NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Teams Destined for a Late-Season Free Fall

The following teams have hit their high-water mark as they are about to embark on a journey down the rankings.

For various reasons, these three teams have peaked and their game is about to turn colder than the weather.

(Power rankings according to ESPN)

No. 7 Houston Texans

The Texans can't continue to win without a passing game. While they made an impressive statement this past Sunday beating the Atlanta Falcons 17-10, this will not continue.

The Texans won that game with a dominant defensive performance and winning the turnover battle. While this defense will keep them competitive, the lack of offensive punch will keep the defense on the field and wear it out. 

Without the threat of a passing game, the Falcons were able to gear up against the run and limit the Falcons to just 3.7 yards per carry.

Rookie QB T.J. Yates managed the offense, but offered little more. He threw for 188 yards, but hit less than 50 percent of his passes.

Making matters worse for the Texans is that Andre Johnson suffered another hamstring injury. This one isn't as severe as his first, but it will keep him out for at least the next game.

Obviously, this will further destroy the Texans passing game, but it will also stunt the growth of Yates and delay any chemistry he is going to develop with Johnson.

The Texans still have a solid shot at winning their division, but maintaining their lofty spot in the power rankings is not going to happen.

Remaining Schedule

Week 14: at Bengals

Week 15: Panthers

Week 16: at Colts

Week 17: Titans

Final Record Prediction: 10-6

No. 9 Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were a perfect 4-0 in November. Then a bad thing happened: The calendar changed to December. And for reasons unbeknownst to anyone, the Cowboys are awful in December.

The Cowboys immediately bowed to the almighty power of this curse by losing to the Arizona Cardinals in their first December game. This was a bad loss. It was the Cardinals' fifth win, and as a sign that this curse still holds power over the Cowboys they lost as a result of self-inflicted wounds. 

Head coach Jason Garrett pulled off the dumbest move of the season when he called a timeout to ice his own kicker and then neglected to call a clock-saving timeout, when his team had two, with 26 seconds left.

He made things worse by not accepting blame after the loss, simply saying (per Charean Williams of Star-Telegram):

"

It is very similar to calling a play. When a play works, it was a good call. It was a good play. When it doesn't work, a lot of people will say that call wasn't very good. Ultimately, the execution of a play, the kick or the situation, what we try to do as coaches is to put our players in position to do that.

"

That sounds to me like a coach that is overwhelmed by the incomprehensible powers of a bizarre curse.

This curse goes well beyond any one player or coach. While it began with the arrival of Tony Romo as the starting QB, it is inaccurate to pin it all on him. The Cowboys have not had a winning record in December since Romo became the starter. In that span, Romo has 21 touchdowns to 20 interceptions.

Certainly, those are lackluster numbers, but Romo's 7-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in December of 2009 is not and the Cowboys still couldn't pull off a winning record.

Take a look at the remaining schedule, and it is clear they won't accomplish the feat this year. There is no way they win their next three.

Remaining Schedule

Week 14: Giants

Week 15: at Buccaneers

Week 16: Eagles

Week 17: at Giants

Final Record Prediction: 9-7

No. 17 Chicago Bears

The Bears have already begun their free fall. They have lost two straight games, which began—not coincidentally—when they lost Jay Cutler to a broken thumb.

They now are forced to play without Matt Forte for an indefinite period of time after the star running back hurt his knee in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. In that game the Bears managed just three points and 181 yards.

There is little reason to hope this offense will get much better. Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie has thrown three interceptions in each of his first two starts, and now he doesn't have his security blanket of Forte to help him out.

The Bears still have a solid defense, but their lack of offense is going to put way too much strain on the defense to hold up for an entire game.

Brett Favre let it be known he would listen if the Bears contacted him about returning, but Michael C. Wright of ESPN reported hearing from sources that the Bears were not interested.

There will be no one riding in to save the Bears free fall, and it is going to get ugly.

Remaining Schedule

Week 14: at Broncos

Week 15: Seahawks

Week 16: at Packers

Week 17: Vikings

Final Record Prediction: 8-8