NFL Power Rankings: San Francisco 49ers and the 3 Most Surprising Teams

The 2011 version of the NFL is all about spreading them out on offense, throwing the ball all over the lot and scoring a ton of points. 

The best of the best like the Patriots and Packers are continuing the trend, but one team has proven that the new wide open style of play isn't the only way to win. 

Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a 5-1 start in an entirely different way. 

They have run the football often with great success, gotten sound quarterback play from Smith and have emerged as one of the top defenses in the league. 

San Francisco made the Detroit Lions one-dimensional on Sunday and tightened up in the second half against a very electric offense. 

Patrick Willis and Carlos Rogers are leading the way. 

What other teams have surprised thus far?

Detroit Lions

Despite their loss to the 49ers on Sunday, the Lions are probably the second most surprising team in the NFL. 

The offense is as explosive as any, and their defensive line is one of the nastiest in the NFC. 

Something tells me we'll see a Lions/49ers matchup in January. 

Both teams are just very physical, well-coached and have a handful of playmakers on both sides of the football that came into the league as high draft picks.

Cincinnati Bengals

Only a few weeks ago, the Bengals were 1-2, Andy Dalton was struggling, and experts thought their preseason predictions of Cincinnati were spot on. 

Since then, Dalton has grown up, A.J. Green has become a legitimate go-route threat and the defense is playing at an elite level. 

Oh yea, and they've won three straight and are right in the AFC North hunt.

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.