FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Teams on the top:

#1 Colts (5-0) (I can't rank unbeaten SB defenders anything less than #1 until someone steps up and hands them an "L")

#2 Pats (5-0) (Playing very well, masking any weaknesses, putting up tons of points, playing abusive defense, still undefeated)

#3 Cowboys (4-0) (Playing very well, better each week defensively, still some secondary concerns and special teams weakness, still undefeated)

Serious Contenders:

#5 (tie) Redskins and Packers (3-1/4-1) (Both playing great defense, but doing it a bit differently, both losses were bitter rivals at the last possible second, both are growing offensively every week and learning new systems, packers are younger and may take longer to progress and hence might slip in ranking regardless of record in the future)

#6 Steelers (4-1) (Playing good defense and offense, but doing so inconsistently, I don't like the way they played in the lost to Arizona last week at all, play calling is a little suspect and the running game seems to be regressing a little in the past two games in terms of consistency, still have probably the best potential if they can overcome some injuries and get the dominance back into their running game)

#7 (tie)  Titans, Jaguars, Bucs, Giants (3-1/3-1/3-2/3-2) (Titans are playing great defense, but not really playing consistent offense, they have potential but need to improve offensive chemistry between QB and WR before they can rise up to the next level. Jacksonville is an enigma, but the defense is stepping up and MJD is scary if they can commit to using him more; Tampa is playing better defense than anyone in the NFC South, but need to step up the offensive production, they have had a tough early schedule too so they may be stunted by that; Giants are finally getting pressure on the QB and playing pretty darn good offense as they battle through some injuries, they should step up and make the NFC East a tough fight with Dallas and DC)

#8+ Everybody else!  (San Diego is trying to stand out, but one game is not impressing me, particularly against a notoriously inconsistent team like the Broncos.  Arizona sets themselves apart from the rest in terms of defense, and may grow up on offense now that Warner will be the starter with Leinart hurt.  The rest of the teams are all struggling as they appear to be teams set out to feed the top 5 or 6 teams with wins.  Philly has potential to climb out, but they have only had one good game and that was against a top-5 poorest defense (detroit) and allowed 432 offensive yards in that win, I'm not seeing a consistent improvement and the team lacks offensive weapons with the only consistent offensive player (westbrook) temporarily out.)