NFL Power Rankings, Week 12: Panthers Holding Up The Rear; Texans Keep Falling

SB Nation is counting down the NFL power rankings for Week 12 and we're starting to get a clear picture of the bottom-feeders in the NFL this season. The Carolina Panthers will likely be a mainstay at No. 32 as they might have the worst QB situation in the NFL and the Houston Texans, at 4-6, are making a case that they don't belong in the playoffs.

32. Carolina Panthers (1-9): The Panthers lost to the Ravens, 37-13, on Sunday. They were in the game for about a half -- which is impressive considering their QB situation -- but ultimately were dominated by Baltimore. The Panthers are on track for the No. 1 pick next year. LW: 32

31. Arizona Cardinals (3-7): The Cardinals look worse and worse every week. They lost to the Chiefs 31-13 on Sunday and QB Derek Anderson didn't look very good despite his decent numbers. The Cardinals are looking they're in the NFC West because, somehow, they're not out of the playoff conversation yet. LW: 31

30. Detroit Lions (2-8): Part of me feels bad for Detroit because they've played so many teams close. But then they go and lose by 16 to the 3-7 Cowboys. QB Matthew Stafford's injury has about ruined the season for them. LW: 30

29. Cincinnati Bengals (2-8): What happened to the Bengals? They gave up a huge lead and 35 second half points in a 49-31 loss to the Bills. This team has too much talent to be 2-8. I don't get it. LW: 29

28. Minnesota Vikings (3-7): That's all she wrote on the 2010 Vikings. They were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday leading to Brad Childress' firing. I wonder how much longer it will be until QB Brett Favre calls it quits. LW: 26

27. Denver Broncos (3-7): Consistently inconsistent. The Broncos destroy the Chiefs and then get destroyed by the Chargers. They're out of the playoff race and fans are already bringing up the Tim Tebow question. LW: 25

26. San Francisco 49ers (3-7): 21-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.They had won three of four entering the game against the Bucs but that was clearly a mirage. Like the Cardinals though, they're lucky the NFC West is so terrible and they sit just two games out of first place. LW: 24

25. Buffalo Bills (2-8): Teams playing Buffalo down the stretch: you're on notice. This is not your average 2-8 team. The Bills play teams close and their offense can score points. They're going to make some team hate them. LW: 28

24. Dallas Cowboys (3-7): OK, now, two in a row isn't bad. The Jason Garrett era is off to the right start. The next three games will show us if the Garrett era has a chance of lasting: Saints, at Colts, Eagles. That stretch will show us how good or how bad this team really is. LW: 27

23. St. Louis Rams (4-6): The Rams, as expected, lost to the Falcons on Sunday. They are one game out of first place with three consecutive road games coming up. If they can put together a win or two there, the season finale against the Seahawks may be for first place in the NFC West. LW: 22

22. Cleveland Browns (3-7): Like Buffalo, this is a better team than their record indicates. They play everyone close. It's just a matter of figuring out how to finish the thing off. LW: 21

21. Houston Texans (4-6): It's looking like another playoff-less season in Houston as the Texans fell to the Jets late in the fourth quarter on Sunday. The offense is good and the defense has been playing well....but they still can't win. This is a disappointing season for them after the hot start. They've lost five of their last six. LW: 20