NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Teams That Will Just Miss the Playoffs

When a team just misses out on the postseason one of two things will happen the following season: they will either roll the majority of their opponents with a vengeance or they will take a step back and have to go through a rebuilding season.

Most teams don't consistently narrowly miss out on the postseason each year. However, there's always a few every season that deal with this agony.

New York Giants (5-2)

Last season the Giants went 10-6 but lost the division title to Philly and didn't make the postseason.

However, despite being 5-2 at the moment, New York has arguably the most difficult remaining schedule and that will be the cause of their fall from grace. The Eagles are surging after two straight wins and the Giants were unimpressive against Miami last Sunday.

If they play like they did against the Dolphins against any of their next six opponents (at Patriots, at 49ers, Eagles at home, at Saints, Packers at home, at Dallas), they will lose all six games.

Only one team is getting out of the NFC East and the Giants will miss it thanks to Philly once again.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

The Bengals are just an unfortunate team. Yes, they are very much on the rise at the moment, but they're still a few steps back of the Steelers and Ravens, both of whom they still have to play twice.

In addition, the offense isn't explosive enough to help the defense win late in the season when the weather breaks. Right now Cincinnati is thriving off solid defense and a methodical offense.

The defense will continue to play well, but more fire power and experience is needed on an offense that ranks No. 21 in the league in both rushing and passing yards per game. 2012 will be an impressive season for Cincinnati, but 2011 is all about learning right now.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)

Based on the Bucs' inconsistent play since Week 4, Tampa could very well win or lose each of their remaining games. Their roller coaster-like play could allow them to finish 13-3 or 4-12. They're honestly that inconsistent.

They went from a 48-3 beat down in San Fran to defeating the Saints at home, but then fell to the Bears the next week. The next three games will be very telling.

Tampa plays at New Orleans, home against Houston and then at Green Bay. They're 1-2 against the NFC North and although they're 2-0 in their division, they still have to play Atlanta on the road. Six of their remaining nine games are away from Raymond James Stadium. In other words, the odds are against them.

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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