NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Identifying the Most Disappointing Teams

Every team has expectations going into the NFL season, some higher than others. It's almost a guarantee that there will be squads that underperform every year, and this year is no exception.

In the following slides, I examine four teams that have had disappointing seasons. I'll conclude with my full 32-team power rankings for Week 14.

No. 32: Indianapolis Colts

Everyone knew that the Indianapolis Colts would struggle without quarterback Peyton Manning this season, but no one had any idea just how hard that struggle would be.

Manning's absence was the first of many problems for Indianapolis this season, as evidenced by their 0-12 record. Clearly just missing their starting quarterback couldn't account for such complete failure.

No, the Colts decided this would be the year for a wholesale collapse. On both offense and defense, Indianapolis has been one of the league's worst teams, giving up an average of 387 yards per game while putting up just 293 of their own.

The Colts' problems are legion and won't be solved simply by Manning's return. This is a team in serious trouble, and it's truly shocking just how poorly they've handled this season.

No. 30: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns were supposed to have a good 2011 season after finishing the last three under .500.

Quarterback Colt McCoy was pegged to have an improved year, the running game behind Peyton Hillis should have been one of the league's most productive and their defense was supposed to finally meet the standard set by fellow AFC North teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.

Instead, Cleveland is 4-8 and headed for their third 5-11 season in as many years. Offense has been the Browns' biggest problem this season, with the team unable to get anything going on the ground with Hillis frequently injured.

In the air, McCoy hasn't been very effective either, struggling with throwing deep passes with accuracy. This means they're just managing an average of 14.6 points per game while giving up 20 on defense—certainly not a way to reach a winning record.

Every year, it seems, will be the one that sees the Browns turn things around. Alas, that was not meant to be in 2011.

No. 27: Carolina Panthers

Considering how well rookie Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has played this year, it's surprising that the team has managed to win only four games through 13 weeks.

Of the many rookie quarterbacks starting this year, Newton has been the most individually successful, but it hasn't been enough to help his otherwise struggling team earn a winning record.

The Panthers' Achilles heel is their defense, which has given up nearly as many yards as Newton and the offense have put up and are allowing an average of 27 points per game.

While few expected the Panthers to instantly transform into a playoff contender simply by drafting Newton in 2011, no one thought that he would have such a stellar year and have it neutralized by poor defensive play.

Though injuries are partly to blame for Carolina's woes, it still doesn't make the team's 4-8 record heading into Week 14 any less disappointing.

No. 22: San Diego Chargers

Though the San Diego Chargers managed a win in Week 13, ending their six-game losing streak, it still doesn't do much to mitigate the fact that they're easily one of the most underachieving teams of 2011.

Headed into the season, the Chargers were predicted by many analysts and fans to be the AFC representative in this year's Super Bowl.

It was a fair enough prediction; the Chargers missed the postseason in 2010 but had gone each of the four prior years. And with the collection of talent on the roster, it was clear that San Diego would win the AFC West yet again.

Instead, mistakes and missteps have plagued the Chargers all season long, with their defense giving up an average of 131.6 rushing yards per game. Their combined yardage and point giveaways have left them with the 30th-ranked defense in the NFL through weeks 1-12, while at the same time struggling for consistency on offense.

Though their most recent win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was just what San Diego needed, it did come against a team with one of the weakest, lowest-scoring offenses in the league and an injury-plagued defense.

At 5-7 and with four very tough opponents ahead, it looks like the Super Bowl isn't in San Diego's future this season.

Full 32-Team NFL Power Rankings for Week 14

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