NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Continue to Be Pleasant Surprises?

The term "pleasant surprise" has been the trademark of the 2011 NFL season. 

Teams usually relegated to the league's cellar are getting quality play from their quarterbacks, running the football with great success and making the big play on defense—all leading to their fantastic starts to the season. 

There's a legitimate stir and buzz about the possibility of the playoffs for the fan bases for these three teams, who weren't given much of a shot at the beginning of the year.

Cincinnati Bengals

Done is the belief that rookie quarterbacks can't win consistently in their first season. All the talk is centered around Cam Newton, and while he's exceeded expectations, how about Andy Dalton?

After all, his team is 5-2. 

The defense is in the top five of nearly every important defensive category, thanks in large part to mastermind Mike Zimmer's ability to recognize his players' talents and utilize them to the fullest.

Also, they're getting the most out of their Samoan players, Jonathan Fanene, Rey Maualuga and Domato Peko. 

All cool names, all ferocious football players.

They travel to Tennessee next week then play four consecutive divisional games that will determine their playoff fate this season. 

San Francisco 49ers 

While the rest of the league is happy scoring 30 points a game even if they allow 450 on defense, the 49ers are playing inspiring defense and are relying on their run game more than anything else. 

Frank Gore has the fifth most rushing yards this year (675) and their defense is allowing the least amount of yards per game (73.4). 

Run. 

Stop the run. 

It's that easy, right?

Buffalo Bills

After their 23-0 destruction of the Washington Redskins and a Patriots loss to the Steelers, the Bills are in an unfamiliar spot.

They're on top of the AFC East. 

Fred Jackson's stat line is Thurman Thomas-esque right now. He's got 721 rushing yards and 353 receiving yards. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick, the new 59 million dollar man, is behind only Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matthew Hasselbeck in ESPN's Total Quarterback Rating on the season. 

If the defense continues to take the ball away and gets inspired play from their defensive line, we're in for some late-season AFC East drama. 

Week 9 Power Rankings

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

* Monday Night Football matchup