32. Buffalo Bills 0-5

The Bills had a good chance to win this week, with the Jaguars coming to town, worn out after giving Indy everything they had the week before. The Bills led, but they blew it. It could be a while before they get a legitimate chance to win a game again. They do face Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit this year, but those are the only three teams they play the rest of the way that had worse than .500 records in 2009. All 3 of those teams, Detroit, Kansas City, and Cleveland are better than them, and if they lose all three, getting a single win is going to be tough for them to do, unless they surprise a team like Cincinnati or Miami.

31. Cleveland Browns 1-4

Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme are both expected out this week, so Colt McCoy will make his NFL debut. The timing isn’t great as he has to go into Pittsburgh. McCoy was listed as 3rd on the depth chart this season for a reason. They didn’t feel he was NFL ready and didn’t want to throw him out there before he was ready. He really struggled in the preseason and was almost cut, despite being drafted as a supposed savior in the 3rd round in 2010. If McCoy struggles against Pittsburgh and in any starts he may have after that (New Orleans, New England) this team might finally have no choice but to go quarterback in the first round yet again, even though the last two (Brady Quinn, Tim Couch) didn’t turn out too well.

30. Carolina Panthers 0-5

Carolina quarterbacks have a 43.6 QB rating this season. For comparison, Derek Anderson in 2009 had a 42.1 QB rating and JaMarcus Russell in 2009 had a 50.0. Hell, even Jake Delhomme had a 59.4 last year. A lot of the blame for that has to be put on the offensive line. Once one of the best in the league, their line has given up 17 sacks on 150 passing attempts this season. Their wide receivers can also be blamed, but of course some of the blame has to fall on Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen themselves. The two of them couldn’t even beat Todd Collins, who threw 6 completions to 4 interceptions last week for the Bears. While Matt Moore is likely never going to become a solid NFL signal caller, Jimmy Clausen, being only a rookie, still has some potential, but they need to improve around him if they still feel he is the future

In order to build around him, I think the Panthers should trade DeAngelo Williams. They could probably, at worst, get a 2nd rounder and a mid rounder for him. He’s a free agent after the season anyway and they do have Jonathan Stewart. Those picks would be necessary to rebuilding this team because it’s going to take a lot. They need an elite wide receiver, some major help on the defensive line, help in the secondary, and help on the offensive line. 

29. San Francisco 49ers 0-5

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York says the 49ers will win the NFC West. That could actually happen. The NFC West is that bad. But, they should probably win a game before they make big proclamations. However, they still face Arizona twice, St. Louis twice, Seattle once, as well as Carolina and Oakland. They’ve shown flashes of good things. Alex Smith looks great out of the no huddle spread and I believe they should go to that full time. He’s simply so much more comfortable in it than their normal offense. His best work has come in the 2 minute drill, leading late drives in losses to Philadelphia and New Orleans.

28. Oakland Raiders 2-3

The Oakland Raiders have won the Super Bowl!!! Well, not THE Super Bowl, but THEIR Super Bowl. They played their hearts out against San Diego and beat the team they hadn’t beaten in 7 years. In the scheme of things, it probably won’t matter. This team is probably still going to end up with double digit losses for the 7th straight year, but don’t try to tell them or their wins that this week. To them, they just won their Super Bowl.

27. Detroit Lions 1-4

I can’t remember the last time an 0-4 blew out a team as badly as the Lions blew out the Rams, winning by 38. Because of all their close losses earlier this season, they actually now have a differiental of +14, despite being 1-4. Imagine if Matt Stafford was healthy. As long as Stafford heals from his injury well and doesn’t get re-injured, they finally have a bright future, especially with what seems like another top 10 pick on the way. Speaking of injuries, the Lions stupidly left their starters out in a blow out and Calvin Johnson got hurt as could miss this week’s game. The Lions averaged 5 points a game with Johnson out last year and now they have to face the Giants. Bad timing. 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2

At 3-2, with a win over the Colts, the Jaguars are actually in position to be in first place after this weekend, if they beat the Titans at home on Monday Night and if the Texans lose to the Chiefs. However, that doesn’t mean they are good. They’re 3rd in the league in points allowed, behind Buffalo and Arizona and have a differential of -30. They don’t play good defense at all and can’t stop anyone, especially through the air, and its not like their quarterback is that great either. They’re still going to finish with about 6 or 7 wins.

