| 1 |  | To be honest, I'm a little tired of riding the Colts' pony, if you know what I mean. What else can I say? Peyton Manning is awesome, the defense is great, blah, blah, blah. In fact, until their Week 9 matchup with New England, I'm through writing about them. | previous rank: 1 |
| 2 |  | See above analysis and substitute Tom Brady for Peyton Manning, Patriots for Colts, and Colts for Patriots. I will say this about the two teams, however: Is there any doubt that these two clubs are in a class of their own? |
previous rank: 2 |
| 3 |  | I know all of us only tuned into that game out of habit. What else would we do on a Monday night? Well, we were treated to an exciting game, and the Cowboys pulled it out on the road. Not their best performance, but a win is a win. | previous rank: 3 |
| 4 |  | The Steelers silenced their critics with a thrashing of the Seahawks. I guess that game with Arizona was merely a speed bump in this team's quest for AFC supremacy. Can they play with the Pats and Cotls? Not yet, but by the end of the year they may be ready. | previous rank: 7 |
| 5 |  | I'm sure I'll take some heat for ranking this team this high, but they deserve it. Winning in Arrowhead is a big deal. They are playing tough defense, they're running the ball well, and by the way, QB David Garrard has yet to throw an INT. Sounds like a playoff formula to me. | previous rank: 8 |
| 6 |  | Not the type of game you would expect from a team coming off a bye week at home. QB Vince Young looked like a guy making his 17th career start or something. Oh, he was making his 17th start? Well then, I guess this team will be okay. | previous rank: 6 |
| 7 |  | Who better than the Chicago Bears to take this team down a notch? I guess that division isn't theirs just yet. That game was marred by bad decisions by the QB and the head coach. Not to mention they were penalized more than a U.S. Olympic sprinter, or cyclist, or baseball player, or… | previous rank: 4 |
| 8 |  | I'll admit it: I'm partial to defenses. Sure the Ravens didn't score a TD and won on the leg of K Matt Stover (3 FGs). So what? Do we really expect them to score all that much? Chew on this, though: they only gave up six first downs to the 49ers. Pretty scary, huh? | previous rank: 10 |
| 9 |  | Seattle had an opportunity to show the world what they were made of it and they blew it. They were shutout by the Steelers. SHUTOUT! That had to be humbling. Of course, that ‘D' in Pittsburgh is something else. They better rebound against the Saints because the Cardinal just caught up to them in the division race. | previous rank: 5 |
| 10 |  | The ‘Skins demolished the Lions. It was over at first whistle. QB Jason Campbell has arrived, going 23-29 for 248 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INT. He looks calm and confident, too. This team is actually stacked with young talent, mostly acquired in the draft. Now if they could only work on that name change. | previous rank: 14 |
| 11 |  | It's a good thing for the Giants that the Jets can't close out a game. Credit the G-Men defense for buckling down in the second half, though. And call me crazy, but Eli to Plaxico is looking a lot like Peyton to Marvin. Okay, forget I said anything. | previous rank: 12 |
| 12 |  | For Cardinal fans, I have good news and more good news. The good news is, QB Matt Leinart is gone for the year. The more good news is, Kurt Warner is taking over. I'm not saying Leinart won't be good, but let's face it, Warner gives this team a better chance to win now. | previous rank: 13 |
| 13 |  | Now, I am of the opinion that QB Jake Delhomme is better than David Carr. But, with Delhomme now injured, the Panthers will be forced to run the ball more, which is what they need to do to win more games anyway. Sure, I could be putting lipstick on a pig, but I think this actually might benefit them. | previous rank: 17 |
| 14 |  | The Texans won in incredible fashion; their kicker Kris Brown booting three field goals of 54 yards or more, including the game winner with 1 second to spare. The fact that he is on my fantasy team has no bearing whatsoever in my mentioning of him. Psst, Hey Kris, Love Ya, man. | previous rank: 18 |
| 15 |  | Now that was impressive. The Bolts marched right onto Mile High Field and beat the Broncos like they stole something. Handing Denver their worst home loss since the 1960's just might mean that San Diego is back on track. Hey, I said might. They still have Norv Turner for chrissakes. | previous rank: 22 |
| 16 |  | Trap game for the Colts? Who said that? They have a chance to beat Indianapolis? What jerk-off said that? Okay, so I was wrong. Excuse me for thinking a team with 5 starters injured might stumble. Hold your heads high Bucs, they do that to everyone. | previous rank: 11 |
