NFL Power Rankings: Good Teams That Will Continue Downward Spiral

If you take a look below, you will see that 17 teams have a record above .500. Even though that represents more than half of the NFL, in a parity-driven league, I would call anyone who wins more than they lose for more than half of the season a pretty good team. 

Still, nine (in some cases 10) games does not reflect an entire season. The rankings below are not necessarily predictions; they are just based on what we've seen thus far. Looking ahead, we need to get a little more predictive.

That's where the future doesn't look so bright for these teams. 

New York Giants

New York is a cool 6-3 and put up a valiant effort in a loss to the 49ers. But here's the problem with them: they are still beaten up with injuries and now encounter about the most difficult stretch of games known to man.

The Eagles, Saints, Packers, Cowboys (twice), Redskins and Jets close out the season. They will do very well to get to 10-6.

The games against the Cowboys will decide the division winner. That may well be the Giants, just don't expect them to stay in the top 10 of the league for a long time.  

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are an impressive team this year. As the Ravens and Steelers age, look for the young Bengals to take over in the AFC North in the not too distant future. 

Two games against Baltimore and a road date in Pittsburgh await the Bengals. With the possible exception of the Texans (without Matt Schaub), the rest of the schedule is quite manageable. 

The slide is going to keep going this week with a trip to Baltimore. The Ravens play great against good teams. They seem to lose focus against others.

Their focus will be there against the Bengals.

Tennessee Titans

I'll admit that I am not exactly sure how the Titans are 5-4 right now, but that makes no difference. They are 5-4 and right in the middle of the AFC playoff race. 

The next four games will change that, as they go to Atlanta, host Tampa Bay, go to Buffalo and host New Orleans. 

I foresee a 1-3 run, maybe even 0-4. My guess is that they can manage a split against Tampa and Buffalo, but the rest don't look that good at all. A two-game stretch against the Colts and Jaguars will pad the record a little bit, but don't look for the Titans to hang around much longer.

Michael Dixon's Week 11 NFL Power Rankings

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