NFL Power Rankings Week 6: San Francisco 49ers and the 3 Teams on the Rise

We know which teams make up the upper-echelon in the NFL today, and there are a few teams scratching and clawing to get into that elite group. 

These teams may have experienced a hiccup or two in the first five weeks of the season but are clubs certainly on the rise. 

San Francisco 49ers

What a difference head coach Jim Harbaugh has been in San Francisco. 

He's changed the culture inside the 49ers locker room and is getting the most out of Alex Smith, which for me is the most critical part to their 4-1 start. 

They exposed all the weaknesses of a Buccaneers team many believed would be in contention for a Wild Card spot at the season's end. 

The defense is stout, the offense is balanced and they're playing sound football all around. 

A great story, and a team you most certainly do not want to play. 

Love how they're getting it done without being overly flashy. 

Buffalo Bills

The masses were ready to once again write the Bills off after their humbling defeat at the hands of the Bengals in Week 4. 

Against an extremely talented Eagles team, Buffalo was opportunistic on defense, and Fred Jackson did more to legitimize himself as a top-five running back in this league. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick only had six incompletions and Chan Gailey out-coached Andy Reid for the majority of the afternoon. 

Brady and Vick both with four-interception days in Orchard Park?

Unbelievable. 

They love the "underdog" label.

Watch out for the Bills. 

Oakland Raiders

We weren't sure what to make of Oakland after their 2-2 start.

Going into Houston the day after Raiders owner and legend Al Davis died and picking up a huge road win silenced the critics—at least for another week. 

The defense played up to their potential, and they got a victory without a monster game from Darren McFadden. 

Remember—their two losses were against the Patriots and Bills. 

Week 6 Power Rankings

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

*Lions and Bears play on MNF

**Week 5 Bye Week