NFL Power Rankings: New York Giants and 4 Teams Rising Fast

Getting on a hot-streak in sports can really allow a team to be better than most cynics would anticipate.

In turn, they defeat the supposed superior opponents, win the close games, and win games they desperately need.

Obviously, it's no different in the NFL, and especially in the postseason where we saw the Green Bay Packers win five straight games (Week 17 through Super Bowl XLV), with four of them away from Lambeau Field.

So, to that end, here are four teams rising fast in pro football.

New York Giants (3-1)

The way The Big Blue Wrecking Crew is playing right now, they would have defeated the Washington Redskins in Week 1 and be 4-0.

However, perhaps the loss was just the motivation the Giants needed, as they've ran off three consecutive wins (two on the road) and come home against 1-3 Seattle in Week 5.

QB Eli Manning has eight TD passes to only two picks, and, while the defense still needs to improve, they are getting better.

In addition, look for the young receiving core to step up with Domenik Hixon out, thus helping establish an even better ground attack as the season continues. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

Had it not been for the now 4-0 Detroit Lions in Week 1, the Tampa Bay Bucs' would be the ones undefeated, however, much like the New York Giants, Tampa has won three straight and is only getting better.

The pass defense is somewhat skeptical, as evidence by the Monday night game, but, as long as the run defense keeps shutting down opposing offenses and RB LaGarrett Blount keeps pounding the rock, the Bucs's will win a lot of close games since they control the line of scrimmage very well.

In turn, that'll take pressure off QB Josh Freeman and open up the passing game for those crucial late season situations.

That being said, Tampa could very well contend with the Saints for the AFC South title, but they'll definitely be in the playoff race regardless.

San Diego Chargers (3-1)

San Diego's only loss came at the hands of the New England Patriots on the road, and, despite having three wins over three teams with a combined record of 1-11, the Bolts are winning the games their supposed to win.

This week, they begin a three-game road stretch against the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.

All those teams are beatable outside of Southern California, and just like in their recent history of slow starts, the Chargers are now getting those few extra wins thanks to the weak early season schedule.

Nonetheless, once TE Antonio Gates gets back in the lineup, QB Philip Rivers is only going to become that much more effective.

Also, don't forget 2008, when they only went 8-8 and were heavy underdogs in the AFC wildcard round.  San Diego won that game in OT, thus proving they know how to win when the chips are against them.

Tennessee Titans (3-1)

After the Week 1 loss at Jacksonville, there didn't appear to be much hope for the 2011 Tennessee Titans.

Then add in the lack of production from RB Chris Johnson since he held out on training camp, and the Titans were for sure to have a slow start.

Well, twas not the case, because they upset the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 2, fought off the hangover from that win and beat Denver 17-14 and then won a big road game in Cleveland 31-13.

The Titans are now hitting their stride, and could very well be 8-2 when they play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11.

RB Chris Johnson is allowing them to have a multidimensional offense combined with a Top Ten defense, and QB Matt Hasselbeck may arguably have been this offseason's best acquisition.

Look out for The Music City in 2011, because they are sneaky and dangerously good.

Week 5 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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