NFL Power Rankings Week 7: San Francisco 49ers Among 3 Most Impressive NFL Teams

Week 6 of the 2011 NFL season was very telling in terms of teams responding after a loss, as well as the true colors of those who were otherwise uncertain.

There were also three teams that stood out and were the most impressive, which should definitely garner some recognition, in addition to what's already been dished out.

San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

Had it not been for one slight choke in Week 2 at home against Dallas, the 49ers would be 6-0 right now.

Nonetheless, San Fran has run off four straight, three of which were by six points or fewer (all three were also on the road).

This week is a bye and thereafter they play Cleveland (home) and Washington (away), two winnable games before the Giants come to town in a big NFC match where New York could be 6-2 coming in.

New head coach Jim Harbaugh has the right formula for the Bay Area, the question is whether they can compete with Green Bay.

New England Patriots (5-1)

The Week 3 road loss to the Buffalo Bills was concerning, but it was a blessing in disguise for New England, because the Pats have run off three straight heading into the bye.

After however, they must travel to Pittsburgh in a big mid-season AFC matchup, and then come home to the Giants in Week 9.

As of now the Baltimore Ravens look like the only team who can contend with the Pats in the AFC, because until Tom Brady is no longer under center, New England always appears to be the standard.

Oakland Raiders (4-2)

If there's one team that some teams may sleep on this year it's the Oakland Raiders.

Despite the passing of owner Al Davis, the Silver and Black have run off two straight and have a ton of momentum.

Sure they may have lost to Buffalo (away) and New England (home), but without an AFC West title since 2002, it's no surprise that the San Diego Chargers are still the divisional front-runners.

That said, as long as RB Darren McFadden keeps bruising through defenses, it's going to open up the passing game regardless of who's under center.

Week 7 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

1. Green Bay Packers (6-0) (LW 1)	17. Dallas Cowboys (2-3) (LW 15)
2. Baltimore Ravens (4-1) (LW 4)	18. Tennessee Titans (3-2) (LW 18)
3. New England Patriots (5-1) (LW 5)	19. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) (LW 20)
4. New Orleans Saints (4-2) (LW 2)	20. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) (LW 24)
5. San Francisco 49ers (5-1) (LW 11)	21. Washington Redskins (3-2) (LW 16)
6. Detroit Lions (5-1) (LW 3)	22. Seattle Seahawks (2-3) (LW 21)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) (LW 9)	23. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) (LW 23)
8. San Diego Chargers (4-1) (LW 7)	24. Carolina Panthers (1-5) (LW 22)
9. Oakland Raiders (4-2) (LW 10)	25. Minnesota Vikings (1-5) (LW 25)
10. New York Giants (4-2) (LW 12)	26. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) (LW 28)
11. Buffalo Bills (4-2) (LW 6)	27. Denver Broncos (1-4) (LW 29)
12. Houston Texans (3-3) (LW 8)	28. Cleveland Browns (2-3) (LW 26)
13. Chicago Bears (3-3) (LW 13)	29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) (LW 27)
14. *New York Jets (2-3) (LW 14)	30. St. Louis Rams (0-5) (LW 30)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) (LW 19)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-6) (LW 31)
16. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) (LW 17)	32. *Miami Dolphins (0-4) (LW 32)

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