2. Baltimore Ravens, 4-1 (2) – The Ravens dominated the Broncos at home this past Sunday. Ray Rice is a beast, but Baltimore has a stable of bruising backs. When they can run the ball that well, there isn’t a team in the League that can beat them. They have a tough match-up at New England this Sunday, where they opened as a 3 point underdog.
3. New York Jets, 4-1 (3) – It’s hard to say, but the Jets defense might be the best in the League. If nothing else, they’ve gotta be the best against the run. Additionally, Mark Sanchez is starting to play with more poise. They beat up on the Vikings for most of the game, but still could have lost very easily. Then the defense stepped up and made a big play. They travel to Denver this week.
4. New England Patriots, 3-1 (6) – The Pats enjoyed their bye week after thrashing the Dolphins in Miami. They play host to the Ravens this weekend, which is the best game on Sunday. How will New England play without Randy Moss? Picking up Deion Branch helps, but how much is yet to be seen.
5. Atlanta Falcons, 4-1 (7) – Atlanta got a game effort from the Browns in Cleveland, but managed to get another W. The Falcons were balanced, which helps. It also helped to have Jake Delhomme replace the productive Seneca Wallace. Atlanta travels to Philly as a 3 point underdog.
6. Indianapolis Colts, 3-2 (8) – The Colts managed to put away Kansas City late, beating the League’s last undefeated team. Peyton Manning had 0 touchdown passes, which doesn’t happen often. Indy has been up and down, but generally disappointing. They travel to Washington to play an up and coming Redskins team.
7. Chicago Bears, 4-1 (11) – The Bears played a solid game against Carolina, earning an easy win. Jay Cutler is expected to play this week, which helps. Matt Forte is probably the fastest back in the League. The defense is rock solid, especially with Julius Peppers, who beat his former team this past Sunday.
8. Kansas City Chiefs, 3-1 (9) – It had to end sometime. The Chiefs lost, but played well enough in Indy. The offense isn’t great, but they’re good. The defense is very underrated. The Chiefs are still 2 games up in the AFC West. They head to Houston to face a Texans team coming off a butt-whooping by the New York Giants.
9. Green Bay Packers, 3-2 (5) – No team in the NFL has been riddled with injuries like the Green Bay Packers. Now Aaron Rodgers’ is uncertain for their game against Miami, thanks to a concussion suffered at Washington. The once-popular Super Bowl pick looks like it’ll be lucky to make the playoffs, if they can still field a team.
10. Philadelphia Eagles, 3-2 (16) – Even without Michael Vick, the Eagles managed to win at San Francisco. Kevin Kolb played impressively. Philly has a tough match-up this weekend as they host the Atlanta Falcons. Vick is questionable, so don’t be surprised to Kolb make another start.
11. Tennessee Titans, 3-2 (18) – The Titans bounced back from a home loss to the Broncos with a big win in Big D. Tennessee is a very physical team. The AFC is loaded this year, and don’t forget about the Titans. They’re good enough to beat anyone.
12. New Orleans Saints, 3-2 (4) – What happened to the Saints? The defending champs aren’t playing like the best team in the NFL, NFC, or even the NFC South. They lost to Max Hall and the Arizona Cardinals, thanks to 3 Drew Brees interceptions. They’ll try to right the ship against the upstart Bucs in Tampa Bay.
13. New York Giants, 3-2 (20) – The Giants looked impressive in their domination of the Texans in Houston. The offense is decent, and the defense has been spectacular as of late. They should keep rolling this Sunday when they host the Detroit Lions. Tom Coughlin’s job seems much more secure now than it did a few weeks ago.
14. Washington Redskins, 3-2 (19) – Washington managed to fend off the Packers at home in overtime. Donovan McNabb is still a great quarterback, but he’s going to need some help from a running game. The ‘Skins are headed in the right direction, but they have to deal with Peyton Manning and the Colts this Sunday.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3-1 (21) – The Bucs came out of their bye with an important road win at Cincy. Tampa Bay is trying to establish itself, and winning against the Bengals is a good step. Josh Freeman is developing into a productive NFL quarterback.
16. Houston Texans, 3-2 (10) – Arian Foster was held in check, Matt Schaub didn’t do much, and the Texans got smoked at home against the Giants. But they’re still 3-2, and teams would be wise not to sleep on the Texans. They welcome the Chiefs to Houston this Sunday as 3 ½ point favorites.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-2 (22) – The rollercoaster that is the Jacksonville Jaguars kept going up last week with a win over the Bills. It’s just a matter of time before it comes back down. They host the Titans on Monday night as a 3 point underdog.
