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

Being sludged in the realm of mediocrity is arguably worse than sitting at the bottom of the food chain. Because, if you're at the bottom, well, there's really nowhere else to go but up. Hence hope for the future.

In terms of being in the middle, getting to that next level takes a lot more than just winning a few games. Otherwise there'd be a much larger differential between the elite and the cellar-dwellers. That said, here are three teams leveling off in 2011.

Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Since the turn of the century, the Buffalo Bills have only managed one season above a .500 record (9-7 in 2004), and five other times have they finished either 8-8 or 7-9.

As for 2011, it appears the Bills will once again finish around a .500 record because, after such a great start, like a few other years, the finish will be disappointing. Luckily, Buffalo at least has an offense they can build off of, whereas the defense needs to improve via NFL draft or free agency.

Either way, Buffalo will be lucky to finish 9-7 or better with games against the Jets, Patriots, Chargers and Dolphins (twice). The way Buffalo has been playing, none of those games are guaranteed wins.

San Diego Chargers (4-5)

Perhaps the largest fall from grace in recent years has been the gradual decline of San Diego. We could say it's the Colts, but they lack a ton of talent and are mauled by injuries. As for the Bolts, veteran QB Philip Rivers is simply lacking and the defense can't stop anyone on the ground.

The Chargers are also losers of four straight, have beaten four teams with a combined 12-23 record and rank No. 18 in rushing offense. Wherein lies the problem, because they're not explosive enough to keep pace with anyone, especially since the opponent always controls the game tempo in the trenches.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

After starting 3-1, Tampa Bay has dropped four of their last five and rank No. 28 and No. 29 against the pass and rush, as well as No. 25 in rush offense.

The Buccaneers have clearly been affected by their youth and inexperience during the so-called sophomore slump, and with five of the next seven games on the road, it's going to be a long final seven weeks of 2011. Sure, they're still 2-1 in the NFC South, but the offense isn't nearly explosive enough to keep pace with anyone.

If Tampa Bay is lucky, they will finish 6-10, because they're simply lacking in every facet of the game right now.

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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