NFL Power Rankings: San Francisco 49ers and 3 Surprise Playoff Contenders

Talking about which NFL teams are going to make the playoffs in the early weeks of October is always a dangerous game. There are a number of factors that contribute to a team's hot start, and if one thing falls apart in November, the whole season can collapse.

That is why we must throw in the caveat by calling teams "playoff contenders." By saying a team is a contender, you build up the hopes of the fan base but it leaves some leeway in case they don't make the postseason.

That said, I would not be surprised to see any of the teams on this list in the playoffs. We love the NFL because of its parity. It allows for surprises and overachievers, which is what all these teams are doing.

Here are three surprise playoff contenders who will stay in the thick of the race all season long.

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers

Say what you want about Alex Smith or the conservative offense that the 49ers run, but whatever Jim Harbaugh has done with this team is working.

This team is one bad half against Dallas from being 5-0. Frank Gore has finally found himself and Vernon Davis is still the most dynamic tight end in the NFL. They have weapons on offense that will keep them in some games that they should lose.

The defense keeps getting better each week, particularly the secondary. Carlos Rogers has been a huge upgrade over Nate Clements.

With four wins, the 49ers will only need four more victories to clinch the NFC West. They could have the division won by mid-November if they keep playing the way they have been.

No. 15 Cincinnati Bengals

Remember before the season started, when the Bengals were supposed to be a stage-five disaster because general manager Mike Brown refused to trade Carson Palmer?

Maybe Brown knew what he was doing because his team is playing well right now. They are tied for second-place with the Steelers in the AFC North.

Rookie Andy Dalton has played far better than anyone expected, and the defense has been lights out through five weeks.

They are a legitimate playoff contender because they are efficient on offense and play strong defense. It is time to fear the Bengals.

No. 17 Tennessee Titans

I know the Titans got blown out by the Steelers in Week 5, but I am willing to give them a one-week hall pass. Every team has a bad game, the key is to see how they respond to that bad game.

Chris Johnson took two steps forward in Week 4 against Cleveland and one step back this week. Fortunately, Matt Hasselbeck has given this team better production than they could have hoped for at the quarterback position. He has been the saving grace for this offense through five weeks.

They have a bye in Week 6 but come back with three-straight home games against Houston, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. They should emerge from that stretch 6-2, or at least 5-3.

Don't sleep on the Titans in the AFC South.

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