18. Arizona Cardinals, 3-2 (25) – The Cardinals earned a huge win over the defending champion Saints. Even with rookie Max Hall playing under center, Arizona found a way to win. The way they won was by playing great defense. A late pick 6 off Drew Brees sealed the deal.
19. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-3 (12) – Add the Bengals to the list of underperforming teams. The offense has the weapons to be one of the best in the League, but Carson Palmer has struggled, which hasn’t allowed the ground game to get going. On the bright side, Terrell Owens is starting to come alive. They can lick their wounds over the bye this week.
20. San Diego Chargers, 2-3 (13) – The Chargers’ special teams has to be the worst in the NFL. Two blocked punts led to a loss at lowly Oakland. Sometime, San Diego has to figure out how to win on the road. They’ll get another great chance this week as they head to St. Louis to take on the Rams.
21. Minnesota Vikings, 1-3 (14) – The Vikes were awful for 2 ½ quarters, then came alive and nearly stole a win from the Jets in New York. Brett Favre’s elbow is reason for concern, but so is his inability to hit open receivers. Minnesota gets a fellow disappointing team at home this Sunday when they host the Dallas Cowboys.
22. Dallas Cowboys, 1-3 (15) – The Cowboys battled back against Tennessee, but couldn’t find a way to shut down the Titans’ offense. Problems are mounting in the Big D. Jerry Jones says Wade Phillips’ job is safe. If the team doesn’t get it together, that might change.
23. Denver Broncos, 2-3 (17) – The Broncos were run over by the Baltimore Ravens. Denver had a tough time with Baltimore’s defense, too. Not having Knowshon Moreno is starting to take a toll. The schedule gets worse before it gets better. The Broncos host the Jets as 3 point underdogs.
24. Miami Dolphins, 2-2 (23) – The Dolphins had to be happy to get their bye week; things have been going south in Miami. They host the Packers in a game that hasn’t been lined due to Aaron Rodgers’ uncertainty. Like the Chargers, the Dolphins’ special teams need to stop making mistakes.
25. Seattle Seahawks, 2-2 (24) – Seattle limped into their bye week after getting trounced by the Rams in Seattle. The Seahawks are tough at home, but terrible on the road. They have to go to the Windy City to battle the Bears this weekend, which probably means trouble. The Bears opened as 6 ½ point favorites.
26. Oakland Raiders, 2-3 (27) – The Silver and Black found a way to win for a change. The Raiders’ special teams played a pivotal role in beating San Diego. Oakland blocked 2 Charger punts. Darren McFadden was on the shelf, but Michael Bush had a nice game. The Raiders head across the Bay to take on the Niners in a rivalry game.
27. St. Louis Rams, 2-3 (26) – The Rams’ 2 game winning streak ended abruptly in Detroit. The Rams got rolled by the Lions. They’re getting better, but still have a long ways to go. They have an interesting home game against San Diego this Sunday.
28. Cleveland Browns, 1-4 (28) – Cleveland had the Falcons on the ropes, but couldn’t get the job done. The word is that Colt McCoy will start this week in Pittsburgh. That is a recipe for disaster.
29. Detroit Lions, 1-4 (31) – The Lions got their first win in a laugher against the Rams this past Sunday. It was only a matter of time before Detroit broke into the win column. Even though they’re 1-4, the Lions seem like they’re starting to get a good nucleus of players.
30. San Francisco 49ers, 0-5 (29) – The Niners lost again, and somehow don’t seem to be out of the playoff picture. The NFC West is one of the worst divisions in the history of the NFL. Alex Smith needs to start getting Ws or he’s going to be looking for a new city to call home. The defense was disappointing against the Eagles. San Fran will try to right the ship against Oakland this week in the Battle of the Bay.
31. Carolina Panthers, 0-5 (30) – If not for the Bills, the Panthers would be the worst team in the NFL. Not much is going right in Carolina. The defense isn’t bad, but not as good as they’ve been in past years. The offense is just awful. Remember when the Panthers could run the ball? Seems like a long time ago. John Fox might be on the hot seat.
32. Buffalo Bills, 0-5 (32) – The Bills lose again. Many people thought they had a chance to beat the Jags at home, but maybe it wasn’t cold enough. Once there’s snow on the ground to level the talent pool, Buffalo will have a better shot at getting a win. Until then, the Bills trudge on.
