NFL Power Rankings: Philadelphia Eagles and More Teams Building for Next Season

The NFL playoff picture has been narrowed down to just a couple teams vying for the final three spots, which means a boatload of teams have been eliminated from contention. Even though their late charges came up short, here are three squads that are on the rise heading into the offseason.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia entered the season with more hype than any team in recent memory. Things didn't work out as planned, however, with the Eagles dropping four straight games following an opening week win. Just like that, all of the “Dream Team” talk faded away.

Once that pressure was removed from their shoulders, they started to play a lot better. The Eagles have won their last three games, including Saturday's rock-solid victory over the Dallas Cowboys. They rank third on offense and eighth on defense in yards per game.

Maybe the focus on Philadelphia came a season too soon. Based on their recent performance, 2012 could be the year of the Eagles.

2. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have become infamous for making up ground in December, but this season's attempt came up short. It's all because of a mid-season malaise when San Diego lost six straight games after a 4-1 start. By the time Philip Rivers started looking like his usual self, it was too late.

Perhaps a coaching change is in order for the Chargers. Norv Turner has not been able to produce consistent results with one of the league's most talented rosters and after awhile a new voice can really help players refocus on the task at hand.

It will be important for the team leaders, whether it be the coaching staff or player captains, to stress the importance of every single game. It's a basic lesson that obviously hasn't resonated with the Chargers.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Before losing to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cardinals had won four straight games and six of their past seven. Prior to that streak, they had lost six straight games, which virtually eliminated them before the season's reached it's halfway point.

The resurgence has been mostly due to an improving defense. It's a unit that hasn't allowed more than 23 points since late October after struggling through the first part of the season. If they can continue to build on that momentum heading into next season, it's going to be a solid unit.

If they can get Kevin Kolb to play like he was expected to after being acquired from the Eagles, the Cardinals could be one of next season's sleeper teams.

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