NFL Power Rankings: Sliding Teams That Will Miss Departed Stars

We're at the time of the year where injuries are now in full effect. Some teams overcome them, some find temporary bandages, while others completely collapse. 

These teams all fit into the latter two categories. The Band-Aids they find may be good enough to keep them in the playoffs, but nothing more. Every one of these teams has looked like a Super Bowl contender this season. Not now.

Houston Texans

Hard luck has fallen on the 8-3 Texans. With all the injuries they have had to deal with, their record is a really good sign of strong coaching and an overall good team.

But while this team is still in excellent position to make the playoffs, their chances at making a run just aren't that good. The loss of Matt Schaub was bad. Even though Matt Leinart is hardly a franchise quarterback, he's not a bad backup. But now he's out, and this team is hurting in a bad way.

They won't have the offense to match points with Tom Brady and the Patriots and they won't put up enough against the Steelers and Ravens or even the Bengals or Jets. 

For the sake of the Texans, hopefully their team comes back strong in 2012.

Chicago Bears

Like the Texans, the Bears are still in position to make the playoffs. Their early-season wins and remainder of schedule puts them in good position for a playoff berth. 

Still, they will be scuffling. If Jay Cutler returns, they will have a hard time finding their rhythm enough to win in the playoffs. 

Their defense and running game puts them in reasonable position, but the strength of the NFC will overcome them.

Detroit Lions

Unlike the other two teams, this team is in a rough spot. Ndamukong Suh's loss is going to hurt this team. 

They were scuffling with him in the lineup and now need to find a way to get through a two-game stretch without him. 

But the hot start that this team had is just not going to lead to a playoff berth. They're a fun team to watch and still young, but this is not their year.

Michael Dixon's Week 13 NFL Power Rankings

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