Tennessee Titans and 5 Dark Horses That Could Make a Super Bowl Run

Parity is showcasing itself across the NFL.

The only unbeaten teams left in the league are the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers and the (gasp) Detroit Lions.

Detroit is not the league's only surprising team.

The Tennessee Titans are winning with a quarterback who was passed over in favor of Tarvaris Jackson.

The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills have only one loss, and the Oakland Raiders have decided to "just win baby."

The ways in which these teams have won are different and varied, but one thing is certain: the Super Bowl race is wide open.

6. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are quickly establishing themselves as an NFC East front-runner.

They have a very favorable schedule; with games against sub-par teams such as the Panthers, Dolphins, Seahawks and Vikings remaining.

Washington had very low expectations heading into this season, but they have won games in part because Rex Grossman is playing well beyond expectations.

His five interceptions are still an issue, but six touchdowns and 989 yards passing through four games is a marked improvement for the much maligned quarterback.

The Redskins rushing game led by Ryan Torain has also played well and currently ranks eighth in the league averaging 126 rushing yards per game.

The Cowboys and Eagles have stumbled out of the gates in this division. Washington needs to continue to gain ground early in the season.

5. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are the embodiment of a true dark horse.

They came into this season surrounded by uncertainty. No one knew how well Hue Jackson would handle the head coaching duties, or if Darren McFadden would continue to play at the level he showcased in 2010.

So far all signs are pointing in a positive direction. McFadden has 519 yards and three touchdowns and the Raiders are off to a 3-2 start.

Oakland has won tough games against the Jets and Texans which helps prove they are capable of winning outside the AFC West.

4. Tennessee Titans

Where did the Tennessee Titans come from?

Other teams on this list at least had some advocates proclaiming their potential.

The Titans came completely out of left field.

The addition of Matt Hasselbeck seemed good from a leadership standpoint, but his play to this point has been truly remarkable.

Hasselbeck has 1,414 yards passing, nine touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Chris Johnson is yet to find his footing, but if the Titans are finding ways to win without their best player performing well then it can only bode well for the franchise.

Losing Kenny Britt was an obvious setback, but the AFC South is up for grabs this year and the Titans are playing well.

They have a big test this week against their division rival Houston Texans.

3. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are completely one-sided, but it is working for them.

The saying goes that if it ain't broke don't fix it. The Bills are flourishing under this mantra.

Buffalo has the fourth ranked rushing attack and the 13th ranked passing game in the NFL.

On the contrary they are among the leagues worst in nearly every defensive category.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson have been the headliners so far and for good reason. The Bills offense is good enough to keep them in any game.

They already have impressive wins over the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The AFC East needs to take note because the Buffalo Bills are circling the wagons.

2. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have a different feel under Jim Harbaugh. There are no hard facts to back up this opinion, but it is evident every time they take the field.

The 49ers seem to be playing harder this season and subsequently they are playing better.

Alex Smith is fighting off the draft pick bust aura that has followed him his entire career and Frank Gore has drastically turned his play around in the last two weeks.

The real secret to the 49ers success however has been their rush defense. San Francisco is allowing a minuscule 76 yards rushing per game: good enough for fourth best in the league.

The 49ers take their 4-1 record to Detroit this week to take on the undefeated Lions. A win could solidify their contender status.

1. Detroit Lions

Everyone's favorite preseason dark horse is living up to the hype and then exceeding it.

Detroit has won games in just about every fashion and their win on Monday Night Football gave a national audience the chance to realize that this team is for real.

The success of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson has been well documented through the early part of the season.

In fact Johnson's nine receiving touchdowns in the first five games of the season is an NFL record.

What Detroit must now focus on is not getting engulfed by the praise surrounding them. They have tough games coming up at home against San Francisco and Atlanta.

The Lions have yet to play the Green Bay Packers. A win over the defending Super Bowl Champions could be the ultimate proof that the Lions can contend in the postseason.