NFL Power Rankings: Buffalo Bills and the 3 Most Surpising Teams in the League

The Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers are teams that have been mired in mediocrity for a while. They are clubs that have been locked in NFL's cellar with seemingly no way out since Y2K.

Now, in 2011, these teams make up the group that is turning heads across the professional football landscape. 

Let's take a look at these three teams and how they've become the most pleasant surprises in the league this season. 

Detroit Lions

How they've done it: With flash, style and the big play.

They've gotten off to some slow starts in a few of their games and then surged in the second half with critical interceptions and jaw-dropping touchdown catches by budding superstar Calvin Johnson. 

They haven't been necessarily consistent, but they possess so much talent at the skill positions that they can score with anybody and can put six on the board in the blink of an eye. 

Detroit has a new attitude on defense as well. They're more ferocious up front and can get to the quarterback with only four linemen. Not surprisingly, the improved defensive line has inspired the secondary to make some game-altering plays in the second half. 

Is Jahvid Best ready to join Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson to formulate Detroit's "Big Three"? 

If so, look out. 

The Lions are here to stay. 

Buffalo Bills

How they've done it: With Fred Jackson, huge turnovers and consistent quarterback play.

In the preseason, we were fine placing the Bills in their usual spot at the bottom of the AFC East. Now at 4-1 with a win over the Patriots, they have a chance to win the division. 

Fred Jackson is playing at an All-Pro or even MVP-level right now—the true backbone of this team. He nearly accounted for 200 yards of total offense in Buffalo's win over the Eagles last week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is fifth in ESPN's Total QBR system behind Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Matt Hasselbeck and Drew Brees. 

Not bad. 

Their defense is allowing a lot of yardage but lead the NFL in takeaways with 16 (12 INTs, 4 fumbles).

San Francisco 49ers 

How they've done it: Stingy defense, balanced offensive attack. 

The Lions and Bills are probably more fun to watch, but the 49ers are 4-1 and have a two-game lead in their division.

Jim Harbaugh is getting the most out of Alex Smith, and the running game is 12th in the NFL, averaging 117.2 yards a game.

Not bad.

The defense is stymieing their opponents—but forget yardage, they're allowing a mere 15.6 points-per-game, second-best in the NFL.

San Fran is playing fundamentally-sound football, and it's really paying off. 

Week 6 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (5-0)	17. Chicago Bears (2-3)
2. New Orleans Saints (4-1)	18. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)**
3. Detroit Lions (5-0)	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. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-5)

** Week 5 Bye Week