I got a bit more conservative on picking visiting teams this week, and they dominate the early Sunday games. Then it reverses 180 degrees and all home teams win after that. Strange week. The Saints lost their first game and the Steelers won their first, leaving only two unbeaten teams and three winless teams. The Giants and Bucs have chances to win their first game, as they both face very weak opponents. The Broncos face a challenge in Indianapolis. It could be a very interesting weekend.
Top Ten teams [Last week's position]
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0) [2] : I don't think anyone expected this from the Chiefs, not even me! While I expected them to reverse last year's collapse, and compete for a playoff spot, I would not have predicted they would spend at least a week at the top spot. While the offense is working, it is their defense that leads the league and has the Chiefs resting comfortable on the top. With the Broncos facing a challenge this week, the Chiefs could stay here.
2. Denver Broncos (6-0) [3] : The Jags scored 19 points against them. Clearly there is still work needed on their defense, which opens the door for a Colts upset this weekend. They are setting all sorts of offensive records, but their defense has to improve.
3. New Orleans Saints (5-1) [1] : The Saints pulled off a comeback and should have won, but then their defense allowed Tom Brady to move down the field unimpeded. Once again, the Saints defense proves their undoing, and this time it cost them a victory.
4. Seattle Seahawks (5-1) [5] : Seattle maintained breathing room against Tennessee, and showed that their defense still has what it takes.
5. New England Patriots (5-1) [6] : Rob Gronkowski didn't play, but the offense still showed up. The defense played well, too, showing that the Pats are still dangerous. Brady seems to be getting more comfortable with his new receivers, which should be cause for concern among their next opponents.
6. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) [4] : Where was the offense in San Diego? The Colts couldn't move the ball. Their defense did okay against San Diego, but the offense needs to bounce back. Somehow I thin they will.
7. San Francisco 49ers (4-2) [7] : The 49ers offense played well, but the defense allowed Arizona a little more yardage than they should have. It was still a pretty win.
8. Detroit Lions (4-2) [11] : The Browns winning streak was ground to a halt by a charging pride of Lions. Green Bay still looks strongest in the NFC North, but Detroit is looking good.
9. Green Bay Packers (3-2) [8] : And here are those Packers. They were able to come back from behind to beat the Ravens, but it wasn't a pretty game. The run defense needs to get tougher, and the Pack lost some key players to injury during this game.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) [13] : The Bengals took over sole first place in the AFC North with a close overtime victory over the Bills. The Bengals have been looking good the past couple of weeks, but this game wasn't a really impressive performance.
Divisional ranks [Last week's position]
1. AFC West [1] : Oakland is inconsistent, and so is San Diego. The Chargers won this week, but can they be counted on to continue that? If Denver falters, though, we may see a new top division.
2. NFC West [3] : The West is rising! The Rams had an impressive win against struggling Houston, the Seahawks and 49ers are strong teams, and even Arizona has an even record. This division was thought to be the best before the season began, and they are starting to live up to that.
3. NFC North [2] : Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago all won, but the Bears did not dominate the pathetic Giants. The Vikings suffered the worst loss of the weekend, which pulled down this division.
4. AFC East [4] : The Patriots are pulling away as both the Jets and Bills lost. They held position, but the gap beneath them has nearly dwindled to nothing.
5. AFC North [5] : Pittsburgh had their first win, but the other teams did not do well.
6. NFC South [5] : Carolina had an impressive win, but the Saints remain the only reliable team in this division.
7. AFC South [7] : The Texans continue to fall, and Indy looked pathetic against San Diego. With Jacksonville trailing the entire league, this division looked scraggly this week.
8. NFC East [8] : No team has a winning record and only Dallas has a positive point differential. This division will likely trail the league all season.
Thursday night game
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals : Larry Fitzgerald had a good game against the 49ers secondary, but Seattle is stauncher. This won't be as good a game for Arizona, while Seattle will have some success. SEAHAWKS, 27-16
Sunday early games
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins : The Dolphins come off a bye, but I don't know if they needed an extra week. With Thad Lewis hobbling, I think the Bills are the ones who could use the extra week. Miami should clean up here. DOLPHINS, 27-17
Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins The Bears defense hasn't been as fierce in the past two weeks, but I see a chance here. RGIII is still hobbling, and a decent Bears pass rush could cause some turnovers. On the defensive end, the Redskins are okay, but Dallas knocked them around pretty good. They may not have the strength to go against the Bears. BEARS, 30-20
Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions : Both of these teams have looked hot recently, but the Bengals faltered slightly last week. This could be a close game, but I like the Lions chances to prevail. LIONS, 26-21
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles : Nick Foles is taking snaps with the first string, so it looks like he'll be starting again. He played very well, but Tampa is not strong this season. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have a good offense. The defense needs some work, so the Eagles will score, but the problem is the fact that Dallas will, too. COWBOYS, 30-26
New England Patriots at New York Jets : Pittsburgh held the Jets to two field goals, and the Patriots defense is even better. I think the Jets will be inspired to score more, as they always fight the Patriots hard, but they still won't win. PATS, 24-16
San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars : Nice easy win for the Chargers. CHARGERS, 30-16
St Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers : Both of these teams had stellar victories last week; who gets to follow it up? I like Carolina's play, and their defense is stifling. PANTHERS, 21-13
Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons : The Falcons had an extra week to lament how they lost the Jets game. Tampa is hoping their defense might get them their first victory, but I think the Falcons are too strong. The Bucs might stall the offense to give them a chance, especially if they can win the turnover battle. FALCONS, 27-23
Sunday late games
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers : The Steelers may have won their first game last week, but I'm not sure they're quite back yet. The Ravens are a bit beat up, though, so this game may be close. RAVENS, 23-16
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers : Cleveland's winning streak was shattered by the Lions, and now another NFC North team will make that streak a distant memory. PACKERS, 27-17
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs : With the decline of the Texans, this game should be a breeze for the Chiefs. The strength of KC's defense will extend Matt Schaub's streak of games with a pick-6, too. CHIEFS, 30-16
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans : The Titans can be a tricky team. Seattle handled them, but that was in Seattle. The Titans at home will have crowd support, and they are getting further support from Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has played well in relief of the injured Jake Locker. However, I think the 49ers will keep pace and then win late in the fourth. 49ERS, 23-21
Sunday night game
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts As I've already mentioned, this could be a letdown game for the Broncos. Their defense has shown themselves to be vulnerable these past two weeks, and the Colts could definitely exploit that. The Colts know how Peyton Manning plays, so they could devise a defensive scheme to bother him. However, I think Peyton will have some incentive to win this game, and a determined Peyton can be an unpredictable Peyton. BRONCOS, 30-26
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants : After a powerful win in London, the Vikings return and lay an egg. Neither team is doing well. The Giants showed some flashes of their old selves against the Bears, and I think that was a precursor to this game. Neither offense is stellar, but I think the Giants will pull out their first win of the season. GIANTS, 17-13
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