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Another NFL week in the books, another personnel movement. The Cleveland Browns traded their talented, but stone-handed, receiver (Braylon Edwards) to the New York Jets for a couple of their average players and a couple draft picks. Now the Browns are the only NFL franchise absolutely void of an offensive play-maker (unlike the Redskins, who only play-call like they are). On to the rankings.

High Riser: Bengals, Browns and Seahawks (5)

Low Faller: Bills (6)

1. New Orleans Saints- record: 4-0 (rank last week (1): Bye Week)

It's nice that the Saints' have learned to play some defense, but touchdown passes from Brees will ALWAYS be their bread and butter.

2. New York Giants- record: 5-0 (rank last week (2): defeated Raiders, 44-7)

The Giants are finally finished with their three game-scrimmages. Now it's time for their real test in New Orleans.

3. Indianapolis Colts- record: 5-0 (rank last week (3): defeated Titans, 31-9)

Rookie receiver Austin Collie had his coming out party against an over-matched Titans' secondary.

4. Minnesota Vikings- record: 5-0 (rank last week (4): defeated Rams, 33-10)

Has any defensive player had a better three-week stretch than Jared Allen???

5. Denver Broncos- record: 5-0 (rank last week (5): defeated Patriots, 20-17)

In the battle between the teacher and the pupil, the pupil wins.

6. Atlanta Falcons- record: 3-1 (rank last week (9): defeated 49ers, 45-10)

There was a reported Roddy White sighting, and not a moment too soon! I was beginning to give up hope (fantasy football-wise).

7. Chicago Bears- record: 3-1 (rank last week (7): Bye Week)

Maybe the Bears will be more of a match for the Falcons this Sunday. They better be, since the game is on primetime.

8. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 3-1(rank last week (11): defeated Bucs, 33-14)

McNabb was on fire early and often. Remember when scoring this many points against the Bucs was impressive?

9. New England Patriots- record: 3-2 (rank last week (6): lost to Broncos, 17-20)

OMG, the Patriots actually self-destruct??? Isn't that a violation of some NFL bylaw or something???

10. Cincinnati Bengals- record: 4-1 (rank last week (15): defeated Ravens, 17-14)

The Cardiac Cats have done it again!

11. Baltimore Ravens- record: 3-2 (rank last week (8): lost to Bengals, 14-17)

Second straight loss, and with the red-hot Vikings and Broncos coming up, no less. This could get ugly FAST!

12. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 3-2 (rank last week (13): defeated Lions, 28-20)

The defense stepped up big time on the final drive with three consecutive sacks.

13. Dallas Cowboys- record: 3-2 (rank last week (14): defeated Chiefs, 26-20 OT)

<sarcasm alert> It took a career day from the great Dallas receiver Miles Austin and overtime to beat the mighty Chiefs!

14. New York Jets- record: 3-2 (rank last week (10): lost to Dolphins, 27-31)

The Jets obviously was not ready for the Jumbo Wildcat formation...or Chad Henne.

15. San Diego Chargers- record: 2-2 (rank last week (16): Bye Week)

The Chargers come out of their bye week already 2 ?? games behind the Broncos. Maybe they are hoping for a collapse similar to last season...

16. San Francisco 49ers- record: 3-2 (rank last week (12): lost to Falcons, 10-45)

Another team in need of their upcoming bye week...and Frank Gore.

17. Arizona Cardinals- record: 2-2 (rank last week (17): defeated Texans, 28-21)

Nice to see the Cardinals offense finally show up.

18. Green Bay Packers- record: 2-2 (rank last week (20): Bye Week)

The Packers should move up this list soon considering their upcoming opponents (Lions, @ Browns).

19. Houston Texans- record: 2-3 (rank last week (19): lost to Cardinals, 21-28)

Matt Schaub put up monster numbers in the second half of the game, and then threw a monster interception.

20. Seattle Seahawks- record: 2-3 (rank last week (25): defeated Jags, 42-0)

What a difference a Hasselbeck makes.  

21. Miami Dolphins- record: 2-3 (rank last week (21): defeated Jets, 31-27)

As impressive as their primetime win was, more impressive will be that with Chad Henne they may no longer need to gimmick their way to victories.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 2-3 (rank last week (18): lost to Seahawks, 0-41)

That'll show Mike Sims-Walker!!!

23. Carolina Panthers- record: 1-3 (rank last week (26): defeated Redskins, 20-17)

I did call this game last week, even though they DID nearly screw this up.

24. Detroit Lions- record: 1-4 (rank last week (27): lost to Steelers, 20-28)

How does a team lose and move up three spots? Their winless season is old news. At least the Lions are somewhat competitive now. Have you seen any of the below teams play???

25. Washington Redskins- record: 2-3 (rank last week (22): lost to Panthers, 17-20)

The Redskins seem to be on a loss, win, loss pattern. That means they are scheduled for a win against the next team on this list...

26. Kansas City Chiefs- record: 0-5 (rank last week (29): lost to Cowboys, 20-26 OT)

...who will be facing their fourth (and final) consecutive NFC East team. Who made this schedule anyways???

27. Cleveland Browns- record: 1-4 (rank last week (32): defeated Bills, 6-3)

I believe the Cleveland Indians have a higher scoring per game average than the Browns.

28. Tennessee Titans- record: 0-5 (rank last week (24): lost to Colts, 9-31)

I watched this entire game, and the score is closer than it should have been.

29. Buffalo Bills- record: 1-4 (rank last week (23): lost to Browns, 3-6)

I did not watch this game. I was busy watching paint dry.  

30. Oakland Raiders- record: 1-4 (rank last week (28): lost to Giants, 7-44)

What are the most completions JaMarcus Russell has in an NFL game, like 10???

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 0-5 (rank last week (30): lost to Eagles, 14-33)

Heck, Josh Johnson (who?) has completed more passes the last two games than Russell has completed ALL of last year.

32. St. Louis Rams- record: 0-5 (rank last week (31): lost to Vikings, 10-38)

I have a feeling that Marc Bulger will get the starting nod @ Jacksonville.

 

Five Notes From Week Five:

1. There may be a reported mutiny within the Redskins organization with a player reportedly blaming the owner, Dan Synder, for the state of the franchise. Talk about stating the obvious. But it is interesting for such a statement coming from a player that Synder signs checks for. Stay tuned.

2. Has any team ever completed just TWO passes (prior to this pass Sunday) and still win their game??? Please someone, anyone, let me know.

3. I was able to watch the final minutes of the Broncos - Patriots game, thanks to bonus coverage, and the ending was definitely exciting (or at least as exciting as a game I do not care about personally came be). And Josh McDaniel's reaction at the end of the game was priceless. One would have thought the Broncos had just won the Super Bowl.

4. I am ready to crown Steve Smith (of the Giants) as a prime player, but not Miles Austin. Both Giants and Cowboys have lost their biggest receiving playmakers from last season, and both offenses are still humming along. Maybe the receiver position will go the way of the running back position, with no clear star but a lot of solid contributors.

5. My preseason pick for worst to first, the Bengals, are right on track. They have already defeated the two divisional bullies; Steelers and Ravens. The Bengals now have the Texans and Bears to deal with before their bye.