1. Green Bay Packers (5-0)
This is the best offense I’ve seen since the Patriots went 16-0 a few years back. It even reminds me a bit of the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” days with Kurt Warner. Aaron Rodgers is playing the quarterback position as well as anyone has ever played it, and that’s no overstatement. At this point in his career he has both the highest passer rating and the lowest interception percentage in NFL history. All that, and Rodgers’ bevy of weapons has translated into an average of 35 points per game through five contests.
The defense has had some struggles, but bear in mind that the offense scores so often and so quickly that Packer opponents get more opportunities with the ball. Allowing 22 points per game isn’t ideal, but that’s plenty good enough given the absolute power of the green machine that Rodgers commands on offense.
2. Detroit Lions (5-0)
I’m getting ahead of myself, but it’s hard not to salivate over the long-term rivalry that could transpire between the Packers and Lions in the NFC North. Matthew Stafford is playing right up to the level of expectation that comes along with being a number one overall draft selection, Calvin Johnson is the single most indefensible player in the league, and the Lions’ front four is the engine of a powerful defense allowing just 18 points per contest. Stafford vs. Rodgers could be a rivalry for the ages, and it’s just getting started.
3. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
I really like the way this team is put together in terms of its formula for sustaining success throughout a long season and into the winter months. Ray Rice is a both a power back and a great all-around threat, the offensive line is massive and equipped to manhandle opponents in the run game, and fullback Vonta Leach is the most devastating lead blocker in the NFL. Joe Flacco is good enough to put up points in the vertical passing game and not get in the way of an overall supremely talented roster. Anquan Boldin, Ed Dickson, and Dennis Pitta provide a host of underneath weapons, while Lee Evans and emerging rookie Torrey Smith supply electric speed down field.
And oh yeah, the Ravens defense is up to its old tricks, allowing 14 points per game. First round pick Jimmy Smith returns at cornerback next week.
4. New Orleans Saints (4-1)
I don’t love the Saints, but I think they are better-rounded than the Patriots, clicking better than the Chargers, and just plain more talented than the Bills or 49ers.
The three-headed monster of Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, and Pierre Thomas has big time potential, complementing the always prolific New Orleans passing attack.
The defense has been up and down, but just like with Green Bay, New Orleans has the offense to stick with any opponent.
5. New England Patriots (4-1)
They have the worst statistical defense in the NFL, and I really don’t care. As long as they have Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Wes Welker, and an endless supply of receiving targets this team has a chance to win every game. What cannot be overlooked is that the Pats currently rank sixth in the NFL in rushing offense, which makes them an even more potent ball control attack.
With all the draft choices New England has recently invested in the defense I’m a little shocked they aren’t better on that side of the ball, but this is a 12-win-caliber team regardless.
The schedule gets brutal over the next four weeks with home dates against the Cowboys and Giants and trips to face the Steelers and Jets.
6. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
I’ll be the first to tell you that this team has the potential to come crashing back to earth, but what more do they have to do to earn respect at this point in a young season? Back-to-back road wins against the better-than-advertised Bengals, followed by a 20-point comeback in Philadelphia were enough to get any Niner fan excited. The 45-point thrashing of a good Buccaneers team though was the type of dominance the Red and Gold faithful haven’t seen since the Montana and Young days.
Josh Morgan breaking his ankle is a huge loss, especially with Braylon Edwards still not back from knee surgery.
Alex Smith is currently the 3rd-highest rated passer in the league behind Rodgers and Brady. Though not cutting it loose all over the field, Smith has been mechanically efficient.
The 49er defense has been most impressive, allowing less than 17 points per game, and San Fran is one overtime defeat away from sitting at 5-0. If this 49er team can go on the road and win against the undefeated Lions next week, we can really start to look at them as an elite team.
7. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
They’ve beaten the “Dream Team,” the Patriots, a good Raiders team, and drubbed the not as bad as we thought Chiefs. This may not be a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs, but they’ve earned this ranking so far.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been tremendous, Fred Jackson is an early MVP candidate, Steve Johnson is a wonderful threat on the outside, and CJ Spiller has made good things happen with limited touches. This offense should strike fear into any opponent.
The defense has a long way to go, but they attack and cause turnovers, and that has been good enough when paired with a Bills offense that scores 33 points per game.
8. San Diego Chargers (4-1)
It’s funny. If you had told me the Chargers would be 4-1 at this point in the year I would have said they are on their way to being true Super Bowl contenders, but it just doesn’t feel that way. I’m never one to argue with winning games, especially considering San Diego’s notorious reputation for slow starts, but I just haven’t been all that impressed with the way they’ve won. Of all the 1-loss teams, the Chargers’ +11 point differential is by far the worst.
What it comes down to though, in the words of the late Al Davis, “Just win, baby.”
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
They haven’t been pretty, but the Steelers rarely are. They got back on the right track by walloping what most think to be a solid Titans team last week.
The defense is showing signs of age, and Ben Roethlisberger has been hit a ton this year, but the Steelers, like the Patriots, have the fight, heart, and mentality of a championship football team, and to me that counts for a lot.
10. Oakland Raiders (3-2)
Bay area football is a combined 7-3. That hasn’t happened in a long while. I know it’s early for both the Raiders and 49ers, but the culture seems to be shifting for both organizations.
The Raiders have found a superstar in Darren McFadden (on pace for 1,660 rushing yards) and Jason Campbell has settled into a role as an average-to-above average quarterback. He won’t lose or win games for the team, and he has the arm to make any necessary throw. I like the Raiders’ front seven, and though statistically their defense has been sub-par, I like the personnel and identity of this football team.
11. Washington Redskins (3-1)
This is a shoulder shrug-type of placement on my list, but really, who else could go in this spot? The Texans just lost star pass rusher Mario Williams for the year and have a banged up duo of studs in Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. The Giants just lost at home to the Seahawks. The Bengals are an impressive young team, but when most of your offense is from a rookie passer to a rookie wideout, you have some limitations. The Titans are probably the best argument for this spot, but they just got smacked by the Steelers.
I’ll give Sexy Rex Grossman and the fighting Shanahans the nod here for one reason: I love their defense. Brian Orakpo is the second coming of DeMarcus Ware, and Ryan Kerrigan looks like the second coming of Brian Orakpo. Safety LaRon Landry might be the hardest hitter and best safety in the league.
This is a well-rounded team, eighth league-wide in rushing offense, eighth in passing defense, and sixth in rushing defense. Though they rank nineteenth in passing offense, that certainly isn’t abysmal considering how strong they are in other areas of the game.
I think ultimately this team is too limited to make any real noise in terms of a prolonged playoff run, but they’re a squad nobody wants on their schedule because of their attacking, physical style.
12. Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Again, I would go with the Texans here, but injuries are too much of a factor for them to make my top-12 until they can prove that they can persevere.
Meanwhile, Kenny Britt is a huge loss for the Titans, but Matt Hasselbeck has been very good this year, the Titans offensive line is one of the best in the business, and Chris Johnson will kick things into gear sooner or later.
The defense came back to earth against the Steelers but had been limiting opponents to just 14 points per game prior to this past week.
--from @AdamHocking
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