NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Ranking Detroit Lions and the 3 Upstarts

There are a few very surprising teams experiencing success this season in the NFL, that's for sure.

We've seen them blow teams out, piece together epic comebacks and hold a lead during the five weeks of the season.

Let's rank these "upstarts" and decide which are contenders...

Detroit Lions

Tonight's showdown with the Chicago Bears will obviously determine how "real" the Lions are, but they're 4-0 for the first time since 1980 and boast three emerging superstars in Matt Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson.

They can beat you with punishing play from their defensive front, can score with any team and are getting more production out of second-year runner Jahvid Best.

Right now, they're the best "up-and-coming" team in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills

This one's close between the Bills and the 49ers, but I think the Bills have more impressive wins to date. They intercepted Tom Brady and Mike Vick four times each in Orchard Park—that's got to count for something, right?

Fred Jackson is putting up All-Pro-type numbers and Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing far better than we ever expected.

The offensive line has given up the least amount of sacks in the league and Chan Gailey is getting production out of all his unknown wide receivers.

A dangerous team to play.

San Francisco 49ers

They don't do it like the Lions or the Bills—they just win.

It's not flashy and isn't featured prominently on SportsCenter; it's just fundamental football that's hard to beat. Jim Harbaugh is getting a lot out of Alex Smith and their running game will keep teams honest in the future.

How impressive was their win over the Buccaneers on Sunday?  

Patrick Willis is not surprisingly leading the defense and they are creating turnovers in critical moments. 

They should run away with the NFC West and will be a tough out at home in the playoffs.

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