NFL Power Rankings: Gauging Which Teams Are in Biggest Trouble

If there's anything we learned from Week 10, it's that there are teams who have yet to really live up to the hype, while others fight through each week and emerge as legit contenders.

However, there are three teams in trouble that stand out the most. Interestingly enough, all three are playoff contenders as well.

New York Giants (6-3)

The Giants may be 6-3 and atop the NFC East, but the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys are lurking behind with two games yet to be played against each other. That being said, the Giants are currently in the midst of a gauntlet schedule and the next three weeks will be very telling.

First it's home against Philadelphia, and although they're underachieving, they can play at a high level when focused. Then it's at the Saints and home versus the Packers before game one against Dallas.

By that token, chances are New York is just 7-5 when they play at Dallas in Week 14.

Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

The Ravens may have swept the season series over the Steelers, but it will prove to be for naught if they can't play more consistently on the road as well as outside the AFC North.

We have to remember that Baltimore still has two games left against Cincinnati, and with a non-divisional record of 4-3 (2-3 away) Pittsburgh jumps ahead in the division. Now, favoring the Ravens is only needing to finish with the same record as Pittsburgh.

In turn, that will get the division title, however, along with Cincy, Baltimore must play San Francisco and at San Diego, neither of which are guaranteed wins.

If the Ravens can't finish better than 11-5, there's a good chance they miss out on winning the division title.

Detroit Lions (6-3)

In 2007 the Detroit Lions started out 6-2 but finished 7-9. So far in 2011, deja vu may be in place. Detroit got out to a 5-0 start but are just 1-3 since, with the lone W coming over Denver in Week 8. Perhaps Week 10 was the tell-all sign when the Lions were blasted by the Bears, 37-13.

With two games remaining against the Packers, as well as playing at New Orleans and Oakland, Detroit is looking at no better than 11-5 right now. Which is great, but after a 5-0 start it's most certainly disappointing.

It's okay as long as the Lions make the postseason, but based on the past month, don't be surprised if they come up short.

Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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