Week 5 Ranks

1. Indianapolis: The Colts are playing too well right now and scoring too many points not to be first. Although the Titans do not represent a formidable challenge, the Colts have had a slightly tougher set of opponents than the Giants so far.
2. New York Giants: The Giants just wrapped up three blowouts of three of the worst teams in the NFL. They'll have to dial it up a notch this week against New Orleans.
3. Minnesota: Like New York, the Vikings have played some pretty light teams. The Ravens will not be an easy match-up for the Vikings.
4. New Orleans: The Saints look good even when they have the week off. Darren Sharper loves playing against Eli Manning.
5. Denver: The Broncos defense is really good. Josh McDaniels might be crazier than Mike Singletary in the heat of the moment (who wouldn't be after 4th down penalties extended a Patriots drive twice). Kyle Orton really is not that bad, Bears fans.
6. Atlanta: I thought they had some things to prove. Well, completely dominating the 49ers on both sides of the ball proves a lot.
7. Philadelphia: The Eagles have yet to be put to much of a test, but they are taking care of business.
8. Cincinnati: It is hard not to like a team that plays solid defense, forces turnovers, runs the ball well (Hi, again, Bears fans), and has a solid, experienced quarterback.
9. New England: With a 17-7 lead at halftime, you would expect the Patriots to win. Instead, they went scoreless the rest of the game and lost in overtime. I hesitate to drop the Pats down too far as losing to what is clearly a very good team in a very good game.
10. Baltimore: Two hard losses to two good teams. Add a third against the Vikings this week, and people can start sounding the alarm, but the Ravens are still pretty solid all around, and will be a tough out in the playoffs.
11. Pittsburgh: The Steelers may be a team to watch out for. They seem to be 'getting by' so far, but we know they are capable of playing a lot better than this, and when Troy Polamalu returns, they could start winning easy again.
12. Miami: After their 0-3 start, which included the loss of Chad Pennington forever, I was already writing off the Dolphins. But the fact is that the 'Wildcat' is a truly dynamic and effective offense in the hands of Ronnie Brown, and the Dolphins defense is pretty good too. I think they can win the AFC East this season.
13. New York Jets: After their 3-0 start, I was ready to write off the Jets. I think Mark Sanchez will be a good quarterback, but there is a lot missing right now. And did you see the Dolphins move the ball on Monday night? Wow.
14. San Diego: Like the Steelers, the Chargers almost look like they are biding their time. If they do ever get hot, the Broncos may be looking at another race for the AFC West down the stretch.
15. San Francisco: On the one hand, I don't think we can read too much into their horrible loss to Atlanta (at home). They are still 3-2 in a so-so division, and they still have a very good defense. On the other hand, it isn't (and wasn't) reasonable to have high hopes for a team with a barely-get-you-by quarterback and no other real scoring threat.
16. Chicago: The Bears have two tough road games coming next (at Atlanta and at Cincinnati). If they make it out of that 4-2, that's a huge victory.
17. Dallas: Another team sitting at 3-2 after sneaking past some bad teams. The Cowboys can't survive in the NFC East...unless they get back to running the ball, and find a way to win close games against quality teams (the Chiefs DO NOT count, overtime or not).
18. Green Bay: The Packers have a very good chance to be 4-2--they face Detroit at home and travel to Cleveland--heading into the big Favor rematch at Lambeau field in Week 8. The Packers aren't good enough to look past the Browns and Lions, but they are certainly good enough to beat both easily.
19. Arizona: A huge win over Houston keeps them alive, and the rest of the NFC West isn't looking that hot.
20. Seattle: With Matt Hasselbeck in the line-up, the NFC West becomes a three-team race.
21. Houston: The Texans did their best to get back into a game that saw them fall 21 points behind in the first half, but Matt Schaub's 4th quarter interception sunk them.
22. Jacksonville: I guess that two-game winning streak didn't mean much. What a horrible loss to Seattle (41-0).
23. Carolina: Down 17-2, the Panthers came back to beat Washington. Atlanta and New Orleans will be very tough to catch.
24. Detroit: 24 looks high for a 1-4 team, but the Lions are playing better than those below. They really made Pittsburgh work, and I expect the same in Green Bay this week, where Calvin Johnson should be able to take advantage of the Packers new zone defense, if he is healthy.
25. Washington: Washington is strange: If I could, I would rank them last. Yes, these other seven teams are worse, but Washington just seems like a complete waste this year. Todd Collins should get a chance at quarterback, and I'm not joking.
26. Buffalo: If they can trade Terrell Owens for anything, they should. I wish putting the back-up quarterback in could spark this team, but Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't present an improvement over Trent Edwards in any area.
27. Tennessee: Like Washington, the Titans are sort of un-rankable. They are bad, that is for sure.
28. Kansas City: Like last year, the Chiefs are fighters if nothing else. They may lose every game this year, but the first half of each game is always interesting.
29. Oakland: Yes, they beat Kansas City. Whatever.
30. Cleveland: Yes, they beat Buffalo. Whatever.
31. Tampa Bay: Yes, they... No, they are just horrible.
32. St. Louis