NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Which Teams Have Moved Most Since Season's Start?

Each NFL season is a roller coaster ride, with teams sky-rocketing up Power Ranking lists one week, then a month later they're out of the Top 20. 

Teams we were sure would contend fall short of expectations and some certain cellar dwellers make their way into the playoff hunt. 

So which team's have moved up the most since the season's start?

Cincinnati Bengals

In a division with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens and the upstart Cleveland Browns led by Peyton Hillis, the Bengals were more than an afterthought, they were nearly forgotten. 

No Carson Palmer, no Chad Ochocinco and rookies to take their places.

No way they'd be successful. 

After a 1-2 start, the experts looked to be correct in their preseason prediction. 

Now they've rattled off consecutive victories with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green looking like they've done it before. 

They haven't played the Ravens or Steelers just yet, but they could have more momentum than we ever thought they would heading into those games. 

Big ups to the Bengals. 

Buffalo Bills

A bad offensive line, a career back-up quarterback, no name receivers and the worst rushing defense in the league—all reasons why the Bills were near the bottom of nearly every Power Rankings list when the season began. 

After five weeks, the Bills are 4-1, allowing the least amount of sacks in the league, Ryan Fitzpatrick is having an outstanding season and ask the Raiders and Patriots about Buffalo's receiving corp. 

Add in that Fred Jackson is playing at an All-Pro level, and the fact that the Bills are leading the NFL in takeaways, and you've got a a team that had made a huge stride since Week 1. 

Washington Redskins

They haven't been overly impressive, but they're 3-1 and are sitting pretty a top the NFC East standings. 

At the start of the year many of us questioned Mike Shanahan's decision to go with the streaky Rex Grossman at quarterback. 

Yes, Grossman has shown some glimpses of what we've seen in the past from him—inconsistent play, but the rest of the team, especially the defense, is exceeding expectations. 

San Francisco 49ers

ESPN cited "widespread changes on defense" to their spot at No. 26 in their preseason NFL Power Rankings. I had questions about Alex Smith and how he would fare playing under yet another new coach and system.

Now the 49ers are 4-1 and are coming off a 48-3 thrashing of a young Buccaneers team many thought would compete for an NFC South crown this season. 

No one wants to play the 49ers, especially with how well the defense has played thus far and their balanced offensive attack. 

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