NFL Power Rankings: Which Declining Teams Will Make a Late Playoff Push?

Here's a quick look at three teams that, even though they've struggled and are dropping in the power rankings, still have a good shot at making the playoffs.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yes, the Bucs have lost four in a row. Yet somehow they took the undefeated Green Bay Packers to the wire last week and it appears they still have some life in them after all. 

Even with their struggles, the Bucs remain just two games behind the Falcons and three games behind the Saints. It's not the easiest of comebacks, but Tampa Bay has an easy remaining schedule on its hands.

In the coming weeks, the Bucs get Carolina twice, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Dallas. The only real test on that slate is Dallas.

If Tampa Bay can get by the Cowboys, it could easily be 9-6 with a Week 17 matchup at Atlanta. Again, not the easiest of tests, but that game would almost surely decide a playoff spot.

 

New York Giants

After a home loss to the Vick-less Philadelphia Eagles last week, the Giants are starting to look like the most enigmatic team in the league.

Still though, they have the benefit of playing in the NFC East, and this year that means they will always be in contention.

Things won't be getting any easier for the Giants as they have games with New Orleans, Green Bay and Dallas in the next three weeks. But if New York has taught us anything, it's that the Giants will somehow win two of those three games.

Even if they don't, it's starting to look like nine wins should claim that conference outright, so New York should be in the race until the end.

 

San Diego Chargers

Would you believe that a team that has lost five in a row is still in the playoff hunt?

Well, fortunately for the 4-6 Chargers, they play in the AFC West, so anything is possible. Even with their atrocious play of late. 

The Raiders lead the division at 6-4, but they've been anything but consistent. The Broncos are in second place at 5-5, but excuse me if I'm not quite convinced they are for real. 

Then there are those Chargers, who get the Broncos and Jaguars in their next two games. I wouldn't necessarily go betting on San Diego with how pitiful they've looked, but those are two winnable games. 

 

Week 12 Power Rankings  

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers 

3. New England Patriots

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. New Orleans Saints

6. Baltimore Ravens

7. Houston Texans

8. Chicago Bears

9.  Detroit Lions 

10. Atlanta Falcons

11. New York Giants

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. Cincinnati Bengals

14. Denver Broncos

15. Oakland Raiders  

16. New York Jets

17. San Diego Chargers  

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

19. Philadelphia Eagles

20. Tennessee Titans

21. Buffalo Bills

22. Miami Dolphins 

23. Kansas City Chiefs 

24. Minnesota Vikings 

25. Arizona Cardinals

26. Carolina Panthers

27. Seattle Seahawks

28. Washington Redskins

29. St. Louis Rams

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

31. Cleveland Browns

32. Indianapolis Colts 

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