NFL Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 2 Teams That Are Ready to Rise

Combine the fact that the next three teams are starting to come together and an easy upcoming schedule, and you have three teams that are ready to climb the NFL power rankings. Check out the teams and the rationale below.

*I used ESPN's power rankings.

No. 9 New York Giants

The New York Giants have dealt with a rash of injuries and they are still 2-1. This is going to give the team a mountain of confidence moving forward.

This offensive line is a work in progress and it has weakened their rushing attack. This group will make strides as the season goes on.

Defensively, this team can mask their weakness and injury-ravaged secondary with a fantastic defensive line. They also have a very easy group of games coming up.

Three of their next four games come against the Cardinals, Seahawks and Dolphins. They should be able to win all of these games, and get healthier in the process.

No. 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are not playing good football. They are ranked 20th or lower in passing and rushing yards per game both allowed and gained. Despite this they are 2-1.

This is a young team that will improve as the season goes along. Josh Freeman will get this offense going, and he has an easy stretch of games coming up to do just that.

The Bucs face the Colts, 49ers and Bears in their next four games. They will come out of this stretch of games confident and improved.

No. 27 Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals aren't going to make the playoffs. Shoot, they aren't even going to be in the playoff picture.

However, they will end the season higher than No. 27. This is a very young offense that will improve as the season goes on. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have the potential to be a very lethal combination.

Combine this with a very good defense—they are ranked fifth in passing yards allowed and seventh in rushing yards allowed—and you have a team capable of winning some games.

The Bengals play the Bills next week, but then they have Jaguars, Colts, Seahawks and Titans. It is not difficult to see them coming out of this stretch either 3-5 or 4-4.