NFL Power Rankings: Teams Will Turn Late Rise into Next Season's Glory

It's too late this season for the following teams, but they are in the process of building momentum for a dominant 2012 season.

For teams out of postseason contention the end of the year should not be viewed as an opportunity to grasp a better draft pick—it needs to be viewed as laying the foundation for a strong 2012 season.

Here are three teams that have done just that.

*Power rankings according to ESPN

No. 15 Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks started the year just 2-6. They have since gone 5-2. Seattle has turned things around with defense and a running game, and their nucleus is young. 

Seattle has been playing solid run defense all year. They are fifth in the NFL in yards allowed per rush at 3.8. What has really helped them turn the corner on defense is their pass defense.

They have a young and talented secondary. Second-year safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas form the best young safety duo in the league. While their safety play has been excellent, it is at the corner position where this team is getting the biggest surprise. 

Rookie Richard Sherman has been amazing. Football Outsiders charts the success rate of corners, and Sherman is currently fourth in the NFL. The 27-year-old rookie, Brandon Browner, has also had a great season on the other side.

These guys have led the Seahawks to a fifth ranking against No. 1 WRs and a No. 2 ranking against No. 2s.

The offense still has some work to do in the passing game. However, the improvements along the offensive line are massively encouraging, and they have made these improvements despite a rash of injuries.

This team has a foundation for a dominant defense for years to come. Their offense is only going to have to be average for this team to be a contender.

No. 18 Philadelphia Eagles

The Dream Team Eagles have suffered through an underwhelming season. However, they have looked much better as of late. The Eagles have won three in a row and all have been in impressive fashion.

Philadelphia has won their last three games by a combined score of 71-36. Not coincidentally, that three-game winning streak began when Mike Vick returned from a rib injury. The franchise QB's numbers have not been jaw dropping, but he is moving this sticks, and has the offense clicking like they envisioned it in the preseason.

This turnaround is not all about the offense, though. The defense has really stepped up. The Eagles have been getting gashed on the ground this year. For the season they are allowing 4.3 yards per carry, and that number would be a lot higher if it did not include the meager 3.7 yards per carry over their last three games.   

Their pass defense has been even better. This secondary, which has the payroll equivalent to the gross national product of a small country, is now producing in a big way. On the season, the Eagles are 16th in yards allowed per pass at 6.7, but over their last three they are giving up only 4.1 yards per pass.

That number is staggeringly low. As a matter of reference, the Steelers lead the NFL at 5.3 yards allowed per pass attempt.

There are bound to some changes in Philly, however, the blueprint of this team is proving that it can lead to success.

No. 22 Kansas City Chiefs

It's been a remarkably odd season for the Chiefs. They suffered some crippling injuries right at the start of the season. By Week 2, this team had already lost TE Tony Moeaki, FS Eric Berry and RB Jamaal Charles for the season due to injuries.

This attributed to the Chiefs looking like the worst team in football as they lugged out to an 0-3 start. Then they won four straight.

That success was not sustained as they fell off the cliff again with a 31-3 beat down by the Dolphins. Matt Cassel was then lost for the season the following week, and the Chiefs were 4-7 before they won again.

Somewhere along the line though, this defense began to find itself. They have allowed 16 or fewer points in four of their last five. That is a stretch that includes their shocking win over the powerhouse Packers.

This offense is still struggling, and they need some help along the offensive line. They will be to address some of these offensive line needs in the offseason, and most importantly they will return to health.

This defense is on the verge of being elite, and the offense is more than capable of being competent when healthy.