25. St. Louis Rams 2-3

Maybe everyone overrated the Rams. After winning two in a row and looking to be in prime position to take over the division going to Detroit to play the winless Lions with Arizona playing New Orleans and Seattle on bye, the Rams lost by 38 in Detroit. I guess the Rams couldn’t possibly win 3 in a row without the world imploding in on itself. The Rams look to get back on track with the road sick San Diego Chargers coming to town. The Chargers have already lost to Seattle, Oakland, and Kansas City on the road this season.

24. Seattle Seahawks 2-2

Bye

23. Arizona Cardinals 3-2

If I were a team in the NFC West other than the Rams, I think I’d rather lose the division than win it. I’d rather lose it and get a top 10 pick to use on one of the top 3 quarterbacks than win it and make the playoffs win 6 or 7 wins and get my ass handed to me and have to look forward to starting Matt Hasselbeck/Charlie Whitehurst, Alex Smith/David Carr, or Max Hall/Derek Anderson in 2011.

Speaking of Max Hall, everyone is singing his praises after he “outplayed” Drew Brees to beat the defending Super Bowl champs. Hall for 17 for 28 for 168 yards and didn’t even throw a touchdown. He also threw a pick. The rest of the team played amazing and unlike Derek Anderson, Hall didn’t mess anything up. That the type of quarterback he is. If everything goes right, he won’t get in your way.

22. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3

I guess their poor play at the end of last season was no fluke. This team just really isn’t that good. I don’t think they can be until Carson Palmer is no longer their quarterback. This is a talented team and Palmer still isn’t taking them anywhere. He’s never won a playoff game. If they get a chance in the first to take a quarterback that they view as a guy who they can win the Super Bowl with, they have to take him. If not, they have to at least take a developmental guy in the mid rounds. The answer isn’t on their roster.

21. Denver Broncos 2-3

The Broncos got their asses handed to them against Baltimore, but that was to be expected. Just goes to show, one dimensional teams that are “soft” don’t do very well against Baltimore. As notable from that game, Kyle Orton threw for 314 yards against a Baltimore pass defense that was #1 in the league and hadn’t given up more than 167 yards to a quarterback all season. Granted most of that was in garbage time, and it didn’t matter because Denver couldn’t run, and because Denver stinks in the red zone, but in Kyle Orton’s pursuit of Dan Marino, it definitely helps. Orton is on pace for 5536 yards, which would break Marino’s record of 5084. Baltimore was easily his toughest test. I would find it hillarious to see Kyle Orton holding the record for most passing yards in a season. Imagine if Denver could run, or stop anyone, or do anything in the red zone. They’re only averaging 20.4 points per game thanks to their red zone “offense.” In fact, quarterbacks this year are 1-8 when throwing for 400 yards. Reason why, if you have to throw that much, it normally means you’re trailing. Orton is also on pace for 682 passing attempt, 9 back of Drew Bledsoe’s record from 1994.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1

The Buccaneers got their win over Cincinnati this week, to improve to 3-1. Cincinnati, believe it or not, was probably their best win so far, because their first two wins were against Cleveland and Carolina, who are a combined 1-9. This week they have the defending Super Bowl champs coming into town, their biggest game in years. If they can win that one, they’re a legit playoff contender, as they would have a 1.5 game lead over New Orleans and own the tiebreaker. More importantly, a win over the Super Bowl champs, however reeling they are, would be the best way for them to say, we are here and we have arrived. Huge game for Josh Freeman and company. Huge game for Drew Brees and his company too as a loss to Tampa Bay would be crushing to any remaining hopes of repeating they may have.

19. Kansas City Chiefs 3-1

The Chiefs may have lost to the Colts, but everyone knew they would. What I didn’t expect was how legit their defense would look. Peyton Manning was held to no touchdowns, something that rarely happens for him, and the Colts were held under 20 points, another rarity. However, they still lost thanks to their offense. The Colts defense isn’t even that good and Matt Cassel still couldn’t lead a touchdown drive as the Chiefs scored a mere 9 points. Good news though, for the first time this season, Todd Haley gave more carries to Jamaal Charles than Thomas Jones. Charles had 109 more yards than Jones on 15 fewer carries going into week 4 and than rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries and caught 3 balls for 14 yards week 4. It’s clear he is the better back by far and it looks like Todd Haley may have finally realized it. Charles fantasy owners may rejoice, including one of the workers at CBS, who posted the following on screen during the Colts game (real screen shot). Said worker was likely fired, but he’s still my hero.

