NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Labeling the Biggest Busts

The 2011 NFL season has given us plenty of surprises, and while many of those surprises have been pleasant, several have not. Four teams have woefully under-performed despite sky-high expectations entering the season.

At this point, it is almost sad how far the following four contenders have fallen and how badly they've played despite possessing loads of talent. 

Whether due to injury, ineptitude or just plain bad luck, these franchises have all fallen far short of where they should be. 

Each of these teams have a lot to fix right now if they want to get back into contention or improve for next season.

San Diego Chargers (4-5)

Really, Chargers? This is the best you can do with that much talent?

Whether you blame this season's struggles on quarterback Philip Rivers, or blame Rivers' struggles on head coach Norv Turner, something is clearly wrong with the Bolts.

After starting 4-1 but failing to look impressive in any of their wins, the Chargers have now lost four straight games to drop behind the 5-4 Oakland Raiders in the AFC West. 

San Diego still has a legitimate shot at the postseason, but anyone who has watched them play cannot have come away impressed.

The Chargers were a hot pick to reach the Super Bowl before the season, and looking at the team on paper, that made sense. But once again, Turner has been unable to get his players to execute, play disciplined football or be consistent in all three phases.

The shining example of San Diego's ineptitude has been Rivers' uneven performances this year. He has been a rock and a phenomenal leader for the Chargers over the past few seasons, but this year the 29-year-old signal-caller has just been awful.

A big part of Rivers' struggles has come because he has faced relentless pressure. But still, he has forced far too many throws. Through nine games, he has completed 216 of 352 passes (61.4 percent) for 2,743 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 80.2 is far below his standards. 

The Chargers need something to change quickly or there will have to be some major coaching and roster shakeups in the offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6)

At this point, what can you really say about the abomination that has been the Philadelphia Eagles' season?

The Eagles worked so hard to bring in several big-name free agents—Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, etc.—that everyone essentially anointed them the best team in football. 

The results have been disastrous.

Philadelphia opened the season 1-4 before winning two straight and looking to be back on track. Since then they have essentially handed games to the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals to drop their record to 3-6 and leave them far outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Now, quarterback Michael Vick has two broken ribs, and the news just keeps getting worse. Even with their $100 million quarterback, the Eagles have been awful, and now Vince Young may have to step in and take over for him.

Vick has been a complete disappointment this year, completing 181 of 300 passes (60.3 percent) for 2,193 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 79.8 quarterback rating ranks 20th in the NFL. 

Vick hasn't been the only problem in Philadelphia. The team's offensive line has been atrocious, and its linebacking corps has been dismal. 

Simply put, if the Eagles miss the playoffs, which they are almost assured of doing at this point, heads will roll in Philadelphia. 

Minnesota Vikings (2-7)

The Minnesota Vikings thought they were a competent quarterback away from competing for a playoff spot.

So they brought in veteran Donovan McNabb to be the starter, after spending a first-round draft pick on Florida State's Christian Ponder in April. The results speak for themselves.

Despite having Adrian Peterson—arguably the NFL's best running back—the Vikings have been horrendous offensively.

And despite possessing Jared Allen—one of the best defensive players in football—the defense hasn't been much better.

Entering their Monday night clash with the undefeated Packers, the Vikings had the NFL's 27th-ranked passing attack (182.3 yards per game), and on the flip side they were allowing 273.6 passing yards per game (30th in the league).

McNabb only lasted six games before Ponder took over, and neither guy has looked any good. The rookie has a chance to develop, though, and all McNabb would do is continue to decline.

Those numbers are horrible and need to be fixed if Minnesota wants to be competitive any time in the near future.

Having Peterson and Allen is great, but unless ownership majorly upgrades the talent around them the Vikings can expect to wallow in mediocrity for years to come.

Indianapolis Colts (0-10)

Do I really need to write anything here?

Even without four-time MVP Peyton Manning under center, the Colts should not be winless at this point in the season.

Before the year began, they brought in Kerry Collins to handle things at quarterback—that didn't work, and after three games Curtis Painter took over. The Purdue product hasn't been much better.

With Manning on the shelf, the Colts still have guys like Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.

Those guys alone should be able to keep Indianapolis from being the worst team in football, but apparently they can't accomplish that.

The Colts currently rank 31st in the NFL in total yards, gaining just 275.7 per game. Meanwhile, they are also 29th in total defense, surrendering 390.6 yards per game.

At this point, you have to believe that getting Peyton Manning back or drafting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck would only fill one of a half-dozen holes on Indianapolis' roster.

There is very little chance that such a move would equal a significant turnaround next season.

The Colts have a ton of issues, and this offseason will seem like a very long one until they figure out how to fix the roster.