NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Losing the Most Ground

It's never good to be losing ground within your division or conference, even if the playoffs are still decently in sight. Thus, we look at three teams currently losing ground where the playoffs may not happen either.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

After being 6-2, the Bengals have dropped two straight within the AFC North, and are now on the cusp of missing the postseason. Next up are the 4-6 Cleveland Browns, who are looking to play the spoiler role and ruin Cincy's shot at a Wild Card spot.

The Bengals defense has been outstanding against both the pass and rush; however, the offense has only seen gradual improvement. That said, we can't expect an offense as young as Cincy's to really be a force, and the fact that they're in the playoff hunt is impressive.

Only problem however, is that the Bengals still have to play both Pittsburgh and Baltimore once more, as well as the Houston Texans. And if Cincinnati finishes with the same record as the Broncos, Denver has the tiebreaker from their Week 2 win.

New York Jets (5-5)

They were swept by the New England Patriots, so winning the division is virtually impossible at this point. And although the Jets can still finish second in the AFC East, if for some reason the AFC West has a shot at the Wild Card, New York loses both tiebreakers.

In Week 3 they lost to Oakland, and in Week 11 the Broncos bested them as well. So the only way New York has a legit shot at making the postseason is if they finish 10-6 or 11-5. Now, their schedule is somewhat favorable; however, it's not like the Jets are an elite team either.

With games at Washington, at Philly and at Miami remaining, those aren't cakewalk road games by any means. Include the lack of offensive production, and the Jets will be lucky to finish 9-7.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

When Week 6 concluded this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found themselves in a solid position: 4-2 and atop the NFC South with a 2-0 divisional record. However, since then the Bucs have dropped four straight and have just a 1-3 record in away games (1-4 in you count the neutral site game against Chicago.

And with six games remaining, four are on the road and the two home games are versus Carolina and Dallas, so not guaranteed victories by any means. To that end, based on their inability to play well on the road and inconsistency at home, the Bucs will be fortunate to finish around 5-11 or 6-10.

Such an unfortunate finish after beginning 4-2, but when you can't stop anyone or move the ball consistently well throughout the course of a season, disappointing finishes are what happens.

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

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. Seattle Seahawks (4-6) (LW 25)
6. New England Patriots (7-3) (LW 6)	22. Miami Dolphins (3-7) (LW 27)
7. Chicago Bears (7-3) (LW 8)	23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) (LW 24)
8. Baltimore Ravens (7-3) (LW 9)	24. Kansas City Chiefs (4-6) (LW 22)
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)

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.