NFL Power Rankings: Sinking Teams We Must Give Up on

Every one of these teams had 10 or more wins in 2010. The playoffs seemed like a pretty good bet for all three of these teams when the season began. 

But then, the season began. While there isn't a single team here that hasn't been impressive at times, they have all had their seasons marred with horribly inconsistent play. 

At this point, the future is bleak. If you haven't realized it yet, you're about to.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On any given Sunday, this team is capable of beating just about any team in the league. But the NFC is a pretty deep conference this year and I really don't see a 4-5 team making a run. The Saints are 7-3 and won't be caught (by Tampa Bay, anyway) and the Wild Card doesn't set up well, with losses to the Buccaneers and Lions. 

Plenty of tough games await the Buccaneers, and they significantly lack the consistency to manage that run.

At 4-5, the Tampa Bay would do well to finish at 8-8.

Philadelphia Eagles

I don't know exactly what it is, but something is terribly wrong with the Eagles. At 3-6, they pretty much need to run the table to make any noise in the NFC playoffs.

With games against the Giants, Patriots, Jets and even a rematch against the Cowboys remaining, I just don't like their chances. I don't see anything better than 10-6 winning the NFC East, but the Eagles won't be the team to do it. 

The "Dream Team" will have to reload for next season.

Kansas City Chiefs

Even in an inconsistent AFC West, the Chiefs are done. Take a look at this finishing stretch: at New England, vs. Pittsburgh, at Chicago, at New York Jets, vs. Green Bay, vs. Oakland, at Denver.

A nice run put the Chiefs at 4-3 on the season. The last two games have dropped them back to 4-5. Anything more than about a 6-10 finish is really pushing it.

Most of those teams are much tougher than Miami and Denver, who both beat the Chiefs, in Kansas City.

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