- 32. St. Louis Rams (0 - 4) - Yeah, talk about the obvious way to start a list. This team has been bad all over so far this year. Where to start? Their offense has managed 43 point in 4 games which is last in the NFL. The defense has let up 147 points through 4 games, also last in the NFL and 30 points more than the next closest team (Denver). They benched their starting QB going into week 4. And on top of that they fired head coach Scott Linehan Monday, promoting D Coordinator Jim Haslett. This is one of those teams where the playoffs are already out of the picture and the players are likely to be playing for their jobs all year.
- 31. Detroit Lions (0 - 3) - Honestly, this part of the list is really easy to work on an is fairly straightforward. The Lions continue to be bad bad bad. They would be the worst team in the league in any normal year if it wasn't for the Rams being embarrassing. At least they finally fired Matt Millen. Now there is at least hope in Detroit. Don't be surprised if they show up this Sunday. Divisional game at home against Kyle Orton and the Bears. As long as they have Williams and Johnson they can win any game.
- 30. Cincinnati Bengals (0 - 4) - The Bungles are back! Cinci has been really bad through week 4 save the hard game they played against the Giants. Palmer is hurt and didn't play Sunday and if you thought the Bengals looked bad with Palmer you haven't seen Ryan Fitzpatrick try to run the offense. They couldn't score much against the not so intimidating Browns defense. If Palmer doesn't play Sunday at Dallas you have every right to change the channel. This game is going to make some really pissed off when one of those Jimmy Kimmel DirecTV commercials comes on. On a side note, anyone else start Carson in fantasy this week thinking he'd play? Lost this week cause of it.
- 29. Houston Texans (0 - 3) - I know that the Texans probably aren't going to be this bad all year. They have a shot to beat Indy at home on Sunday, they really do. I just can't rate a team that hasn't beat anybody at all higher than a team that has won a game. You are the amongst the worst when you haven't beaten anyone and you are amongst the best until someone beats you. Yeah, little foreshadowing.
- 28. Cleveland Browns (1 - 3) - I'm really surprised that Brady Quinn didn't get in there on Sunday after Anderson's miserable first half. I expect Anderson to be replaced fairly soon. After four games this year he doesn't anything like the Quarterback we saw last year lighting up the scoreboard. They are gonna put the first round pick in there and start getting him experience sooner rather than later.
- 27. Kansas City Chiefs (1 - 3) - The win today bumped them out of competing with the Rams for worst in the league but I don't think they'll get too many more of them this year. I think with LJ, who is still a good Running Back no matter what anyone says, they will probably be able to get 4 or so wins on the year, probably upsetting a good team late in the year as their young guys get more playing time. Don't expect anymore dominant looking performances like the one on Sunday. They had a good day the same day the Broncos had a bad one.
- 26. Oakland Raiders (1 - 3) - I'm higher on the Raiders than most people. They lost their last two games in the fourth quarter after they had a good lead in the first half. They would be ranked higher but I think Al Davis is going to make a mistake and fire Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has done pretty well with the guys he has been given and with all the distractions (fine, the one huge distraction) and doesn't deserve to be fired after 4 games.
- 25. Atlanta Falcons (2 - 2) - The Falcons 2 wins came at home against Detroit and Kansas City. They haven't played well at all in their other 2 games. Matt Ryan is showing signs that he might be a worthwhile starter, but this team isn't too good. Their defense doesn't beat people and their offense's strength is their running game that hasn't been as good as the stats have looked. I do think that Michael Turner should bring back the Dirty Bird from the Jamaal Anderson days. That was always fun.
- 24. Seattle Seahawks (1 - 2) - To be fair, Seattle has had everyone they have had even try to play reciever get hurt and they should be getting a few guys back this week. Yet, the only team they managed to beat so far is the Rams, which really isn't a good sign. If this team was as good as expected they would have been able beat San Fran and would have not gotten killed at Buffalo. Look for them to lost against this week when they travel out east to play the Giants.
