NFL Power Rankings: Spotlighting the League's Most Mediocre Teams

It's tough being in a mediocre position, because at least the teams at the bottom of the food chain will be getting high draft picks.

Then those at the top have a solid shot at contending for a Super Bowl. To that end, here are three mediocre teams, for whom not all hope is lost just yet.

San Diego Chargers (4-4)

The Chargers may have started out 4-1, but they have lost three straight since and are now tied with Kansas City and Oakland at 4-4 atop the AFC West. Even Denver, who sits in last place at 3-5, is only one game back.

The problem with the Bolts is that none of their wins are impressive by any means, and all four losses have come against playoff contenders at the very least (split with KC).

If San Diego can just get over that slight edge of not playing well enough to beat superior teams and not play down to the level of the inferior teams, then they might have a legit shot in 2011.

However, for they way they've played on a week-to-week basis, the remaining schedule is only going to appear overly difficult as the Chargers continue to be their own worst enemy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

The Buccaneers may be 2-1 in the NFC South, but they've lost three of their last four games and struggled when playing away from The Sombrero.

Their only road win came against Minnesota, a game in which they were losing 17-0 at halftime. And with five of the remaining eight games on the road, Tampa Bay must rapidly change their focus, otherwise they will just miss out on the postseason once again.

Perhaps the road loss at New Orleans in Week 9 was the most telling. The Bucs once again started off slow, trailing 17-3 at halftime and 24-6 after three quarters, but since the opponents were the Saints, a comeback wasn't happening.

So if Tampa continues to put itself in insurmountable situations, there's no chances of it reaching the NFL's second season.

Tennessee Titans (4-4)

The Tennessee Titans are the product of bad luck and misfortune. It first all began with RB Chris Johnson holding out, and look what good that has done: the worst rushing offense in pro football.

The injury to WR Kenny Britt hurt an improved passing game and everything has snowballed since. The Titans may have begun 3-1, but that included a lucky home win over Baltimore, and they haven't been nearly as impressive otherwise.

Not to mention they've lost three of their last four games and have a difficult schedule remaining. Also, five of the next eight are on the road, and their only road win came over Cleveland—hence, unimpressive.

Tennessee has a lot of work to do if they want any shot at catching Houston for the AFC South title, because that division is only getting one team to the playoffs.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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