NFL Predictions: Will Surprise Teams Finish with Boom or Bust?

This NFL season has featured a plethora of teams that have burst onto the scene after showing signs of life for the past few seasons.

For some, its been a painful, uphill climb to reach this limited level of success entering Week 6. For others, its been a sporadic evolution that has them suddenly sitting pretty in the eyes of analysts.

With several teams finally tapping into their potential, it's time to take a look at each one and examine whether or not they can keep up they're red-hot start.

Not every team can sustain a level of greatness for an extended period of time. Some flame out, some march on. Who will do which as we enter mid season and progress forward?

Buffalo Bills: 4-1

Fueled by a high-powered offense, the Buffalo Bills are one of the hottest teams in football.

After Ryan Fitzpatrick showed glimpses of being an efficient quarterback in this league last season, the Bills looked to the run game for support. They got none. After struggling for years, sorting through players, and teetering between options, they have finally found the answer. 

Fred Jackson has been an absolute monster this season, and is one the main reasons the Bills have seen such a high level of success. He's a dual threat out of the back field who has taken the league by storm this season after splitting time with CJ Spiller last season.

The absence of Terrell Owens is certainly doing them a favor. There are no locker room problems and Stevie Johnson has taken over as the top wide out. He's done an exceptional job reeling in catch after catch, making sure there are no more incidents like the one vs. Pittsburgh last season. He's a first down machine with an innate ability to find himself open in the endzone, most likely due to his sharp route running.

The defense certainly has holes, but when watching the Bills, it's obvious their offense can shoulder the load of a bad defensive day.

Boom or Bust: Boom

Detroit Lions: 5-0

What can be said about the absolute dominance of Calvin Johnson?

Affectionately coined "Megatron," Johnson has dominated the league thus far, snagging a grand total of nine touchdowns throughout the first five games. A player hasn't physically dominated like this for the longest time. It's not that Johnson has a better skill set than everyone, its that he's taller, faster, and can jump higher.

The Georgia Tech product could catch a bullet whizzing by him with his eyes closed. Hyperbole? Maybe.

The rise of Matthew Stafford can't be understated because someone has to feed Johnson all those lobs. He's got a strong arm that can launch the ball down field and he's not afraid to target other guys such as the sure-handed tight end Brandon Pettigrew or Titus Young.

Jahvid Best may not be your every down back, but his big play upside is there. Clearly evidenced by his 88-yard sashay for a touchdown on Monday Night Football. 

Detroit features the most feared defensive line in football, led by All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who clogs up the middle quicker than a wash cloth clogs a shower drain. He's a force to be reckoned with and isn't afraid to throw the quarterback into the turf.

Boom or Bust: Boom

This team is even more than just a "boom." They are looking like Superbowl contenders.

Houston Texans: 3-2

This is the year the Texans finally seem to be taking over their division. 

Granted, it's at the expense of the Indianapolis Colts who now rely on Curtis Painter rather than the injured megastar that has prevented the Texans from surging to the top of the division: Peyton Manning.

Either way, Houston seems to be seizing their opportunity, hopping out to a quick 3-2 start with losses only to the upstart Oakland Raiders and the widely feared New Orleans Saints. 

Led by the aerial attack of Matt Schaub, the Texans, much like the Bills and Lions, put a lot of points on the board. While the passing game might take a slight dip thanks to the injury of Andre Johnson, Schaub is still finding a way to get it done with Owen Daniels, Kevin Walter, and Jacoby Jones.

Ben Tate held down the fort quite well while Arian Foster recovered from his injury, but now that he's back, the Texans look even more deadly than they did early in the season. He's a dangerous back who can run through you or speed around the outside. He's been quintessential to the Texans success that stems from last years strong season, and he's certainly a major component moving forward.

Their defense is headlined by a strong secondary with a knack for forcing turnovers, and with the weak offensive division they are in, they'll be doing plenty of that.

Boom or Bust: Boom

Oakland Raiders: 3-2

Inspired by the late Al Davis' words "just win, baby," the Oakland Raiders are shedding their previously lethargic and irresponsible image for one of a team in search of redemption.

Led by the powerful running game of Darren McFadden, the Raiders are finally winning after showing promise last season.

McFadden's hot start has not only placed him in early MVP talks, but also has the Raiders entire offense rolling, opening the door for Jason Campbell to have success.

Campbell isn't the most accurate quarterback, but he's got a cannon of an arm and big play receivers to go get it. Darrius Heyward-Bey has finally shown up after seasons of looking like a bust and Denarius Moore is a rookie who is making a name for himself on the receiving end of Campbell's arm.

The Raiders can grind it out thanks to McFadden's amazing running abilities, so if your team is down going into the fourth quarter against Oakland, you can bet the Raiders will run some clock, and do it well.

Defensively, the team lost Nmandi Asomugha, but has recovered well and is still strong overall.

Boom or Bust: Boom

San Francisco 49ers: 4-1

Don't look now, but Alex Smith is starting to look good.

He'll still never live up to the billing of a number one draft pick, but he has team sitting pretty at 4-1 and looking towards a playoff berth as they'll likely come out of their horrendous division.

Frank Gore leads the charge for this team as the steamroller running back who plows through anyone in his way. The offense starts and ends with him, and the 49ers use him to open up the playbook for Alex Smith, who is starting to look decent.

Michael Crabtree hasn't exploded like many projected, but the 49ers are still solid all around offensively, as shown in their 48-3 onslaught against the talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Still, color me skeptical on this one. The 49ers sit in the easiest division in the NFL and are probably the most talented team in that division. Their win over Tampa was impressive but as the Eagles continue to stumble, their victory over Philadelphia is losing its luster. This team can bully bottom feeders and maybe take out a team that is erratic and inconsistent until it comes time for fourth quarter play in the Buccaneers, but they are not going to be a consistently dominant team this year—or ever with their current personel.

They'll make the playoffs through their division, but get romped once they're in.

Boom or Bust: Bust

Washington Redskins: 3-1

Rex Grossman, or as they call him in Washington these days, "Sexy Rexy," is getting the job done early in DC.

Fresh off a bye week, the Redskins happily stand pat with a 3-1 record that includes wins over the Giants, Cardinals, and Rams. 

To be honest, there isn't much to say about the team. The 'Skins aren't flashy and they don't win you over with their swagger. They've played methodical football that has produced results to this point. Tim Hightower started off the season in the backfield, but after his injury Ryan Torrain took over and has been a consistent option. They're likely to split carried upon Hightower's return this week.

Grossman often looks in the direction of Santana Moss to initiate the passing game, but in all honesty, there isn't much of one. 

The real strength with Washington is their defense. Headlined by Brian Orakpo and LaRon Landry, the 'Skins defense is a force to be reckoned with. Orakpo provides a deadly pass rush and Landry provides devastating hits in the secondary. No one questions the defensive prowess of the Redskins, but that isn't what has me worried.

Their less than impressive wins against subpar teams is a cause for concern. The 'Skins may keep their season afloat for a few more games but this team is not offensively advanced enough to be a contender. Despite their division looking weak this season, I still don't see them finishing in the top half of it.

With Sexy Rexy under center, there is just too much inconsistency and inefficiency in both the passing game and the running game. The defense will win this team some games, but if Washington wants to still be playing January, the offense will need a jump start.

Boom or Bust: Bust