NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Titans and 3 Surprising Early Playoff Contenders

How much of an indicator is four games? Well, in some cases, not much. In other cases, it's pretty significant. It really depends on who you played in those four games and how your rivals managed to do.

But there are some teams who sit in contention for a playoff spot that we just didn't expect to see here. Even as a few games were played, I didn't expect much from these guys. Yet, here we are, 25 percent of the way through the season, and these teams are in playoff contention.

Before I go on, no NFC West teams make this list. Yes, the 49ers' 3-1 start is surprising to me, a fan of the team. Still, it's not at all surprising that they are in contention in the NFC West.

Tennessee Titans

At no point this year have I ever considered this team a playoff contender. Yet, here they are, sitting at 3-1 after four weeks.

More importantly, the Titans are on a three-game winning streak. Losing Week 1 to the lowly Jaguars hasn't seemed to demoralize them. They have now beaten the Ravens, Broncos and Browns.

The Broncos aren't a great team, but that's actually not a bad list of teams.

In a division with the Jaguars and Colts, a second place finish (or better) is a virtual lock. The schedule does get tough from this point on, but Tennessee is worthy of being considered a contender right now.

I don't know if they will be there after 16 games, but we can't ignore the Titans right now.

What's most impressive is that they have reached this record with very little contribution from Chris Johnson.

Buffalo Bills

Don't flip out over the setback against the Bengals. Granted, the Bills are still something of an enigma and the AFC East is tough, but they are showing themselves as a real contender.

The Eagles are desperate. They will be holding nothing back in the Week 5 game between the two teams. If the Bills beat a desperate Philadelphia team, their status as a playoff contender can't be doubted.

If the Eagles come out and win big, the early season fluke talks will gain a little more ground.

From what we've seen out of Ryan Fitzpatrick, I like Buffalo's chances. They have play makers on that offense. I am still not convinced they will beat the Patriots in the AFC East, but a playoff spot isn't too far out of line.

Washington Redskins

There are a few teams that I could put in this spot. The Raiders have looked good, but they need to figure out a way to be more disciplined. If they can't, they will lose games that they just shouldn't lose.

The Giants are 3-1 despite being ridden with injuries. But I am going to give the nod to the team that handed New York its one loss.

Sharing a division with the Eagles, Cowboys and even Giants didn't seem to bode well for the Redskins. Still, the defense has been swarming and the offense has done enough to earn them a 3-1 record. Given the struggles of Dallas and Philadelphia, the Redskins are a real playoff contender at this point.

Michael Dixon's Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

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