NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Stuck in the Middle?

We're almost to the halfway point of the NFL season, and although there are teams clearly emerging as contenders, as well as those who remain at the bottom of the food chain, there are also those stuck in the middle.

It's not so much that the following three teams aren't solid from an overall perspective within their conference, but their respective divisions are just that difficult.

New York Jets (4-3)

Ahead of the Jets in the AFC East are the Pats and Bills. New York has already lost to New England, but with two games left against Buffalo, hope is still alive in getting back in the playoff race.

However, the Jets have issues in running the ball and stopping the run, not to mention the passing game has lacked. If Rex Ryan can't at least get his rush defense fixed, New York is going to be stuck behind Buffalo and New England for the rest of the season.

Both of them can run the ball well, so for the Jets to maintain within striking distance before it gets too late, improvement in the trenches is a must.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

The Bengals may have a top five defense, but so does the rest of their division. That said, they still have a lot of proving to do in the AFC North as the Steelers and Ravens remain as the standard.

Make no mistake about it, Cincinnati is on the rise and should finish 2011 around 9-7 or 10-6, but we won't know too much more about them until they play Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

2012 definitely has increased expectations, but there's still a lot of work left in 2011. It will be interesting to see if they can get to the next level, because if not, then they'll only be ahead of Cleveland, which doesn't get you much in the AFC North.

Atlanta Falcons (4-3)

Since their Week 1 loss at Chicago, the Falcons have gotten much better on both sides of the ball. The win over the Lions at Detroit was a big boost for their confidence, but let's hope for their sake that the bye week doesn't diminish any of that momentum.

However, they still are below New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the NFC South, and with one loss to the Bucs already, game two against them is a must-win. Now, the Falcons still have two games left against the Saints, but those aren't guaranteed by any means either.

Right now the Falcons are stuck in mediocrity but look like they're coming out. Week 9 and so on will be very telling, and remaining focused during the bye-week is vehemently important.

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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