We are now down to two undefeated teams (Giants and Titans) and four winless teams (Texans, Rams, Bengals and Lions). We are still a long way away in deciding who will be left to contend, but it's safe to say it will not be the Texans, Rams, Bengals or Lions (it's just a hunch).
1. New York Giants- record: 4-0 (rank last week (2): defeated Seahawks, 44-6)
In hindsight, they probably should have been in the top spot for the last couple of weeks. No matter who is missing, this team seems to also have someone step up. Eli may never be Peyton, but he is officially the real deal!
2. Washington Redskins- record: 4-1 (rank last week (5): defeated Eagles, 23-17)
What do you get when your quarterback plays (literally) mistake-free football, your running game is alive and your defense takes pride in hitting people in the mouth? A number two ranking and makings of a great future rematch of the top teams.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 4-1 (rank last week (4): defeated Jaguars, 26-21)
I love how aggressive their defense is. I hate how weak their offensive line is. Their running backs are dropping like flies, and with the way the O-line is blocking, how much more hits can Big Ben really take???
4. Tennessee Titans- record: 5-0 (rank last week (4): defeated Ravens, 13-10)
Their defense is Super Bowl caliber. Their offense is little league caliber. But then again, so were the 2000 Ravens.
5. Dallas Cowboys- record: 4-1 (rank last week (6): defeated Bengals, 31-22)
Let's see: give the ball to Marion Barber 8 eight times and Felix Jones zero times and lose. Now give the ball to Barber 25 times and Jones 10 times and win. No, T.O., you are NOT the difference-maker on this team.
6. Carolina Panthers- record: 4-1 (rank last week (9): defeated Chiefs, 34-0)
Good teams dominate weaker opponents. Let's see if they can keep this going.
7. Denver Broncos- record: 4-1 (rank last week (15): defeated Bucs, 16-13)
I know dropping this team nine spots last week was harsh, but there is no excuse for a team like this to lose to the Chiefs. When their powerful offense could not produce against a very good defense, their defense finally stepped up. Good team ball!
8. New England Patriots- record: 3-1 (rank last week (13): defeated 49ers)
It was no surprise that the Patriots beat the 49ers after having a bye week to prepare. What was surprising was how LONG it took for Matt Cassel to throw deep to Randy Moss. Will ‘Cassel to Moss' become a weekly phrase now?
9. Buffalo Bills- record: 4-1 (rank last week (1): lost to Arizona, 17-41)
It's not a good thing to give up so many points but they have a bigger concern with the health of Trent Edwards, who was knocked out of the game.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 3-2 (rank last week (7): lost to Broncos, 13-16)
Speaking of quarterback injuries. But in this case, the backup quarterback is probably an UPGRADE.
11. Indianapolis Colts- record: 2-2 (rank last week (12): defeated Texans, 31-27)
Maybe we should put the defensive line on offense, because they open up some of the biggest holes I've ever seen!!!
12. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 2-2 (rank last week (10): lost to Redskins, 17-23)
In a year that McNabb is still standing (so far), Brian Westbrook is hobbling. Can this team EVER get a break?
13. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 2-2 (rank last week (11): lost to Steelers, 21-26)
Well, sometimes a team is the beneficiary of gusty quarterback play and sometimes they are the victim. They should have lost against the Texans and they should have won this game. We'll call it a draw.
14. Chicago Bears- record: 3-2 (rank last week (18): defeated Lions, 34-7)
The latest team to blow out the Lions. Hooray. NEXT!
15. New Orleans Saints- record: 2-3 (rank last week (14): lost to Vikings, 27-30)
Reggie Bush was a one-man show in the second half with two punt returns for touchdowns (would have been three, if the ‘turf monster' did not get him on his second punt return in the 3rd quarter). There is one thing that bothers me about this team, though. For someone who throws for so many yards, Brees does not throw many touchdowns (yes, he IS a starter on my fantasy football squad).
16. San Diego Chargers- record: 2-3 (rank last week (8): lost to Dolphins, 10-17)
Wow, who would have ever thought L.T. could be stopped at the goal line by ANYONE, let alone the Dolphins???
17. New York Jets- record: 2-2 (rank last week (17): bye)
If Favre can throw 6 touchdowns against the Cardinals, he has to be licking his chops waiting for the Bongals!
