NFL Power Rankings: 4 Teams That Are Falling Fast

When hitting a slump, no matter how long, it's never a good thing.

As for the following four teams, not only are they in a slump, but it couldn't have come at a worse time. With the playoffs nearing and races fading out, the 2011 NFL season is reaching the final turn.

That said, here are four teams who will be left on the outside looking in thanks to their recent slide.

New York Giants (6-4)

After beating the Patriots in New England, the Giants have dropped two straight and now have three tough games that will make or break their season.

Week 12 is at New Orleans, Week 13 home against Green Bay and Week 14 at Dallas.

All three games are most likely losses based on how New York has performed the past two weeks, and even if they win one, the playoffs are still unlikely.

The rush offense has been lacking even when Ahmad Bradshaw wasn't hurt, and the defense couldn't completely stop a Michael Vick-less Eagles offense.

Therefore, how can we expect New York to beat the Saints, Packers and Cowboys in consecutive weeks? We can't, and the Giants are falling arguably faster than anyone right now.

New York Jets (5-5)

At this point in the season, you have to wonder how much the Jets honestly like rollercoasters. They began 2-0, lost three straight, then won three straight and have dropped two straight.

Their inconsistency is what has doomed them in close games (Denver perhaps is the best example), and not having any big offensive playmakers is killing their explosivity. The defense still may be stout against the pass, but as we saw in Denver, you need not throw to beat the Jets.

Their biggest weakness comes inside the trenches, and although a rather favorable schedule remains, there's no reason to believe New York can catch anyone in the playoff race. The Pats' have the AFC East basically locked up, and they're not going to catch Cincinnati.

And, even if the Jets do finish 9-7, not only will the Bengals most likely have finished as such, but, the Broncos can still get there as well. So, there goes the AFC Wild-Card because of Denver owning the tiebreaker.

If the Jets can get some improving done on the line of scrimmage, then 2012 has potential; however, until then, they will just keep disappointing.

San Diego Chargers (4-6)

The Bolts began 4-1 but had no real legit wins. Now San Diego is looking at a 4-6 record after dropping five straight games, and they host an on-fire Broncos team in Week 12.

Fortunately for the Chargers, they play in the AFC West, so the division won't be decided until the final weeks. That being said, San Diego has yet to play at Oakland, so provided they get some outside help, the division is still possible.

Unfortunately now, though, they still have to play at Jacksonville, home against Baltimore and at Detroit. Including their divisional games on top of their inability to play on the road, the Chargers will be lucky to finish 7-9 or 6-10.

Still being weak on special teams is killing them, along with Philip Rivers having a down year. But the worst is their lack of consistency in the trenches. There's no threatening pass rush, and with a weak rush defense, that leaves their secondary quite vulnerable.

Not only is San Diego falling fast, but they're going to be a bottom-feeder for longer than most anticipate.

Buffalo Bills (5-5)

It was another awesome and fast-looking start for the Buffalo Bills in 2011. They won games over Oakland and New England and had the AFC in their control.

Then a road loss to Cincinnati after building a solid lead perhaps was the catalyst that began this now gradual shift into turmoil. Since beginning 3-0, the Bills are just 2-5, have lost three straight and have only scored a total of 26 points in their previous three games.

They don't have the tiebreaker over Cincinnati, and although they're just two games back of New England (if the Pats win on Monday night), they still have to win games over the Dolphins, Jets, Chargers and Broncos to even position themselves for an outside playoff shot.

San Diego and the Jets may also be on this list, but the Jets at least beat the Bills in Buffalo and the Chargers get them at home (Bills are only 1-4 in road games). So, unless Buffalo manages to win out, 2011 will have turned into an unfortunate disappointment.

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.