NFL Power Rankings: Identifying the Biggest Surprises for Week 10

The Cincinnati Bengals are atop the AFC. The San Francisco 49ers are 7-1. The Miami Dolphins beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead this week. The New England Patriots lost a regular season game at home with Tom Brady behind center. 

That's just the beginning of what we've seen this fall.

Could the 2011 NFL season get any more unpredictable?

These teams have been the most surprising as we head into Week 10...

San Francisco 49ers 

The 49ers were pegged by most to have a decent 2011 season. They had a pretty good defense along with a good running back, but no consistency at quarterback. 

As it turns out, the defense is elite. The running game is earning a phenomenal 137.6 yards per game and Alex Smith is playing very consistently (10 touchdowns, two interceptions). 

They currently hold a five game lead (that's right, a five game lead in only nine weeks) over the 2-6 Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. 

We might as well give them a spot in the playoffs right now. 

I see no signs of the 49ers slowing up, and they have five games left against teams from their division.

Cincinnati Bengals 

Expectations were far lower for the Bengals. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have exceeded those expectations and right now, the Bengals are remarkably the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Dalton's also giving Cam Newton a run for his money in the Rookie of the Year race. 

The Bengals defensive front is one of the best, most unheralded groups in football and they trail only the 49ers in run defense. 

If you can make teams one-dimensional, they are far easier to beat. 

Cincinnati isn't necessarily flashy, but they haven't needed to be this season after getting off to a 1-2 start. 

They've won games with suffocating defense and steady play from their quarterback. 

Week 10 Power Rankings

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