NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Losing the Most Ground

This late in the NFL season, it's never a good thing to be losing ground, but that's exactly what the following three teams are currently in the midst of.

All three are still alive for the playoffs, however, don't be surprised if none of them make it.

Detroit Lions (7-4)

Since beginning 5-0 the Lions are just 2-4 and are now on the fringe of missing the playoffs. The homes loss to Green Bay was tough, and now they must travel to New Orleans this week, Oakland in Week 15 and Green Bay in Week 17.

That being said, Detroit is on the verge of another great start with a bad finish and will most likely be 9-7 at season's end. In the NFC, that won't be enough to get a playoff spot.

Not to mention, the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons each have much easier schedules remaining. The offense simply has lost consistency, and the defense has all kinds of issues. And in having only scored over 20 points twice since Week 5, Detroit needs to pick it up fast otherwise 2011 becomes a déjà vu of 2007.

New York Giants (6-5)

Three weeks ago the New York Giants were 6-2, riding a three-game win streak and had just beat the Patriots in New England.

Fast-forward to after Week 12 and we see an abysmal Giants team who's lost its identity, lost three straight games and are now not only out of the divisional lead but likely out of the playoff picture.

The Giants have the NFL's worst ground game and a defense that all of a sudden can't stop anyone and croaks in crunch time. With games left against Green Bay, Dallas (twice) and at the Jets, the Big Blue Wrecking Crew will be fortunate to have an 8-8 record by season's end.

Maybe this offseason New York can revamp their defense while establishing a ground game to help out Eli Manning.

San Diego Chargers (4-7)

Along the same lines as the Lions and Giants, the Chargers began fast and slowed down quite a bit, if not the most, out of all three teams. Beginning 4-1 was great, because San Diego hadn't gotten off to that kind of a start in quite some time.

One problem, however, is that instead of their usual mid-to-late season surge, the exact opposite has occurred. Hence, a six-game losing streak and QB Philip Rivers having his worst season ever as a pro.

Luckily for the Bolts they're in the AFC West, so hope does remain, but they have to play at Jacksonville this week (not easy, just ask Baltimore), the Ravens in Week 15 and at the Lions and Raiders to close out the season.

The Detroit game will most likely be a must-win for the Lions, so maybe the Bolts get some vindication in playing the spoiler role, but don't count on it.

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)

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