Only one team can win the Super Bowl every season, and only 12 can qualify for the playoffs, which means two-thirds of the league just aren't good enough.
A few years of irrelevance can have a team flying under the radar, so much so that even a winning record and a spot atop the division the following season doesn't warrant them any respect.
Here are three teams that fit that mold that will surprise in Week 10:
Cincinnati Bengals
At 6-2, the best word to describe the Bengals in 2011 is overachieving. They've capitalized on their soft schedule through first eight games, and head into their nightmarish second half with a successful approach in place with rookie Andy Dalton under center.
Dalton has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards this season and 12 touchdowns while minimizing his mistakes (just seven interceptions thus far). Cincinnati will host division rival Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Steelers had won four-straight games before losing to Baltimore last Sunday night.
A Bengals' win in Week 10 would prove Cincinnati is a realistic contender in the AFC this season, and garner them some respect from fans and experts alike.
Buffalo Bills
Having lost two of their last three games, the Bills are in danger of becoming forgotten again. Their remarkable 4-1 start to the season was highlighted by a improbable comeback victory over the rival Patriots.
Buffalo visits Dallas on Sunday in a must-win game for two teams that are looking to stay relevant in their respective conference playoff races.
The Bills have a much more consistent, high-powered offensive attack, although you wouldn't know that by watching last week's game against New York. Still, the Bills are the better team in this under-the-radar matchup in Week 10.
Denver Broncos
It's very difficult to argue that the Broncos are underrated given all the hype surrounding the good and bad play of second-year quarterback Tim Tebow, but look at their team overall.
Denver is just 3-5 midway through the season and is surprisingly still alive in the AFC West. Tebow is 2-1 as a starter since taking over for Kyle Orton a few weeks back, and a win over the confusing Chiefs in Week 10 would pull Denver one game back of division-leading Oakland.
The win would be Denver's second division win in two weeks, and second on the road in that time. It's safe to say the Broncos would not be overrated going into Week 11, and that a Denver win in the future would be anything but surprising.
