This is what a watered-down league looks like. There are maybe three really good teams, three more pretty good ones, five or so mediocre squads and then a whole lot of bad teams aspiring to be mediocre.
1. Patriots (5-0)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Won 34-27 at Colts. Next: Sun. vs. Jets.
They pulled away from the Colts after taking advantage of a botched fake punt attempt. Tom Brady is showing no signs of decline.
2. Bengals (5-0)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Won 34-21 at Bills. Next: Bye.
They scored 17 points on the first three possessions after halftime to smoke the Bills. QB Andy Dalton continues to impress.
3. Packers (6-0)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Won 27-20 vs. Chargers. Next: Bye.
They looked vulnerable at home for the second week in a row. Philip Rivers lit them up for 503 yards passing.
4. Broncos (5-0)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Won 26-23 (OT) at Browns. Next: Bye.
Once again the defense carried them to victory. Everyone keeps waiting for it to stop working.
5. Panthers (5-0)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Won 27-23 at Seahawks. Next: Sun. vs. Eagles.
The jury is out on the Seahawks so maybe that win won’t look as good later. Right now the Panthers are rolling behind Cam Newton.
6. Jets (4-1)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Won 34-20 vs. Washington. Next: Sun. at Patriots.
The Jets are 4-1 for the first time since 2010.They look to be the only team capable of challenging the Pats in the AFC East.
7. Falcons (5-1)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Lost 31-21 at Saints. Next: Sun. at Titans.
The two red-zone turnovers and the blocked punt are correctable mistakes. The lack of a pass rush is a major weakness.
8. Steelers (4-2)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Won 25-13 vs. Cardinals. Next: Sun. at Chiefs.
They’ve managed to survive without QB Ben Roethlisberger, who could return on Sunday against the Chiefs. The showdown with the Bengals is in Week 8.
9. Vikings (3-2)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Won 16-10 vs. Chiefs. Next: Sun. at Lions.
They overcame two interceptions by QB Teddy Bridgewater. He did convert a third-and-15 pass on the final field-goal drive.
10. Colts (3-3)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Lost 34-27 vs. Patriots. Next: Sun. vs Saints.
That bungled fake punt overshadowed a good effort. QB Andrew Luck showed no rust in his return from a shoulder injury.
11. Cardinals (4-2)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Lost 25-13 at Steelers. Next: Mon. vs. Cardinals.
They collapsed in the second half as third-string QB Landry Jones rallied the Steelers. That’s a bad loss.
12. Eagles (3-3)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Won 27-7 vs. Giants. Next: Sun. at Panthers.
They dominated the Giants to take control in the NFC East. After playing the Panthers they won’t face another good team until Dec. 6 at the Pats.
13. Rams (2-3)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. vs. Browns.
The schedule is more manageable after the bye. Rookie RB Todd Gurley has been an instant hit.
14. Giants (3-3)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Lost 27-7 at Eagles. Next: Sun. vs Cowboys.
With a chance to take control of the division, they got manhandled. The offensive line couldn’t protect QB Eli Manning against the Eagles.
15. Bills (3-3)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 34-21 vs. Bengals. Next: Sun. vs. Jaguars in London.
The Bills are struggling with injuries. GM Doug Whaley says he’s in a bind to add reinforcements because not all free agents have valid passports to travel to London.
16. Chargers (2-3)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Lost 27-20 at Packers. Next: Sun vs. Raiders.
That’s two tough losses in a row. After the defense collapsed against the Steelers, the offense couldn’t punch in a tying TD on fourth-and-goal at the three.
17. Raiders (2-3)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Chargers.
They spent the bye week working on the ineffective running game. Safety Charles Woodson is 39-years old and playing with a bad shoulder but he has four interceptions.
18. Washington (2-4)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Lost 34-20 at Jets. Next: Sun. vs. Buccaneers.
It was no contest against the Jets once New York stopped turning it over. QB Kirk Cousins threw two picks in each of the four losses.
19. Browns (2-4)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Lost 26-23 (OT) vs. Broncos. Next: Sun. at Rams.
How did they lose at home when Peyton Manning threw three picks? Because QB Josh McCown tossed a pick six and had another INT when driving for the winning field goal in regulation.
20. Texans (2-4)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Won 31-20 at Jaguars. Next: Sun. at Dolphins.
They aren’t the worst team in the AFC, at least. Brian Hoyer has taken hold of the starting QB job.
21. Saints (2-4)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Won 31-21 vs. Falcons. Next: Sun. at Colts.
The defense played surprisingly well in slowing the Falcons. The Falcons helped them solve their problems protecting QB Drew Brees.
22. Buccaneers (1-3)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Washington.
The next three games are at Washington, at the Falcons and at home against the Giants. They will be lucky to win one of those.
23. Cowboys (2-3)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Giants.
Matt Cassel takes over at QB for Brandon Weeden. Maybe he will help the offense but the defense has been a big disappointment.
24. Dolphins (2-3)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Won 38-10 at Titans. Next: Sun. vs. Titans.
Interim coach Dan Campbell’s first game went well. The defense appeared rejuvenated and the offense scored a TD in the first quarter for the first time this season.
25. Seahawks (2-4)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Lost 27-23 vs. Panthers. Next: Thurs. at 49ers.
They blew a fourth-quarter lead for the fourth time this season. The Seahawks would be 1-5 if not for the botched call by refs against the Lions.
26. 49ers (2-4)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Won 25-20 vs. 49ers. Next: Thurs. vs. Seahawks.
They won for the first time since Week 1. QB Colin Kaepernick had his best game in a while.
27. Lions (1-5)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Won 37-34 (OT) vs. Bears. Next: Sun. vs. Vikings.
QB Matt Stafford bounced back after last week’s benching to throw four TDs. Throwing deep balls to Calvin Johnson helped.
28. Bears (2-4)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 37-34 (OT) at Lions. Next: Bye.
They had their chances to earn a third straight victory with a fourth-quarter comeback. At least the offense clicked with the return of WR Alshon Jeffery.
29. Chiefs (1-5)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Lost 16-10 at Vikings. Next: Sun. vs. Steelers.
They had 51 yards of offense and 50 yards in penalties in the first half against the Vikings. RB Charcandrick West was stopped on fourth-and-one at the seven and lost a fumble on the final drive.
30. Ravens (1-5)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Lost 25-20 at 49ers. Next: Mon. at Cardinals.
They added to the worst start in franchise history with a sloppy effort. There were two dropped passes in the end zone, two drops on potential interceptions and two picks by QB Joe Flacco.
31. Titans (1-4)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Lost 38-10 vs. Dolphins. Next: Sun. vs. Falcons.
This could be just the opponent the Falcons need to rejuvenate their pass rush. The Dolphins sacked Marcus Mariota six times.
32. Jaguars (1-5)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Lost 31-20 vs. Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs. Bills.
QB Blake Bortles threw his sixth pick six in 19 career starts as coach Gus Bradley dropped to 8-30. The franchise is in trouble.
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