NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Looking at Teams Just on Outside of Playoff Picture

With 11 weeks almost in the books (the Chiefs and Patriots play tonight), it's time to start looking at and analyzing the NFL's playoff picture. 

Some teams, like the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, have tight grasps on their playoff positioning. Others are currently leading their divisions and look like solid bets.

Then we have the playoff outsiders, who need to play well down the stretch and get a little luck to sneak in. Over the following slides, we'll identify the teams on the outside looking in to the NFL's postseason.  

Atlanta Falcons

With a win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Falcons improved their record to 6-4. After a 2-3 start, a 4-1 stretch has helped Atlanta right their season. 

Now, the Falcons sit just a game back in the NFC South of the 7-3 Saints, and a slip-up from the Lions, who are also 7-3, could give the Falcons a chance to get into the wild-card slot. The Falcons hold a tiebreaker over Detroit by virtue of a head-to-head win. The Bears hold the other wild-card position but just lost their starting quarterback for six to eight weeks.  

Plus, with a game still in the queue with the Saints, the Falcons will have their chance to crack the playoffs.

New York Giants

Their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night effectively knocked them out of the playoff picture through 11 weeks, as the 6-4 Dallas Cowboys win the tiebreaker over the Giants with a better division win percentage.

With a tough schedule staring them in the face, it could be tough for the Giants to re-establish themselves at the top of the division.

Over the next six games, the Giants have to play the Saints, Packers, Jets and Cowboys (twice). Can they survive that gauntlet to get into the playoffs?   

Denver Broncos

With four wins in five tries under the direction of quarterback Tim Tebow, the Broncos have re-inserted themselves into the AFC West race.

At 5-5, Denver sits just a game back of the Oakland Raiders for first place in the division. They're also a game back of the Cincinnati Bengals for the final wild-card spot in the AFC.

The schedule down the stretch isn't a cake walk, but it stands to reason that Denver could finish 8-8 with three wins in their last six. The Raiders face a similarly tough path to close out the 2011 season.

Plenty have bet against Tebow in his brief stint as the Broncos quarterback. Maybe it's time to start viewing what the Broncos are doing as more than just luck.   

New York Jets

Just two weeks ago, the Jets were handed a golden opportunity to take control of their destiny in the AFC East.

Now, with a home loss to the Patriots and a disappointing trip to Denver under their belt, the Jets find themselves as long shots to make the playoffs. A 5-5 record puts them as the No. 9 seed in the AFC.

The schedule isn't terrible for the Jets moving forward, as winnable games (Buffalo, Miami, Washington and Kansas City) remain on the schedule. Still, it's going to be a long road back for the Jets after their latest two-game stretch. 

Tennessee Titans

It's a surprise to see the Titans anywhere near this list with the way running back Chris Johnson has played through 11 weeks. When your "best" player is as unproductive as Johnson has been, it's tough to win football games. 

However, the 5-5 Titans have been granted a ray of hope with the season-ending injury to Matt Schaub. The Texans are currently 7-3 and hold the tiebreaker over the Titans, but a couple of breaks, coupled with a Week 17 matchup, gives the Titans a chance to steal away a playoff spot. 

The odds are long, but you have to consider the chances Tennessee will have down the stretch with Schaub out of the Texans lineup. 

Power Rankings

Week 12 Power Rankings

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