NFL Power Rankings: Buffalo Bills and 3 Most Impressive NFL Teams

After years upon years of lackluster play, it feels good when your team has been impressive, but actually winning is all that matters.

For the following three franchises, winning hasn't been the norm for the better part of the young century, but thus far in 2011, they've shown quite a bit of resiliency, effort and the will to turn things around.

And although they may not be Super Bowl contenders, that will come sooner than later.

Buffalo Bills (4-1)

In 2008 the Buffalo Bills started out 4-0, but finished a disappointing 7-9.

One major difference between this Bills team and the '08 team however, is that their QB is Ryan Fitzpatrick, not Trent Edwards.

They also have a revamped defense with LBs Nick Barnett and Shawne Merriman, as well as two stud RBs in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

The loss at Cincinnati was tough, but rebounding with a win over Philly was clutch.

All that remains is whether Buffalo can keep it going, because twas not the case in 2008, when the start was virtually identical.

Oakland Raiders (3-2)

It would have been easy for anyone in the Oakland Raiders' organization to be unfocused after the passing of owner Al Davis.

In addition, the Raiders were playing at the Houston Texans who are one of the NFL's rising franchises.

Well, needless to say, Oakland did what Al would have wanted, "Just win, baby," despite playing a tough team in a tough environment.

Right now the Raiders are totally for real, and are arguably the AFC West's best shot at contending for the AFC title.

Winning in the NFL is good, but winning on the road is even better, and what tops that is how Oakland stayed the course despite the loss of an NFL titan.

That is the definition of impressive.

San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

Had it not been for their choke-job against the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 2, the San Francisco 49ers would be undefeated right now.

Nonetheless, San Fran is most definitely impressive based on their 4-1 start, and how they completely annihilated the Tampa Bay Bucs at home on Sunday.

It's blatantly obvious that the 49ers are the best team in the NFC West, and if they can prove their worth against the Detroit Lions on the road this week, we could see some old NFC rivalries reemerge in the postseason.

If you're a 'Niners fan, you're looking at Green Bay and New Orleans with a death stare. 

Week 6 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (** are Monday Night Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.