NFL Power Rankings: 3 Bottom Feeders with Playoff Potential

It's only been one week, but there are a select few NFL teams out there that should already be considered out of it. Done. Finito. Doomed.

Most of those teams occupy the lower end of my post-Week 1 power rankings. Even the Indianapolis Colts, they of the nine straight 10-win seasons, are down there with the dregs. It almost felt wrong to put them down there, but that's just how it is.

But hey, life at the bottom isn't so bad for some teams. There are some squads down there that showed true potential this past weekend. Some of them might just rise from the depths before all is said and done.

In fact, there are three bottom feeders in particular that I think might even be good enough to reach the postseason.

3. San Francisco 49ers (No. 27)

Take away Tedd Ginn, Jr.'s two return touchdowns, and the 49ers did absolutely nothing impressive in their 33-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. In fact, they looked like a slightly improved version of the 2010 Niners. Hence the reason I've stashed them at No. 27 for now.

But in the NFC West, the Niners might just be good enough. I already think we can count out the Seahawks, the St. Louis Rams have all sorts of injury problems, and the Arizona Cardinals looked very human against the Carolina Panthers. Just like last year, it looks like the NFC West is going to have no clear favorite.

With a little help from new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is a clever devil, the 49ers might just be able to survive long enough to steal the division title.

2. Miami Dolphins (No. 25)

I think you have to hand it to the Dolphins. They got smashed by the New England Patriots on Monday night, but they at least made it interesting.

Because of that, I actually decided to keep the Dolphins at No. 25, which is exactly where I had them before they got demolished by the Pats. They lost, but it was a respectable loss.

I also think it's the kind of loss the Dolphins can build on. While the defense obviously has some bouncing back to do, the team must have liked what it saw out of Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall, and Reggie Bush had a solid game too.

Make no mistake, this is a team that is not going to be easy to beat. The Dolphins are not going to win the AFC East, but don't be surprised if they're battling with the New York Jets for a wild card berth.

1. Washington Redskins (No. 21)

I admit it. After watching them take apart the New York Giants on Sunday, I should probably have the Redskins higher than No. 21.

The reason I don't, in case you're wondering, is because I'm just not sold quite yet. Once the 'Skins show me they can beat a team that isn't being held together by duct tape, that's when I'll move them up.

If it's any consolation, I do think the 'Skins are a threat to make some noise in the NFC East. I don't think Rex Grossman's premonition of a division title is going to come true, but I can see the 'Skins finishing just behind the Philadelphia Eagles. Depending on what goes on in the other divisions, they could also earn a wild card berth.

At that point, we would all have to apologize to Dan Snyder.

Or not.

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. Oakland Raiders
17. Kansas City Chiefs
18. New York Giants
19. St. Louis Rams
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
21.  Washington Redskins
22. Tennessee Titans
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