18. Miami Dolphins 2-2

Bye

17. Philadelphia Eagles 3-2

Kevin Kolb gets hurt, Michael Vick comes in goes 16 for 24 for 175 yards and a touchdown, rushes for 103 yards, and then goes 21 for 34 for 284 yards, 2 touchdowns and 34 rushing yards the next week against a bad Detroit defense and gets the starting job. Michael Vick gets hurt, Kolb comes in goes 22 for 35 for 201 yards, a touchdown, and interception, with 21 rushing yards and then goes 21 for 31 for 253 yards, a score, and 17 rushing yards and Vick’s still the starter? Huh? Keep in mind that Kolb, is younger, isn’t a free agent after the season, was the starter to begin the year, and didn’t kill dogs.  Huh?

 

16. Dallas Cowboys 1-3

This team needs to get themselves together. This week’s game against the Vikings is essentially a win or go home game. They aren’t going to make the playoffs if they fall to 1-4 and the Vikings are playing better than them right now. The Cowboys looked disfunctional against the Titans, while the Vikings showed some good chemistry offensively late once the rain cleared up, with Brett Favre and Randy Moss playing like they were old teammates.

15. Tennessee Titans 3-2

When Chris Johnson goes over 100 yards, this team is 3-0. In fact, in Johnson’s career, the Titans are 15-4 when Chris Johnson goes over 100 yards. This team’s offense relies on the run first, especially Vince Young (11-2 when CJ goes over 100) Unfortunately, unlike last year, CJ2K no longer goes over 100 yards every week and the Titans have yet to win back-to-back games. They’ll aim to do that this week against the Jaguars, who don’t have a great run defense normally, but will be fired up taking on a divisional opponent at home on Monday Night Football.

14. Minnesota Vikings 1-3

The Vikings really seemed to click in the 2nd half last week after the end of the world esque rains stopped and the football was actually able to be gripped. Brett Favre and Randy Moss clicked like they were old teammates and this wasn’t some cupcake defense they were doing this against. It was the New York Jets in the Meadowlands. Favre’s injuries and possible sexual harassment allegations should be concerning for this team, but their play in the 2nd half last week has to have them feeling good going with Dallas coming into town in a must win for both teams.

13. Washington Redskins 3-2

The Redskins won last week in overtime against the extremely banged up Green Bay Packers, their 2nd overtime game and 1st overtime win after they blew it at home against Houston week 2.  The NFC East has not been as beastly as it was projected at the beginning of the season so the Redskins, who was everyone’s favorite pick to come in last in this division, could end up winning the whole thing. Dallas is underacheiving, Philly can’t stop anyway one keep anyone out of the backfield, and the Giants are inconsisnent.

12. Houston Texans 3-2

The Texans looked really bad this week. They won’t be that bad every week, obviously, but they aren’t an elite team anymore and they really have to be to win 10+ games against their schedule. They still have games against Indy, San Diego (midseason form), Tennessee (twice), Philly, The Jets, and Baltimore this season. In the tough AFC, I am starting to think that my early season projection that this is not a playoff team, at least not this year against this schedule, is correct.

11. New York Giants 3-2

The Giants have looked great in the past two weeks against Houston and Chicago, but I just get the feeling with this team that they could just start underachieving again at any time. They are an extremely talented team capable of being one of the best teams in the NFC when right, and with no clear favorite in the NFC right now with Green Bay hurt and New Orleans hungover, they could win this league, but at the same time, I saw how bad they looked against Indy and Tennessee.

10. Chicago Bears 4-1

Has a worse quarterbacking performance ever led to a 17 point win before? Todd Collins threw 6 completions to 4 interceptions on 23 throws against Carolina in a 23-6 victory. Luckily for him, Matt Forte ran crazy on Carolina’s defense and both Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore played ever worse for the Panthers. Ugh, what’s with all these bad quarterbacks.

9. New Orleans Saints 3-2

I’m really interested to see if last week’s loss was a wakeup call for this team. In their first 4 games, they didn’t play well. They were favored in all 4 games and failed to cover all 4 times, but they were still 3-1 and that one loss was against the Falcons, who are a very good team in their own right, so on paper they didn’t look like they were having a bad season. Having lost to the Kurt Warner less Cardinals, who by the way they beat last week when they did have Kurt Warner, you can no longer say they look good on paper. They obviously have a Super Bowl hangover. They are a talented team, however, so that loss to Arizona could be the cold water to the face that they needed to snap them out of their hangover. Big game this week against Tampa Bay. If they lose this one, I think they can kiss repeating goodbye.

