Not a lot of movement at the top, but a few notable teams dropped large (I’m looking at you Pittsburgh).
And wonder of wonders, the Detroit Lions won for the first time since December 2007, which now puts Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and St. Louis on the “0-16″ watch…I guess you could add the Titans and Dolphins to that list seeing that they’re 0-3, but really, does anyone out there not think they’ll win at least one game?
Me either.
1. N.Y. GIANTS (3-0)
As long as injuries don’t come back to bite this team in the ass, they’ll continue to dominate. RB Brandon Jacobs needs to step it up though. (next game @ Kansas City)
2. BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-0)
QB Joe Flacco and the offense are clicking along, averaging 34 points a game, a stat i’m sure this defense loves. Huge test this week in Foxboro. (next game @ New England)
3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-0)
How good is Peyton Manning? I think I could line up at receiver and they’d still win. DE Dwight Freeney is to the defense what Manning is to the offense. (next game vs. Seattle)
4. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-0)
With Adrien Peterson going strong, Brett Favre wasn’t much needed, but in crunch time, the greybeard showed he can still bring it. Watch for Green Bay to bring it, vengeance style. (next week vs. Green Bay)
5. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-0)
The Bills shut down Drew Brees last week…problem? Nah, Pierre Thomas ran roughshod over Buffalo’s defense, showing that the Saints can beat you with the pass OR the run. (next game vs. NY Jets)
6. NEW YORK JETS (3-0)
This defense will be put to the test this week, against the Saints in the Superdome. Watch and see if the crowd gets into QB Mark Sanchez’s head. (next game @ New Orleans)
7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-1)
Tom Brady isn’t quite there yet, as far as being in sync with the offense, but it’s coming. We’ll see how Brady and company do against the stingy Ravens defense. Game of the Week. (next game vs. Baltimore)
8. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-1)
Well, QB Matt Ryan had an average game, and the Falcons got manhandled by the Patriots. Think how far this team has come when losing on the road to New England is considered a disappointment. (next week BYE)
9. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2-1)
Need to be physical this week against a reeling Steelers team. Will be hard to play smashmouth with LB Shawne Merriman not quite up to snuff. Philip Rivers’ passing will keep Steelers secondary on their toes. (next game @ Pittsburgh)
10. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1)
McNabb who? QB Kevin Kolb became the first pivot to throw for over 300 yards in his first two starts. But this is McNabb’s team, and he’ll return after the bye week. (next game BYE)
11. DENVER BRONCOS (3-0)
Many call this Broncos team the worst 3-0 team ever…and I may be inclined to agree. Super soft schedule is big reason for their fast start. Brutal eight-game stretch coming up…do well and we’ll talk. (next game vs. Dallas)
12. CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-1)
Out of nowhere team, the Bengals are looking good, and may be able to give the Ravens a run for the division. This defense is looking nasty…and will make Browns QB Derek Anderson’s day very, very miserable. (next game @ Cleveland)
13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-1)
Tough loss against the Vikes, but losing RB Frank Gore for 3 weeks will be a tougher pill to swallow. QB Shaun Hill has been impressive, as has the resurgence of TE Vernon Davis. (next game vs. St. Louis)
14. CHICAGO BEARS (2-1)
Are the Bears that good, or that lucky. Two last minute wins in a row help fans forget about QB Jay Cutler’s abysmal debut. (next game vs. Detroit)
15. DALLAS COWBOYS (2-1)
No Marion Barber, no problem. RB’s Felix Jones and Tashard Choice filled in admirably. I feel bad for QB Tony Romo…is there not a former Cowboy who hasn’t trashed this guy’s play lately? (next game @ Denver)
16. GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1)
OK Packers fans, Monday night is it…your team’s chance to lay the smack on Benedict Arnold Brett Favre. Expect QB Aaron Rodgers to do his best Favre imitation. (next game @ Minnesota)
17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2)
What the f–k is wrong with the Steelers? This team needs Troy Polamalu back, and fast. This defense needs to be better at closing out games. (next game vs. San Diego)
18. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2)
This team, especially the defense, looks nothing like the team that made it to the Super Bowl this past January. Pass defense is wretched, ranking 31st in the league. Bye week couldn’t come at a better time. (next game BYE)
19. BUFFALO BILLS (1-2)
Captain Checkdown returns. Trent Edwards’ indecision and inability to throw deep made the Saints defense look like the ’85 Bears D. Wasted effort by the defense, as they were able to shut down Drew Brees. Marshawn Lynch returns. (next game @ Miami)
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-2)
Lost a heartbreaker to the Bears. Secondary is majorly banged up. Not good with Peyton Manning and the Colts on deck. (next game vs. Indianapolis)
21. TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3)
Do or die time this week against the Jags. To go 0-4 would be the death knell for the season. Run defense will have to come up huge against Maurice Jones-Drew. (next game @ Jacksonville)
22. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-2)
Still not sure what to make of this team. Running game is good with the aforementioned Jones-Drew. A win against Tennessee would help clear things up for me. (next game vs. Tennessee)
23. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-2)
Should be able to get back to .500 against the pathetic Raiders. Is RB Steve Slaton suffering from the dreaded sophomore jinx? (next game vs. Oakland)
24. DETROIT LIONS (1-2)
The Lions win! The Lions win! The Lions win! And mark my words…this will not be the only win they get this year. (next game @ Chicago)
25. MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-3)
Let the Chad Henne era begin. The Fins are my vote to go from worst to first to worst again. (next game vs. Buffalo)
26. CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-3)
The best news for Carolina about being on the bye week is that QB Jake Delhomme can’t throw any picks this week. ZING! (next game BYE)
27. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-2)
Anyone who thinks Jim Zorn’s job is safe is either blissfully ignorant, or a dumbass. Expect Zorn to be dumped midseason, and Dan Snyder to go hard after Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, or Bill Cowher. Bank on it. (next game vs. Tampa Bay)
28. OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-2)
The near-upset of San Diego in week 1 was the pinnacle of this season…now they’re on the downslide to crapville. Ryan Leaf JaMarcus Russell is horrible. Calling Jeff Garcia… (next game @ Houston)
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-3)
Matt Cassel returned…that was nice. It’ll take Cassel time to get into a rhythm, but by that time, the season will be lost. (next game vs. NY Giants)
30. CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-3)
Think the Browns are glad they hired Mangenius so soon after getting fired from the Jets? Mangini has lost this team. Period. Brady Quinn is another first round QB bust. (next game vs. Cincinnati)
31. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-3)
It’s going to be a long, long season in Tampa Bay. Sit down Byron Leftwich…hello Josh Johnson? Why not throw first-round pick Josh Freeman in there…the season is lost. (next game @ Washington)
32. ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-3)
My personal pick to be the second team to go 0-16. (next game @ San Francisco)

