The Most Surprising NFL Teams from Each Division

Every NFL season, there are always a couple of teams that start the season on an unexpected roll. They seem to catch their opponents early in the season by surprise, and gain some momentum.

For some teams, an unexpected winning start to the season may be the beginning of something special, the culmination of the right offseason moves yielding tangible results in the win column.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there is that team entering the season with high expectations. For reasons fathomable or not, the team fails to meet those expectations, as the team falls into playoff obscurity. 

Here's a look at the most surprising team so far from each division. 

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

The most surprising result so far this season in the negative direction has to be the Indianapolis Colts.

It's amazing what happens when a team loses their elite, franchise quarterback for the season.

As soon as it was announced that Peyton Manning was going to be lost for the season, everyone knew that the Colts were in trouble. It's just that no one could imagine it would be this bad.

It's no surprise that the Colts offense is struggling, only scoring an average of 13.1 points per game, they are 30th in the NFL.  The surprise is how poorly the defense has played this season. At 30 points per game, the Indianapolis defense ranks last in the league.

The Indianapolis Colts' cheerleaders are the best looking part of this franchise right now.

At 0-10, it's been a decade since the Colts have lost this many games—in fact by the time this season ends, the Colts may lose as many games this season as they had combined over the previous four seasons.

Fear not, it's a temporary setback, it shouldn't take Andrew Luck too long to get the Colts back on the winning way.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

Before there was even a single snap taken this season, many prognosticators had the Philadelphia Eagles the early Super Bowl favorites. 

With quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson the Eagles were supposed to be stacked on offense.

When Philadelphia added free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to the defense there were a lot of people calling the Eagles the dream team.

With a home loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10, the Eagles have fallen to 3-6. With the way they have played so far this season, looking at their remaining schedule there may not be any easy wins for Philadelphia.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

After a quick 4-1 start to open the season, the San Diego Chargers have dropped four straight games with their Thursday night loss at home to the Oakland Raiders.

The good news is the Chargers are only one game out of first place within the division, and with every team at 2-2 within the AFC West, the division is still up for grabs.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

After finishing last season with the best record in the NFC, and home advantage through the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons were soundly defeated by the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs, 48-21.

This was supposed to be the year the Falcons proved that the playoff loss was an aberration.

After losing only one regular season game at home last season, the Falcons are 2-2 at the Georgia Dome this season.

A terrible call by Falcons head coach Mike Smith to go for it on fourth down in overtime, and failing from their own 29 yard line, allowed the Saints to win 26-23.

With the home loss to New Orleans, the Falcons fall to 5-4, two wins behind the 7-3 Saints. 

Let's turn things around, and take a look at those teams that have been surprising in a positive way.

NFC North: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions showed some improvement last year finishing with a 6-10 record, tying them with the Minnesota Vikings for last place in the NFC North.

Even with the 37-13 loss to the Chicago Bears, the Lions find themselves at 6-3, tied with the Bears within the NFC North.

Not only do the six wins match their total from last season, but even with two games remaining against the Super Bowl Champions, the Lions have a very good chance of finishing with double digit wins for the first time since 1995. 

Of course, there's still time for the Lions to revert back to their losing ways...

AFC East: Buffalo Bills

After opening the season winning four of five games, the Buffalo Bills have stumbled of late, losing consecutive games for the first time this season.

Even with the terrible 44-7 loss to the Cowboys, the Bills are still 5-4, and like the Lions, they have a chance to win more games this season than they have since 1999.

With Fred Jackson having the best season of his career, and leading the NFL in rushing going into Week 10, it has helped Ryan Fitzpatrick to have his best season at quarterback in seven seasons.  

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals may have the best rookie quarterback in the NFL. While Cam Newton has been flashy, Andy Dalton has quietly led the Bengals to a 6-3 record.

Their close 24-17 loss to the Steelers at home, has the Bengals only a half game behind division leader Pittsburgh, and tied with the Ravens in the AFC North. 

After finishing last season at 4-12, the Bengals have a chance of finishing this season with 10 or more wins for only the third time since 1988.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

The biggest surprise in the NFL has to be the success the San Francisco 49ers are having with a rookie head coach.

Sure the 49ers play in the weakest league in the NFL, and with an 8-1 record they have a five game lead on the division, but so far they have only played one division game this season.

Their eight wins are tied with the most in the NFL. Chances are they will end up with the second most wins following the Packers' Monday night game at home against the Vikings.

Their only loss was in overtime to the Cowboys, while they have won all four of their road games.

The 49ers need only one more win to match the most they have had in a season since 2002.

With their 27-20 win at home over the New York Giants, the 49ers are starting to make believers out of a lot of people. 

Jim Harbaugh has not had any problems making the jump from college to the NFL, unless of course you want to count the post-game etiquette incident at Detroit.

With five games left within the division, there's a very good chance the 49ers will end up with a first round bye in the playoffs.