NFL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Steelers and 3 Teams on the Rise

Which NFL teams are on the rise after their Week 6 performance?

A few clubs were impressive and have bounced back from tough losses or rough starts to the season. 

Here are three of the biggest risers heading into Week 7. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

After an unusually poor start to the season, when many of their deficiencies were exploited by the Ravens and the Texans, the Steelers looked to be experiencing that Super Bowl hangover. Now they've rattled off consecutive wins and Ben Roethlisberger isn't running for his life on every drop back. 

The 17-13 win against the Jaguars wasn't perfect, but a win at home is a win at home and they'll take the 4-2 record with a tough stretch ahead. 

Pittsburgh's defense has also returned to form and Rashard Mendenhall brought a new life to the running game on Sunday. 

San Francisco 49ers

Forget the Jim Harbaugh-Jim Schwartz confrontation. I'm focusing on what was an tremendous football game. The 49ers were able to make the Lions one-dimensional on offense and got consistent pressure on Matt Stafford all afternoon. 

San Francisco is certainly not as flashy, but it doesn't matter. It's getting it done in old-school fashion with a sound running game and stout defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I know the Buccaneers were embarrassed by the 49ers in Week 5, but bouncing back at home against the high-powered divisional rival Saints means something to me. 

I think Tampa Bay grew up on Sunday. 

Josh Freeman (303 yards, one TD) played right with Drew Brees, and for the first time this year, there was a legitimate explosiveness on offense.  

Huge win for the Bucs, who showed a lot of heart and resiliency against New Orleans.

Week 7 Power Rankings

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

*Dolphins and Jets play on MNF.