(I’m right behind you, little brother.)
We learn something new every week. And quite frankly, as entertaining and enlightening as it has become, I’m almost sick of saying it. It’s like we’re back in the second grade. Everything is new, evolving, bright, and shining. The simplest of things can send us into awe these days, like the Eagles dominating the lowly Buccaneers, the Panthers actually winning a game, and Derek Anderson passing for only 23 yards in a complete game.
But even more amazing is how the NFL has five undefeated teams, four of which have 5-0 records after five games. And despite their best efforts, there are still four teams that have yet to win a game.
All we know for now (for sure, anyways), is that the Manning brothers have been flawless, Brett Favre isn’t ready to fade just yet, and these Denver Broncos, as ugly as things may appear at times, are very much for real.
Read on to see who makes the top five, and then check to see where everyone else fits in:
1. New York Giants (5-0)
Just as expected, they only needed Eli Manning for a half to destroy the Raiders. And if they need him in a pinch, they also found out that David Carr isn’t too bad.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0)
Make that five straight games of 300+ passing yards for Peyton Manning. All would-be records aside, this is one heck of an offense. Can they be stopped?
3. New Orleans Saints (4-0)
Good thing they had their bye this week. They’ll need all the time they can get to plan for that Giants defensive line.
4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Brett Favre can manage the game, or he can win it for you. This team can grind it out, or they can blow you out. What can’t they do?
5. Denver Broncos (5-0)
With a win over Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels finally cemented himself in as a genius. Looks like I was wrong about that whole Jay Cutler thing. Heck of a job by the rookie coach.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
Okay, so they’re 3-0 against teams with a combined 1-13 record. They’re good, sure, but they have to beat someone that’s actually competitive.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)
Can you believe that Carson Palmer called this? This team may not be lights-out, but they sure know how to buckle down at the end of games and get the job done.
8. Chicago Bears (3-1)
The bye week allowed Devin Hester to rest-up and let this offensive line reflect on their great performance in the run game last week. Too bad they can’t face the Lions every week.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
They took care of business on the road, and got back above .500. Sure, it was the Lions, but that’s never easy when you’re facing the possibility of going 2-3.
10. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
Is it time to panic, already? Everyone has been talking the offense up so much, it seems we’re forgetting to mention just how average this Rex Ryan-less defense looks.
11. New York Jets (3-2)
That aggressive Jets defense is starting to fade. This was a playoff team two weeks ago, and now they’re starting to look like an average team led by a rookie quarterback. That rush offense needs to pick up the slack, and fast.
12. New England Patriots (3-2)
What’s up with Bill Belichick? He must be losing it. Make that 0-2 against bitter rivals or former students.
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)
Matty Ice looked on top of his game, while Roddy White and Michael Turner reminded the league why this team was a pre-season Super Bowl contender. News flash: they still are.
14. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
True, most of the work was done by Miles Austin, but you can also credit Romo for coming through in the clutch. That would have been a tough loss to swallow. Perseverance is a sign of a team that holds potential greatness.
15. San Diego Chargers (2-2)
This team has endured two tough losses to the AFC North. They need to steal the next two to get their mojo back. In the mean time, they can’t allow themselves to fall three games behind Denver on Monday Night.
16. San Francisco 49ers (3-2)
Don’t you wish you could be in the locker room when Mike Singletary rips into his team after that 45-10 crushing by the Falcons? That was just a sad, sorry effort on both sides of the ball.
17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
Don’t count them out, just yet. Kurt Warner still isn’t going down-field, and the ground game is still stagnant, but there’s a lot of life to be had in this offense.
18. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
The Packers re-signed tackle Mark Tauscher. Problem solved, right? Aaron Rodgers better hope so.
19. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)
As it turns out, this offense could be one of the better ones in the league. It was as simple as them missing their leader behind the center, Mr. Clean.
20. Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The Wildcat is alive and well, and we’re starting to discover that Chad Henne is a lot more polished than we ever thought. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are absolutely deadly together when everything is clicking.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)
We all knew the Seahawks’ defense had the potential to be solid, but to allow a shut-out? What a change of direction by an offense that many felt was beginning to appear dominant.
22. Houston Texans (2-3)
The offense and defense both flash greatness in spurts, but both have come up short late in games this season. They still have time to get on the same page, as they’re extremely fortunate to be sitting in second place with Jacksonville.
23. Carolina Panthers (1-3)
It looks like a nice dose of the Washington Redskins is all Carolina needed to get them going in the right direction again. Now, if only they could build some momentum.
24. Washington Redskins (2-3)
What’s the week everyone is putting money down on that Jim Zorn loses his job?
25. Buffalo Bills (1-4)
See: Washington Redskins.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-5)
No, Jeff Fisher, it wouldn’t be giving up, and no, it’s not too early. Kerry Collins may not be the “problem”, but when you haven’t won a game, he clearly isn’t the solution, either. It’s time to give it one more go with Vince Young.
27. Detroit Lions (1-4)
Daunte Culpepper had a decent showing in place of the injured Matthew Stafford, and this game was actually competitive. This Lions team may not have a killer instinct yet, but they sure have heart.
28. Oakland Raiders (1-4)
After reading countless articles about how it’s not Jamarcus Russell’s fault, I just laugh. I’m wondering if the writers of those articles watched week five’s game.
29. Cleveland Browns (1-4)
Derek Anderson has the worst game of his life, and the Browns win their first game of the season? Hey, whatever gets Eric Mangini that first win, right?
30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-5)
Kudos to Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe for their clutch play, and to Todd Haley for calling a heck of a game. Too bad they lost all their momentum in overtime and didn’t have an answer (at all) for Miles Austin.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)
You could argue that Josh Johnson has the potential to be this team’s franchise quarterback. At the very least, he earned another couple of games to prove himself before Raheem Morris turns to rookie Josh Freeman.
32. St. Louis Rams (0-5)
They moved the ball quite well, but turned back into the St. Louis Rams inside the 20. Marc Bulger is ready to return as the starter for their next game, which carries the potential of scoring two touchdowns. Maybe.
