NFL Power Rankings: Resurgent Teams That Will Fall Short of Postseason

These teams all came into 2011 with mixed expectations, at best. Still, at times in 2011, every one of them has looked like they were locks to make the playoffs. 

But their luck has expired, at least at it relates to the 2011 season. They have plenty of reason to hang their heads high going into the offseason, but they will be watching the playoffs with the rest of the country.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were an awful team a season ago, and lost some of their better players. Still, between the super rookie duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have revived this offense and their defense is top-notch. 

This season, they will fall short of the playoffs. The AFC is too deep and their schedule is too back loaded to get them into postseason play. A resurgent Cardinals team and the Ravens await. Splitting those two games puts the Bengals at 9-7, which won't be enough.

The Jets are a more competent team this season, and have the tiebreakers all working in their advantage.

Oakland Raiders

Injuries to Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden will bring this team to its demise in 2011. We know that they can play well in the AFC West, and that will be a wide open division again in 2012, but their luck is out this season. 

The Broncos face a sliding Bills team and then host a Chiefs team that they've already beaten in Kansas City. The Raiders will take on the Chiefs, who have already handled them in Oakland, and then a red-hot Chargers team.

Oakland will just need too much help, and the tiebreakers aren't going to break in their favor. Considering they already trail Denver by a game, their playoff hopes will have to wait another year. 

Tennessee Titans

Not much was expected from the Titans this year, especially when they lost Kenny Britt early in the season. In addition to that, Chris Johnson has given them nothing. 

Still, the Titans are a respectable 7-7 and have a favorable schedule coming in. But that loss to the previously winless Colts is going to keep them out of the playoffs. 

The Bengals and Jets are both ahead of the the Titans. Expecting to make up one game in two games against two teams is a losing scenario. 

Michael Dixon's Week 16 NFL Power Rankings

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

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