NFL Power Rankings: Gauging Which Teams Are in Biggest Trouble

It certainly was a revealing week, and the race to the playoffs is only getting more exciting.

To that end, despite being in the playoff hunt, there are some teams who are in trouble. Whether it's them being on a slide, someone in the division catching/keeping pace with them or a tough remaining schedule, the odds aren't in their favor.

So let's get to it. Here are four teams that are still alive for the playoffs, but also in trouble.

Detroit Lions (7-3)

The Lions may have gotten a win over the Panthers at home, but it's quite possible that Detroit will drop three of their next four games (Green Bay, at New Orleans, Minnesota, at Oakland).

Obviously, winning over the Vikings is that lone win, so don't be surprised when the Lions are 8-6 heading into the final weeks.

Now yes, Detroit is still alive for the playoffs, but with those next four games, not having the tiebreaker over Atlanta and the Bears having a much, much easier final schedule, The Motor City will most likely be on the outside looking in this postseason.

So, unless they manage to steal one from the Packers or get a road win in New Orleans or Oakland, they're missing out. However, that does provide added motivation for 2012.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

Although it's two straight losses against the Steelers and Ravens, Cincinnati is on the verge of a playoff-race meltdown.

They've gone from 6-2 to 6-4 that fast, and still have to play at Pittsburgh, home versus Houston and home against Baltimore. There's three more potential losses, and even with the tiebreaker over the Bills, that's a moot win now, with Buffalo falling fast.

If the Denver Broncos somehow keep surging, their Week 2 road loss will become the biggest reason why the Bengals missed the playoffs. You can't expect such a young team to beat Baltimore and Pittsburgh right now, which is obviously what's happening.

Cincinnati has to win at least once against the Steelers, Ravens or Texans, because with other games against Cleveland, Arizona and St. Louis, the Bengals should finish around 9-7.

New York Giants (6-4)

This is arguably the team that's in the most trouble, especially after a losing effort at home versus Philadelphia on Sunday night.

The New York Giants now must play at New Orleans, vs Green Bay and at Dallas in their next three games. Considering their Week 11 performance against the Eagles, the Giants will be 6-7 before we know it.

Now, we've seen New York win games they're not expected to win, such as on the road in New England; however, they've lost three games to teams like Washington, Seattle and now Philly.

How can a team be so inconsistent, and yet be alive for the playoffs, as well as atop the division until now? New York has just put themselves in an even worse position with their insanely difficult schedule remaining.

And based on how 2011 has played out thus far, they've lost more games they should have won, than won games they should have lost. So, don't expect the Giants to get on a hot streak anytime soon, and they'll be fortunate to finish with an 8-8 record.

San Diego Chargers (4-6)

A 4-1 start just became a 4-6 record, and the Chargers either need to recharge or rebuild. Right now rebuilding is looking like the more plausible solution.

Sure, all their losses may be legit, and they're still alive to win the AFC West, but San Diego is finally finding out how special teams and the inability to run the ball can kill you. In addition, the Bolts lack the ability to stop the run, which will doom them versus Denver and Oakland.

The remaining schedule isn't the worst, since there are games against Jacksonville and Buffalo, but neither of those are guaranteed, based on their losing efforts. QB Philip Rivers continues to be turnover prone, and it's clear that not having Darren Sproles has hurt their special teams.

All this being said, with tough games left against Baltimore and Detroit, in addition to the Raiders and Broncos, the Chargers won't finish better than 7-9. Unfortunately, they are not in the NFC West, as that was the record of the division champion in 2010.

Week 12 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

- John Rozum

Follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.