NFL Power Rankings: 5 Teams That Have Already Fallen off Postseason Radar

For all the teams that have kicked off their 2011 season with a loss, the good news is that an 0-1 record does not automatically disqualify you from the playoffs.

That said, it should certainly be noted that not all 0-1 teams are created equal. Even in defeat, some have reasons to be optimistic. But the others? Not so much.

With all other sports, this is where one would be obligated to drop the old "It's a long season" line. But that's not the case in the NFL. It's a very, very short season, and the only way to make it longer is to qualify for the playoffs.

With all but two games in the books for Week 1, there are five teams that I fear are already doomed to settle for very, very short seasons.

5. Cleveland Browns

I never did think the Browns were going to make a run at a playoff spot this year. Sure, they're headed that way, but they won't be ready to contend for another year or two.

After their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, I now know that the Browns are not going to make a run at the playoffs. The Browns may have talent in the right places, but it's just not going to do them any good if they can't beat a team like the Bengals.

Especially if they can't even beat the Bengals at home.

4. Tennessee Titans

There was a time when I thought the Titans were going to be a dark horse contender in the AFC South. And when the Jaguars decided to release David Garrard at the last minute, I liked Tennessee's chances even more.

And then they went out and got beat by the Garrard-less Jaguars. I could probably live with that, but the Titans seemed to have no sense whatsoever of their own identity against the Jags. I'm afraid the fact that Chris Johnson only got nine carries is pretty damning evidence in favor of the idea.

So alas, I no longer think of the Titans as a dark horse contender in the AFC South. They're more like a dark horse contender for Andrew Luck.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

In 2010, no one team in the NFL overachieved more than the Kansas City Chiefs. Because of that, they always were due to come back down to earth this season.

But heck, I don't think any of us expected the reigning AFC West champs to lose 41-7 to the Buffalo Bills of all teams. It was ugly, and the fact that it came at home makes it that much worse.

The loss was so ugly, in fact, that I'm ready to call it right now: the Chiefs are not going to make the playoffs this year. The best I can see the Chiefs doing is 8-8, and that's not good enough to cut it in the AFC West, or any other division for that matter.

Well, except for maybe the NFC West.

2. Indianapolis Colts

I'm really not sure how much I have to justify the Colts being on this list, but there are a few figures from their loss to the Houston Texans that are worth passing along.

The Colts held the ball for just over 23 minutes. They had just three trips to the red zone. They allowed 167 yards rushing despite Arian Foster's absence. They converted 1-of-9 third down tries.

Long story short, the Colts were awful. And with no Peyton Manning for the next couple months, they will continue to be awful.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Speaking of Andrew Luck, the Seahawks are another team that is already in the mix for his services. In fact, they may as well start negotiating with him.

If there is one thing that stands out about Seattle's 33-17 loss to the 49ers on Sunday, it's that they actually outgained the 49ers 219 yards to 209 yards. They could have won.

But the Seahawks didn't win. And if they can't beat a team like the 49ers even after outplaying them, I for one don't see how the Seahawks are going to beat anybody.

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