- 23. Minnesota Vikings (1 - 3) - I'm going to start by saying I dont think that All Day is one of the best in the league. He's good but he plays behind a mauling O-line and he looks like he might be injury prone. That said, the Vikings are one of those teams that plays good defense and runs the ball but still loses games. I believe you can win like that but you need some sort of production at the Quartback position. When Gus Frerotte is the answer.... you didn't prepare properly for the test.
- 22. San Francisco 49ers (2 - 2) - This team is going to be in a lot of games because of Mike Martz's offense. The problem is his offense is so boom or bust that it put a lot of pressure on the defense, leaving them with bad field position and little rest. Their defense isn't good enough for them to win a lot of games this year. It'll look like they are close weekly but they are still miles from being a good team.
- 21. Indianapolis Colts (1 - 2) - Oh how the mighty have fallen. I don't know what exactly is wrong with this team. Like, its not one of those things where you can just point and go "There it's that player/unit's fault". Their whole team just seems like it is off. They have always been a team that relies on everyone being on the same page but they haven't been there this year. Still, I'd be surprised if they don't burst out of their slump and make the playoffs. Peyton Manning gets benefit of the doubt.
- 20. Arizona Cardinals (2 - 2) - The whole NFC West is amongst the bottom twelve teams in the league. One NFC team is going to be sitting home this season while one of these bums makes the playoffs. That said, the Cardinals will probably be the bums that make the playoffs. They are going to be hard to watch as long as Warner is the Quarterback. I watched him as a Giant. When he wins games he is good but when he loses them man does he lose em hard.
- 19. New England Patriots (2 - 1) - Admitted bit of Patriots hatred here. But until Matt Cassel looks anything but below average, I can't climb them up the board. Brady made up for their defense's weaknesses by forcing opposing teams to pass to keep up. This defense is old and slowing and has problems stopping the run, especially late in the game after teams have been grinding them out all game. They are the worst team in their division right now.
- 18. Miami Dolphins (1 - 2) - Look out for the Dolphins this year. I will not be picking against them with any confidance all year. This is a Parcells run team, with a Parcells picked coach, and a bunch of Parcells picked guys. They run the ball well and stop it well too. Pennington is good for what they have right now. Forget about last year, that was last year. This year they look good. Watch out for some more of that Wild Phin offense too. Ronnie Brown is a freak.
- 17. Jacksonville Jaguars (2 - 2) - They have won their last 2 games, but both of them were on game ending field goals. Both their O-Line and their D-Line are battling the injury bug. On the other hand, the 2 games they lost were to the Bills and the Titans, two of the three teams still undefeated. Can't fault them too much for having a hard opening schedule. This team is only playing decently now, but I can see them getting better as the year goes on.
- 16. Chicago Bears (2 - 2) - The Kyle Orton led Chicago Bears. If you've seen the Bears in the last few years you know what to expect. They are going to play good defense and Devin Hester changes everything on special teams, but no team is going far with the Quarterbacks they trot out there.
- 15. New York Jets (2 - 2) - The Jets are in a weird spot for me right now. I love Brett Farve as much as the next guy, but there is something about this team that doesn't look too hot. The team just seems average all around. They are good but I think this is going to be another of those seasons for Jet fans. Win 1.... Lose 2... Win 2.... Lose 1.... Win 1... Lose 1....
- 14. Green Bay Packers (2 - 2) - They would be ranked a little higher if not for the fact that I'm worried about the injury at Quarterback. Behind Rodgers is a pair of rookies and while I was really high on Brian Brohm coming out of the draft, reports that Matt Flynn looked better during camp have me worried about them both. The Pack do still have a defense that is better than it gets credit for and a reciever in Greg Jennings who looks like a great one. They'll be competitive for the weeks to come with or without Rodgers.
- 13. Denver Broncos (3 - 1) - First thing's first, Cutler is a great Quarterback in development and Brandon Marshall is better than TO. The problem? They still haven't solved their defensive struggled of the last few years. Any time that gives up 33 to the Chiefs probably has a problem. They are in for a shit load of these 33-31 shootouts.
