NFL Power Rankings: San Diego Chargers and Elite Teams in Trouble

Finally, after seven weeks of play in the 2011 NFL season, we are starting to find out which of the top teams are contenders and which are pretenders.

There are also some mid-tier teams that are emerging as possible contenders as the season continues.

Right now we are going to focus on that elite group, and which teams don't belong.

Here are three teams currently in the top 10 of the ESPN NFL Power Rankings that are in serious trouble.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers were my top concern heading into the eighth week of the 2011 NFL season.

They proved that there was a reason to be worried after being taken down by a struggling New York Jets team.

San Diego is now sitting at a 4-2 record.

Their four wins have come against teams with a combined 6-19 record. Their two losses have come to teams that combine for a 9-4 record.

The Chargers are nothing more than an average team beating up on lesser opponents. Luckily for them, they are a part of one of the weakest divisions in football.

They better kick it in to gear if they want to stay on top of that division.

Detroit Lions

Two weeks ago the Detroit Lions were sitting at a 5-0 record. Everybody was starting to hop on the Detroit bandwagon.

Now everybody is running after Detroit has dropped two straight to tough NFC opponents.

I'm not ready to bail on the Lions just yet, but they need to kick it back into gear after these losses. The 49ers and Falcons are tough opponents, and they battled in each of the games.

The real concern right now is the health of Matthew Stafford. The quarterback has struggled to stay healthy his entire career.

Now his health is once again a concern after an ankle injury late in the game against Atlanta.

Oakland Raiders

Jason Campbell has to have mixed feelings after the game Sunday against the Chiefs.

Campbell, who is out with a broken collarbone, led the Raiders to a 4-2 start. After his injury, the Raiders mortgaged the future to bring in Carson Palmer.

It looked like Campbell could be on his way out.

Not so fast. I know it's only one game and Palmer is nowhere near ready to be on the field, but the Raiders finished the game with six interceptions between him and Kyle Boller.

The 28-0 loss against Kansas City was a slap in the face by reality. Oakland is in trouble without Campbell in the game.

It looks like the once promising season could be falling apart.