NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Just Refuse to Disappoint?

The teams that refuse to disappoint or go away are arguably the most dangerous teams around.

They're scrappy, win ugly, go all out for 60 minutes and don't care who's on the field because the 11 out there have an attitude that will get the job done.

The following three teams have been just that through the first eight weeks of the 2011 NFL season, and it will be fun watching them as it continues, since all three are legit playoff contenders.

San Francisco 49ers (6-1)

So the 49ers are about one year late for the breakout season, but better late than never. After the 2009 season, the 49ers finished 8-8 and had improved their record for the second consecutive season.

The season happening now was suppose to happen in 2010, but it turned out to be a disappointment and thus left us skeptical about 2011. Well, barring the choke job at home against Dallas early on, this San Francisco team would be 7-0.

And we can make all the arguments we want about the weakness that is the NFC West, but lest we forget about how much better this division has done in the postseason the past three seasons.

San Francisco is for real, refuses to go away, and much of that can be attributed to first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. He's arguably their best coach since George Seifert and is following the same path of the legendary Bill Walsh.

Be well aware of The Bay Area because these 49ers aren't going away anytime soon.

Houston Texans (5-3)

Along the same lines as the 49ers, the Houston Texans finished the 2009 campaign with a 9-7 record and had increased expectations for 2010.

Needless to say, it was a vehement disappointment (6-10) and the Texans left the 2010 season with some unanswered questions.

Well, 2011 has been better than anticipated and although they've suffered through two big injuries (WR Andre Johnson, LB Mario Williams), Houston continues to fight.

When the injuries occurred, it was uncertain as to how they would respond. But with really nothing to lose and everything to gain at that point, the Texans went from 3-3 to 5-3 without any doubt as to their identity.

The defense hasn't lost a step and still ranks in the top 10 against the rush and pass, while the offense refused to abandon the ground game to help setup a passing game with players who feed off one another's chemistry.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on Houston because it is the one team that everyone will be doubting once the playoffs roll around.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

If you really want to talk disappointment, the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals were the definition of it. After the 2009 season, Cincinnati came away with another AFC North title, but choked again in the wild-card round.

Then in 2010 they signed WR Terrell Owens and all of a sudden the Bengals were suppose to run through every team.

Well, the 2010 season proved the saying, "and that's why they play the games," because that year Cincy went back to being the Bungals and finished 4-12.

And after the first three games of 2011, Cincy appeared to be suffering from off-field issues and lack of experience since both rookies (QB Andy Dalton, WR A.J. Green) were starting from Day 1.

However, Cincinnati clearly refocused and has since won four straight games. The Bengals' defense ranks in the top 10 against both the pass and rush, whereas the offense has been good enough to help win games.

The defense is also not relying on turnovers nearly as much as the 2009 defense, and the offense is being careful with the ball while still being dynamic enough to prevent a rookie meltdown from Andy Dalton being under center.

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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