NFL Power Rankings: Looking at the League's Most Pathetic Teams

The good thing that comes out of being a pitiful team is that there's really nowhere else to go but up.

And you get a high draft pick, so as long as the odds are safely and wisely played: Improvement then becomes automatic.

Obviously there's more than three pathetic teams, but here are three that are arguably the most pathetic right now.

Washington Redskins (3-5)

Washington may have began the 2011 campaign 3-1, but they've dropped four straight since and have only hit the 20-point mark (not gone over it) once in the last six games.

The way the Redskins are playing right now, they'll be fortunate to finish 4-12 or 5-11. The offense is simply horrible, and although the defense is respectable, it's not good enough to solely win them games.

Now, include how Washington has recently played and put those performances in the first four weeks, they don't have a win. Washington strictly survived on being the underdog early, but once the stakes were raised they immediately crumbled.

St. Louis Rams (1-7)

The Rams may have beat the Saints, but it was obviously a fluke win. New Orleans is a bad road team and St. Louis lost to Arizona a week later (if it wasn't a fluke the Rams should have demolished Arizona).

They've also battled some injuries which only has made their bad situation worse.

And possibly worst of all, they're in the NFC West which is arguably the NFL's weakest division. They rank dead last in rush defense (allowing over 150 per game), and are No. 18 in rush offense thanks to Steven Jackson.

Otherwise, they'd be dead last in rush offense as well. Luckily, another high draft pick seems inevitable, so maybe St. Louis can begin somewhat of a turnaround in 2012.

Indianapolis Colts (0-9)

Alas, we come to the Indianapolis Colts, who arguably gave more effort than anyone else through the first six weeks. There, they began 0-6, but lost five of the games by ten points or less, and against formidable opponents as well.

However, perhaps that Saints' game was when the flood gates finally opened. Because losing 62-7 when you're trying and the opponent is not, well, that's just unfortunate—plain and simple.

Fear not Colts fans, because the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes are in your favor and Andrew Luck has Peyton Manning to guide him along the way. Also, because of your teams' effort this season, Circle City will get at least one win.

So, here's to the 2012 NFL Draft and hope for the 2012 NFL season.

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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