NFL Power Rankings: Stagnant Teams Destined for Disappointment

The Dallas Cowboys will not get past the first round of the playoffs this year. Dallas used a strong middle stretch of the season to climb into the Top 10 of the power rankings.

It is clear they don't have what it takes to climb higher than that. At least they will make it to the playoffs, which is more than either of the other two teams on this list can say.

*Power rankings according to ESPN.com

No. 9 Dallas Cowboys, 7-5

The Cowboys entered Arizona after completing another exceptional November, having won four straight games. They then quickly embarked on their customary December dive with a loss to the underwhelming Cardinals. 

This is the first win for the Cardinals over a winning team this season. The fact that the Cowboys lost this game should not be surprising. They have yet to record a winning record in December since Tony Romo took over as QB in 2006.

Romo has certainly been at the center of much of this failure, but the problems extend well beyond the QB.

For his career in December, Romo has 21 touchdowns to 20 interceptions. That number also includes a 7-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2009. It is clear that the December woes extend well beyond Romo.

And here we are again. Another December and the Cowboys are already 0-1. They still have an excellent shot to make the playoffs as they hold a one-game lead on the struggling New York Giants, but their run will not be going beyond that.

No. 12 Detroit Lions, 7-5

The Lions are a complete disaster right now.

They are picking up stupid and crippling penalties at an alarming rate. Yet they are showing enough to hang around the Top 10 of the power rankings, and in the playoff hunt.

Ultimately, that will only serve to enhance the frustration of them missing the playoffs.

The Lions are currently tied with Atlanta and Chicago for the two wild card spots in the NFC, with the Giants just one game behind them.

Detroit will lose out on this race, as they are destined to finish .500. They finish with the Vikings, at the Raiders, the Chargers and at the Packers.

Those are three winnable games, for a team that isn't coming apart at the seams.

The Lions have scored just 32 combined points in their last two games against the less than elite defenses of the Packers and the Saints.

Combine that with their increasing penchant to do incredibly stupid things and you have a team headed toward disaster.

No. 14 Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been hanging steady in this range in the power rankings for most of the season. It is an admirable position for this overachieving team.

However, the young Bengals are hitting the wall. They have lost three of their last four games. While the three losses have come to the tough Ravens and Steelers, it is apparent this is beginning to take its toll. 

The Bengals lost by seven to the Steelers, then Ravens. They followed that up with an unimpressive three-point win over the Browns, and then last week were completely dismantled by the Steelers, 35-7.

They now face a tough game against the Texans, followed by games against the Rams and suddenly surging Cardinals. Cincinnati will then close its season against Baltimore.

The Bengals will go 1-3 during this stretch and miss out on the playoffs.