1. Houston Texans (0)
Simply put, the Houston Texans are destroying their competition. They are doing it both on defense and offense.
2. Atlanta Falcons (0)
The Falcons almost lost on Sunday, but Matt Ryan showed poise and leadership as he did what he could to bring his team back for the win. Ryan demonstrated that he is capable of putting together a game winning drive. Because of this the Falcons remain atop of the league.
3. San Francisco 49ers (+2)
The 49ers put a hurting on the Jets and showed that they can be a dynamic team. If they want to stay up here, they will have to prove they can do this against the tough teams.
4. New England Patriots (0)
This is why the Patriots are a Top 5 team. As long as Brady is calling the shots, they will be dangerous. Offense made up for own mistakes. So the Patriots are a balanced team in their own kind of way.
5. Baltimore Ravens (-2)
I would have expected a different game from the Ravens' offense. The Cleveland Browns were in it late and had a chance to tie in their last possession. Ravens stay in Top 5 regardless.
6. Arizona Cardinals (+1).
Okay, so the Giants are on a little role. Still do not consider them a Top 5 team despite winning a championship. Their defense stepped up against the Panthers, but they will need consistent defensive efforts before they can enter the Top 5.
7. Green Bay Packers (+3)
The Packers escaped Lambeau Field with a win against the winless Saints. The Packers gave up 27 points, but more importantly, Aaron Rodgers looked like himself throwing 4 TDs. With a Top 10 defense in Green Bay, if Rodgers turns it up, they can once again be fearful.
8. Chicago Bears (+1)
The Bears looked more balanced than ever. Their defense provided 12 points from two of the five Romo interceptions. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were at the top of their game. The Bears made the Cowboys look horrible on Monday.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
How are they doing it? Nobody really knows, but they definitely got lucky on Sunday against the Giants. That win has the Eagles in the Top 10 though as they are controlling the NFC East. The Eagles still have many questions, but the important thing is that they are finding a way to win.
10. New York Giants (-4)
They barely stay in the Top 10 and continue to prove that the running game is their Achilles heel.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3
BYE WEEK
12. Minnesota Vikings (+6)
Okay, so the Vikings seem serious about competing in the NFC North. They held the offensive juggernaut Lions to just 13 points.
13. San Diego Chargers (-4)
Don't know if the Chargers are serious in the AFC West similar to the Eagles in the NFC East, but they have found a way to start the season 3-1. Their defense has been outstanding in the first few weeks of the season.
14. Denver Broncos (+2)
Right behind the Chargers are the Broncos who saw a glimpse of the old Peyton Manning as they demolished the Oakland Raiders, as so they should have. Broncos are a pretty balanced team. Could be in the Top 10 if they get it together consistently.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (0)
Andy Dalton is off to a hot start and A.J. Green almost has 500 yards receiving. That combination is deadly. Defense has to step it up in order to keep the team on the better half of the NFL rankings.
16. Seattle Seahawks (-3)
The bad news for the Seahawks is that the real refs are back. Worse news though, they have no passing game. Their defense is incredible and gives them a chance in every game. Seahawks could be one of the best teams in the league with that defense, but they need a quarterback.
17. Washington Redskins (4)
RG III has the Redskins in a three-way tie in the NFC East. Their offense is ranked in the Top 5 in points, total yards and rushing yards. Their defensive unit is hurt, preventing them from being actual competitors in the East.
18. Dallas Cowboys (-9)
Yeah. I don't know if anybody else can come to Romo's defense after Monday's game against the Bears. Maybe Dez Bryant could be blamed for a few of the plays, but in the end, Romo has not delivered.
19. Detroit Lions (+1)
Their offense can pick up yards, but they cannot score. Making it worse, their defense has given up the seventh most points in the league. Can't move lower in rankings because they have a Week 5 BYE
20. Carolina Panthers (+3)
Cam Newton treated the football like kryptonite on Sunday, fumbling in the final minutes of the game, which allowed the Falcons to win. The game was practically over. Newton might be feeling the pressure as he literally has to do it all for his team.
21. Buffalo Bills (-2)
You play had for the first half and then decide to get lazy in the last 30 minutes, while barely showing up in the fourth quarter.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
The Bucs' week first half on defense cost them the game at the end.
23. Tennessee Titans (-1)
They can't get it together on offense. They can't get it together on defense. The Texans took advantage and burned them 38-14.
24. Kansas City Chiefs (0)
The AFC West is quickly getting out of reach. The Chargers are playing great football and the Broncos are only expected to get better. They gave up 17 points in the first quarter, which ultimately cost them the game. They have allowed the 2nd most points on defense.
25. New Orleans Saints (+1)
Drew Brees has petitioned the NFL to allow Coach Sean Payton to be present at the game. Maybe he can call some plays from the seats and help the Saints defense stop their opponents. Still 0-4 in the season.
26. St. Louis Rams (+3)
Rams came up with a big win against the Seahawks. Let's see how good their offense can look against the Cardinals' defense on Thursday.
27. New York Jets (-9)
I texted my friend who is a Jets' fan asking him what the team should do now. All he said was "smh...smh." I think that describes the team's first quarter of 2012.
28. Oakland Raiders (-1)
Last in the league in rushing. 3rd worst team scoring. They give up the fifth most points and allow 400+ yards a game. At least Carson Palmer is airing it out.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)
Coming into the season I wanted to believe in this offensive unit so badly. But they are ranked last in the league in points scored, total yards and have the 2nd worse passing yards per game. The good news is that they are young.
30. Indianapolis Colts (0)
BYE Week. But I still don't get how they lost to the Jaguars.
31. Miami Dolphins (0)
Ryan Tannehill is showing signs of greatness, but it was not enough to get them past the undefeated Cardinals on Sunday.
32. Cleveland Browns (0)
They have a better offense and defense than the Jaguars. Why are they last in the rankings? BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T WON A GAME! Saints have a better offense these teams and I would bet on the Saints (if I was a bettor) if they matched up against the teams below them.