18. Arizona Cardinals- record: 3-2 (rank last week (21): defeated Bills, 17-41)
It was nice for the defense to show up for this game. The offense was never the problem!
19. Miami Dolphins- record 2-2 (rank last week (22): defeated the Chargers, 17-10)
Speaking of defense, I thought this unit was supposed to be a weakness after the departure of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas???
20. Atlanta Falcons- record 3-2 (rank last week (27): defeated Packers, 27-24)
I even said last week that I expected them to be competitive against the struggling Packers. Looks like Mike Smith is ahead of the rebuilding curb.
21. Minnesota Vikings- record: 2-3 (rank last week (24): defeated Saints, 30-21)
The defense played reasonably ok, but what is up with their punt coverage???
22. Green Bay Packers- record: 2-3 (rank last week (16): lost to Falcons, 24-27)
Is a three game losing streak a cause for concern? In this conference, I'd say YES. And if they lose to the Seahawks next week, consider their season OVER!
23. Cleveland Browns- record: 1-3 (rank last week (22): bye)
How many snaps do you suppose Brady Quinn took with the first team during their bye week???
24. Baltimore Ravens- record: 2-2 (rank last week (19): lost to Titans, 10-13)
This team is under the Browns because I do not move teams, up or down, during their bye week. Of course, if they had WON their game, this would not be an issue.
25. San Francisco 49ers- record 2-3 (rank last week (26): lost to Patriots, 21-30)
They put up a decent fight against a better team. What more could you ask, really?
26. Kansas City Chiefs- record 1-4 (rank last week (25): lost to Panthers, 0-34)
Well, at least they are not winless.
27. Cincinnati Bengals- record 0-5 (rank last week (30): lost to Cowboys, 22-31)
This team has officially tapped out. Sad.
28. Seattle Seahawks- record: 1-3 (rank last week (20): lost to Giants, 6-44)
They are below the Bengals because the Bengals at least put up a fight.
29. Oakland Raiders- record: 1-3 (rank last week (29): bye)
Well, at least no one got fired this week. No one that I know of, anyways.
30. Houston Texans- record 0-4 (rank last week (28): lost to Colts, 27-31)
Do they even WANT to win???
31. St. Louis Rams- record 0-4 (rank last week (31): bye)
We already know the answer to that question here.
32. Detroit Lions- record 0-4 (rank last week (32): lost to Bears, 7-34)
DITTO!!!
Five notes from week five:
1. There has to be a fine line between doing too much and being reckless. Then there is Rosenfel. Being a Colts' fan (a TRUE Colts' fan that, by the way, NEVER turned from the game), I want to thank him for single-handedly saving our season!!! I used to admire John Elway and Randall Cunningham for leaping over defenders for extra yards and touchdowns. But they usually did it to get back into the game, NOT when they are up double-digits late in the fourth quarter. You may feel sorry for Rosenfel, but I feel sorry for the 52 players that watched a sure win slip away, again. Actually, I don't feel sorry for any of them! GO COLTS!!!
2. Speaking of the Colts', who do I have to protest to for us to get a couple of TRUE defensive tackles in there! Enough of these 250 pound lightweights we have in there. They may be quick, but they are quickly being pushed aside by EVERYONE.
3. On the other hand, forcing three turnovers and scoring one touchdown in half a quarter is impressive by any standards. The Colts' defense has talent, they just need meat up front. Enough said.
4. Since it's obvious the Colts' offensive line cannot keep defenders off of Peyton, the Colts need to go to the no-huddle offense the entire game, and why not. With teams running the ball and controlling the clock, the Colts have fewer possessions than most teams in the league, anyways. And the no-huddle seems to be the only time Peyton has time to throw.
5. Since I'm talking about Mannings, Eli is playing in front of what may be the best offensive line in the league. He is not sacked often and their running backs (mainly Jacobs) are running wild. This team is for real.


Jarah Mariano
Lucia Dvorska



Comments (4) Add A Comment
The Packers drop 6 spots because of a 3-point loss to an evenly ranked team?
PackersLP21
Titletown, WI
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Don't think so.
PackersLP21
Titletown, WI
Total Comments (14517)
30) Rams
31) Texans
PackersLP21
Titletown, WI
Total Comments (14517)
Comment
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