NFL Pecking Order - Week 5

By Charlie Portelli

NFL Pecking Order. Week 5.

After each week in the NFL I will do a segment called “NFL Pecking Order” breaking down what I view as the top ten teams in the NFL at that time. Unlike most other sites or blog lists ranking NFL teams on a week by week basis, I look at the big picture. Most other lists are flawed because they only look at wins and losses, more specifically on recent wins and losses. For example, if a team is 1-2 with two road losses to tough teams, it isn’t always correct to rank them behind a 2-1 or even a 3-0 team with less impressive teams. Like I said, I will look at the teams with a big picture perspective in mind. This should be a very interesting segment this year because the teams in the league are so close. To me, there is not an enormous gap between the teams I rank 3-5 and the teams I rank 8-10, and even the teams I leave outside the top 10. With that said, lets rank the top ten NFL teams heading into week 5 starting with number 10.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2, AFC NORTH) Last week: 7

Some teams just can’t handle success like others can. The Bengals seem to be one of those teams because after their big comeback victory over the Packers they went on to lose to the Browns while only putting up 6 points. They were however without their best corner, Leon Hall and their best safety, Reggie Nelson, but that’s no excuse for scoring 6 points. Like I said last week, I am not sure I trust Marvin Lewis to lead this team to playoff victories but they certainly have the talent for it. Ultimately I have the Bengals hanging on to the last spot in the NFL Pecking Order because I believe in their talent. Andy Dalton is going to have to step up to lead this team otherwise they are going to be nothing but a middle of the pack team in this league.

9. Chicago Bears (3-1, NFC NORTH) Last week: 5

            After a great 3-0 start to the season the Bears finally took their first loss of the season at the hands of the Lions. It was a good road test for the Bears but the Lions dominated the game from start to finish, exposing the Bears while running through huge holes. But the Bears were bound to lose after their hot start and winning on the road is no easy task in the NFL. The Bears, Lions, and Packers will have a battle for the division title and the Lions have a nice leg up but it will be a different story when the Lions visit Soldier Field. Cutler looked more like his old self Sunday while throwing three picks. Going forward we they will have to lean on Matt Forte more if they plan on winning the division.

8. Green Bay Packers (1-2, NFC NORTH) Last week: 10

            The Packers are coming off a much needed bye week after a difficult start to their schedule with games against the 49ers, Redskins, and Bengals. They will be getting their RB back, Eddie Lacy and they will be poised to make a run and get back in the thick of things in the NFC race. Although it was just 3 games into the young season, it was the perfect time for a bye considering they started 1-2 and Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy could iron out whatever it is they had to iron out after their week 3 scuffle on the sideline.

7. New England Patriots (4-0, AFC EAST) Last week: Unranked

            The Patriots passed their first true test of the 2013 season with flying colors on Sunday night by dominating the Falcons on their own turf. Don’t be fooled by the final score with the Patriots only winning by a touchdown, they dominated the game. This was a huge win for multiple reasons. The Falcons were desperate after starting 1-2, Matt Ryan doesn’t lose at home, and it is never easy to start 4-0 in the NFL even if 3 of those victories were against bad teams. Tom Brady continues to get it done with no weapons. His wide receivers are undrafted rookies for god sake. Belichick continues to be the best coach at making adjustments and relies more on the run in order to pass now than he ever has in New England.  The Patriots are 4-0 and are due to get Gronkowski and Amendola back soon.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0, AFC WEST) Last week: 8

            As I said last week, this team is the real deal. They have a top 5 defense in the league in my opinion and now have been introduced to a winning environment with the coaching staff change. This team had all the pieces to win minus a head coach and quarterback. They addressed both. They have a nice offensive line with the number 1 pick Eric Fisher playing right tackle while Branden Albert is still manning the blind side. Unfortunately, Fisher left the game with a concussion and is questionable for week 5. Jamaal Charles is having a great year while getting tons of touches on the ground and through the air. Denver sure looks like the class of this division but I cannot wait to see how this defense looks against Peyton’s vaunted passing attack.

5. Indianapolis Colts (3-1, AFC SOUTH) Last week: 6

            The Colts had a cakewalk game in Jacksonville against the Jags but hey, they took care of business. They are still trying to work Trent Richardson into the dominant runner they thought they traded for but he had only 60 yards on 20 carries against a pathetic Jags team. He did find the end zone however and it’s just taking some time for him to get comfortable in Indy while learning the offense on the fly. I think this team is a legitimate threat in the AFC behind Andrew Luck. Their defense showed up big time two weeks ago in San Fran and Robert Mathis is still showing the ability to rush the passer with 7.5 sacks already through the first 4 games of the season. The X-factor is coach Chuck Pagano. I love this guy and you can tell his team loves playing for him too. This team went 11-5 last year through inspiration behind Chuck Pagano and his fight against leukemia and this year I think they repeat that record simply because I think they are that good.

4. San Fransisco 49ers (2-2, NFC WEST) Last week: 3

            The 49ers are a bit puzzling to me as they looked so good week 1 against the Packers, bad in week 2 in Seattle, awful at home week 3 against Indy, and then pretty average early on against the Rams week 4 before turning it on eventually and blowing the Rams out. I am going to give them a pass for week 2 in Seattle because playing there is unlike any other road game. As for looking awful against Indy in week 3? I think the Colts are just that good. I rank the 49ers above the Colts still because I don’t trust them yet like I do the 49ers. Andrew Luck dreams to play behind an offensive line like Kaepernick’s. The 49ers offensive coordinator, Greg Roman is one of the best young coaches in the game and I expect him and Harbaugh to tirelessly work with their assets given to jump back to the top of the NFC.

3. New Orleans Saints (4-0, NFC SOUTH) Last week: 4

            The Saints look poised for a Super Bowl run again. After getting booted out of Dallas, Rob Ryan has the Saints defense looking the best they have in years. The Saints didn’t have a 2^nd or a 4^th round pick in the draft this year but they nailed their first round selection, safety Kenny Vaccaro. He looks like a young Troy Polamalu flying all over the field and it’s given this team’s movement to the 3-4 under Ryan seamless. Brees is using all of his weapons across the field. As I expected, they brought the Dolphins back to earth after their unlikely 3-0 start.

2. Denver Broncos (4-0, AFC WEST) Last week: 2

            The Bronco’s have looked about as good as a team can look through the first 4 weeks of the season. Peyton has had a historical start this young season but looks poised to go all year. They tore apart the Eagles defense but that is an awful defense in Philly. This team certainly has the look of a Super Bowl team but it is still very early. Let’s wait yet to crown Peyton.

1. Seattle Seahawks (4-0, NFC WEST) Last week: 1

I am keeping the Seahawks in the number 1 slot on the NFL Pecking order over the Bronco’s after winning a tough road game. Russell Wilson continues to show maturity by leading his team to a tough comeback victory on the road over a good opponent in the Texans. Wilson didn’t have his greatest game stats wise but he was under constant duress all day because he was missing 3 starting lineman. His left tackle, pro bowler Russell Okung will be out a while and also his center and right tackle also missed the game. He ended up running for 77 yards and kept drives alive late in the game with his legs including once on 4^th down. They will welcome back yet another defensive starter, Bruce Irvin this week who is one of their best pass rushers. This defense has an incredible amount of depth and an insane amount of speed all over the field with huge corners.