NFL Power Rankings: Teams Destined for Second-Half Disappointment

The NFL is all about peaking at the right time, and for the teams that peak too soon, nothing but disappointment awaits. 

My Week 11 power rankings will highlight which teams, that time will prove, botched the timing on this season.  

Langford's Week 11 NFL Power Rankings

1. Houston Texans

The Texans went into the bad weather of Chicago for a battle of one-loss teams, and they left town as the only justifiable option for No. 1 in the power rankings. 

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons' poor rush defense finally cost this team. It will not be the last time it happens this season. 

3. Baltimore Ravens

After dropping off a bit, the Ravens' offense got on track in a big way this week. Now let's see if they can keep that high level of play rolling against teams not named the Raiders. 

4. San Francisco 49ers 

The 49ers can turn in some clunkers. Case in point, their tie at home with the Rams that came after their bye week. 

5. Denver Broncos

The Broncos are winning with ease now. They have a legitimate shot of challenging for home field advantage in the AFC. 

6. Chicago Bears

Why the Bears are Headed Towards Disappointment

The Bears just started a brutal part of their schedule. Next week they travel to take on the 49ers, and the four following games consist of two contests with the Vikings and games against the Packers the Seahawks at home. 

The loss against the Texans at home was a rough way for them to start. The offensive line problem reared its ugly head as Jay Cutler was forced to leave the game with a concussion, and with the amount of abuse that Cutler takes, this isn't likely to be the only injury that forces him to miss game time. 

The Bears raised the bar high in Chicago with their 7-1 start. Now they will begin to lower that bar. 

7. New England Patriots

The Patriots just keep winning. They have some obvious holes on pass defense, but that didn't stop them from making the Super Bowl last year. 

8. Green Bay Packers

The Packers have been solid, but not nearly as spectacular as last season. I have a feeling their best football is ahead of them. 

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

For the first time in years, the Steelers' offensive line is not a weakness. No one is going to want to play this team come January. 

10. New York Giants

If it wasn't the Giants, I would say this team is headed for a second-half disappointment, but I'm not going to write off this group until they are eliminated. 

11. Seattle Seahawks

If the Seahawks played every game in Seattle, they would be at the top of the power rankings. Unfortunately for them, they have to go on the road for half their games. 

12. Indianapolis Colts

Why the Colts are Headed Towards Disappointment

I don't want to put the Colts on this list, and I am rooting for them the remainder of this season, it's just they've built up serious playoff hopes, and I don't see them making it. 

Yes, the Colts have won four straight, but they have come against the Browns, Titans, Dolphins and Jaguars. While it is a testament to this team that they are winning, their schedule is going to get more difficult. 

The Colts will play the Patriots next, and they still have two games against the Texans left. 

In the end, this season will still be a huge success for the Colts, I just see them coming up short of the postseason. 

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have won four of their last five and they are flying up the power rankings. What a difference a year makes. 

14. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys got a much-needed win this week, and their upcoming schedule is far from daunting. 

15. Minnesota Vikings

Why the Vikings are Headed Towards Disappointment

After a 4-1 start, the Vikings have lost three of their last five. They picked up a much-needed win this week against the Lions where the offense sprang back to life, which bodes well for the remainder of the season. 

Unfortunately, their schedule does not. The Vikings have their bye next week, so they only have six games left. In those six, they have two against the Bears, two against the Packers and one against the Texans. It really isn't even fair. 

Remember the first part of the season Vikings fans!

16. Philadelphia Eagles

The only reason the Eagles aren't headed towards disappointment is because they are already there. 

17. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals limped into their bye week as losers of five straight. Now they need to hope the week away helps them get healthy and figure out how to pass block. 

18. Detroit Lions

The Lions show glimpses of brilliance, but they just have a knack for faltering at the most inopportune times. 

19.  New Orleans Saints

I've been adamant all year that the Saints' defense would doom them. The defense is still terrible, but I'm beginning to soften on that stance. 

20. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals looked amazing while beating the Giants, but I'll need to see them back that up next week before considering giving them a bigger bump. 

21. Washington Redskins

The Redskins just don't have a lot of talent outside of RG3. Considering the amount of draft picks they gave up to get him, you have to wonder if that will ever change. 

22. New York Jets

Speaking of not having a lot of talent! This Jets team is just awful. 

23. Tennessee Titans

The Titans defense finally came to play as they routed the Dolphins and forced some turnovers. If the D can make strides in the second half, they have a shot at jumping up the power rankings. 

24. San Diego Chargers

There will be no late-season turnaround for the Chargers this year. This team lacks explosiveness. 

25. Miami Dolphins

I would call the Dolphins' loss to the Titans ugly, but I don't want to offend ugly. 

26. Buffalo Bills

I will give the Bills credit for hanging with the Patriots and almost pulling off the upset, but this defense is still awful. 

27. St. Louis Rams

The Rams looked good coming off their bye as they tied the mighty Niners. Now let's see if they can continue to make strides the rest of the way. 

28. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have forgotten how to play defense the last two weeks. Not a good sign for their defensive-minded rookie head coach. 

29. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers used the momentum they gained by beating the Redskins to get blown out by the Broncos. Yay, Carolina!

30. Cleveland Browns

The Browns offense looked as good as it has all season this week. The Browns had a bye this week. 

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

It is hard to believe this terrible team is not No. 32. They can thank Scott Pioli for that. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are a miserable mess right now, and that mess won't go away until they clean house at the end of the season.