NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions and 3 Teams Trending Downward

Week 6 of the NFL season definitely brought some disappointing performances; however, those performances may have also been a long time coming.

With that in mind, here are three teams trending downward after their losses on Sunday.

Detroit Lions (5-1)

The Lions were exposed in two ways on Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers:

1. Inside the trenches is their weakness, whether it's running the ball or stopping the run. They rank No. 25 and No. 26 in rush offense and defense, respectively, so until they improve there, it's going to be difficult getting deep into the postseason.

2. Late-game heroics were inconsistent and proof that they're still a young team needing to mature a little more. That is where teams move from good to great, when they consistently win games in the final minutes against formidable opponents.

Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Since their 3-0 start, the Bills have gone just 1-2 and haven't given up less than 23 points since Week 1 against the Chiefs.

Obviously the defense needs to improve, and perhaps the bye week has come like Johnny-on-the-spot.

That said, it will prove irrelevant if Buffalo can't slow any offenses down, no matter how great their own offense performs.

Forcing turnovers is great, but they can't live off them because opposing offenses would rather punt and change field position, as opposed to taking a risk against a shady defense.

Houston Texans (3-3)

We have to give the Houston Texans a lot of credit—they played very hard and very well against a stout Baltimore team that, on paper, should have wiped them clean (mainly because of Andre Johnson and Mario Williams being out).

Now, yes, the Texans are on the down-swing, but if they can trade for another stud WR (such as Brandon Lloyd), then once Johnson comes back they will hit the ground running.

Being a multidimensional offense is what will allow them to contend for an AFC title, because when you look at New England and Baltimore, they both have the ability to dominate via air and land.

If Houston wants to get on their level, or at least closer to it, health and talented depth are needed, otherwise they'll be lucky to make the postseason. 

Week 7 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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