NFL Cram Session - Week 6 Edition

by Nejoshi

Six weeks of NFL football are gone, and it appears that there are only two elite teams in the league. The funny thing is, everyone is talking about one while completely disregarding the other (more on that later). Week 6 of the NFL season saw Derek Anderson run his touchdown pass total to 14, – good for third in league! – Vinny Testaverde throw a TD pass for the 21st consecutive year, and Adrian Peterson run for the most yards in the history of the Minnesota Vikings. Here is a look at some other stories making waves across the NFL this week.

1. What’s with the 19-0 talk?

The Patriots are a brilliant team, and they are off to one of the greatest starts in NFL history, but sitting at only 6-0, don’t you think it’s a bit premature to start talking about an undefeated season? The Denver Broncos started 14-0 in 1998, and the Colts started 13-0 two years ago, but neither was able to run the table. New England isn’t even half way there, and yet everyone seems to think a perfect season is a formality. The pressure of winning every game will continue to mount for Belichick’s squad with each successive win, and will begin to distract this team from its ultimate goal. Tom Brady and the Patriots WILL NOT go 16-0, – you heard it here first -- and will probably lose more than one game. However, this team is still the Super Bowl favorite, but they won’t be joining the 1972 Dolphins anytime soon.

2. Why isn’t any talking about the Colts?

This goes hand in hand with the first point, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. Lost in the discussion of New England’s juggernaut status are the defending Super Bowl champions, who are undefeated themselves. I can’t ever recall a defending champion ever getting shoved to the back pages the way Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy have during the early stages of the season, but they have been dominant as well in their 5-0 start. Indianpolis has won their games by an average score of 32-17, compared to 38-15 for New England; it’s been difficult to distinguish their success on the field over the past few years, yet the Colts continue to be taken for granted, while New England is celebrated. Keep in mind that Indianapolis has taken control of the rivalry up late, winning the last three meetings against the Patriots, including a come from behind 38-34 victory in the AFC Championship last season. When these two teams commence in the game of the year on November 4th, I would actually give the edge to the Colts.

3. These were the Saints I remember!

People had been waiting for last year’s Cinderella to finally make an appearance this season, and New Orleans finally did so in Week 6. Playing at a hostile road venue, the Saints took it to the struggling Seahawks early and often, to get off the mat and improve to 1-4. Drew Brees and Reggie Bush finally looked like the talented playmakers that they are, and with an optimistic slate of games upcoming, New Orleans isn’t dead yet. Sean Payton’s team still has a lot of work to do, as they trail the division leaders by 2 ½ games. The porous defense still has a lot to be desired, but finally getting in the win column should relax this team as they prepare to host the floundering Falcons next week.

4. The NFC West is like the Big 10

In other words, it’s a joke. The entire division is in shambles, with the Seahawks the only team that has had their starting quarterback in every game of the season. That hasn’t helped them much as they have dropped two games in a row by a combined score of 49-17. Shaun Alexander has been a shell of his former self, but incredibly, Seattle may be in the best position of any team in the division. St. Louis is staring the #1 pick in April’s draft in the face, while San Francisco is relying on a washed up Trent Dilfer to produce with a terrible offensive line. Arizona looked ready to make a run at a division title, with the ageless Kurt Warner leading the way, but since his inevitable injury, Tim Rattay now leads the team. Ouch.

Week 6 Power Rankings

32. Dolphins (0-6): In a battle with the Rams for the top pick in April’s Draft.

31. Rams (0-6): Gus Frerotte has played so bad that Marc Bulger wants to come back.

30. Falcons (1-5): It’s hard to believe that this team has won a game this year.

29. Jets (1-5): Eric Mangini is definitely not considered the “Mangenius” anymore.

28. Bills (1-4): 3 teams in the AFC East in the bottom five, wonder where the fourth team is?

27. Bengals (1-4): How could a team with this much offensive firepower be this bad?

26. Broncos (2-3): The biggest disappointment in the NFL this season, have you seen their last 3 games?

25. Bears (2-4): A week after a monumental road win, this team gets run over at home.

24. Saints (1-4): Finally in the win column, and optimism that more are on the way.

23. Raiders (2-3): LT killed them again, but credit this team for keeping it close.

22. 49ers (2-3): This offense is pathetic; it’s a shame because the defense is improving.

21. Vikings (2-3): Adrian Peterson will win the rushing title this year; a team on the rise.

20. Eagles (2-3): 0-2 division record makes it tough to mount a comeback in NFC East.

19. Cardinals (3-3): A battle of the Tim’s: Tim Hasselbeck was just signed to compete with Tim Rattay.

18. Seahawks (3-3): Seahawks may have hit rock bottom with that loss to the Saints.

17. Lions (3-2): Host Tampa Bay this week in a huge game featuring upstart playoff contenders

16. Texans (3-3): Andre Johnson’s injury has derailed Houston’s fast start.

15. Chiefs (3-3): The win at San Diego will resonate for weeks to come.

14. Panthers (4-2): Testaverde could be this team’s savior.

13. Titans (3-2): The Madden Curse is an ugly thing: VY is day-to-day.

12. Redskins (3-2): Tough loss to Green Bay, but two inexcusable fumbles cost them.

11. Browns (3-3): Believe it or not, one game out of a playoff spot with 2 winnable games coming.

10. Buccaneers (4-2): Jeff Garcia is at it again: 0 INT’s through six games.

9. Giants (4-2): Eli Manning has a history of starting fast, but his finish will be the key.

8. Ravens (4-2): Still a playoff team, but not likely to do any damage in January.

7. Chargers (3-3): LT’s mojo is back; circle the November 11th game against the Colts.

6. Packers (5-1): I believe the Packers are overrated, but there’s no one else to put here.

5. Cowboys (5-1): A rude awakening for a team that hasn’t proved much yet.

4. Jaguars (4-1): Clearly the second best team in football’s toughest division.

3. Steelers (4-1): Have won all their games by over 20 points.

2. Patriots (6-0): Essentially 1a at this point, how bad does Brady want 50 TD passes?

1. Colts (5-0): Will remain here until they lose, no matter how impressive the Patriots are.