NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Lions, 49ers, Bills and 2 Other Teams on Rise

When multiple franchises are on the rise, it makes the NFL season just that much more exciting.

For years there was the dominance in the AFC with New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and San Diego, while the NFC was rather evenly distributed.

Now the tables are slightly turning as the AFC begins to open up, and the Packers and Saints remain the NFC juggernauts.

All this being said however, here are five teams (two NFC, three AFC) that are on the rise and causing parity throughout the NFL.

Detroit Lions (5-0)

Not since the days of QB Bobby Lane have the Detroit Lions opened up 5-0, and only NFC North rival Green Bay pits as their undefeated brethren.

Perhaps the most dangerous thing about the Lions is that they're finding multiple ways to win games.

They've had sound performances against Tampa Bay and Chicago, domination of Kansas City, and freakish comebacks versus Minnesota and Dallas (both on the road).

If there's a team of destiny in the 2011 season, it is the Motor City's Detroit Lions.

San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

After the 4-1 start, the hiring of Jim Harbaugh to head coach may have been the best decision made in the 49ers organization since they hired Bill Walsh back in 1979.

George Seifert was a great coach, but he inherited a very talented team, unlike Walsh who built it, and now Harbaugh who's recapturing the magic.

Perhaps history has come full circle in the Bay Area, because before coaching at San Francisco in 1979, Walsh was the head coach at Stanford from 1977-78. Guess where Jim Harbaugh came from—Stanford.

Not that it's an omen, but it's quite a coincidence that this occurred. But rightfully so, because QB Alex Smith is playing arguably the best football of his career and they're running away with the NFC West.

Buffalo Bills (4-1)

Had it not been for their choke-job on the road in Cincinnati after a 17-3 lead, Buffalo would be 5-0 for the first time since 1991. However, responding with a W against a desperate Philadelphia team proved that these Bills are thick-skinned.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is a rising star under center, and he's allowing the play-makers around him to dominate while he doesn't try to do too much.

The only concern here would be the defense which ranks No. 26 and No. 29 against the pass and rush, respectively.

However, they've thrived off forcing turnovers and once they start slowing opposing offenses down, this team could very well earn another trip to the Super Bowl.

Oakland Raiders (3-2)

Had it not been for the previously mentioned Buffalo Bills, the Raiders would be 4-1 and tied with San Diego atop the AFC West.

Nonetheless, Oakland is a significantly improved team as evidence by their road win in Houston, as well as having the NFL's second best ground game.

Even QB Jason Campbell is coming on the scene by managing games, and when given the green light, Campbell can burn opposing defenses at the flip of a switch.

They may be one back on the Bolts right now, but by season's end the Silver and Black will have won the west.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)

Although the Bengals have been somewhat inconsistent this season, they've gradually improved by taking a few steps forward to only one step back.

For instance, the road win over Cleveland in Week 1 was solid, but they then lost to now 1-4 Denver on the road, and again to San Fran at home in Week 3.

But then Cincinnati upset then 3-0 Buffalo at home, and soundly beat the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

The real test for the Bengals comes from Weeks 9-14 when they play the Titans and Texans with four straight divisional games in between.

During that six game stretch, we will find out how real these Bengals are, but as for now, they're legit enough to be in an early season playoff hunt.

Week 6 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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. Detroit Lions (5-0) (LW 4)	19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW 10)
4. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) (LW 3)	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. Oakland Raiders (3-2) (LW 19)	26. Cleveland Browns (2-2) (LW 24)
11. San Francisco 49ers (4-1) (LW 18)	27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) (LW 23)
12. New York Giants (3-2) (LW 7)	28. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) (LW 26)
13. Chicago Bears (2-3) (LW 12)	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)

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