NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Tricks and Which Are Treats?

The United States is already in its Halloween frenzy, so I find it only fitting to label NFL teams as either tricks or treats. 

We have reached the halfway point of the NFL season, and it is becoming clear on which teams are in the running for a playoff berth. 

In honor of All Hallow's Eve, here are the teams that are the tricks and treats of the NFL. 

Chicago Bears: Tricks

Current Record: 4-3 

Final Record: 9-7

I expect the Bears to lose three of their first four games after this week's bye.

The four games include dangerous trips to Philadelphia and Oakland as well as two home games against San Diego and Detroit.

The Bears should win four of the remaining five games, but it will not be enough to get them into the playoffs.

Detroit Lions: Treats

Current Record: 5-2

Final Record: 10-6  

The Lions have silenced their roar just a bit, as they have now lost two straight games after starting the season with a perfect 5-0 record.

The Lions are treats because of how well they are playing. I also believe that both young and old fans would trade in their Halloween candy for a Lions' playoff berth making them that much sweeter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tricks

Current Record: 4-3 

Final Record: 7-9

The weather in Tampa has been easier to predict than these Buccaneers.

Tampa has ridden the high horse by upsetting New Orleans, and it has also been embarrassed by 45 points.

The Bucs play in arguably the league's toughest division, meaning that inconsistent play will solidify them as candidates for the bottom of the division.

Atlanta Falcons: Treats

Current Record: 4-3

Final Record: 9-7 

The Falcons are just like their division rival Buccaneers because they are also a tough team to predict. 

The Falcons will be in the running for the playoffs so it is hard to not label them as treats. 

New York Giants: Treats

Current Record: 4-2

Final Record: 10-6 

The Giants take on the Dolphins on Sunday and should be 5-2 by the time Halloween rolls around. 

This team has one of the league's toughest second-half schedules, but it is hard to imagine the Giants not winning five of their final nine games. 

Dallas Cowboys: Treats

Current Record: 3-3

Final Record: 11-5 

The Cowboys have played most of their tough games already this season, which is going to set them up nicely for a run at the NFC East division title. 

Dallas has Miami, Seattle, Arizona and Washington in the second half, which are all guaranteed wins in my book. 

Washington Redskins: Tricks

Current Record: 3-3

Final Record: 6-10

The Washington Redskins are not going to make the playoffs. 

This team is loaded on the injury report and their quarterbacks do not have what it takes to overcome these injuries. 

The Redskins are on their way to becoming successful once again but they will need to draft a franchise quarterback in the 2012 draft to turn the corner. 

San Francisco 49ers: Treats

Current Record: 5-1

Final Record: 12-4 

The 49ers are a lock for the playoffs, and they might be the sweetest treats besides the Green Bay Packers.

This team should be playing for home-field advantage very soon because they should have the division locked up in the next four weeks.  

New York Jets: Treats

Current Record: 4-3

Final Record: 9-7 

The Jets head into their bye on a two-game winning streak after picking up a gigantic win over the Chargers. 

That win has their fans feeling much better after their ugly win over Miami. The team is considered a treat for now but that status might not last for long. 

Buffalo Bills: Treats

Current Record: 4-2

Final Record: 10-6 

The Buffalo Bills are treats in every sense of the word, and their schedule sets them up nicely for a run at the playoffs. 

Tennessee Titans: Tricks

Current Record: 3-3

Final Record: 7-9

Matthew Hasselbeck will need Chris Johnson to pick up his sluggish pace if the Titans stand any chance of making a playoff run. 

This team gave their fans a run for their money but I find it hard to believe that this is a playoff team. 

Houston Texans: Treats

Current Record: 4-3

Final Record: 11-5 

The Texans are a lock to win the AFC South this season.

Arian Foster has established himself as one of the best running backs in the game, and him alone will carry this team to the playoffs.  

Kansas City Chiefs: Tricks

Current Record: 3-3

Final Record: 6-10 

Kansas City has risen from the grave as it has won three straight games, but it will not be enough for them to make a serious run at the playoffs. 

The Chiefs have a tough second-half schedule, and they still have to many injuries to overcome. 

San Diego Chargers: Treats

Current Record: 4-2

Final Record: 10-6 

The Chargers are a second-half team and they have set themselves up nicely for that second half with a 4-2 record. 

The Chargers will need to receive better play from quarterback Philip Rivers, which I expect will happen in the coming weeks. 

Oakland Raiders: Tricks

Current Record: 4-3

Final Record: 9-7

The loss of Jason Campbell will prove to be to much for the Raiders to overcome. 

Carson Palmer and Kyle Boller will not provide an immediate answer at the quarterback position, but the team's biggest concern should be the health of Darren McFadden.

The team will be in a world of trouble if he were If he were to miss an extended period of time. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Treats

Current Record: 5-2

Final Record: 10-6

The Pittsburgh Steelers have righted the ship after starting 2-2.  

The Steelers are hitting the tough three-game stretch in their schedule that will either make or break their season, as they take on Baltimore and New England at home and then travel to Cincinnati. 

Baltimore Ravens: Treats

Current Record: 4-2

Final Record: 10-6

The Ravens have the league's No. 1 defense and that unit alone will carry this team for the remainder of the season. 

Baltimore will have to play much better on offense if they expect to make a run at the Super Bowl, and Ray Rice will need more than seven carries if the Ravens are going to correct this problem in the coming weeks. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Tricks

Current Record: 4-2

Final Record: 9-7

I love what Marvin Lewis has done with this Bengals team, but it will not be enough for them to make the playoffs this season. 

The future looks brighter than just about any team in the league, and this city and franchise should expect a number of playoff berths during this decade.