NFL Power Rankings: Who Are Most Surprising Teams in Top 10?

At the beginning of the year, every team is given a certain expectation by fans, writers, themselves, etc...

However, when we see teams in an unexpected position (or ranking), we tend to forget the power of competitiveness (or lack thereof), which leads to surprises.

So to that end, here are three surprisingly Top 10 teams that we would not have anticipated in the preseason.

San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

As evidenced by its record, it's no surprise that San Fran is ranked in the Top 10, but who would have thought that new head coach Jim Harbaugh would have turned things around so quickly.

But the road win over then-undefeated Detroit was enormous, and if the Cincinnati Bengals continue to play well, beating them on the road in Week 3 only looks that much stronger.

QB Alex Smith may have not played up to par on Sunday, but where he slowed down, the rest of the team picked up the pace (such as RB Frank Gore).

Oakland Raiders (4-2)

It's no so much that Oakland is in the Top 10 as it is that they've been gradually improving with each game, but now have revert to a backup QB.

Last season the Raiders were 6-0 in the AFC West but 2-8 otherwise.

This season they're 3-2 outside the division and begin a three-game divisional stretch this week.

If Oakland can maintain their high level of performance in the AFC West and continue to improve outside of it, this team could very well finish 11-5 or 12-4.

New York Giants (4-2)

Arguably the most inconsistent 4-2 team right now, the New York Giants managed to lose to the "falling from grace" Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks, but somehow beat the Eagles on the road and the Bills last week.

So maybe this is a team that plays to the level of its opponents, but that won't be easy with a sick second half schedule that include, New England, San Fran, New Orleans, Green Bay and Dallas twice.

That said, don't be surprised to see the Giants drop out of the Top 10 by early November.

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

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 (3-3) (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 (0-5) (LW 32)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.