NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Which Teams Are in Big Trouble?

The only good thing that comes with being in a tough situation, or headed for the chance of a downfall, is the opportunity to respond and overcome adversity.

For the following three franchises, they're on some steep slopes and are possibly headed for the worse if they don't figure something out soon. Needless to say, a response win is imperative.

Detroit Lions (5-2)

A 5-0 record to start, followed by two straight losses, brings up memories of the 2007 Lions that began 6-2 but finished 7-9. And with their biggest issue being in the trenches on both sides of the ball, Detroit has some serious manning up to do.

Having the ability to run the football and stuff the run at will is needed to win a championship. Right now the Lions don't have that dimension on either side, and it's proven to hurt them in the last two games.

With four divisional games, along with the Saints and Panthers remaining, 2011 could very well end up being a complete disappointment in The Motor City.

San Diego Chargers (4-2)

The Chargers have yet to prove anything, period. All four wins have come against teams without a winning record, and both losses have come against teams with a winning record (and on the road).

So, unless the Bolts can actually play well on the road, best a team who has a winning record and perform higher on a consistent basis, 2011 is a lost cause. The Chiefs and Broncos are back on the upswing, and the Raiders do have the capability to defeat them as well.

Now include games remaining against Baltimore, Green Bay, Chicago and Buffalo, and San Diego is on month away from skipping to baseball season.

Tennessee Titans (3-3)

This season is clear proof as to why no one should holdout in the NFL. RB Chris Johnson held out all of training camp, and look what's happening.

Tennessee is headed nowhere fast, Matt Hasselbeck is struggling without Kenny Britt, the defense is falling a part and the worst part is the AFC South isn't that difficult of a division.

That being said, only the Houston Texans look like a playoff team. After Week 7, it will come as no surprise if the Colts and/or Jaguars upset the Titans this season. If the Titans want to start planning for the future, they need to hand the rock over to rookie QB Jake Locker.

And with a tough remaining schedule, the Titans will be lucky to finish 7-9.

Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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