| 17 |  | So I jumped the Raiders two spots without them even playing. Sue me. If they're ranked higher then your team and you want to complain, bring it on. It's not my fault your team isn't playing up to their "potential." It's not my fault the "refs gave ‘em one." By the way QB Daunte Culpepper is the answer for this team. Why is McCown still on the roster? | previous rank: 19 |
| 18 |  | Yes, I dropped the Broncos nine spots for losing one game. Did you see how they were handled by the Chargers? If you listened real good, I think you could've heard the Broncos yell, "Spank me, Daddy and pull my hair!" That was embarrassing. Because this team couldn't beat a 1-3 team at home, they're looking up at the Raiders. Didn't think you'd read that at any time this season, huh? | previous rank: 9 |
| 19 |  | I did not call this a trap game for New England, I saw this thrashing coming a mile away. Not to worry Dawg Pound, good times a right around the corner. The next three weeks include Miami, Bye, and St. Louis. Hell, you could be in first place by then. | previous rank: 15 |
| 20 |  | After their bye week, the Bengals are fortunate to be able to tune up against the Chiefs and Jets before facing the Steelers. That game, my friends, will decide the season for Carson and Co. I'd really like to them succeed because I can't get enough of WR Chad Johnson's end zone celebration. | previous rank: 20 |
| 21 |  | Was that game gift-wrapped by the Packers? Maybe. But you have to admit they tightened that defense up quite a bit in the second half. Word out of Chicago is that head coach Lovie Smith ripped the team a new one at halftime; a side of Lovie that nobody had ever seen before. Maybe he should've given that speech last February? |
previous rank: 25 |
| 22 |  | The Eagles probably needed that Week 5 Bye more than anybody. After losing to the Giants in Week 4, the Eagles have to Jimmy Hoffa's resting place again and face the Jets. I predict a great game from the team as head coach Andy Reid has never lost a game after a bye week. | previous rank: 23 |
| 23 |  | That was a short stay in the top-20. How does a team with a 3-2 record end up ranked so low? Well, when they lose, they get killed! Please, for the love of General Motors, show some consistency! I' beginning to think that offensive coordinator Mike Martz in no genius. He just guessed on his SATs and got into college the same way I did. | previous rank: 16 |
| 24 |
 | Not a good performance by the offense. But not many teams that face the Ravens have a good game. It was probably painful for the hometown fans, but at least that defense showed up. If the offense doesn't turn it around, however, this current will last well into next season. | previous rank: 24 |
| 25 |  | Be honest, outside of Dallas, who wasn't pulling for the Bills last night? OH! What heartache! It is extremely rare to generate 5 more takeaways than your opponent and lose the game. I guess timing is the key, as the Bills' young QB Trent Edwards threw an INT with 6 minutes left. | previous rank: 26 |
| 26 |  | All season long, this team has bounced around 21-26 in my rankings. They'll probably stay here, too. I know the 2nd-string QB is the most popular guy in town, so I don't want to be that guy but…give me Croyle! I'm just interested in seeing what the guy can do. | previous rank: 21 |
| 27 |  | Like I said before, I'm partial to defenses. So when the Vikings play the Bears this week, I'll be watching intently. My prediction: a shootout. Doesn't always seem to happen that way? | previous rank: 28 |
| 28 |  | This team has nothing except a return man. Leon Washington is exciting to watch. Other than that, this team is bad. Head coach Eric Mangini needs to light a fire under his squad. Or bring in Namath. | previous rank: 27 |
| 29 |  | You know you're desperate when you bring in a QB who only been in possession of the playbook for a few hours. I'm kidding but you know what I mean. The thing is, QB Byron Leftwich nearly won the game for them, but he sailed a few passes at the end. | previous rank: 29 |
| 30 |  | There is just no recovering from an 0-5 start. The honeymoon is over and America is filing for an annulment. You broke our heart, Sean Payton. We thought you were the real deal. At least RB Reggie Bush gets to improve. |
previous rank: 30 |
| 31 |  | What kind of bonehead play was that at just before halftime? Kicking the ball as the opposing offense is trying to spike it? That gave the Cardinals 7 points and look what happened. The Rams lost by three. How about that soap treatment from Full Metal Jacket for that guy? | previous rank: 32 |
| 32 |  | With QB Trent Green done for the year (hopefully, for his future's sake) the Dolphins are done. That was a dumb play by Green, though. I mean, if you can't lay a proper block, don't play football. Just kidding. But seriously, when the other isn't looking, you should be able to hit him wherever you want. What wrong with aiming for the thigh pad, Trent? | previous rank: 31 |
