NFL Power Rankings: Spotlighting the League's Most Mediocre Teams

The concern when stuck in mediocrity is what direction did you come from? Was it a slow start and then building momentum back to .500, starting off fast then slowing down, or playing inconsistently throughout?

Also, what does the future hold? Because finishing near the middle is only going to warrant mid-round draft picks. That said here are three of the NFL's most mediocre teams.

Denver Broncos (5-5)

The Broncos may have bounced back to 5-5 after their fourth win in their last five games, but when playing against an above average defense (such as Detroit), Denver struggles.

Also, when playing a high-powered offense, although the defense is improved, it's still not good enough to solely win games and blank opponents.

Make no mistake about it though, Denver appears to be on the rise. However, with games left against Chicago and New England, that will be more telling as to how they match up against non-AFC West playoff contenders.

Tennessee Titans (5-5)

The Titans have a win over Baltimore but a loss to Jacksonville. Outside of those two games Tennessee has won the expected games but lost the expected games. That said, is there any other way to define mediocrity?

Tennessee hasn't played above and beyond like most teams need to for a shot at the postseason. However, they haven't played so bad that they're technically not out of the playoff race.

With the remaining schedule it is possible for them to make some noise toward the end but that's all the Titans will end up with when the smoke clears (no playoffs).

Seattle Seahawks (4-6)

The Seahawks may be the second best team in the NFC West. However it's not like winning games over St. Louis and Arizona is all that impressive.

Then include a win over Baltimore but a loss to Cleveland and what is going on in The Great Northwest? Not to mention they have a road win over the Giants but other losses to Dallas and Cincinnati.

Seattle may be better than meets the eye against superior opponents, but they're also susceptible to playing down. And with games left against Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Fran, their ability to play with consistency will be tested.

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.