Detroit Lions and the NFL's 5 Most Inconsistent Teams

More than any other sport, football exposes its inconsistent teams.

The six days that intervene between games leave ample time for media outlets to dictate the flow of opinion and set the expectations for the next game on the schedule.  

When teams fail to live up to those expectations, the discrepancy between projection and performance won't slip by anybody's notice.  

Which teams in the NFL most deserve to be branded with the "Inconsistency" label? 

Here are five that stand out above the rest. 

5. Oakland Raiders

Given how much adversity they've faced this season, I almost feel bad about saddling the hapless Raiders with the "inconsistent" tag.  

But I have to call 'em like I see 'em. 

Losing Jason Campbell hurt, but that still doesn't excuse the way they were spanked by the Chiefs and Broncos in consecutive weeks.

Last year the Raiders were defined by their intra-division success. They need to find that old mojo if they want to honor Al Davis' memory with a playoff appearance. 

4. Baltimore Ravens

If the playoffs started today, the Baltimore Ravens would be the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

They've beaten the Steelers twice, which demonstrates their penchant for showing up for big games.

And yet it seems that every year, the Ravens emerge as a "trendy" Super Bowl pick. And every year, they mangle certain games in ways that beg the question how they were ever in that position to begin with.  

I don't need to fool around with stats; losses to the lowly Seahawks and Jaguars adequately prove my point.   

3. New York Jets

The Jets receive a lot of attention for their fiery coach and gritty defense. These two assets almost always ensure that they'll hang around, even against opponents by whom they are overmatched. 

But not too many will argue that New York lacks an elite running back, and almost everyone will agree that their quarterback is more of a handicap than a source of confidence.  

Oh yeah, and becoming Tim Tebow's latest victim doesn't help their cause. 

As long as Mark Sanchez remains under center, you can bet the Jets will appear on countless more lists like this one.  

2. Detroit Lions

The Lions handled their business against the Fightin' Cam Newtons, but not without a fair share of sloppiness.  

Detroit has struggled to maintain its stride after taking the NFL by storm to the tune of a 5-0 start.

Many said the Throw-the-Ball-to-Megatron strategy wouldn't hold up all season.

Their blowout loss to the Bears in a crucial divisional matchup might have proved these detractors right. 

1. Dallas Cowboys

"America's Team" has been all over the place this year.  

Yes, they've won three games in a row; and yes, they're 6-4 and in great shape in the NFC East.

But it's the manner in which they've lost games that's so distressing for Cowboys fans.  

In Week 2, Dallas followed a 24-27 loss to the uneven Jets with a 27-24 win over the now 8-1 49ers. In Week 7, they lost 7-34 to a struggling Eagles team on the heels of a 34-7 blowout of the Rams.

It's impossible to tell where this team stands. The Cowboys may make the playoffs, but don't expect a team that's so hot and cold to make any kind of Super Bowl run.