Things can change quite a bit over the span of one, single year...can't they?
The Packers and Saints were setting the pace at this time last season, cruising up and down the field with their high-octane, seemingly-unstoppable offenses.
Well, that certainly isn't the case this year. The Saints finally won their first game (now 1-4) and the Packers just coughed up a 21-3 lead and suffered an excruciating loss at the hands of Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne and the underdog Colts.
With those once-elite teams stumbling down the ranks, who has stepped up to claim the high-end real estate? Let's find out...
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4): The Jaguars brain trust tried valiantly to improve their offense this offseason with the wide receiver additions of rookie Justin Blackmon and former Cowboy Laurent Robinson; unfortunately Blaine Gabbert is still their starting quarterback. Needless to say, things aren't working out too well to this point in the season. I'm not sure what to think about their embarrassing second half performance against the Bears this week -- just atrocious.
31. Tennessee Titans (1-4): I know I'm not going out on a limb but I have to say it...Chris Johnson has been the most disappointing player in the NFL this season -- by a landslide.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-4): Jamaal Charles is clearly back to elite form, but the rest of KC's offense never seems to perform well when the game is within one score. They're a garbage time kind of unit. That's kind of how I feel about Dwayne Bowe -- I don't really view him as a crunch time, go-to receiver. Maybe that's just me. I still like this team's defense when healthy.
29. Carolina Panthers (1-4): Talk about a team that's been difficult to watch -- sloppy, inconsistent and devoid of light at the end of the tunnel. Cam Newton's been all over the place (not in a positive way) and their defense can never seem to make a critical stop.
28. Cleveland Browns (0-5): I'm well aware that they're the only winless team remaining in the NFL, but I'm sticking to my guns...
They're not that bad. Trent Richardson is an incredible young talent, Brandon Weeden has been serviceable and they're getting superstar CB Joe Haden back this week. There is ability on this roster. They're young. They might be solid a little (not a Greg Little pun) ways down the road.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-3): With the exception of their surprising victory over the Steelers they've looked like the Oakland Raiders we've come to know and pity.
26. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-3): Loved the Vincent Jackson addition, but I don't see this team going anywhere with Josh Freeman at the helm. He's really just an average quarterback. There's nothing championship-caliber about this squad.
25. Buffalo Bills (2-3): New season, same old Bills. Good job laying down against the 49ers. Chan Gailey's boys see a great team and immediately sprint in the opposite direction.
24. New York Jets (2-2): Injuries: Darrelle Revis, Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller; team MVP and Mark Sanchez's top two receiving options. These are injuries a mediocre team cannot recover from.
23. Detroit Lions (1-3): Head coach Jim Schwartz needs to figure out where he's going to find consistency running the football. This backfield is crowded and underwhelming. In addition, defensive discipline has been a hindrance for Detroit again this season. I think Schwartz gets canned if they don't make the playoffs. (Probably a longshot the way Minnesota and Chicago are playing right now.)
22. Washington Redskins (2-3): Robert Griffin III and Pierre Garcon need to be simultaneously healthy before we can truly evaluate this team on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively they've been good but not exceptional.
21. Dallas Cowboys (2-2): Jason Garrett is the worst head coach in the NFL; a change needs to be made. This is a franchise full of underachievers, from the players all the way up to the front office. The future is dim.
20. New Orleans Saints (1-4): They're a Garrett Hartley field goal away from being 2-3 and very much in the hunt. Drew Brees and Marques Colston have rekindled their chemistry and New Orleans' defensive unit stepped up in the fourth quarter of their season-saving victory over the offensively-talented Chargers.
19. Green Bay Packers (2-3): Mason Crosby did his best Billy Cundiff impression this weekend. This team is riddled with injuries and in danger of missing the postseason this year.
18. Indianapolis Colts (2-2): A day later, I'm still amazed by Reggie Wayne's incredible receiving performance against the Packers. What an awesome comeback win for the Colts and their faithful. Well deserved.
17. Seattle Seahawks (3-2): Marshawn Lynch and a stout defense...the Seahawks in a nutshell. I'm not at all impressed with Russell Wilson or Pete Carroll's receiving corps.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): Still battling defensive injuries and...well...they lost to the Raiders. That's just awful. They don't really deserve to be ahead of the team in the 15-spot.
15. Denver Broncos (2-3): They've been an interesting team thus far. For the most part, Peyton Manning has played well enough and there have been nice flashes from Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Willis McGahee. However, on the other side of the ball, John Fox's defense has under-performed relative to last year. They need to elevate their collective play.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2): A.J. Green is one of the premier players in the NFL right now, but I'm not sure this team has what it takes to be a legitimate postseason threat. As we say in poker, they seem a little "light."
13. Miami Dolphins (2-3): Easily the surprise team of the season -- they're a couple of bad breaks away from being a legitimate 4-1 club. Joe Philbin has done a tremendous job at the helm, and rookie Ryan Tannehill has really impressed me with his ability to avoid the rush and make plays in tough spots. Miami features an excellent offensive line and a strong, disciplined defense. I really like CB1 Sean Smith.
12. St. Louis Rams (3-2): Helluva job by Jeff Fisher to this point. The Rams have quickly converted from one of the worst defensive teams to one of the best. That's a very difficult transition to make in a short period of time. Credit the front office and coaching staff for putting these guys in a position to make some noise.
11. San Diego Chargers (3-2): Same old Chargers. We know they'll be either 8-8, 9-7 or 10-6 at the end of the season. We know it'll be a tight battle for the division title. We know, if they do reach the playoffs, that they'll lose early on. Such is life for San Diego football fans.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2): Michael Vick has been crappy but their defense has been stout and LeSean McCoy is a bad man. Shifty and explosive...wear ankle braces.
9. Arizona Cardinals (4-1): It felt really weird typing 9. and then "Arizona Cardinals." It's usually like 29. Similar scenario to the Rams here. Adrian Wilson wants Defensive MVP this season.
8. New England Patriots (3-2): We know they'll be in the mix when it's all said and done. I don't feel like rambling on about them.
7. New York Giants (3-2): I think Eli Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL right now. If they could ever keep Hakeem Nicks on the field they'd definitely be in the top five. Somehow, despite the extra defensive attention, Victor Cruz still thrives in his absence.
6. Minnesota Vikings (4-1): Surprisingly, this is one of the most well-rounded teams in the game. If Christian Ponder can continue to protect the football the Vikings will stick around come playoff time. Really admire the way they are playing right now. Clean and efficient.
5. Chicago Bears (4-1): Best defense in the world. Even better than the 49ers right now. Trying to score against them is a true nightmare -- strong on the D-line, at linebacker and in the secondary. I don't think there's an offensive solution to this unit after five games.
4. Baltimore Ravens (4-1): I'd still like them to play cleaner and more effectively on the road. At least they got rid of Billy Cundiff. Maybe they'll win a close game in the postseason this year.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1): A tremendous all-around team. A joy to watch. In my opinion, Jim Harbaugh is the best head coach in the game. Belichick is a legend, but Harbaugh doesn't allow his ego to cloud his judgment in should-be conservative situations.
2. Houston Texans (4-0): Such is the trend this season: Balance is the way to go. Vikings, Ravens, 49ers, Texans and Falcons -- strong on both sides of the ball. Who isn't impressed by the trio of Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson? I know I respect them.
1. Atlanta Falcons (5-0): For a few years many of us have been saying, "The offense is there, but the defense isn't quite up to par." That's no longer the case. Look out, the Atlanta Falcons are the best team in football right now.
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