NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Redskins and 3 Teams That Will Continue to Surprise

If you were to tell me in the preseason that the Washington Redskins would be 2-1 to start the season and head coach Mike Shanahan wouldn't be furious, I would tell you to go back to whatever planet you came from.

But that is exactly what has happened, with starting quarterback Rex Grossman actually playing decent football and a defense complete with Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo and rookie Ryan Kerrigan leading the way.

But the Redskins aren't the only team that has surprised. There are a couple more that have made waves and figure to continue doing so.

3. New York Giants

The New York Giants weren't counted out of the playoff picture headed into the regular season, per se, but they weren't given much respect given they'd just ceded the NFC East to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 and the Eagles had since revamped.

The Giants opened the season in disappointing fashion with a loss to the Redskins, but have since rebounded to win their last two games, including a huge 29-16 victory in Philadelphia.

In that game, everything clicked. Eli Manning threw for four touchdowns. Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 5.7 yards per carry. Brandon Jacobs scored a touchdown. The defense was electric.

All of a sudden, the Giants aren't looking so bad, after all.

2. Houston Texans

I never could figure out why more people didn't give the Texans a lot of respect coming into the season. They have always had an explosive offense, but they added some key defensive pieces in the offseason, including cornerback Johnathan Joseph, safety Danieal Manning and rookie defensive end J.J. Watt.

The offense continues to rack up points, the defense hasn't disappointed and they just lost to a Super Bowl contender in the New Orleans Saints by just a touchdown in New Orleans. This team may not be an elite team yet, but they are certainly a playoff-worthy team.

1. Washington Redskins

The Redskins may have lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, but the defense was physical and tough. This is a team that can beat top teams by scoring just enough to win. That didn't happen against Dallas, but there's no doubt the Redskins gave the Cowboys a scare.

With new acquisitions Barry Cofield, Josh Wilson and rookie linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, I love how this team has developed, and Shanahan has done a marvelous job after a tumultuous 2010.