NFL Power Rankings: 3 Playoff Contenders Bound for Defeat in Week 6

Even playoff contenders suffer some pitfalls each NFL season.

Whether it be the opponent, their level of play or their game plan, there will be some games that are better left forgotten.

In Week 6, several playoff contenders have a tough task ahead of them headed into unfriendly matchups.

Here are three playoff contenders destined for defeat in Week 6.

Houston Texans (3-2)

When the Houston Texans signed cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning and drafted rookie defensive end J.J. Watt in the offseason, you got the feeling they were finally starting to turn the corner.

Five games into the season, the Texans have surely shown some strides with a defense finally looking more like an actual defense than a practice squad.

But in Week 6, the Texans face the Ravens in Baltimore, a foe averaging 29.8 points per game and giving up a league-best 14.3 points per game.

The Texans may win the AFC South this season, but they aren't a top-five team like the Ravens.

Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

After two impressive wins against the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disheartening defeat in Week 4 at the hands of the Detroit Lions and quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo reverted back to the Romo of old in Week 4, tossing three interceptions in the second half and allowing the Lions to erase a 20-3 halftime deficit.

The Cowboys are still a better team than last season and the defense has improved, but unfortunately for the Cowboys they face the New England Patriots in Week 6 in Foxboro.

This is not exactly a fun matchup when you're trying to rebound.

San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

The 49ers were merely the best in the NFC West before Week 5, which isn't always something to be proud of.

But when the 49ers hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, something clicked, and before you knew it they had blown out the Buccaneers, 48-3. Those who follow the 49ers regularly were patiently waiting for the end of the world after that.

Well, the end of the world never came, but the 49ers will lose in Week 6. The 49ers appear to be for real after Week 5, but they face the Lions in Detroit in Week 6. The Lions continue to prove they are a top team in the National Football League, and are one of the great comeback stories in years.

The 49ers will probably win the NFC West this season, but they aren't a top-10 team yet.

2011 NFL Power Rankings  

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Detroit Lions

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. Houston Texans

7. San Diego Chargers 

8. Buffalo Bills

9. Pittsburgh Steelers 

10. Tennessee Titans

11. Oakland Raiders

12. Washington Redskins

13. New York Giants

14. New York Jets

15. Dallas Cowboys

16. San Francisco 49ers

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

18. Chicago Bears

19. Atlanta Falcons

20. Philadelphia Eagles

21. Cincinnati Bengals

22. Cleveland Browns

23. Kansas City Chiefs

24. Seattle Seahawks 

25. Carolina Panthers

26. Minnesota Vikings

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

28. Miami Dolphins

29. Arizona Cardinals

30. Denver Broncos

31. Indianapolis Colts

32. St. Louis Rams