Here’s how I see things 1-32 in the NFL after four weeks.
1. New York Giants (4-0)
The Giants have the deepest collection of depth in the entire league. GM Jerry Reese did an outstanding job adding defensive depth this offseason and it’s paying off following injuries to Kenny Phillips, Chris Canty and Michael Boley. Eli Manning’s foot injury is a concern, but the G-Men look as good as anyone in the league right now.
2. New Orleans Saints (4-0)
Thanks to Darren Sharper and new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Saints finally have the D to match their explosive offense. Teams are going to find it hard playing inside the Superdome all season.
3. Indianapolis Colts (4-0)
Peyton Manning is playing up to his Pro Bowl-caliber self and the defense looks faster and more aggressive under new coordinator Larry Coyer. Indy is currently the team to beat in the AFC.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
The Vikings look great so far this season, but the theme all year is going to be whether or not Brett Favre can stay healthy. Last night the Packers took away Adrian Peterson and Favre beat them with some amazing throws. But he also faced zero rush and teams aren’t going to give him that kind of time every week.
5. New York Jets (3-1)
It’s not surprising that a team finally made Mark Sanchez look like a rookie because it was bound to happen. What he does next will determine how good this kid will be and whether or not he can lead the Jets to the playoffs.
6. New England Patriots (3-1)
Something still seems off with the Patriots, but they have a great opportunity over the next couple weeks to rack up three more wins before their bye. Their defense still has holes and they’ve benefited from some questionable calls, but give Bill Belichick and Tom Brady credit for finding a way to get to 3-1 after a lackluster start.
7. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
A couple of calls didn’t go their way on Sunday, but that’s no excuse for Baltimore’s receivers to drop two key passes in the red zone with the game on the line. This is still a very good football team, but the Ravens cost themselves an opportunity to stay undefeated last week.
8. Denver Broncos (4-0)
The Broncos’ offense is still a work in progress, but Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno are a form a nice duo in the running game, the offensive line is solid and Brandon Marshall is a weapon. As long as the defense continues to play as well as it has, the Broncos should overcome their limitations on offense.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Is Rashard Mendenhall the key to what ails the Pittsburgh running game? If he is, the defending champs are going to be tough to beat from here on out. The offensive line played great against San Diego on Sunday night.
10. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
Hopefully over the bye, Mike Smith fixed some of the Falcons’ defensive issues that were on display in New England two weeks ago. This team needs to do a better job of applying pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run or else they’re going to continue to have problems against elite teams. Michael Turner and the running game need to get going as well so that Matt Ryan can benefit from a balanced attack.
11. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
We’re going to learn a lot about Mike Singletary’s team this Sunday when they play a Falcons team coming off a bye. The defense has been outstanding, but the offense had things too easy against a brutal St. Louis team. It’ll be interesting to see how the Niners fair against Atlatna without Frank Gore.
12. Chicago Bears (3-1)
The Bears still have issues in their secondary and injuries have ransacked their linebacker corps. But if Matt Forte can get going, Chicago finally has an offense that can compete with anyone on Sundays.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Man, do the Eagles have a gracious schedule or what? They opened against Carolina, hosted Kansas City in Week 3 (after facing a tough New Orleans team in Week 2), will host Tampa Bay this Sunday and then are at Oakland and Washington before taking on the Giants in Week 8. Donovan McNabb has a couple of great matchups to get healthy again.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
The Bengals didn’t look great against the Browns, but that was more because they turned the ball over then because of definiteness on either side of the ball. Cincinnati’s defense is underrated and with a healthy Carson Palmer back under center, the Bengals should be competitive all season.
15. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
This team has major issues on its offensive line. Injuries continue to pile up and Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have any time to make plays. If the O-line can get healthy, Green Bay will compete. If not, my preseason sleeper will continue to fall.
16. San Diego Chargers (2-2)
I know they made a game of it in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, but for the most part the Bolts got their ass kicked in all phases of the game. The offense can score at will, but the running game has disappeared and there is little fight in the defense. Norv Turner has his work cut out for him.
17. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
The defense is starting to come together after a rough start, but Tony Romo and the offense has regressed the past two weeks.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
The Jaguars are starting to look like the improved team I thought they would be at the start of the year. They have a solid quarterback, a great running back and an improved O-line. Can the defense hold up though?
19. Houston Texans (2-2)
I still don’t know what to make of the Texans, who are one of the more maddening teams in the league. One week they look like a playoff team, then the next they’re losing at home to the Jaguars. The offense as the ability to be real good, but the defense is having trouble stopping every team not named the Raiders.
20. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The Cardinals had a week to stew over their loss to the Colts and figure out where their holes are. Kurt Warner needs to throw the ball vertically more if this team wants to resemble the one that went to the Super Bowl last year and the ground game still needs work.
21. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
Miami has one of the better running games in the league and the defense is still solid. All they need to be competitive is for Chad Henne to limit the mistakes and not turn the ball over like he did against Buffalo.
22. Washington Redskins (2-2)
Jason Campbell has the tools to succeed in this league, but he’s got to get his team into the end zone when they reach the red zone. Either that, or Jim Zorn needs to get more aggressive in his play calling.
23. Tennessee Titans (0-4)
It’s safe to stick a fork in the Titans, because they’re done. Their front seven is fine, but their secondary is horrible and it’s allowing teams to build sizable first quarter leads. Peyton Manning should rip this team apart on Sunday night.
24. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
It’s unfair to judge Seattle with Seneca Wallace under center, because they’re just a completely different team.
25. Carolina Panthers (0-3)
Thank goodness for the Bucs, or else the Panthers were definitely on a first-to-last mission this season.
26. Detroit Lions (1-3)
I like the Lions – especially Matthew Stafford. Hopefully his knee injury isn’t serious and he can return to the field soon, because Daunte Culpepper just can’t compete anymore. (As well as their defense)
27. Buffalo Bills (1-3)
The Bills no-huddle attack looked good in the first two weeks but now it looks like a dud. Why take a chance on T.O. this offseason if you’re not going to find ways to get him the ball? I understand he’s dropped a couple of key passes this year, but he’s always dropped passes and teams have still figured out ways to use his talents.
28. Cleveland Browns (0-4)
The Browns showed some fight for the first time on Sunday, but just couldn’t pull out a win against the Bengals. The offense looks more efficient with Derek Anderson under center, but how will Braylon Edwards’ recent off-field incident affect this team? If nothing else, hopefully rookie Mohamed Massaquoi can step up like he did last Sunday and give Anderson a weapon.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)
It’s going to take some time for this team to adjust to the new 3-4 scheme. They just don’t have the personnel currently on the roster.
30. Oakland Raiders (1-3)
You know, the defense isn’t that bad. But the offense still looks bad under JaMarcus Russell’s guidance and Darren McFadden can’t stay healthy..
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)
Raheem Morris will need another offseason to build the team he wants, but in the mean time he needs to figure out how to win a couple games.
32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)
The Rams are quickly becoming the 2009 version of the Detroit Lions.
