NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Losing the Most Ground

To balance out all the teams currently surging down the stretch, there then has to be teams who fold as the season concludes. That being said, here are three teams who have, and will continue to lose the most ground in the coming weeks.

Tennessee Titans (7-6)

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Titans last week against the Saints, especially since the New York Jets won. Additionally, they also are behind the Cincinnati Bengals as Tennessee does not have the head-to-head tiebreaker.

In that case, the Music City is on the verge of missing the postseason and losing some ground that will be tough to make up. They do have two winnable games left against the Colts and Jaguars, but on the road in Houston will be difficult.

Also, the Jets have a rather favorable schedule by comparison but the Bengals still have to play the Ravens. If Tennessee can win out and hope New York slips up once there's a chance because it's unlikely that Cincinnati beats Baltimore.

However, there will be no chance especially if RB Chris Johnson gets back into a slump. He was recently surging then took more than a few steps back after account for just 66 total yards last week.

Oakland Raiders (7-6)

Unfortunately for the Raiders, they happen to run into the Packers at the wrong time, being that Denver is on a roll. Also, with Carson Palmer turning back to his INT-prone self from when he first joined Oakland, it's highly unlikely that the Silver and Black make the playoffs.

RB Michael Bush is still doin' work on the ground, however, he's really the only player producing. The defense continues to lack in pass and rush defense, so with games remaining against Detroit, at Kansas City, then San Diego at home (who's caught a little fire), Oakland needs a quick turnaround.

What perhaps is saving their season is their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets. Currently, New York is the AFC's No. 6 seed but if the Raiders can manage to string together some momentum, they're presence on the Jets' heels may cause Gang Green to keel over.

Oakland isn't out yet by any means, but not winning the AFC West is crushing their playoff hopes.

Chicago Bears (7-6)

Chicago's simply been unfortunate because of injuries and the inability to shutdown opponents when crunch time happens. Losing to the Chiefs at home was perhaps the catalyst that began the late-game downfall against Denver.

Their confidence is decreasing and despite giving great effort, the ball hasn't bounced their way. Now, the Bears do have two feasible wins left against Seattle and Minnesota, but they won't beat Green Bay. With that in mind, Chicago could sneak into the postseason at 9-7 if Detroit drops two more games.

Plus, much like the Raiders in having a big tiebreaker, the Bears defeated the Falcons in Week 1. The game alone is arguably keeping Chicago alive right now, as Atlanta has three tough games against Jacksonville (not guaranteed), New Orleans (away), and Tampa Bay (lost to the Bucs' earlier).

So, not all hope is lost for the Bears, but with an abundance of significant injuries plaguing them, the Windy City should begin to look forward to the NBA season.

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

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