NFL Power Rankings Week 10: San Francisco 49ers Maintain No. 2 Ranking

NFL followers of 2011: Don't act so surprised.

San Francisco 49ers fans: Keep holding your heads up high.

Arguably the NFL's most dramatically improved team of 2011 maintained their No. 2 ranking in the Week 10 NFL power rankings according to ESPN.com and Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com. The 49ers secured this standing after yet another win on the road in the Eastern time zone, this time against the Washington Redskins. They remain behind only the undefeated Packers, the undeniable elite of the NFL.

Sporting a 7-1 record and first-place standing in the NFC West has the 49er faithful rejoicing and NFL power rankings experts impressed.

Here are my rankings.

1. Packers (8-0)

With so much attention revolving around Tim Tebow and Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers is quietly having one of the most dominant and efficient first halves by a quarterback in NFL history.

2. 49ers (7-1)

First-year NFL head coach Jim Harbaugh has officially changed the culture of this team and returned it to regular-season prominence. Its smash-mouth identity of pounding the rock and stopping the run bodes well for future postseason success.

3. Giants (6-2)

After a demoralizing upset at the hands of the lowly Seahawks at home, the Giants have ripped off three in a row culminating in a potentially season-defining road victory over the Patriots.

4. Ravens (6-2)

If Joe Flacco can repeat his great quarterback play (4 TDs 0 INTs) in the season-series sweep of the hated rival Steelers, this team will be tough to beat come playoff time.

5. Lions (6-2)

Detroit fans hope that the bye week allowed the concussion-prone Jahvid Best to fully heal. The signing of RB Kevin Johnson might be a sign of desperation for this depleted running back corps.

6. Steelers (6-3)

Many would have scoffed at the idea of this defense allowing a last-minute game-winning drive by Joe Flacco. A win over the Bengals next week will help keep the Black and Yellow in position to win the division.

7. Bengals (6-2)

Rookie QB Andy Dalton and this defense are legit. But erase an impressive win over the Bills in Week 4 and the combined record of its defeated opponents is 11-30.

8. Saints (6-3)

The 4-0-at-home Saints led by their latest balanced offensive attack (258 yards passing, 195 yards rushing) handily controlled the Bucs, which instills confidence. As for the team that allowed an inexcusable loss to the previously winless Rams on the road, not so much.

9. Jets (5-3)

A win at home against the Pats on Sunday night will validate this ranking.

10. Patriots (5-3)

As atrocious as this defense is, removing this team from the NFL top 10 seems premature when Tom Brady is still the quarterback.

11. Texans (6-3)

A 3-0 record in the division thus far is huge. Winning it will be very attainable with three more divisional contests as well. However, the 6-19 combined record of those foes doesn't help the Texans attain elite NFL status.

12. Bears (5-3)

An offensive line that has increasingly remembered how to block (only three sacks allowed in the last three games) makes the rematch against the Lions and their menacing front four (14.5 sacks) very intriguing.

13. Falcons (5-3)

RB Michael Turner should be salivating at the prospect of running against a New Orleans road defense that allowed 159 rushing yards to Steven Jackson in Week 8.

14. Cowboys (4-4)

The 'Boys get their season back on track with a winning performance against the Bills.

15. Bills (5-3)

Even with the humiliation suffered at home against the Jets and a (predicted) loss in Dallas this week, the Bills are still a more complete team than the one ranked just below.

16. Chargers (4-4)

Should we expect a bounce-back win against a Raiders team in disarray after their crushing loss to the Tebow-led Broncos? Or does the San Diego that is 0-3 against quality squads rear its ugly face?

17. Buccaneers (4-4)

This team is extremely hard to gauge—as is Josh Freeman. His 103.5 rating on Sunday was not indicative of the lackluster performance that had his team down 15 to the Saints well into the fourth quarter.

18. Raiders (4-4)

Hue Jackson is still the right man for the job and Palmer played well enough to win. A special teams breakdown coupled with a once-stout run defense being Tebow-ed and gashed by a rejuvenated Willis McGahee cost the Silver and Black this time.

19. Chiefs (4-4)

A miraculous fumbled snap by Philip Rivers merely postponed the misery of a shellacking by the previously 0-7 Dolphins.

20. Eagles (3-5)

Say adios to the playoffs. This truly is a sad case of an epically underachieving, highly talented squad.

21. Titans (4-4)

Matt Hasselbeck is enjoying a renaissance year circa 2007 with his 90 QB rating. Unfortunately, the Titans are entirely too one-dimensional on offense with the disappearance of Chris Johnson.

22. Panthers (2-6)

It's only a matter of time until Cam Newton's outrageously productive NFL rookie stats translate into more W's.

23. Broncos (3-5)

The Broncos seriously lack in talent in all facets of the game. But Tebow wins. And will do so again on Sunday against the Chiefs.

24. Browns (3-5)

There has been little evidence of first-year NFL head coach Pat Shurmur's offensive prowess innovating the Browns' putrid run/pass attack. It is overshadowing the team's top-rated passing defense.

25. Vikings (2-6)

Yes, they beat the Panthers. And yes, the Panthers are ranked higher. The Packers will quickly erase those positive memories while Carolina emerges victorious over the Titans.

26. Redskins (3-5)

Four losses in a row after a promising start and things are beginning to look really ugly in the nation's capital. It will continue this week against a rising (yes, you heard me) Dolphins team.

27. Jaguars (2-6)

Blaine Gabbert has thrown for under 100 yards in two straight games with a 38 completion percentage. Those numbers should improve mightily when his team squares off against the hapless Colts.

28. Dolphins (1-7)

Solid defensive play and the Matt Moore-to-Brandon Marshall connection will produce a win at home against the 'Skins. On the other hand, it seems that will occur for the final time as their remaining seven will amount to a brutal, winless affair.

29. Cardinals (2-6)

Rookie standout Patrick Peterson provided a brief spark with his dazzling return abilities against the Rams. Things will come back down to Earth for this futile club when they travel across the country to Philadelphia.

30. Rams (1-7)

Jackson has a legitimate shot to run his team to victory over the Browns.

31. Seahawks (2-6)

After defeating the now-third-ranked Giants, these two teams could not have gone in more opposite directions. The losing streak continues when Ray Lewis and the Ravens come to town.

32. Colts (0-9)

Will they muster any sense of pride in a winnable game at home against the Jags?