NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Looking at Teams Just on Outside of Playoff Picture

To say the 2011 NFL season has been a wild one would be a massive understatement. Some things have happened this year that have left me stunned beyond words...and that's not an easy feat. We are almost completely through 10 weeks of the season, and it's time to take a look at the two teams currently outside the playoff picture who, in my opinion, have the most chance to earn bids to the postseason.

Atlanta Falcons (5-4)

If the season ended today, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions would earn the NFC's two wild card spots. Both teams are 6-3 and are locked in a solid battle to be the top wild card team in the postseason, considering neither squad is likely to catch the 8-0 Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.

The Falcons should be better than they are, and it looked like they had righted the ship following a 2-3 start, as they had a three-game winning streak going into Sunday's matchup with the New Orleans Saints. But, thanks to a boneheaded call by head coach Mike Smith, the Saints stole a 26-23 win in overtime. 

Still, the Falcons have too much talent to be counted out.

After a slow start to the season, the Falcons have finally achieved some balance on offense, but still could be performing better on that side of the ball. If they can somehow get Roddy White and Julio Jones to stay healthy and be on the field at the same time consistently, this could be a very dangerous team over the second half of the season.

San Diego Chargers (4-5)

In the past, when the Chargers have had their backs to the wall, they have somehow seemed to pull out miracles. Right now, San Diego sits behind the 5-4 Oakland Raiders in the AFC West. The Chargers have been wildly disappointing this season, and don't have a likely shot at catching the Baltimore Ravens (6-3) or Cincinnati Bengals (6-3), the teams who currently hold the wild card spots. 

A division title would appear to be San Diego's only path to the postseason, but while the Bolts are arguably one of the most talented teams in the NFL, there shouldn't be a ton of optimism about their chances.

Unless Philip Rivers somehow gets some protection and is able to step into his throws more often, he will continue to toss interceptions (he has 15 so far). Unless Norv Turner wises up and tries to establish the running game instead of forcing Rivers to throw the ball 47 times a game (as he did against Oakland last Thursday) the Chargers have no chance.

As of now, though, I say this team is too talented to be counted out.

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

*Subject to change pending results of Monday night's Packers-Vikings contest