Week 4 started to show what some teams are really made of and gave some others a much needed rest. There are a few major shakeups as I start to lose confidence in some teams and have my heart broken by another.
1. New England Patriots (4-0)Will they be looking past Cleveland to the marquis match-up with the Cowboys in week 6? Somehow I doubt it. Last week: #1
2. Indianapolis Colts (4-0) – They just keep on rolling. Chances are good that their week 9 conflict with New England will be a match-up of two 8-0 teams.Last Week: #2
3. Dallas Cowboys (4-0)- The boys trounced an clearly overmatched Rams team but I have to wonder why your top two ball carriers ran the ball only 21 times combined against one of the WORST run defenses in the league. Last Week: #4
4. Green Bay Packers (4-0) – There’s still no sign of a running game, but the banged up Bears come to Lambeau next week and Favre loves throwing on themLast Week: #5
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) – They should be farther down, but I honestly couldn’t think of anyone better to put in this slot. They’ll bounce back from the loss to the Cards though.Last Week: #3
6. Tennessee Titans (2-1) –GO BYE WEEK GO! Last Week: #7
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) – GO BYE WEEK GO!Last Week: #8
8. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) – They finally woke up against the 49ers. Can the keep the momentum going against the Stillers?Last Week: #13
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) – Fine, I’ll admit it. Tampa is kinda good this year. Or have their opponents just sucked that much? Who knows. Last Week: #15
10. Detroit Lions (3-1) – 34 points in the 4th quarter to make the comeback on the Bears. It wasn’t pretty, but they’ve already got as many wins in 4 weeks as they did in 17 last year.Last Week: #16
11. Washington Redskins (2-1) – GO BYE WEEK GO! Last Week: #11
12. New York Giants (2-2) – And the rise of the Giants continues. These guys could easily be the #2 team in the NFC east by the end of the year. But no way they overtake Dallas.Last Week: #18
13. Houston Texans (2-2) – Matt Schaub is doing what he can with who he can. He’s throwing to receivers they’re pretty much picking out of the stands at this point and Ahman Green is back where he’s most comfortable, on the injury report. If the receivers can get healthy, though, they can easily turn this around.Last Week: #6
14. Denver Broncos (2-2) – They did not look very good at all against a Jacksonville team that they probably should have beaten. I guess 16-0 on all last second Elam field goals was a little far fetched, eh? Last Week: #14
15. Baltimore Ravens (2-2) – The Ravens are one of the most Helter Skelter teams in the league right now. Sometimes they look dominating, but other times, like this past weekend, they look like they did before they moved to Balitmore.Last Week: #12
16. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) – Two in a row for the Chiefs, and this time a comeback against a Chargers team that looked rejuvenated in the first half. It looks like they’ve finally found someone to throw to in BoweLast Week: #24
17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2) – Yeah, the two QB system is working, but how is Leinart supposed to learn and get better at the no-huddle offense unless the coach bites the bullet and lets him do it?Last Week: #23
18. San Diego Chargers (1-3)-Tomlinson runs all over the KC defense in the first half. So what do you do in the second half? Go in a COMPLETELY different direction from what was working. Yer doin a FINE job Norvy.Last Week: #9
19. Oakland Raiders (2-2) – Who knows how long Jordan will be out for and Fargas isn’t running for 170 on anyone else. And somehow Daunte scored 5 TD’s on 103 total yards. That’s not gonna work every week.Last Week: #25
20. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) – Don’t ask me how they ended up moving up a spot from last week despite getting their creamcicles handed to them by the Pats. But I do think they could outscore any team below themLast Week: #21
21. San Fransisco 49ers (2-2) – Their season is now in the hands of Trent Dilfer. What, was Jeff George not available?Last Week: #17
22. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) – They looked good for a week. Guess they used up their seasonal point allotment against the Lions. Last Week: #20
23. Buffalo Bills (1-3) – Wow, they won. I honestly expected the Jets to just run all over the (statistically) worst defense in the game. But they stepped it up. Good for them.Last Week: #28
24. Cleveland Browns (2-2) – They’re up! They’re down. They’re up! They’re down. Will Romeo stick with Anderson while he’s playing so well? Or will he eventually cave to the pressure to put in the Mighty Quinn? Last Week: #29
25. Chicago Bears (1-3) – Griese is not the answer. Orton starts by week 8.Last Week: #19
26. Atlanta Falcons (1-3) – They finally got their first win of the season against a depleted Texans team. But it at least looks like Joey’s getting more comfortable in the offense.Last Week: #31
27. Minnesota Vikings (1-3) – Certain coffee loving sports writers think Childress is a damn fine coach working with what he’s given. How ya like DEM apples Frabbit?Last Week: #26
28. New York Jets (1-3) – It’s hard to pen point what’s wrong with this team. Could the shadow of Kellen Clemens over his shoulder be playing that much on Pennington’s mind?Last Week: #22
29. New Orleans Saints (0-3) – GO BYE WEEK GO! Look for them to finally break through and get that first win this weekend. Last Week: #30
30. Miami Dolphins (0-4) – They’re trying. They are. But when you give up 35 to the Raiders, there’s something wrong with that defense. Last Week: #27
31. Carolina Panthers (2-2) – People are coming down on Kris Jenkins for his post game interview. But ya know what? He’s right. This team has no heart right now. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Last Week: #10
32. St. Louis Rams (0-4) – They go to the desert this week against a much improved defense. I don’t see the streak breaking this week. This team is just too banged up. Suck it up and let Frerotte play a couple of weeks and let Marc get healed up. It’s not going to get any better until they do. Last Week: #32
That’s it for this week. Agree with me? Think I’m an idiot? Want to call me names? Go here in the forums and we can discuss it.
Credit: nfl.com, the National Football League and individual partner organizations
