NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Identifying the Most Disappointing Teams

Even though each of the following four teams are still technically alive in the playoff race, their odds are significantly slim and the season is basically over.

That being said, it's unfortunate that teams with playoff and Super Bowl expectations had to fall in such a hard manner, but that's why they play the games.

So to get started, here are four of the most disappointing teams from 2011.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)

With so many big name offseason signings compared to everyone else, the expectations were vehemently high in The City of Brotherly Love this season. And rightfully so, because with that much talent comes a new level of expectancy.

But as the obvious states, Philly sits at 4-7 in the NFC East and has lost three of their last four games. It should be known however, that five of their seven losses are by seven points or less.

So, if the Eagles could have turned even two of those games into wins, the playoffs would be a lot more realistic.

All this being said, how 2011 panned out should be a learned lesson about talent: Just because you have it doesn't guarantee anything. However, it will be a solid motivational factor in the 2012 offseason.

With so much time to build team chemistry, the 2012 Eagles will be the more dangerous bunch.

Arizona Cardinals (4-7)

Being in the NFC West, you'd think that Arizona would have more than four wins at this point.

However, their two divisional wins both came against the Rams, and they failed to beat Seattle in Week 3.

Losing other games to teams such as Washington and Minnesota surely was tough as well. When acquiring Kevin Kolb, the offensive expectations increased—and rightfully so—because they also added TE Todd Heap to go with WR Larry Fitzgerald.

Now, Arizona has won three of their last four games and could potentially finish around 7-9.

After a disappointing 2010 season, a strong end to 2011 will provide some much needed mo' heading into the 2012 offseason.

Include the NFL Draft and the Cardinals may be able to compete next season.

Buffalo Bills (5-6)

The Bills came outta the gates like Zenyatta, but then slowed down like a snail once November hit. Prior to November, Buffalo was 5-2 and had a wins over Oakland and New England, but they have dropped four straight.

In three of those games, the Bills failed to score more than 11 points and the offense took a complete dive. Sure injuries have also been a factor, but it's clear that Buffalo's gotten out of focus.

Now the Bills' next four games are all winnable, but based on their current skid they'll be lucky to win two of them. The rushing game has died down, the defense is failing to force turnovers like they did early and they can't prevent anyone from scoring.

Only twice has Buffalo's defense allowed under 20 points this season—every other game was 20 or above (four were 30-plus). Just goes to show that forcing punts and not living off turnovers matter.

By season's end, the Bills will be fortunate to finish 6-10.

San Diego Chargers (4-7)

San Diego began 4-1 and had the lone loss on the road versus New England. Since then however, the Chargers have dropped six straight games and are just 4-7. QB Philip Rivers is having his worst season under center and the defense hasn't helped much.

In addition, what's really killing the Bolts is not having a threatening enough rushing attack. Even after LaDainian Tomlinson left, Darren Sproles was still a solid back and obviously helped on special teams as well.

But Sproles joined the Saints, the Bolts have lacked in ground game and once again on special teams. As for Rivers, he's thrown a career high 17 INTs and has already tied his career high for fumbles in a season (six).

Unless San Diego can establish a ground game next season, 2012 will be much of the same. That said, at least the weather is nice year round, right?

Week 13 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27