NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Gauging the League's Most Unpredictable Teams

The following teams have been the most unpredictable during the 2011 NFL season:

Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday's 45-19 win over the New York Jets proves that the Eagles have the capacity to be a postseason team. The talent on the roster also suggests that. But what has held this team back in 2011 is their lack of consistency.

One week, you see a team that can be dominant and beat anyone. The next, any of the 32 teams have a shot at taking them down. This phenomenon has been one of the central reasons why the "Dream Team" turned into a nightmare. Righting the ship in 2012 has to start with keeping the Eagles more level over 16 games.

New York Giants

For whatever reason, the Giants have been an unpredictable team since Tom Coughlin took over. It's the same story this season. Over the last three weeks, the Giants have taken the Packers to the brink of their first loss, came back in Dallas in the fourth quarter to beat the Cowboys, then stunk up the joint at home in a loss to the Redskins. If the Giants miss the playoffs this season, they can blame the failure on their inability to stay consistent week in and week out.  

Detroit Lions

The Lions' lack of discipline puts them on this list. You just never know when they are going to commit one of those boneheaded penalties that have killed them so many times this season. The Lions aren't a "dirty team," per se, but they are vulnerable to making game-changing mistakes without using their heads. A 6-0 start was nearly derailed during a midseason stretch where the Lions beat themselves more times than not.  

Week 16 Power Rankings

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