NFL Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins and the 5 Most Hopeless Teams

Parity rules in the NFL, but there are a handful of teams that have seen their 2011 seasons go up in smoke through just four weeks (or three, for one team). While some have struggled with a talented roster—see: Philadelphia Eagles—others have fallen on their faces simply because they aren't very good.

Here's the list:

Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

They lost arguably the two best young players on their team in running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season-ending injuries, but the problems were apparent as far back as the final preseason game.

The Chiefs were so out of sorts following the lockout that they played their starters into the fourth quarter in the preseason finale against the Packers. The problems have continued into the regular season.

Miami Dolphins (0-4)

The writing was on the wall for the Dolphins to struggle this season, but I don't think anyone thought they'd start the season with four straight losses. Playing that far behind in the AFC East is a season death wish. The defense looked like it could help carry the Dolphins to a respectable record, but that certainly hasn't been the case.

Add in Chad Henne's injury and the heat under Tony Sparano's coaching seat, and the Dolphins' 2011 season looks like a lost venture.  

Indianapolis Colts (0-3)

Once news broke that Peyton Manning's 2011 season was in the balance, we knew the Colts were going to be behind the eight ball. Analysts have always said how average the Colts would be without their franchise quarterback, and they've proved it so far in 2011.

The problems extend deeper than No. 18, but it's clear he helped erase a lot of areas where the Colts have lacked.

St. Louis Rams (0-4)

Can someone please get Sam Bradford some receivers to throw the football to? The team is almost hard to watch, because you can tell that the quarterback has talent. But when castoff Mike Sims-Walker is your No. 1 receiving threat, you have some problems.

This offseason, the Rams better add some players on offense who can be playmakers. They can't get by with their cast of average pass-catchers any longer.

Minnesota Vikings (0-4)

A veteran team just two years removed from an NFC Championship Game appearance and a new quarterback who had something to prove seemed like it could make the Vikings an interesting wild-card team in 2011. The opposite has happened in Minnesota, as the defense has blown three double-digit leads and Donovan McNabb looks like he's running on fumes. 

Full Week 5 Power Rankings

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

*Plays Monday night