NFL Power Rankings Week 6: 49ers and 3 Teams with Most to Gain

It is actually time to say that the NFC West has a good football team.

Believe it or not, it is the San Francisco 49ers.

In Jim Harbaugh's first year on the sidelines, he has his ball club two games ahead of any divisional foes, and they've even been winning games on the road.

It hasn't always been pretty, but Alex Smith has been highly efficient and isn't turning the ball over.

In Week 6, they'll travel to Detroit in a battle between two of the league's most surprising teams.

The 49ers, however, have more to gain.

Here are three teams (including the 49ers) who stand to gain the most out of their Week 6 matchups.

49ers

A trip to Detroit used to be an easy win—this year is a whole different animal.

The Lions win football games by any means necessary. Tonight they host the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, but even a loss against the defending NFC North champs won't diminish the ramifications of San Francisco coming in and winning next week.

The 49ers will travel East for an early game once again this season, and it is a brilliant opportunity for them to make a statement to the league.

We've mocked the NFC West in recent seasons, but if the 49ers keep winning, we'll have no choice but to respect them.

Texans

The loss to the Raiders at home is almost excusable given the circumstances. Football players, coaches and fans are certainly superstitious enough to believe that the Raiders were meant to win on Sunday in the wake of Al Davis' passing.

The Texans also just suffered a crippling loss to their new-look 3-4 defense, as Mario Williams is out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle.

In Week 6, the 3-2 Texans will travel to Baltimore to take on a Ravens team that many are starting to believe in as a potential Super Bowl contender.

The injuries to Houston have been a problem, but they can dispel any and all notions of being fake (again) by winning in Baltimore.

Cowboys

A trip to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots is always a huge opportunity regardless of who the team is. 

The Cowboys, at 2-2, would love to make a statement against one of the league's most dominant offenses.

Another loss for Tony Romo will only intensify the chatter around his job security. While the organization will continue to maintain that he is their guy, the fans aren't going to be happy with a third loss in five games.

A win in New England will go a long way for the Cowboys.

Week 6 Power Rankings

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