While few games lived-up to their hype, we were blessed with a classic game between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots on Sunday, while getting the chance to watch history between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Still, when it’s all said and done, there are five teams who are undefeated after four games, and all of those teams have taken different journeys.
Read on to see who makes the top five, and then check to see where everyone else fits in:
1. New York Giants (4-0)
Their running game wasn’t lights-out, but it definitely didn’t have any troubles with Kansas City’s defensive line. This Eli Manning-to-Steve Smith combination is really heating up.
2. New Orleans Saints (4-0)
Make that two straight games won by the excellent run offense and great defense. Boy, they really made Mark Sanchez look like a rookie.
3. Indianapolis Colts (4-0)
Peyton Manning is far and away from simply having his offense clicking on all cylinders. Four straight 300+ yard passing games to start the season? Yeah, Manning looks comfortable.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
This was more than just Brett Favre getting revenge on his old team. It’s now official: This team can win either on the ground or through the air. And can we all finally agree that Jared Allen is the best defensive end in football?
5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
Is it just me, or did New England’s defense just give Baltimore a tutorial on how to stop a game-winning drive?
6. New York Jets (3-1)
Mark Sanchez waited three weeks to show us how bad he can play. But was it really on him, or were the Saints just that good?
7. New England Patriots (3-1)
Their lone loss showed that the Jets could compete. But their wins are saying even more. Too many people are making the mistake of thinking their offense isn’t doing things the right way. They might not touch 2007 again, but they move the chains, just fine.
8. Denver Broncos (4-0)
You can talk-down the Cowboys win all you want, but at some point you need to look past the opponents and say, “Hey, this team is undefeated”.
9. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
A week after getting burned by some Brett Favre-magic, they pitch a shut-out? I don’t care if it was the Rams. That’s the sign of a determined and well-coached team. Tell me they aren’t a lock for this division.
10. Chicago Bears (3-1)
One bad Jay Cutler performance, combined with the loss of Brian Urlacher, and the Bears season was over, right? Not so fast. Three straight wins, and these Bears could be looking at a tie for first place if Minnesota loses on Monday night.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Their defense continues to miss Troy Polamalu, but that offense is absolutely clicking right now. Take their two close losses away, and this is still one heck of a football team.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Getting Donovan McNabb, Kevin Curtis, and Brian Westbrook all back and at full speed could make this offense finally show-off what it has to offer. A lot of people are sleeping on this team, but don’t forget, they can still win this division.
13. San Diego Chargers (2-2)
They couldn’t get the run game going. I get that, but to not even give Darren Sproles a chance? They were 2-1 for a reason, and giving a stud like Sproles once touch per game was not it.
14. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
The Falcons will take their bye to find solace in the fact that their only loss came against a solid 3-1 Patriots team. But now they have to stay stride-for-stride with New Orleans.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
What’s more telling? That this team persevered and fought it’s way to 3-1, or that it needed overtime to get past the Cleveland Browns.
16. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
This is why Jerry Jone has to constantly defend Tony Romo. He gets chance after chance, and he simply cannot come through in the clutch.
17. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
You can talk about Aaron Rodger’s gutsy play and the Packers mini-comeback all you want, but if that offensive line doesn’t get better real fast, this team is doomed.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
They can run, they can pass, and while it was against a winless team, they can even play a little defense. That connection between David Garrard and Mike Sims-Walker was something special.
19. Houston Texans (2-2)
Steve Slaton broke-out when Houston needed him most, as their passing offense struggled, throughout. Hand it to that defense, though, for stepping-up and shutting down the Raiders rush attack.
20. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
I know the Colts are good, but they were missing three key starters on defense, and Kurt Warner simply couldn’t take advantage. It’s only a matter of time before the on-field issues start messing with the make-up in the locker room.
21. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
This bashing of the Bills shows that Chad Henne isn’t “like a rookie”, and that the Wildcat isn’t quite dead in Miami. They play in a tough division and conference, but this team isn’t quite dead yet.
22. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
They ran into an insanely hot Colts offense, and a defense that few people have yet to give the credit they’re due. Seattle gets Matt Hasselbeck back for their next match-up, and we’ve yet to see this team’s true identity.
23. Washington Redskins (2-2)
Make that two wins the Redskins have stumbled upon and didn’t quite deserve. Clinton Portis was the only player on offense making any sense for the first three quarters. If only Jason Campbell could play all game like he plays in the fourth quarter.
24. Buffalo Bills (1-3)
Was Marshawn Lynch’s return that much of a distraction, or is this a sign Trent Edwards no longer has any self-confidence? We’re starting to find out how shaky this defense is, as well.
25. Tennessee Titans (0-4)
They could have gotten a mulligan for any one of their first three losses. But losing to a Jacksonville team like this? We know the Jaguars aren’t a powerhouse, but on that same note, we’re finally seeing just how vulnerable the Titans truly are.
26. Oakland Raiders (1-3)
Darren McFadden simply did not show up against what was hyped-up as one of the league’s worst run defenses. On that same note, it never fails to amaze me at just how bad Jamarcus Russell can play. Al Davis needs to switch this team’s direction at quarterback as soon as possible.
27. Carolina Panthers (0-3)
Cue the count-down until Jake Delhomme is benched.
28. Detroit Lions (1-3)
They ran into a hot Bears team, but still hung with them until the fourth quarter. Jim Schwartz has to feel good about what he’s seeing from Matthew Stafford.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)
Getting Antonio Bryant helped the passing game a bit, and while it was only in spurts, that Josh Johnson kid showed us that Josh Freeman’s first start could be further away than we think.
30. Cleveland Browns (0-4)
They didn’t win, but Derek Anderson showed how far this offense can go when the right guy is behind center. I wasn’t buying the hype that he could make a difference, but it’s clear the shots he takes down the field stretch the defense.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)
Matt Cassel continues to display the lack of leadership and experience that many experts were afraid of. He doesn’t have a ton of supporting talent and he was up against the Giants, but he has to show more than this.
32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)
It appears that offensive spark Kyle Boller provided in week three was a mirage. That, or they just ran into the most under-rated defense in the NFC.
