1. Green Bay Packers (6-0)
You know when you beat a team by 21 points to remain undefeated and fans think you should have won by more, you have a damn good football team. I don't know how anybody beats Green Bay this year.
2. San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
It feels like the mid 90s again with the Niners and Pack attack among the league's best teams. Call me a homer, but where else should the Niners go? Their point differential is +70 (behind only Green Bay and Baltimore), and they've won road games against the solid Bengals, talented Eagles, and very good Lions. Coming East for early start games is notoriously hard for West Coast teams, but Jim Harbaugh's crew has passed that test all three times this season. Plus, they dismantled the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. If the Cowboys just miss a 48-yard field goal at the end of regulation, the 49ers are 6-0 right now.
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
The defense is dominating as usual, Ray Lewis seems to be ageless, and the offense has notched 37, 34, and 29 points in their last three games, respectively. If Joe Flacco can keep that well-oiled machine going, then this is the best team in the AFC.
4. New England Patriots (5-1)
They struggled with Dallas, who is again running for the title of most talented team that can't find a way to win, but in the end the Patriots did what they almost always do, prevail. It's just hard to argue with Tom Brady, his band of weapons, and the overall stability of the Patriot organization. This team will be in the playoffs, make a run, and as long as Brady is healthy, can beat anybody.
5. Detroit Lions (5-1)
A few chinks in the armor were exposed against San Fran on Sunday. First, Matthew Stafford can be inaccurate when defenders close in or are around his legs. He tends to fling the ball of his back foot and loses precision. Second, Jahvid Best is a big play guy, but doesn't run well between the tackles and always looks one big hit away from missing time with an injury. Best sustained a concussion against the 49ers that could possibly even end his season. Third, if you can keep Calvin Johnson out of the end zone, you can hold the Lions down. They'll get their yards between the 20s, but keep Megatron limited in the red zone, and Detroit will struggle to score. Ndamukong Suh's name was also rarely called on Sunday, save for when he was getting blown out of the way. Still, this team is one close game against a fellow 5-1 squad from being undefeated.
6. New Orleans Saints (4-2)
Yes, they just lost on the road to Tampa Bay, but Tampa also lost to the 49ers by 45 points. I trust Drew Brees and that offense to keep this team in every game and win a lot of them over the course of a season.
7. San Diego Chargers (4-1)
We'll see what this Chargers team is all about when they visit the Jets and then host the Packers in a few weeks.
8. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
They still seem like a band of overachievers, but they're 4-2 and played the Giants very evenly. Their only two losses this year have been on the road by a combined 6 points.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Like I thought, they made what should have been an easy game against the hapless Jaguars into a struggle, but they still won the game. They still pack a mean defense, and they still have Ben Roethlisberger to bail them out at the end of games.
10. New York Giants (4-2)
At their best, they control both lines of scrimmage, Eli Manning makes big plays, and they batter the opposing passer. At their worst, they play flat, turn the ball over, and lose to Seattle at home. Give me a few more weeks to decide who this team really is.
11. Oakland Raiders (4-2)
Complete guess here, but I think Carson Palmer can pick up the offense quickly, especially complemented by such a strong rushing attack. It's also a good fit for Palmer since the Raiders employ such a vertical passing game. His strength is throwing the deep ball.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
After getting housed by the Niners they rebounded big time with a clutch win over the division rival Saints. This is a young team still finding it's footing, but they share they lead of the NFC South, and once they figure out how good they can be, watch out.
You know when you beat a team by 21 points to remain undefeated and fans think you should have won by more, you have a damn good football team. I don't know how anybody beats Green Bay this year.
2. San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
It feels like the mid 90s again with the Niners and Pack attack among the league's best teams. Call me a homer, but where else should the Niners go? Their point differential is +70 (behind only Green Bay and Baltimore), and they've won road games against the solid Bengals, talented Eagles, and very good Lions. Coming East for early start games is notoriously hard for West Coast teams, but Jim Harbaugh's crew has passed that test all three times this season. Plus, they dismantled the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. If the Cowboys just miss a 48-yard field goal at the end of regulation, the 49ers are 6-0 right now.
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
The defense is dominating as usual, Ray Lewis seems to be ageless, and the offense has notched 37, 34, and 29 points in their last three games, respectively. If Joe Flacco can keep that well-oiled machine going, then this is the best team in the AFC.
4. New England Patriots (5-1)
They struggled with Dallas, who is again running for the title of most talented team that can't find a way to win, but in the end the Patriots did what they almost always do, prevail. It's just hard to argue with Tom Brady, his band of weapons, and the overall stability of the Patriot organization. This team will be in the playoffs, make a run, and as long as Brady is healthy, can beat anybody.
5. Detroit Lions (5-1)
A few chinks in the armor were exposed against San Fran on Sunday. First, Matthew Stafford can be inaccurate when defenders close in or are around his legs. He tends to fling the ball of his back foot and loses precision. Second, Jahvid Best is a big play guy, but doesn't run well between the tackles and always looks one big hit away from missing time with an injury. Best sustained a concussion against the 49ers that could possibly even end his season. Third, if you can keep Calvin Johnson out of the end zone, you can hold the Lions down. They'll get their yards between the 20s, but keep Megatron limited in the red zone, and Detroit will struggle to score. Ndamukong Suh's name was also rarely called on Sunday, save for when he was getting blown out of the way. Still, this team is one close game against a fellow 5-1 squad from being undefeated.
6. New Orleans Saints (4-2)
Yes, they just lost on the road to Tampa Bay, but Tampa also lost to the 49ers by 45 points. I trust Drew Brees and that offense to keep this team in every game and win a lot of them over the course of a season.
7. San Diego Chargers (4-1)
We'll see what this Chargers team is all about when they visit the Jets and then host the Packers in a few weeks.
8. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
They still seem like a band of overachievers, but they're 4-2 and played the Giants very evenly. Their only two losses this year have been on the road by a combined 6 points.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Like I thought, they made what should have been an easy game against the hapless Jaguars into a struggle, but they still won the game. They still pack a mean defense, and they still have Ben Roethlisberger to bail them out at the end of games.
10. New York Giants (4-2)
At their best, they control both lines of scrimmage, Eli Manning makes big plays, and they batter the opposing passer. At their worst, they play flat, turn the ball over, and lose to Seattle at home. Give me a few more weeks to decide who this team really is.
11. Oakland Raiders (4-2)
Complete guess here, but I think Carson Palmer can pick up the offense quickly, especially complemented by such a strong rushing attack. It's also a good fit for Palmer since the Raiders employ such a vertical passing game. His strength is throwing the deep ball.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
After getting housed by the Niners they rebounded big time with a clutch win over the division rival Saints. This is a young team still finding it's footing, but they share they lead of the NFC South, and once they figure out how good they can be, watch out.
--from @AdamHocking
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