NFL Power Rankings: Playoff Contenders with Nothing to Be Thankful for

Week 12 of the NFL season is going to be all about contenders fading. We are already starting to see that happen with a couple of teams, but after this weekend it is going to feel like the entire playoff landscape has changed. 

The power rankings have been in a constant state of flux once you get past the Green Bay Packers at No. 1. Teams that we thought would be great have stubbed their toes more than once. Others that had no expectations have overachieved. 

All of this turnover in the rankings certainly makes things more interesting and sparks a lot of debate, but it causes headaches trying to figure out who is real and who is fake. 

In honor of Thanksgiving this week, here are three playoff contending teams that don't have anything to be thankful for. 

 Houston Texans (7-3)

When the answer is Matt Leinart, I don’t want to know what the question is.

When Matt Schaub when down with a foot injury two weeks ago, there were analysts trying to make the case for the Texans as a playoff contender. The thinking is that they play in a West Coast system, and Leinart knows how to handle that kind of system.

You hear that sound? That is the sound of desperation coming from Texas, because there is no way this team is going to go make a playoff run. The Texans might get in by virtue of being in a terrible division, but they won’t be a factor if/when they do.

Bad luck seems to follow this organization around.

Chicago Bears (7-3)

Before Jay Cutler went down with a broken thumb, there was some talk the Bears might be the second-best team in the NFC and the biggest threat to the Packers in the conference.

But now, nearly 48 hours after we found out Cutler will miss the rest of the season, the Bears and their fans are in panic mode.

Caleb Hanie had a nice moment in the NFC Championship Game last season, but he is not going to be the answer for this team over a five-week stretch.

That hope and excitement the Bears were feeling on Sunday will give way to sadness and despair. The good news is they can get pointers from Cubs fans who have felt that way for 100 years.

New York Giants (6-4)

Why do we even bother buying into the hype that surrounds the Giants every year? They always start out hot and then when December rolls around, the bottom drops out and we talk about what could have been.

I guess this year is slightly different because they have started their slide at the end of November, so they are breaking their fans’ hearts before we even get to Christmas. That’s thoughtful of them.

It’s one thing to lose to San Francisco on the road, but to score 10 points against the Eagles, who were starting Vince Young at quarterback, is a joke.

Things don’t get any easier for this team as they have to play New Orleans, Green Bay and Dallas in their next three games.

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