to string together some victories to have any sort of postseason aspirations.

Arizona Cardinals

After starting the season 4-0, the Cardinals were the early-season story of the NFL and looked to be one of the league's most dangerous teams.

Oh, how quickly things change.

With five straight losses, the Cards sit at 4-5 and are sputtering out of control. Arizona dropped a 31-17 contest to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Cardinals quarterback John Skelton racked up decent numbers with 306 passing yards and a touchdown, but couldn't contend with one of the league's most affluent offenses led by Aaron Rodgers. 

Arizona heads to Atlanta next week to face the NFL-best Falcons next week, so expect their ghastly losing streak to continue.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins, just like the Cardinals and Bengals, started the season with a bang as rookie sensation Robert Griffin III got his team off to a great start. But their loss to Carolina on Sunday was their third straight defeat, dropping them to 3-5 on the year.

The injury bug has bit RGIII's team considerably this season, having already lost leading receiver Fred Davis for the year and the same might be true for favorite target Pierre Garcon. Their passing attack is struggling with the absence of these two players.

Upcoming is a NFL East tour, where the 'Skins will face each of their divisional opponents.

It's a crucial stretch that will make or break Washington's season.

NFL Power Rankings (through Week 9)

1. Falcons

2. Texans

3. Giants

4. Bears

5. 49ers

6. Packers

7. Ravens

8. Patriots

9. Broncos

10. Seahawks

11. Steelers

12. Vikings

13. Dolphins

14. Colts

15. Cowboys

16. Lions

17. Eagles

18. Chargers

19. Cardinals

20. Redskins

21. Bucs

22. Rams

23. Bengals

24. Raiders

25. Jets

26. Titans

27. Saints

28. Panthers

29. Bills

30. Browns

31. Jaguars

32. Chiefs