NFL Power Rankings: Rock Bottom Watch for League's Cellar Dwellers

With so much focus on the playoff-contending teams, little is geared towards the the NFL's worst teams. Well, there is an NFL Draft and teams like the Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, and Indianapolis Colts are all racing toward that No. 1 overall pick.

To that end, here is a watch for each team as the offseason nears.

Minnesota Vikings (2-12)

The Vikings were destroyed at home, and it was no surprise as they played the New Orleans Saints. Well, the good part about this season has been moral victories.

Eight of their 12 losses have been by one touchdown or less, so it's that next step of maintaining a lead or keeping pace with the opponent to get over the hump. The ground game is still there with running back Adrian Peterson, but they lack a passing game and pass defense.

So, look for the Vikings to draft some wide receivers, offensive linemen, and defensive backs this spring. Quarterback Christian Ponder has potential. With minimal protection and at least one legit target, the offense can really make some strides next year.

And with games left against the Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears, 4-12 is possible but 3-13 seems more likely.

St. Louis Rams (2-12)

Although the Rams have one more win than the Colts, St. Louis may be the NFL's worst team. The offense fails to put drives together, get even one first down on a consistent base each series, and put up points.

The defense doesn't help either as they lack against the pass and rush (allow 360 total yards per game), not to mention injuries have plagued St. Louie all season. One major difference for the Rams also is that they haven't had too many close losses.

When you lose respectably on a consistent basis, it gives a team something to build off of. In the Rams' case however, there's literally nothing positive to take from the games and complete reconstruction is needed.

Unfortunately, they won't see anything positive until the offseason either, as they play the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers to close out 2011. Here comes 2-14.

Indianapolis Colts (1-13)

It may have taken them 14 weeks, but the Colts finally got a win and it was a big win at that. The Tennessee Titans came in with playoff implications on the line. Although they're technically still alive, all hope is about to be lost thanks to Circle City.

Much like the Rams, the Colts played hard in every game and it was bound to payoff sooner than later. They also have six close losses, so they're almost to that next level already.

Despite lacking talent, they do have decent wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends along with the offensive line. Their quarterback play has plagued them, and the defense's inability to stop any explosive offense has been damaging. Fortunately, the No. 1 pick is still in sight and the 2012 season has hope.

This week, Indy gets a banged up Houston Texans team coming off a loss, and then the Jacksonville Jaguars thereafter. Finishing 3-13 is quite possible especially now that the pressure is off from going 0-16.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

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