NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Have Climbed Furthest Since Week 1?

These five teams have climbed the highest since my Week 1 NFL Power Rankings:

4. San Francisco 49ers (Week 1: No. 22; Up 18)

Remember when all the talk this offseason was about how teams with new head coaches were going to struggle this season? The 49ers have obliterated that talk with a 5-1 start under Jim Harbaugh. With a win over the Lions, a team you'll also find on this list, the 'Niners vaulted all the way into the top five this week. I'm not sure they'll be that high all season, but the 49ers look destined to go back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

9. Buffalo Bills (Week 1: No. 23; Up 14)

I think everyone saw that the 49ers had talent coming into this season. The same can't necessarily be said for the Bills. They were picked by many to finish last in the AFC East and be picking in the top five again in April. That isn't likely to happen in 2011. The Bills raced out to a 3-0 start, and they currently sit just a game behind the Patriots. They need to stiffen the defense to have a shot at making the playoffs, but jumping 14 spots to No. 9 is an impressive feat so far.   

14. Cincinnati Bengals (Week 1: No. 26; Up 12)

While we said new head coaches would struggle coming out of the lockout, we also gave no chance to teams like the Bengals, who planned on starting a rookie at quarterback. The Andy Dalton experiment has worked just fine in Cincinnati, however, as the Red Rifle has lead the Bengals to four wins, matching the total they posted last season. The Bengals defense has also been a huge surprise. I had them finishing in the bottom six in the NFL this season, but they've gotten themselves to No. 14 this week—their highest ranking of the year.   

13. Tennessee Titans (Week 1: No. 23; Up 10)

First-year head coach Mike Munchak was lucky the Titans signed Matt Hasselbeck. The veteran quarterback has helped ease the transition from former coach Jeff Fisher, while also giving the offense some breathing room while holdout Chris Johnson got his legs under him. Now, the Titans have positioned themselves to take a serious run at the AFC South.    

5. Detroit Lions (Week 1: No. 14; Up 9)

The Lions are one of the more surprising teams in the NFL, but most sensed before the season that they would be much improved. We've seen what the Lions offense can do with a healthy Matthew Stafford, and the defensive line has been every bit as impressive as we thought. They have a steep hill to climb to knock off the Packers, but these Lions are for real—and they'll stick around, too.  

10. Oakland Raiders (Week 1: No. 16; Up 6)

The Raiders got Carson Palmer on Tuesday, which means their ranking could go even higher if he plays well in black and silver. The Raiders have young, exciting talent at almost every position, and very few teams have been able to slow their ground game. I wasn't 100 percent sold on the Raiders coming into this season, but they look like a team now that can make some noise in the AFC.  

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)