Here’s how I see things 1-32 in the NFL now that the first six weeks of the season are in the books.
1. New Orleans Saints (5-0)
As of right now, I don’t see how any team in the NFC can walk into the Superdome and beat the Saints on their home turf. Drew Brees is the early-season MVP and Gregg Williams has transformed New Orleans’ defense overnight.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0)
Outside of maybe Miami, the Colts haven’t been tested by a formidable foe. But they’ve done what they’re supposed to do: Crush bad teams. They’ll crush another one this week in the Rams.
3. Minnesota Vikings (6-0)
The way the Ravens moved the ball at will on the Vikings’ defense in the fourth quarter on Sunday is troubling, but nobody can stop Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson right now…except maybe the Steelers, that is. Minnesota gets another huge test this weekend in Pittsburgh.
4. Denver Broncos (5-0)
I see an offensive growing under Josh McDaniels, which is a bad sign for future opponents. What a great special teams effort by Eddie Royal on Monday night.
5. New York Giants (5-1)
Sunday proved that the Giants have to get healthy on defense. They can get away with not having several defensive starters against teams like the Redskins, Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders, but the Saints made them look like a JV squad.
6. Atlanta Falcons (4-1)
The Falcons weren’t overly impressive on Sunday night, but their defense rose to the challenge. They forced two red zone turnovers, completely shut down the Bears’ running game and held Chicago to only 14 points. It looks like Mike Smith’s young defense is starting to come together.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
The Steelers played a sloppy game on Sunday, but Ben Roethlisberger continues to make plays vertically in the passing game and now that Troy Polamalu is healthy, Pittsburgh’s defense is almost back to form.
8. New England Patriots (4-2)
Sure, the Titans are a bad football team. But Tom Brady finally looked like Tom Brady again on Sunday and New England’s defense turned in its best effort of the season.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
I think the Bengals’ loss to the Texans on Sunday will actually do them more good than bad. The players may have started to read their own press clippings and now Marvin Lewis can remind his team that they have a long way to go.
10. Chicago Bears (3-2)
The Bears missed so many opportunities to earn a victory Sunday night in Atlanta that I would need a calculator, a ruler, an abacus and a stiff drink to total all of them up. The offensive line better start gelling soon or else Chicago’s running game is going to be non-existent all season.
11. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
The Ravens deserve props for battling back on Sunday after falling behind by double-digits. But the bottom line is that they’ve lost three in a row and their defense hasn’t played well in weeks.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
The Eagles’ pathetic, inexcusable loss to the Raiders on Sunday proved how valuable left tackle Jason Peters is. After Peters left the game with an injury, Donovan McNabb spent more time on his back than on his feet.
13. San Francisco 49ers (3-2)
The Niners spent their bye week stewing over the 45-10 drubbing the Falcons gave them in Week 5. I shudder to think what their practices have been like this week under Mike Singletary.
14. Green Bay Packers (3-2)
The Packers better not overlook the Browns this Sunday in Cleveland with a home game against Favre and the Vikings coming up the following week.
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
What an impressive win for Arizona against the Seahawks last week in Seattle. Are the Cards starting to find their rhythm offensively?
16. Houston Texans (3-3)
I want to believe in this team, but every time I move them up in the power rankings they lose the next week. Their offense can contend with anybody, but their defense falls asleep every other week.
17. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
It’s time to see what the Cowboys are made of. They get the Falcons at home this week and are fully rested coming off their bye. A win and maybe we can start believing in this team again.
18. Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Chad Henne is 2-0 as a starter this year and got a full week to prepare for the Saints. A win over New Orleans at home and Miami will get right back into contention in the AFC East and give them confidence. Of course, beating the Saints is easier said than done.
19. New York Jets (3-3)
Now isn’t the time for Rex Ryan to be contemplating a quarterback change. He chose Mark Sanchez in the offseason and now he has to stand by him threw the ups and downs.
20. San Diego Chargers (2-4)
Ron Rivera has no idea how to fix the Chargers’ defense. They can’t generate any pressure and opposing quarterbacks are absolutely picking them apart.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
Yes, the Jags almost lost to the Rams at home last Sunday. But this isn’t a very good team, so they’ll take wins whenever they can get them.
22. Carolina Panthers (2-3)
Wins over the Redskins and Buccaneers don’t prove anything, but at least John Fox’s squad is building some momentum. That said, Jake Delhomme better start throwing to Steve Smith soon, or else the receiver will become a distraction. Smith rarely gets credit for it, but he’s one of the more underrated complainers in the league.
23. Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
Not what I expected from the Hawks after they drilled the Jaguars in Week 5. Against the Cards last Sunday, Seattle looked like the same befuddled, lifeless team they did when Seneca Wallace was under center.
24. Oakland Raiders (2-4)
Now why can’t the Raiders team that played last Sunday show up every week? They wouldn’t be a playoff contender, but they’d at least be competitive.
25. Buffalo Bills (2-4)
The Bills were handed a win last week in New York, but at least they showed that they have a pulse.
26. Detroit Lions (1-5)
Well, the Lions had been competitive up until this point. For all the Detroit fans that were lobbying for Daunte Culpepper to start over Matthew Stafford, how do you feel now?
27. Washington Redskins (2-4)
Stripping Jim Zorn of his playcalling duties won’t fix all of the Redskins’ offensive woes, but it certainly can’t hurt.
28. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Josh Cribbs had more rushing yards (45) than Jerome Harrison (26) on Sunday. I know Cribbs is a fantastic player, but it’s never a good sign when one of your receivers out gains one of your running backs – Wildcat be damned.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
The Chiefs are closing in on their second win – I can feel it. And it could be this week against the Chargers.
30. Tennessee Titans (0-6)
Hey Jeff Fisher, your team has given up. I know the idea of starting Vince Young makes you want to throw up, but your squad needs a spark, my man. Give them one before this is your last season in Tennessee.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6)
The Josh Freeman era is quickly approaching in Tampa.
32. St. Louis Rams (0-6)
The Rams showed some fight in Jacksonville last Sunday, but unfortunately the same, sad end result transpired.
