NFL Week 5: Quarterly Report

If there's one consistent factor about the NFL, it's that it doesn't disappoint. We are a quarter of the way through the season, and the NFL's reputation for being unpredictable and exhilarating has been stellar. While its still early in the season, the records are strong indications that, once again, pre-season expectations are on very shaky ground.

AFC

4-0: Indianapolis and Denver. Both teams began the year with new head coaches and identities. Typically, this does not equal a strong, undefeated showing, but Denver leads the league in defense while Peyton Manning and Co. are scintillating on both sides of the ball.

3-1: NY Jets, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals. There is no doubt that the Jets and Cincy are turning heads. The Pats and Ravens are right where many thought they'd be so it'll make for some very nice division clashes if they continue this pace.

2-2: Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and San Diego Chargers. No surprises here except for the Steelers who many thought would be in one of the first two categories. J-town is starting to warm up which could make for a very hot AFC South race.

1-3: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Oakland Raiders. It's been a slow start for Miami who lost Pennington last week. The Bills and Raiders are the victims of really bad coaching while Oakland is also blessed with very low talent.

0-4: Tennessee Titans, KC Chiefs, and Cleveland Browns. Raise your hand if you expected the Titans to be winless after four weeks? Didn't think so. Being paired with the Chiefs and Browns, who should feel right at home in this category, is a bit humiliating.

NFC

4-0: NY Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints. It's amazing how a dominant defense makes a difference along with a veteran QB who makes very few mistakes.

3-1: Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons: The Jay Cutler trade appears to be panning out for both teams while Mike Singletary is striking gold early on in the Bay City. Philly and Atlanta only have 2 wins but are playing very well.

2-2: Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Green Bay Packers: Big D and the Skins have serious coaching and discipline issues while the Pack must find a way to keep Rodgers upright. There's still time for improvement, but something has to change...quickly.

1-3: Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks: Now this is a strange bunch -- the defending NFC champions, a barrel-scraping outfit, and an inconsistent bunch from the NW. All three QB's must get healthy and/or return to their 2008 form if these teams are going to move up. Arizona is 1-2 with a bye last week.

0-4: Carolina Panthers,Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and St. Louis Rams: There are serious issues at QB and with the run defense in Carolina. Tampa and St. Louis aren't showing signs of progression under new regimes so they might as well make their beds and stay awhile.

Let's take a look at the games that are ushering us into the second quarter.

• Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1): CBS, 1pm EST - Drama and suspense have followed the Bengals around like Linus' blanket this season. But, that is mere peanuts compared to the damage this Ravens team can inflict.

• Cleveland Browns (0-4) at Buffalo Bills (1-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Hysterical screaming from fans, mass confusion, poor workmanship...look familiar? It should. Cleveland appears to have hit an iceberg.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) at Detroit Lions (1-3): CBS, 1pm EST - This is officially the "Extreme Game of the Week." Last year's Super Bowl champions travel to the Motor City to take on last season's winless team. Pittsburgh is 10-2 in Detroit since 1966.

• Oakland Raiders (1-3) at NY Giants (4-0): CBS, 1pm EST - Giants QB Eli Manning is nursing a sore foot and is questionable. Hell, put in his dad.

• Washington Redskins (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (0-3): FOX, 1pm EST - RB Clinton Portis went and tattle-taled to the OC on Mike Sellers complaining of poor blocking. They soon had to be restrained in the locker room. Coach Jim Zorn responded, "These guys love each other. This is just how a team goes. I thought it was great..." Words escape me.

• Dallas Cowboys (2-2) at KC Chiefs (0-4): FOX, 1pm EST - They've lost to pitiful teams including the inaugural Houston Texans' first game. They've lost to rookie head coaches like Baltimore's John Harbaugh in last year's historical loss in Texas Stadium. I think you see where I'm going with this -- UPSET OF THE WEEK.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Life is simply depressing in south Florida so they'll get some good ole brotherly love this Sunday.

• Minnesota Vikings (4-0) at St. Louis Rams (0-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Fans should be screaming Rush Limbaugh's name by the second quarter.

• Atlanta Falcons (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1): FOX, 4:05pm EST - You have to love Niners coach Mike Singletary, whose team is overachieving except in the receiving game (28th). San Fran finally signed the former Texas Tech WR sensation and current NFL crybaby Michael Crabtree early this week. And, Singletary benched him for this week's battle against their rested Atlanta visitors.

• Houston Texans (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Both teams have potent offensive arsenals as this contest will pit two of the most dynamic WR's in the game today in Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona is rested, and Houston has been schizophrenic.

• New England Patriots (3-1) at Denver Broncos (4-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - You simply can't argue the fact that the Denver's early success is the result of the philosophy of the young Jedi, Josh McDaniels. He learned this doctrine from his master, Bill Belichick, whose Patriots descend upon the Mile High city. Mr. McDaniels, may the force be with you...always.

• Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-3): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Much like an Egyptian plague, injuries have been a pestilence in Seattle on both sides of the ball...the exact same places where J-town has improved the last two weeks.

• Indianapolis Colts (4-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-4): NBC, 8:20pm EST - So much for honoring Steve McNair. Could it be that his death and the circumstances surrounding it are affecting what's happening on the field?

• NY Jets (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (1-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - There is not doubt that the acquisition of WR Braylon Edwards from Cleveland will make this Jets team more dangerous. But, will it be enough for rookie QB Mark Sanchez to overcome last week's throttling on the road in New Orleans? Ronnie Brown and Co. may have something to say about that.

BYE: GREEN BAY PACKERS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, CHICAGO BEARS

STANDINGS

Chris Mortensen: 12-2, 48-14

Adam Schefter: 11-3, 46-16

Peter King: 11-3, 45-17

Cris Carter: 11-3, 44-18

Eddie Chinn: 13-1, 44-18

Keyshawn Johnson: 12-2, 44-18

Mike Ditka: 13-1, 44-18