NFL Power Rankings 2011: Which Contenders Still Need to Improve?

After the first few weeks of the season, if your team was slated to be a contender, but still needs to significantly improve, it can be very frustrating.

Despite being ranked in the top half of the league, the following three teams are always expected to be better than how they've performed thus far—some more than others.

Here's a hint, they're all in the AFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The good news is that after beginning 0-1 and getting embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten back to 2-1.

The bad news is that both those wins came against Seattle and Indianapolis, two teams with a combined record of 1-5.

Pittsburgh was expected to win those games, and did, but after their weak performance against the Indianapolis Colts, it's certain that they have a lot of work to do.

The offensive line had trouble blocking anyone for that matter, QB Ben Roethlisberger was under duress for most of the night, and RB Rashard Mendenhall only compiled 37 rushing yards on 18 carries.

In addition, the Steelers turned the ball over three times, while the defense was exploited in allowing almost 100 rushing yards—something definitely not expected.

New England Patriots

Once again the defense is the Achilles heel of the New England Patriots, while being one-dimensional on offense can only get you so far.

It's a tale of two teams combined into one because their offensive identity is to throw the ball and put up as many points as possible.

Defensively however, head coach Bill Belichick hasn't gotten an identity, unless having an identity means giving up almost 28 points per game, as well as gaining a big lead and then squandering it off.

Now make no mistake about it, this is the Pats' and they will improve, but with a confident Buffalo Bills team, New England has a lot of proving to do if they want to remain atop the AFC East.

If they continue to lack defensively, turn the ball over, and give up big leads, it's going to be hard to make the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers

Despite the win, the San Diego Chargers barely knocked off the dismal Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 at home.

Sure they were vulnerable after losing in Week 2 to New England, but for as much talent that San Diego possesses, there's no way the Chiefs should have kept it that close with everyone they lost.

Right now the Oakland Raiders look like the best in the AFC West, but a lot will ride on how the Bolts perform next week at home versus a desperate Miami Dolphins team.

And if you add in their slow start in the season's first two weeks, the Chargers are in for a long season if they don't start coming out of the gates faster.

Because if that continues, they won't keep up with New England (like in Week 2), and teams like the Houston Texans will roll them in the postseason (provided San Diego even makes it).

Week 4 Power Rankings (LW = last week's rank.) (Teams with * is Monday Night Game)

1. Green Bay Packers (3-0) (LW 1)	17. *Washington Redskins (2-0) (LW 17)
2. New Orleans Saints (2-1) (LW 4)	18. Oakland Raiders (2-1) (LW 22)
3. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) (LW 7)	19. Carolina Panthers (1-2) (LW 23)
4. Houston Texans (2-1) (LW 5)	20. Tennessee Titans (2-1) (LW 19)
5. Detroit Lions (3-0) (LW 10)	21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) (LW 18)
6. Buffalo Bills (3-0) (LW 16)	22. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) (LW 26)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) (LW 8)	23. Cleveland Browns (2-1) (LW 29)
8. New England Patriots (2-1) (LW 2)	24. Seattle Seahawks (1-2) (LW 24)
9. New York Giants (2-1) (LW 13)	25. Arizona Cardinals (1-2) (LW 20)
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) (LW 14)	26. Indianapolis Colts (0-3) (LW 31)
11. San Diego Chargers (2-1) (LW 11)	27. St. Louis Rams (0-3) (LW 21)
12. New York Jets (2-1) (LW 3)	28. Minnesota Vikings (0-3) (LW 25)
13. Chicago Bears (1-2) (LW 12)	29. Miami Dolphins (0-3) (LW 24)
14. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) (LW 9)	30. Denver Broncos (1-2) (LW 27)
15. *Dallas Cowboys (1-1) (LW 15)	31. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) (LW 28
16. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) (LW 6)	32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) (LW 30)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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