NFL Power Rankings: Disappointing Teams That Need To Make Big Changes

Disappointing is a terrible word, especially when it is used to describe an NFL team. They built up hopes of fans and analysts who wanted to see them succeed, but something went wrong along the way to make it all fall apart. 

You know that feeling when your mom says that she isn't angry with you but disappointed, that is how a number of NFL teams feel right now. They have been kicked in the gut on the field and now have to field all sorts of criticism everywhere else. 

If you want to look for a silver lining, I guess you can say there are still five weeks left and they have time to turn it around. The odds of that happening are slim, but it is not impossible. 

Here are three teams that have disappointed in recent weeks whose slide will continue and force them to make significant changes in the offseason. 

Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)

The biggest disappointment of the 2011 season, things just seem to keep snowballing on the Eagles. They had a great defensive effort in Week 11 against the Giants, which only makes you wonder where that effort has been all season. 

They won't be so fortunate this week when they host the New England Patriots. The writing has been on the wall for a long time, but this will be the game that officially ends any hope for the Eagles' playoff chances. 

Sure, they could still get in with seven losses, but the odds of them being able to win out are virtually none. Andy Reid has the faith of management but that could change in a heartbeat. 

New York Jets (5-5)

Normally, the Jets would be sitting right where they wanted to be. The previous two years they started out looking mediocre before turning up the volume in the final weeks to sneak into the postseason. 

That will not be the case this season because the defense is nowhere near as strong as it was in 2009 or 2010, and the less said about Mark Sanchez the better. He continues to regress and the questions about whether he can lead an offense to a championship will get louder. 

Their game against the Bills this week serves as a de facto elimination game because both teams are heading in the wrong direction and the competition in the AFC is too great for a team with a 5-6 record to overcome. 

San Diego Chargers (4-6)

It is more a testament to how bad the AFC West is than a sign of the Chargers breaking out of their slump that they are still in the race. I mean, the Broncos are still in the race, so how strong can the division be?

However, all the Chargers' hopes and dreams will come crashing down on them this week. Philip Rivers is the most disappointing quarterback in the NFL this season and the rest of the team isn't far behind. 

I understand why the Chargers are seven-point favorites against the Broncos, but considering how both teams have been playing, how do you bet on the Bolts to win that game?

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)