NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Winning Fans Back in 2011?

In addition to all the talent on a team, the amount of potential, and how the expectations are set for a season, winning the fans back is also very important, and it may ultimately be the most important.

Having thousands of fans show up enhances a team's level of confidence, gives them more motive to play, and at its core, the fans are what make pro football great.

So which fans are being won back by their team in 2011?

Well, the Lions and Bills have certainly done a great job, but Detroit has gradually been winning their fans back since the 2009 NFL Draft.

As for Buffalo, their fans have always been loyal and dedicated, this season they just have a good team to be proud of.

Now with all that said, here are three teams that are now winning back their fanbase in 2011.

Carolina Panthers

All you need to say is Cam Newton.

Ever since Carolina drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Panthers have taken steps in the right direction, and after their Week 1 performance, the fans couldn't be more excited.

Also to make matters even better, WR Steve Smith is back on the rise, and with the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers coming in for a visit in Week 2, you know that Ericsson Stadium (yes we're staying old school) will be rolling.

And even if the Panthers fall this week, the amount of potential has increased and they're only going to get better from here on out.

Jacksonville Jaguars

With past threats of relocation that have yet to commence, and most likely the speculation of it never going away, the Jacksonville Jaguars are slowly but surely back on the rise.

After their Week 1 victory against AFC South rival Tennessee, it's clear the Jags have a purpose this season, and based on the acquisitions this offseason, head coach Jack Del Rio has his team playing with a lot of confidence.

And when the fans see their team playing with confidence, that creates a unique type of synergy and the players/coaches feed off the fans, and vice versa.

Week 2 Jacksonville travels to the New Meadowlands to play the Jets, and they are a vulnerable bunch.

Don't be surprised if the Jags pull off the upset and really cause a stir in the AFC.

Ultimately, here's to hoping this franchise remains in Jacksonville, FL.

Washington Redskins

It was only one win, but a big one at that.

QB Rex Grossman is playing with a ton of confidence, as is RB Tim Hightower, and the entire defense.

Head coach Mike Shanahan proved that he knows what he's doing, and the fans in our nation's capital have a solid football team to cheer for as their beloved Maryland Terrapins and Washington Nationals have some work to do.

Not to mention Albert Haynesworth is finally gone, and with captain LB London Fletcher the heart and soul of the team, the Redskins have a great opportunity to prove a lot of skeptics wrong in 2011.

In turn, the fans get even more than they bargained for.

2011 NFL Power Rankings: Week 2

1. Green Bay Packers (1-0) (LW 1)	17. Indianapolis Colts (0-1) (LW 12)
2. New England Patriots (1-0) (LW 2)	18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0) (LW 23)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) (LW 3)	19. St. Louis Rams (0-1) (LW 18)
4. Baltimore Ravens (1-0) (LW 7)	20. Buffalo Bills (1-0) (LW 28)
5. New York Jets (1-0) (LW 5)	21. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) (LW 15)
6. New Orleans Saints (0-1) (LW 4)	22. Washington Redskins (1-0) (LW 29)
7. Houston Texans (1-0) (LW 13)	23. Oakland Raiders (1-0) (LW 26)
8. San Diego Chargers (1-0) (LW 10)	24. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) (LW 24)
9. Chicago Bears (1-0) (LW 14)	25. Miami Dolphins (0-1) (LW 19)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) (LW 6)	26. Carolina Panthers (0-1) (LW 31)
11. Atlanta Falcons (0-1) (LW 8)	27. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) (LW 32)
12. Detroit Lions (1-0) (LW 17)	28. Tennessee Titans (0-1) (LW 25)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) (LW 9)	29. Minnesota Vikings (0-1) (LW 20)
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) (LW 21)	30. Denver Broncos (0-1) (LW 22)
15. Dallas Cowboys (0-1) (LW 16)	31. Seattle Seahawks (0-1) (LW 30)
16. New York Giants (0-1) (LW 11)	32. Cleveland Browns (0-1) (LW 27)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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