NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Rocketing Up Rankings?

The following three teams have quickly risen up in our Week 7 Power Ranking:

4. San Francisco 49ers (5-1); Last week: Defeated Detroit Lions, 25-19

Most have been weary to get on the 49ers bandwagon after so many disappointing seasons, but San Francisco looks like it finally has it figured out under Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers defense has garnered the most praise, as they shut down a Lions offense that had been a high-flying unit up until Sunday. Quarterback Alex Smith has been another bright spot under Harbaugh's tutelage. With the way the 49ers' schedule shapes up in 2011, they could be looking at 11 or 12 wins. 

10. Oakland Raiders (4-2); Last week: Defeated Cleveland Browns, 24-17

The Raiders were going to climb up the rankings even before the talk for Carson Palmer on Tuesday. But now that Palmer could be on the move to Oakland, the Raiders have the potential to rise further up the list. While I'm not 100 percent sold on Palmer, and I think the Raiders are giving up far too much to get him, he's a guy that can provide stability at the quarterback position if he plays like he did earlier in his career. We'll likely get to see him this week. If Palmer plays well, the Raiders will give the Chargers all they can handle in the AFC West.  

14. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2); Last week: Defeated Indianapolis Colts, 27-17

The team that traded away their former franchise quarterback also finds a way onto this list. Thanks to a 27-17 win over the Colts, the Bengals find themselves at 4-2, which matches their win total from a year ago. Andy Dalton hasn't always been spectacular in his first season, but he's been plenty good enough to win games. That gave owner Mike Brown the freedom to deal Palmer, which netted him two high picks in the next two drafts. 

Full Week 7 Power Rankings

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