NFL Power Rankings: Which Contenders Are on Thin Ice?

It feels like the 2011 NFL season just started, but we're officially in crunch time now. There are only four weeks left in the regular season, and there are still many things left to be decided.

Specifically, the playoff races in both leagues are still wide open. A couple of teams already have playoff spots locked up, and a few others will join them before long, but there are a handful of teams that need to finish hot in order to secure a playoff berth.

If they go cold, well, better luck next year.

In the spirit of offering a few words of warning, let's take a look at five contenders that can't afford to slip up in the final four weeks of the season. They're on thin ice.

Tennessee Titans (No. 16)

I want to say that the Titans have a strong chance of sneaking into the AFC playoffs via a wild card berth, but the truth is that they have their work cut out for them.

Up first is a game against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. After two winnable games against the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans wrap up the season at the Houston Texans. 

If the Titans are to make the playoffs, I figure they need to win three of these games. The trick, obviously, will be to win one of the two big games.

That's not going to be easy. The Titans are an okay team, but they are where they are because they've capitalized on an easy schedule. Don't be surprised if they're exposed in the coming weeks.

Chicago Bears (No. 15)

As of right now, the Bears are in line to grab one of the NFC's wild cards.

The only problem is that the Bears have hit the skids without Jay Cutler, and they're also going to have to rough it without Matt Forte for a couple of weeks.

It doesn't help that three of Chicago's final four games are on the road, including contests at Denver and at Green Bay.

To hold on to their wild card spot, the Bears are going to need a strong finish. Either that, or they need the teams chasing them to fall flat.

Neither outcome seems very likely.

Detroit Lions (No. 14)

If the Bears take a tumble, the Lions stand to benefit. All they need to do is hang on and win a few more games before the season ends.

Good luck with that. The Lions have to visit Oakland and Green Bay, and they're not going to dominate games against the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. Their slump could continue.

For what it's worth, I think the Lions are going to go 2-2 in these games, which will be good enough to make the playoffs if the Bears lose three of four. 

But I have to admit, it's hard to have faith in the Lions these days.

Oakland Raiders (No. 10)

Oakland's loss at Miami really hurt, as it allowed the Broncos to grab the AFC West lead. The Raiders can still grab the division crown, but they're better off hoping for a wild-card berth.

The Raiders can get in line in that regard. The Cincinnati Bengals currently hold the AFC's second wild-card spot, and the Raiders are one of three teams vying for it.

To earn a wild-card berth, the Raiders are going to have to win at least three of their final four games. Since they're not going to beat the Packers in Lambeau Field on Sunday, that means they're going to have to win three in a row to finish the season.

That could happen, but the Raiders are banged up and they're an inconsistent football team to begin with. I ultimately think they're going to make it, but they definitely have their work cut out for them.

Cincinnati Bengals (No. 9)

I mentioned already that the Bengals have their hands on a wild-card spot, but their grip on it is pretty weak.

The key reason for this is that the Bengals have not fared well against superior competition this season, and they're going to be facing some to close out the season. They have to play the Houston Texans in Week 14, and they wrap up the season against the Baltimore Ravens, who will likely be looking for a first-round bye and home-field advantage.

The Bengals are likely going to have to win at least one of those games to make it to the playoffs. Given what we've seen from them this season, you obviously have to doubt their ability to do so.

Zachary D. Rymer's Week 14 Power Rankings

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