NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Losing the Most Ground

Even though we're still in the middle of the 2011 NFL season, it's never a good thing to be losing ground when you're fighting to stay above the .500 mark.

The three franchises mentioned below are all just that, losing ground and barely hanging on in the playoff race. 

Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)

We know this much: The NFC East is only going to have one playoff team. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they're on the thinnest of ice right now.

They're currently three games back of the division-leading New York Giants, not to mention the Giants beat them back in Week 3. Philadelphia clearly hasn't found a rhythm, nor have they felt the reality check of not being in the postseason.

It's a lot to take in when you're dubbed the paper champions, and even with a somewhat favorable schedule remaining where Philly could finish as well as 9-7, that still won't be enough to make the playoffs in the NFC.

Until the Eagles truly feel what they're losing with all the talent they have, the playoffs are an obsolete dream.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

The Buccaneers may be losing ground in the NFC South, but what's keeping them afloat right now is there 2-1 divisional record, along with having yet to play Carolina.

That said, five of the Bucs' next eight games are on the road, and as evidenced by every road game this season, Tampa has struggled outside of The Sombrero. Even their win over the Vikings in Minnesota took a second-half comeback, which proved not to fly in The Superdome against the Saints.

Now, to enhance the difficulty of their situation, the schedule doesn't favor them either (regardless of whether it's home or away). The next three games are home versus Houston, at Green Bay and at Tennessee.

All three could be losses, and with the final three games against Dallas, at Carolina and at Atlanta, Tampa will be lucky to finish 7-9 or 8-8, unless they become more consistent and better on the road.

Tennessee Titans (4-4)

Much like the Tampa Bay Bucs, five of the Titans' next eight games are on the road. The only problem with Tennessee is that they also struggle at home.

Sure, they're 3-2 when in The Music City, but two of those wins are over Denver and Indy, while the two losses came against Houston and Cincy. On the road they beat Cleveland (unimpressive), and that's it.

Road games at Carolina, Atlanta, Buffalo and Houston remain, but the Saints come to town in Week 14. All five games are realistic losses, so don't expect Tennessee to finish better than 7-9, because they're far too inconsistent to compete with any of those teams.

That said, the Titans will still finish second in the AFC South, as it is one of the weaker divisions, despite Houston being a legit AFC title contender.

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

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0) (LW 1)	17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) (LW 15)
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. Chicago Bears (5-3) (LW 12)	26. Washington Redskins (3-5) (LW 25)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) (LW 11)	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. Dallas Cowboys (4-4) (LW 20)	31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (LW 27)
16. San Diego Chargers (4-4) (LW 17)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9) (LW 31)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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