8. San Diego Chargers 2-3

I almost don’t want to write anything here. We need to see what they look like in midseason form before we can determine whether or not this is really a bad team. They’ve shown flashes, but they’re still 2-3 at the same time with their 3 losses coming against Kansas City, Oakland, and Seattle. If they lose this week in St. Louis, what would be their 4th straight loss on the road, they are in trouble. I hope they realize that and play like it because this has been one of the sloppiest, if not the sloppiest team in the league this year. Philip Rivers is outthrowing Kyle Orton, yet like the Broncos they are 2-3.

7. New England Patriots 3-1

The Patriots had a bye last week, but I do want to say something about the Deion Branch trade. The price was a bit head scratching. We got a 3rd rounder only for Moss, but then give up a 4th for Deion Branch. Is Moss only one round better than Branch? However, We did have 2 4th rounders and got one in a steal for Laurence Maroney, so that makes it a little better. I love the fit in New England for Branch. Branch is still talented if he can stay healthy and he knows Brady and this scheme well. It also shows a switch to a more spreading the ball around approach. Brady would often force the Moss to ball when he had Moss because Moss was so good. Brady’s at his best when he doesn’t play favorites, when he can spread the ball around to a bunch of different receivers. That’s how they won 3 Super Bowls. Branch was one of those many receivers who were productive catching from Brady in Brady’s Super Bowl years and while they’ll miss Moss’ deep threat ability, I do like their switch in philosophy back to something that worked. Expect them to spread the ball around to Wes Welker, and Branch, and Brandon Tate, and Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman and all those guys. 

6. Green Bay Packers 3-2

I don’t understand this. First I pick the Red Sox to go all the way in Spring Training and their whole team gets hurt. Then I pick the Packers to go all the way in the preseason and their whole team gets hurt. Jermichael Finley is probably done for the year. Ryan Grant, Justin Harrell, and Morgan Burnett are done for the season, as is Derrick Martin. Mark Tauscher’s hurt. Donald Lee’s hurt. Clay Matthews’ hurt (don’t tell him that though, or he might eat you). Ryan Pickett’s hurt. Nick Barnett’s hurt. Even Aaron Rodgers could miss this week’s game due to a concussion sustained in overtime last week, marking the first time a Green Bay backup has had to start a game at quarterback since 1991. If they can avoid more long term injuries, they could still go far this season, but it’s certainly not looking as good as it was before the season.

5. New York Jets 4-1

I still say Mark Sanchez has an elite quarterback is what’s keeping this from being a Super Bowl team. Despite excellent protection, Sanchez couldn’t complete more than 50% of his passes against the Vikings last week. I would blame the rain, but he didn’t look all that much better in the second half and it’s not like Minnesota’s pass defense is that amazing. Everything else is there though on this team and they’re very efficient. Sanchez hasn’t thrown a pick all season and they haven’t committed a turnover since week 1. 

4. Baltimore Ravens 4-1

Like the Jets, this team has all the pieces. They’re just waiting on the quarterback. Could Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez win a Super Bowl for their respective teams. Yeah, they could with the talent around them. Are they likely going to? I’m going to say no. Flacco has certainly looked better since that Cincinnati game, but he struggled against Pittsburgh until that last drive (though everyone struggles against Pittsburgh) and the other two games were against Cleveland and Denver, so let’s not get too excited. I need to see more out of Flacco.

3. Atlanta Falcons 4-1

Like the Jets and Ravens, this team is on the verge of being elite. They are all young at the quarterback position, but I’d take Ryan over Flacco and Sanchez right now and that’s why they’re ranked higher. Atlanta’s defense isn’t elite like Baltimore or the Jets, but they are playing much, much better than I expected. The running game is certainly there too with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling.

2. Indianapolis Colts 3-2

After a 3-2 start, all the talk is about how the Colts just aren’t as good as they normally are. Their two losses were against teams that were playing their hearts out to beat them, and one of those was only because the other team’s kicker nailed an amazing shot at the end of regulation. They didn’t throw for a touchdown against Kansas City, but that’s because Kansas City’s stop unit has suddenly become good, especially through the air. No need to worry in Indy. Much like when they started 3-4 in 2008, they’ll be okay. I expect them to win 12-4 once again and have an advantage going into the playoffs over all these young, up and coming teams, in that they’ve been there before.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1

Bye