1. Patriots (5-1)
It was like old times again at Foxboro: QB Tom Brady, in his first home game of the season, connected with TE Rob Gronkowski to beat up the Bengals.
2. Vikings (5-0)
Will all of the injuries catch up to the Vikings? They are so thin on the offensive line they signed ex-Falcons tackle Jake Long during the bye week.
3. Cowboys (5-1)
After they won at Lambeau for their fifth straight W no one can deny the Cowboys (and rookie QB Dak Prescott) are legit. There is no way injured QB Tony Romo should get his starting job back.
4. Seahawks (4-1)
Sure, CB Richard Sherman got away with mugging Falcons WR Julio Jones. But they won in spite of a botched field goal and blown coverages because that pass rush still is fierce and QB Russel Wilson is unflappable.
5. Broncos (4-2)
Trevor Siemian was back at QB vs. Chargers after Paxton Lynch struggled against Falcons. The offense still was sluggish.
6. Bills (4-2)
RB LeSean McCoy ran all over the 49ers as the Bills won their fourth straight. They exhaled when McCoy returned after a first-half knee injury.
7. Packers (3-2)
Fans at Lambeau booed the Packers after they coughed up four turnovers in a loss to the Cowboys. Those uncharacteristic giveaways and injuries in the secondary suggest their problems are temporary.
8. Steelers (4-2)
There has to be some concern that offense flamed out in both of their losses.
9. Falcons (4-2)
That 21-0 third quarter was a thing of beauty. Regarding Julio Jones’ dropped pass that went for an interception: that's an odd time to be aggressive passing the ball.
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10. Chiefs (3-2)
They bounced back from blowout loss to the Steelers by coming out of the bye and pounding the Raiders. The defense especially made amends.
11. Washington (4-2)
That’s two weeks in a row that the defense played well. Maybe it’s time to take these guys seriously
12. Cardinals (3-3)
It’s hard to know what to make of their blowout win over the Jets, who didn’t seem to be trying all of that hard.
13. Eagles (3-2)
The Redskins lit up Philly’s defense for 493 yards and rookie QB Carson Wentz had his first bad game.
14. Raiders (4-2)
We already knew the defense isn’t good but the Chiefs held that offense to 286 yards and forced two turnovers.
15. Ravens (3-3)
The Ravens blew a lead in the final two minutes at the Giants and then couldn’t score after a gifted roughing the passer penalty. Their roster is old and injured.
16. Texans (3-2)
Their own fans walked out on them after three bad quarters against the Colts but then they became the first NFL team since 2011 to rally from a 14-point hole over the final three minutes.
17. Lions (3-3)
For the second straight week they won after K Matt Prater made a field goal and the defense followed it up with a clinching INT.
18. Giants (3-2)
WR Odell Beckham stopped with the emotional outbursts and went for 222 yards and two TDs to beat the Ravens.
19. Titans (3-3)
They’ve already matched their win total from 2015.
20. Bengals (2-4)
The Bengals got caught up in a bunch of woofing with the Patriots and now are off to their worst start six-game start since 2010.
21. Rams (3-3)
A week after Coach Jeff Fisher’s fake punt failed, the Rams were stopped on fourth down at the Detroit 1 at the end of the first half.
22. Buccaneers (2-3)
They say they are recharged after a bye week and game at 49ers offers a chance for two straight Ws.
23. Saints (2-3)
The defense still is awful but QB Drew Brees still can do things like throw for 465 yards and four TDs to beat the Panthers.
24. Jaguars (2-3)
Yeah, it was against the Bears, but Jags should feel good about coming back from down 13-0 on the road.
25. Dolphins (2-3)
Before the bye, Adam Gase called his offense “inept” and then they put 30 on the Steelers.
26. Chargers (2-4)
Coach Mike McCoy was emotional after beating Broncos, probably because he saved his job for the moment.
27. Colts (2-4)
After blowing that 14-point lead at Houston to fall in AFC South cellar, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters: “You probably think I’m crazy but I’m encouraged.”
28. Panthers (1-5)
It was unlikely they would be as good as last season but, even with injuries, how can they be this bad?
29. Jets (1-4)
The Jets looked as if they didn’t feel like playing against Arizona.
30. Bears (1-5)
At least they can always laugh at the Browns.
31. 49ers (1-5)
QB Colin Kaepernick was OK in first start of the season but defense collapsed at Bills.
32. Browns (0-6)
When will they get their first W? Next three are at Bengals, vs. Jets, vs. Cowboys.
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