I finally found some time to determine top teams and divisions. The top teams I'll limit to the Top Ten (although I have ranked all 32 teams).
Top Ten Teams
1. Detroit Lions (4-0) : Their offense is clicking, and their defense is pretty tough, too. I don't have records that go back far enough to show the Lions at the top of the league; it must be at least 1983 since that was the case.
2. Green Bay Packers (4-0) : What's this? The top TWO teams come from the NFC North? Believe it! The old "black and blue" division has two shocking good offenses. The Pack's is even better than Detroit's, but their defense suffers a bit.
3 (tie). New England Patriots (3-1) : The Pats lead a three-way congestion for third place. Their offense is good, even though Brady that one bad game against Buffalo, and their defense is good, but there are still some holes that can be exploited on this team.
3 (tie). Houston Texans (3-1) : The first team whose defense outshines the offense, the Texans are proving a difficult road block for many teams.
3 (tie). Buffalo Bills (3-1) : Ryan Fitzgerald has this team clicking ever since he took over as starter late last season. He also has them believing in themselves as winners; perhaps the most difficult task to accomplish for the former AFC contenders (remember when Jim Kelly lead this team to four consecutive Super Bowls?).
6. Balitmore Ravens (3-1) : Another team with a strong defense than offense, age is starting to crack their veneer a bit, but they are still a powerful team that wears down opponents.
7. New Orleans Saints (3-1) : Their offense isn't quite as strong as their Super Bowl year, and their defense has problems, but they still give opposing defenses problems.
8. Tennessee Titans (3-1) : They are righting an offense that struggled in the early part of the season, and their defense is outstanding!
9. Washington Redskins (3-1) : Washington leading the NFC East? Believe it! While they are assisted by a meltdown of the Eagles, the Redskins defense is actually the best in the division.
10. San Francisco 49ers (3-1) : Alex Smith is showing promise, and the defense is tough as nails. That is a legacy left to Jim Harbaugh by Mike Singletary.
Division rankings
1. NFC North : With the top two teams in the league, where do you expect them to be? Until Green Bay and Detroit play each other, those two should linger near the top, helping to ensure this division's lead.
2. AFC East : They have two of the teams tied for third place, and the Jets are still a force. Miami is the only team dragging them down.
3. NFC East : This is the division with the highest overall value of points scored v points allowed. If Philly can right themselves, they could contest with the NFC North.
4. AFC North : The only division with NO team with a losing record, this division is home to the best overall defenses.
5. NFC South : If Atlanta could stop making mistakes, this division might be higher. As it is, no team is pathetic. Carolina may be 1-3, but with the numbers Cam Newton is posting, they'll be better than that soon enough.
6. AFC South : Who would have thought that it would Indy dragging this division down? You can't blame it all on them, as the offensive woes of Jacksonville are becoming a joke, but the Colts need to get something going.
7. AFC West : Only San Diego has a positive difference in points scored v points allowed, and their defense is such that the difference is less than ten. This division is suffering.
8. NFC West : Once again, the division leader is the only team showing any type of strength. This year, that's the 49ers.
Bye weeks start this week, so there are fewer games to pick.
Sunday early games
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-4): I'd love to pick the Vikings, and they might win their first game, but I think Kevin Kolb has better tools. With the Vikings defense struggling, the Cards get a chance to show what they can do, although neither offense will light up the scoreboard. CARDS, 17-13
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3): Cincinnati is inconsistent and sporadic. If the "bad" Bengals show up, they could potentially lose this game. However, Jacksonville's offense is struggling too much to make them an upset pick here. BENGALS, 21-13
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-4): Here's my projected upset! The Chiefs were able to up-end the Vikings, but the Colts have been close in three of their four losses. The offense is starting to click, and even Curtis Painter shows signs of moving the ball. Matt Cassell has definitely taken a step backwards in his field sense and delivery. COLTS, 20-16
New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3): The Panthers are a decent offense, so they'll score against the slow Saints defense. However, the Saints can score, too, and the Panthers defense is worse. The difference might be special teams, and there the Saints prevail. SAINTS, 31-21
Oakland Raiders (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1): Oakland can be tricky, but Houston is tough! Their defense is stingy, and Matt Schaub has their offense looking good. TEXANS, 24-16
Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1): I saw a program on ESPN this morning where someone (I didn't immediately recognize him, and didn't catch the name - I couldn't watch for long) was still predicting a winning season for the Eagles. That happened primarily by beating Washington twice (ain't gonna happen) and getting past the Bears defense (which unless they are as injured as Vick when they meet, also won't likely happen). While this analyst apparently still can't give up the attraction of the preseason hyped "Dream Team", at least even HE figured the Bills would beat the Eagles. Who am I to argue with a rabid Eagles supporter? BILLS, 31-20
Seattle Seahawks (1-3) at New York Giants (3-1): When the Seahawks get their back against the wall is when they can be the most dangerous, as NFC West and NFC playoff teams discovered late last season. They are in that position now, knowing another early loss makes the likelihood of reaching the playoffs remote. Certainly the Giants look like a great candidate to upset. Their defense hasn't looked very sharp and the offense has made some costly and stupid mistakes. Still, the Giants offense has improved greatly from the pathetic unit on display during the preseason, and I think they'll eke out this game. GIANTS, 20-17
Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): Speaking of fighters when their backs are against the wall, that describes Pittsburgh well. This will be a defensive battle, and Pittsburgh usually wins those games. Here's another upset pick. STEELERS, 17-13
Sunday late games
New York Jets (2-2) at New England Patriots (3-1): The Jets are 2-2 and hopping mad about it. However, despite New York's defense, these games tend to be offensive showdowns, and Sanchez and company have been making too many mistakes recently to favor them. PATS, 30-24
San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (2-2): No upset here. San Diego's offense will roll over Denver. CHARGERS, 27-17
Tampa Bay Bucs (3-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1): Man, I almost don't want EITHER team to lose! It's nice to see two teams whose recent fortunes haven't been good to lead their respective divisions, and be among the top teams in the league. This will be a close game where defense makes the difference, and that often goes to the home team. 49ERS, 21-20
Sunday night
Green Bay Packers (4-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2): Atlanta's going to wish they didn't draw the NFC North this season. A loss to the Bears and a showdown against the Lions still to come, they can't be happy about this game. The Pack has the weakest defense of the three, so Atlanta will score, but they won't be able to stop the massive offensive onslaught of Green Bay. PACK, 31-23
Monday Night Football
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (4-0): I'd love to pick the Bears, but they rarely play well on Monday Night. They have to face the streaking Lions, a team definitely on the rise in 2011. Sorry to say, this one won't go well for Chicago. LIONS, 30-20
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