NFL Power Rankings: Giants, Bengals and 5 Teams Sky-Rocketing Up the Rankings

The season may only be six weeks old, but certain teams are already establishing themselves as legit playoff contenders.

Regardless of your preseason expectations, these five teams are currently riding high after Week 6.

4. San Diego Chargers (4-1)

Just because the Chargers' schedule has been tissue-paper soft doesn’t mean this team isn’t bound for big things.

Tight end Antonio Gates has been a complete non-factor as he battles a foot injury. Gates will be back soon, which will do wonders for QB Phillip Rivers.

With a very manageable schedule the rest of the way, 12-13 wins look very realistic.

10. New York Giants (4-2)

The G-Men got back on track against the Bills last week and enter the bye week in first place in the NFC East. QB Eli Manning continues to put up terrific numbers, and RB Ahmad Bradshaw finally got going in their win on Sunday.

After the bye and a home game against the Dolphins, check out this death row of a schedule—at New England, at San Francisco, vs. Philadelphia, at New Orleans and vs. Green Bay.

That’s when we’ll really find out what this team is made of.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

Another team with an easy early schedule. Still, nobody saw this coming.

The defense is the second-ranked unit in the league, and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer should receive consideration for a head coaching gig at the end of the season. Their defensive front four has played spectacularly well, and the linebackers are incredibly speedy.

Andy Dalton is playing like a veteran, and AJ Green is a future All Pro.

Things are looking up in Cincinnati.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)

The Bucs are back on track after beating the Saints and enter the week as the division leader in the NFC South.

They may show their youth at times, but the talent level is certainly there. Tampa Bay is a top 10 team when it comes to overall talent.

19. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)           

The Falcons got back on track against the Panthers, as their demise was overstated.

Michael Turner and the rest of the running game finally had a big day as the offense finally showed some balance. They’ll be competing for an NFC South crown yet again.

Eric Ball’s Week 7 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. Baltimore Ravens

4. San Diego Chargers

5. San Francisco 49ers

6. New Orleans Saints

7. Detroit Lions

8. Buffalo Bills

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

10. New York Giants

11. Cincinnati Bengals

12. Oakland Raiders

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

14. Tennessee Titans

15. Houston Texans

16. Washington Redskins

17. Chicago Bears

18. Dallas Cowboys

19. Atlanta Falcons

20. Philadelphia Eagles

21. New York Jets

22. Seattle Seahawks

23. Cleveland Browns

24. Kansas City Chiefs

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

26. Arizona Cardinals

27. Carolina Panthers

28. Minnesota Vikings

29. Denver Broncos

30. Indianapolis Colts

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Miami Dolphins