Week 5, NFL contenders, Derek Abramson

1. Patriots

• Boy do the Patriots look good.  They have yet to be challenged all year.  Tom Brady picks defenses apart. The Oline showed some weakness last game, Brady was hit way more than he usually was.  

2. Packers

• Just like the Patriots nobody has really challenged them all year.  They have the best QB in the NFL.  I do believe the Packers have some true problems, the final score of the Rams game does not tell the full story.  But their offense has taken a hit with the losses of Nelson and Adams, and Cobb does not seem 100%.  This team cannot afford any more injuries.  We will find out how good the Packers are when they face Denver.  

3. Bengals

• I think everyone can agree, the Bengals are legit.  As long as Dalton has time to throw this team will be scary, tons of weapons on offense.  Defense came up huge last weekend, which allowed the Bengals to come back.  The knock on them is Andy Dalton is their QB, but how many more big wins will it take for people to stop saying this?

4. Cardinals

• As long as Carson Palmer stays healthy I really like this team, they are a very talented group.  I think that Rams loss was a fluke game, if Carson makes one good throw on that last 4th down play they probably win the game.  

5.  Broncos

• It is too bad Peyton Manning could not pull one year good out.  He is horrible, I truly wonder if the Broncos should go and trade for Matt Hasselback.  But hey, they are 5-0.  This defense is the best in the NFL and will keep the Broncos in every single game.  

6a. Falcons

• Have to give the Falcons some credit, they are undefeated.  Their schedule has been extremely easy even though I do believe that the Giants and Redskins are better than people think.  If Julio goes down I do not really know what this team will become.  But while he is healthy their offense is as scary as any.  It also helps they play in a really easy division. 

6b. Giants

• I like the Giants, they could easily be 5-0 on the year.  Their defense is a little suspect, somehow they allowed the horrible Colin Kap to go off on them.  But at the end of the day, they got a win.  I would not want to play this team in the playoffs, would much rather play the Falcons. 

After these teams I believe there is a huge drop-off.  Maybe if Luck starts to play better and that defense improves the Colts can find there way on this list.

Or if the Seahawks remarkably turn things around, but I do not believe they will.  That team has serious problems on the offensive line, and that defense allowed the Bengals to come back from a huge deficit.  I am not one of those who believes that the Seahawks will just turn a switch on and make another super bowl run.

The Jets and Rams have Fitzpatrick and Foles at QB and that will be their downfall.  Although I love both their defenses.

The Panthers are 4-0 but probably beat the four worst teams in the league, eventually that wide receiver depth is going to hurt them.  If they can beat the Seahawks this week then I would include them in the contender conversation.

 A sneaky team in the future is the Steelers, when Big Ben returns that offense is going to be extremely scary and should keep them in every game.  If the Steelers defense can pick it up they will be a tough playoff matchup.

The Bills could be a sneaky team as well, but they need to stay healthy.  Their offense has taken a huge hit with Watkins, McCoy, and Williams being out.