NFL Power Rankings: 6 over-Hyped Teams That Are Fading Fast

Some teams are just judged too early and by too much. Whether they become over-hyped in the preseason or after a couple games, these teams have a lot in common.

It's true that each NFL season comes with its fair share of surprises, but there are quite a few teams in 2011 that are not performing up to expectations. Week by week, some teams just continue to fall out of relevance, even this early in the season.

This is not to say that every team on this list is doomed for the rest of the season. The point I'm trying to make is that these teams are in real trouble. They've been showing for a while now that there is something missing, and it needs to be found as soon as possible.

St. Louis Rams (0-6)

There is so much going bad in St. Louis these days that they actually make the Los Angeles Dodgers' financial situation look like nothing.

The Rams are 30th overall on defense and 25th on offense. Sam Bradford has underperformed, throwing only three touchdowns after five starts. More to the point, the Rams' young quarterback did not play in St. Louis' Week 7 game, and A.J. Feeley wasn't a suitable replacement.

Steven Jackson remains to be the only talent on this team besides the recently-added Brandon Lloyd. 

After last season's 7-9 run (yeah, that was a run), the Rams came into 2011 appearing to have an offense ready to explode. Unfortunately, IMPLODE would be the better word. 

Bradford and Jackson could've been one of the league's best duos on offense, but they've been marred by injuries and mediocrity. 

This is one of those teams that may as well look to 2012.

Arizona Cardinals (1-5)

I actually love this photo because a big reason for the Cardinals' woes is because of the man who is in the spotlight. 

However, I will not be ranting about Kevin Kolb's lack of talent—I've done it enough since July. 

Beyond Kolb, this team has nothing to build on. Many experts believed that the Cardinals could win the NFC West with Kolb throwing the ball, especially given how bad the division was in 2010. In fact, Colin Cowherd thought they could put up 10 wins.

Alas, here we are, and the Cardinals have been playing some of the worst football in the league. They haven't won since Week 1 and have allowed more than 20 points in five of six games. 

The defense lost their best player, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, in the trade for Kolb, so they've become a mess. Kolb, Early Doucet, and Beanie Wells are all mediocre (if not worse) players who surround Larry Fitzgerald—the only one on this team with anything more than "OK" talent. 

1-5 is pretty much out of it, but maybe the Cards will turn it around. If I were a betting man, that's not one I'd put money on.

Cleveland Browns (3-3)

I'll give the Cleveland Browns their due—they've got a solid secondary (thank you, Joe Haden).

Other than that, this team has not been quite as talented as a lot of people believed. I don't think anyone labeled them as a division winner, but at least a contender. Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis haven't been effective, at least nowhere near as much so as we thought they'd be.

McCoy hasn't been bad, but still not a "leader" that this team needs. Hillis has been battling sickness for the last couple weeks, and it appears the Madden Curse got the best of him.

Part of the issue with Cleveland is that they don't have any proven receivers for McCoy, and they've got bad lines on both sides of the ball. 3-3 isn't bad, but they appear to be fading after an abysmal performance against Seattle in Week 7.

Really, how proud are they of a 6-3 victory over a mediocre (at best) team?

Tennessee Titans (3-3)

Oh how very disappointing Chris Johnson has been. CJ2K has the Titans sitting in last place in terms of rushing yards per game.

The Titans didn't have high expectations coming into 2011, especially with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm.  Most thought he was too old to continue to perform.

After four games, the Titans were 3-1 and owned a victory over the powerful Baltimore Ravens.  Hasselbeck was averaging more than 300 yards per game.

In their last two games, things have changed. After we got excited about a possible surprising team, the Titans have looked awful against the Steelers and Texans. The defense has been outperforming the offense for a good part of the season, which is saying a lot since the offense was clicking (at least, the passing game was).

Now both sides of the ball are struggling, and Jake Locker was even inserted into the game today. Tennessee is 3-3, which is still very much in it, but you can only wonder if these last two games against quality opponents are showing the Titans' true colors.

Washington Redskins (3-3)

Coming into 2011, there weren't many people that gave the Redskins credit. 

However, there were a select few experts who believed in Mike Shanahan.

After starting 3-1, the 'Skins have dropped two in a row. The Cowboys and Eagles started off slow, so it appeared that Washington would have a chance—and here we are now. 

What's funny is that it's hard to attribute a specific reason for the last two losses.

Rex Grossman was obviously a big problem in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The defense collapsed against Cam Newton in Week 7. Neither side of the ball has been that bad, though.  The defense is playing pretty well (minus Week 7), and John Beck had a decent game.

What I'll attribute the losses to is that the 'Skins are mostly a team of misfits who are thrown together to see if it will work. That could be catching up to them.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)

Yes, I understand the Bucs actually have a winning record at 4-3. 

The problem with them is that they seem to be a tale of two teams.

First, you have the team that beat up on the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. The defense—which really isn't statistically that good—held firm in these games, and the lackluster offense performed.

Then you have the team that the 49ers beat 48-3. More to the point, the Niners are nowhere near an offensive team.

Josh Freeman has thrown six picks this season (five touchdowns), which is disturbing given that he threw six all of last season. LeGarrette Blount and Earnest Graham are now both injured, leaving a gaping hole in the running game. 

The offensive line has failed to step up and protect. Both sides of the team struggled in London against Chicago, and quite frankly, the Bears really aren't that good. (I don't care about last season's divisional run.)

The Bucs are only fading because they lose to teams like that, and it is very concerning that they can't make a statement after 2010's 10-win season. They've been playing inconsistent football, and despite victories over the Falcons and Saints, that inconsistency will catch up to them if they can't correct it.