NFL Power Rankings 2011: Which Teams Impressed Most vs. Tough Competition?

As we gradually begin to learn each team's identity with each week of the NFL season, we tend to forget how quickly some teams can improve, regardless of a win or loss.

On the flip-side, we sometimes see teams improve at all with a win, thus nearly hitting rock bottom in a loss.

To that end, three teams really stuck out versus some tough competition, two of which won despite being the underdog.

New York Giants

Despite some of the significant injuries the Philadelphia Eagles had, the New York Giants did have some of their own as well.

WR Mario Manningham was inactive, so running the football was important for the Giants to have success.

Although no one gained over 100 yards for New York, RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combined for over 100, thus establishing a solid ground game on 22 attempts.

In turn, QB Eli Manning had time to sit in the pocket, and he threw for over 250 yards with four TDs on only 16 completions.

Defensively, New York held Philly to only 16 points and got three picks, which is pretty remarkable since the Eagles had averaged 31 points per game.

Not to mention this was a road game, and when Giants' fans look back on 2011, this game will have been the ultimate turning point in the right direction.

Indianapolis Colts

Sure, they're 0-3, but with the defending AFC champions coming into town, the Indianapolis Colts knew they had to play well if they wanted any shot at winning.

Well, the Colts gave the Pittsburgh Steelers everything and more but fell 23-20 in the end.

Despite the loss, Indy has proved that they can play without Peyton Manning, because it was bound to take a few weeks to adjust.

Both QBs Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter played very well against arguably the best defense in the game, so looking forward the Colts could turn out better than previously anticipated.

I'm not saying they're going to the postseason, but don't be surprised if they ruin a few opponents' opportunities, because their defense is capable of shutting anyone down.

Buffalo Bills

According to the line the Buffalo Bills were the underdog in this game.

And after being down 21-0 through the first 24 minutes, it looked like the New England Patriots were going to rout the 2-0 Bills.

Apparently no one told New England that there were still 36 minutes left in the game...After being down by three TDs, Buffalo went on a 31-3 run and took a 31-24 lead with 10 minutes left.

They ultimately won 34-31 and are now the only undefeated team left in the AFC.

The defense picked off QB Tom Brady four times, returning one for a TD, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for over 360 yards and two TDs.

Buffalo doesn't play New England again until Week 17, so until then, the Patriots have 14 weeks to soak in the road loss.

Week 4 Power Rankings (LW = last week's rank.) (Teams with * is Monday Night Game)

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

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