- 12. Philadelphia Eagles (2 - 2) - Another one of these teams in the middle that I'm kinda both ways about. On the won hand they look good in all phases of the game. They are pretty good at doing pretty much everything. The problem is that for the last few years the Eagles have managed to look good and still lose games. During the game they look great but the final scoreboard shows otherwise.
- 11. New Orleans Saints (2 - 2) - The Defense is pretty bad down there in Nawlins but Brees has been playing so good that it doesn't seem to matter. He's missing his top 2 recievers, but he just goes on without missing a beat. They are going to be another team that wins shootouts, but there aren't many QBs I'd take over Brees in a shootout.
- 10. San Diego Chargers (2 - 2) - Two words.... actually it's two letters.... LT. LT LT LT. Yeah yeah yeah about Gates and Rivers and Chambers and Cromartie.... The Chargers have the best all-around running back to ever play the game. They are going to win their usual 12+ games and make the playoffs because of LT, everyone else is just a bonus.
- 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3 - 1) - Tampa is weird. Every weekend I go in thinking that this weekend is going to be the one where Tampa loses the game, but they don't. I have to chalk this oddity up to Jon Gruden. He finds out how to win weekly and they have a gutsy bunch down there. Gutsiest of all? Matt Bryant. I couldn't have performed like he did. My heart goes out.
- 8. Baltimore Ravens (2 - 1) - The Ravens play great Defense week in and week out. Flacco looked a the part of the in over his head rookie Monday night, but that shouldn't be an issue. He is a playmaker. They'll run the ball well and Flacco will make a few plays a game. They'll win the games that Flacco doesn't give away.
- 7. Carolina Panthers (3 - 1) - Carolina has played good football under the radar here all year. They won the first two that everyone thought they would lose without Steve Smith, and then lost to the Vikings in a game that was just a bad match up for them overall. They handily beat the Falcons Sunday and contenders beat bad teams like that. The only thing I'm worried about is Delhomme's arm falling off. As long as that doesn't happen the Panthers will win most weeks.
- 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3 - 1) - If it wasn't for how bad they looked against the Eagles I would definately have them ranked higher. Big Ben wins football games when he has time in the pocket. Their defense historically is tough and they play great football at home. If they get Fast Willie back quickly they'll be one of the best AFC teams in the league this year.
- 5. Dallas Cowboys (3 - 1) - Part of it might be the Giants fan in me, but I don't think Romo is that great a Quarterback. He makes Farve-like decisions sometimes and doesn't have the arm for some of the things he tries to do. Overall though they play really good football and their offense is near unstoppable. The T.O. situation might be finally coming to a head though.
- 4. Washington Redskins (3 - 1) - After the way they looked in week 1, I figured it would be a long season, but they got those offensive problems straightened out quickly. After they beat the Cowboys this week, they proved that they belonged in the best division in football. Clinton Portis is always a treat to watch as well. He runs well and always plays till the end of the play.
- 3. Buffalo Bills (4 - 0) - The 4 - 0 teams are the best teams in football. Until somebody beats you, you are the best. The Bills are the definition of playing good in all three phases of the game. No one of their units jumps out as one of the best in the league (okay, maybe their Special Teams) but as a combined overall team, they are hard to beat.
- 2. Tennessee Titans (4 - 0) - Titans coach Jeff Fisher is probably the best coach in the league. No one gets as much out of his players year in and year out like Jeff Fisher does. Kerry Collins takes the brunt of a lot of old guy jokes these days, but he has been to a Super Bowl and can make the plays necissary to win the game. It doesn't hurt when you have a budding star at running back in Chris Johnson.
- 1. New York Giants (3 - 0) - Go ahead, call me a homer. I'm a firm believer in the idea that the Champion is the Champion until somebody beats them. The Giants won the Super Bowl and haven't lost a game yet this year. Add to that fact that they are number 4 in total offense and number 4 in total defense (No one else is in the top 5 of both) and you've got the easy choice for best team in the league....Right now.
That's it, thats the rankings. I'll get at you again tomorrow with some more.
-Big Derf
