NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Looking at Teams Just on Outside of Playoff Picture

The Chicago Bears are in free fall, and are the most recent "victim" of Tim Tebow's magic. 

Jake Locker filled in admirably for Matt Hasselbeck, but took a sack on the final play of the game from inside the 5-yard line in a narrow defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. 

How about the Cowboys, blowing another fourth quarter lead? 

The Bengals, once the top seed in the AFC, have lost four of their last five. 

Let's take a closer look at these teams who are currently on the outside of the playoff picture. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears' key defenders, like Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers "bashed" Tim Tebow after their loss to the Broncos, calling him a "good running back."

Can you sense the frustration in that locker room? 

I can. 

They've lost three straight games and their offense has sputtered in each contest. 

I still think they would have had a better shot at the postseason with Donovan McNabb or even Brett Favre. 

Caleb Hanie is simply not ready to lead an NFL team at this point in his career. 

Actually, against the Broncos, late-game miscues ultimately doomed the Bears. 

Next week, they host the Seahawks, a surprisingly competitive team, then end the year on the road against the Packers and Vikings. 

It'll be hard for them to sneak into the postseason.  

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have to win that game last night.

Have to. 

A fourth quarter lead against the division leader at home, what more could they ask for?

They allowed the Giants to come back and win the game and honestly, does anyone else think Rob Ryan is to blame? 

His defense has come up small in many critical moments this season. 

They'll get another shot at New York in the season finale but must handle their business against the Buccaneers and Eagles the next two weeks. 

Tennessee Titans

The future is bright for Jake Locker. 

It really is.

He's a gamer and has all the physical tools you'd want in a franchise quarterback in the NFL. 

However, his first major rookie mistake of taking a sack at the final play of the game may cost the Titans a spot in the playoffs this season. 

Their defense did a commendable job against Drew Brees' offense on Sunday. 

The Titans will need help in the final three weeks, but have a decent chance to win out with contests against the Colts, Jaguars and a Texans team that's already clinched the division. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are still a good team; they've simply fallen short against some quality opponents over the last month. 

They were solid on both sides of the ball for the majority of the game against the Texans, but Andy Dalton simply couldn't put the finishing touches on Houston in the fourth quarter.

Still waiting for him to take that next step as a signal-caller.  

Cincinnati plays the Rams and Cardinals over the next two weeks and end the season at home against Baltimore, in an AFC North showdown that could determine their playoff fate. 

NFL Power Rankings, Week 15

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

*MNF matchup