NFL Power Rankings: Assessing Teams With No Chance at Playoff Berth

When we're talking about the teams who have no shot at the postseason, it's obvious to discuss Indy, St. Louis, Miami, and Arizona among others.

However, there are three teams floating around the .500 record who are technically still alive, but there's no realistic chance for them getting a playoff berth.

Tennessee Titans (4-3)

Not only are the Titans one-half game back of Houston, but they have already lost to the Texans once and the next time they play will be at Houston.

In addition, the AFC South is so weak overall this season that only one team will make the playoffs. And that team will be Houston. Tennessee may finish 8-8 at best, because their schedule doesn't favor them either.

Now include how inconsistent they've played all season, and it's going to take another Music City Miracle for the Titans to make the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns (3-4)

The Browns are subject to one of the more difficult divisions in pro football. Now sure, they're still alive as five divisional games remain, but four of them are against both Pittsburgh and Baltimore within the last five weeks of the season.

Not to mention they still have to play at Houston and at Cincinnati. Cleveland will be lucky to finish around 6-10, but they're still a little better than meets the eye.

You just wouldn't know it since they are the bottom-feeders of the AFC North. That said, 2012 has a bit more hope thanks to more experienced players and the luxury of two first round draft picks.

Washington Redskins (3-4)

Since beginning 3-1 the Redskins have dropped three straight games and are now 3-4. And despite still being alive in the NFC East, Washington has no shot as they are 1-2 in the division and their offense is just abysmal.

The remaining schedule wouldn't be overly difficult either if they could just muster even 14-17 points per game, because they do have a solid defense. But with games against San Fran, Dallas, New England, at NY Giants, and at Philly, Washington will be fortunate to finish the season 5-11 or 6-10.

The offense needs a complete overhaul, whereas the defense needs nothing as they'll only get better in 2012.

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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