NFL Power Rankings: Looking at the League's Most Pathetic Teams

Through 12 weeks of the 2011 NFL season, it is pretty clear to me who the two most pathetic teams in the league are. In fact, I don't think it's close.

Obviously, the Indianapolis Colts top this list. At 0-11, the Colts appear to be headed for a winless season, as there is virtually no reason for optimism in Indianapolis. 

The Colts currently rank 31st in the NFL in total offense, averaging a dismal 280.0 yards per game. Defensively, things aren't much better, as they are surrendering 389.4 yards per game, which ranks 29th league-wide. 

In addition to that, Indianapolis is allowing a league-worst 29.7 points per game, while scoring just 13.6 (30th in the NFL). 

The loss of star quarterback Peyton Manning to a neck injury exposed what are some serious holes in Indianapolis' roster. Those deficiencies have been exploited by opponents repeatedly this season, and I don't expect the Colts to be able to turn things around.

The St. Louis Rams rank second on my list of the league's most pathetic teams. Much was expected of the Rams in quarterback Sam Bradford's second season. Those expectations have not come close to being realized, as the Rams are currently 2-9, and I'm not sure how they even won two games.

Bradford hasn't looked good in his sophomore season. The Oklahoma product has completed 179-of-328 passes (54.6 percent) for 1,971 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating of 72.3 ranks 31st of the 33 quarterbacks who qualify.

While it hasn't been all Bradford's fault, he simply needs to be better if the Rams hope to ever progress as a franchise.

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