NFL Power Rankings: 49ers and 4 1-Loss Teams That Aren't True Title Contenders

Usain Bolt didn’t look like the undisputed fastest man in the world 25 meters out of the starting blocks.  It wasn’t until the final stretch that he distanced himself from the pack. 

The following teams may have gotten off to a fast start, but they won’t keep pace with the true Super Bowl contenders.  They may make the playoffs, but you won’t be seeing them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February. 

Here are four one-loss teams whose seasons won’t end on a high note.

4. San Diego Chargers

San Diego has had one of the most talented football teams on paper for the last half-dozen years.  Every single season, though, they fail to get the job done.  Blame special teams, carelessness with the football or poor coaching—the Chargers are choke artists no matter who’s to blame.

3. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are extremely lucky to be 4-1 at this point; their passing game is one of the worst in the league and their pass defense is sub-par.  San Francisco has managed to win games against quarterbacks that aren’t top-notch gunslingers.  The one gunslinger they did face off against in Tony Romo torched them with a punctured lung.

2. Washington Redskins

If Rex Grossman couldn’t win a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears defense, you’re absolutely kidding yourself if you believe he’s capable of doing so with the Washington Redskins.  Their defense is off to a strong start, but they’ve yet to match up with a strong offense.  They have an excellent chance to make the playoffs with each of their divisional foe failing to live up to expectations, but they’ll be one-and-done.

1. Buffalo Bills

I take you back to 2008: The Buffalo Bills got off to a 4-0 start and looked like title contenders before they finished the season going 3-9.  Buffalo lives and dies by creating turnovers.  It isn’t talented enough to beat a team straight up, and when a team that is determined to protect the football comes along, the Bills won’t be able to keep pace.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.  Follow him on Twitter.