NFL Power Rankings Week 2: 3 Unlikely Teams Vaulting in to Top 10

It’s happening again.

Teams that were ignored before the season even started have quickly forced people to pay attention.

After two weeks of play, it’s clear that a handful of these surprise teams are here to stay and the following three are at the top of the list:

No. 6 Washington Redskins

The ‘Skins have jumped out to a surprisingly strong start because QB Rex Grossman is playing the way a seven-year veteran should be.

RB Tim Hightower is the perfect back for coach Mike Shanahan’s zone run-blocking style of play. He’s going to the Pro Bowl at this rate.

Combine a good offense with a strong defense that can lose a guy like La’Ron Landry and a laundry list of others to injury and not miss a beat and you may have something.

No. 8 Houston Texans           

The Texans bandwagon got very heavy after Sundays’ win over the Dolphins. Out of sight since Halloween last year, fans are now convinced that 2011 is the year a playoff appearance happens.

The offensive success without a healthy RB Arian Foster, it’s encouraging and the defense has statistically been one of the best in the league.

With the AFC South shaping to rival the NFC West as worst division, the Texans have an incredibly easy path to reach their goal.

This is a team that will be in the top 10 all year long.

No. 10 Buffalo Bills

In what turned out to be the best game of the day, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick refused to lie down and it was his poise, leadership and quick decisions that propelled the Bills to a 2-0 start.

Fred Jackson has been kind to fantasy owners this year and it is becoming clear that TE Scott Chandler is going to be a safety valve for Fitzpatrick that can create a big play.

Next week brings a huge chance to make a statement when the New England Patriots travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

After beating two teams with little playoff aspirations, let’s see how they play against the big boys.

Eric Ball's Week 3 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Detroit Lions

5. San Diego Chargers

6. Washington Redskins

7. New York Jets

8. Houston Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens

10. Buffalo Bills

11. Philadelphia Eagles

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. San Francisco 49ers

14. Atlanta Falcons

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

17. New York Giants

18. St. Louis Rams

19. Oakland Raiders

20. Chicago Bears

21. Cincinnati Bengals

22. Tennessee Titans

23. Denver Broncos

24. Miami Dolphins

25. Cleveland Browns

26. Arizona Cardinals

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

28. Minnesota Vikings

29. Carlina Panthers

30. Seattle Seahawks

31. Kansas City Chiefs

32. Indianapolis Colts