NFL Headquarters: Week 6 Rankings

7 of the teams listed in the top 10 were losers in week 5, making the task of ranking the top 10 heading into week 6 a daunting task. So daunting in fact, that I didn't even do it. Instead I waited an extra week, and put 2 weeks of thought into these rankings. So here it is...

But first, I am also a columnist for Sports Central. Click here to read my latest

1. Indianapolis 6-0
The Colts allowed 28 points on Monday night, and despite winning 45-28, I’m still not convinced they are going to win the Super Bowl. The Rams stormed out to a 17-0 lead, and if Marc Bulger hadnt gotten hurt, I think the Rams would have won this game. Jamie Martin made mistake after mistake in relief, and the Rams were successfully putting pressure on Peyton Manning. The Colts scored most of their points on a short field after St Louis turned the ball over. By the way, you catch Peyton Manning on “Miked Up?” He sounded like a dork to me. On the other hand, Edgerrin James looks pretty good with the Colts giving him around 25 carries per game. He has been stealing Manning's garbage TDs this year, scoring 3 against the Rams.

The Colts are like a college team. They keep running up the score even after the game is over, but for now they are number 1 in the BCS.

2. Denver 5-1
Denver has beaten two good teams in-a-row (Washington and New England, in Denver) and Jake Plummer is actually looking like he knows what he is doing. With a solid run game, Plummer has been making big plays and not making any big mistakes. Tatum Bell has two consecutive 100-yard games on 12 and 13 carries, allowing Plummer more room to work with. The defense has looked good as well, completely shutting down the Patriots for three quarters. If this team beats the Giants and the Eagles in the next 2 weeks, they are the best team in the NFL.

3. Cincinnati 5-1
Yeah I know this is too high, theyÂ’re overrated, they haven’t played anyone. Blah Blah Blah. But let me try to explain. This is team is good. Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson are the best receiver and quarterback combination in the league right now, and the defense is causing turnovers at a record pace. Ok so they almost lost to the Texans, lost to the Jaguars, and were trailing the Titans for much of the game. But good teams need to overcome adversity and be able to play in close games to test their mettle. This team is destined for big things this year because they are winning the close games that they haven’t been able to win for 10 years. And, oh yeah the Patriots beat the Texans in overtime 2 years ago, and still won the Super Bowl…

4. Pittsburgh 3-2
This ranking only holds if Ben Roethlisburger doesn’t miss any more time. Because quite simply, they would have beaten Jacksonville with him. Tommy Maddox cost them the game with his 3 interceptions and costly fumble in overtime. Despite Maddox, they still almost won. With Roethlisburger at quarterback, this team is pretty damn hard to beat. The Steel curtain may have a chink though, as Jacksonville was able to run the ball effectively against them. A battle with Cincinnati in week 7 will show which team has the early edge on the division.

5. Jacksonville 4-2
The Jaguars saved their season by hanging on a for an improbable victory at Pittsburgh in overtime. Unfortunately, I didn’t actually see the end, because it was pre-empted for the beginning of the stupid Oakland-San Diego game, No game breaks until halftime. I had to find out how it ended by watching the score crawler on the bottom of the screen. But damn what an ending. Maddox’s fumble of a snap when the Steelers were in field goal range was a gift. But the Jags came out on top, coming up with some big plays on defense. This team is starting to run the ball effectively, and the combination of Fred Taylor (when he returns to action in week 7 and Greg Jones could be a lethal combo).

6. Tampa Bay 5-1
Tampa Bay really deserves to be higher, but with Brian Griese out for the rest of the year, this team will miss a beat. The defense has continued to shut down everyone, and Michael Pittman has looked great filling in for Cadillac the last 2 weeks. But Jon Gruden's honeymoon season won't last much longer. This team is primed to come back to earth, but it won't happen soon as the Bucs have a bye in week 7 and again in week 8 (at San Francisco) It should also be noted this team lost to the Jets and the 80-year old Vinny Testaverde who barely even moves in the pocket anymore.

7. Atlanta 4-2
The Falcons are hosting the aforementioned Jets, and Michael Vick will continue to do what he always does. Lead his team to victory by rushing around 60-70 yards and passing for around 150 yards, but making just enough plays to give the Falcons the win, as he always does. Vick is still hurting, having missed the week 5 matchup with the Patriots. Matt Schaub filled in well, passing for over 300 yards. If I'm not mistaken, Vick has never done that, but then again a win is a win. Atlanta's defense is looking worse by the week, allowing Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker to combine for 174 yards rushing and 2 TDs. They better get it together, or they'll have a hard time pulling out the low-scoring games.

8. San Diego 3-3
San Diego's defense may not be able to come up with the stops it needs right now, but it is winning with a high-powered offense. The combination of LaDanian Tomlinson and Drew Brees is getting things done. If Tomlinson gets enough carries, the Chargers will be in any game. But, for those games when Tomlinson doens't touch the ball as much (Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh) the defense needs to step up, and it hasn't. We'll see how they stack up against the Eagles' high flying offense.

9. Dallas 4-2
I hate to say it, but this team actually looks pretty good. They blew out the Eagles, and hung on to beat the Giants in a game they didn't play well at all offensively. Dallas has shut down the high-scoring offenses of Philly and New York, but somehow lost to Oakland? What's that you say, San Diego lost to Dallas in San Diego? Um oh yeh. Hold on a sec.

8. Dallas 4-2>
Drew Bledsoe can play forever if no one puts pressure on him, but the loss of Flozell Adams on the line may end his dream season.

9. San Diego 3-3
Get some defensive stops when you need them.

10. Philadelphia 3-2
There are so many teams that could be in this spot, but you know what? The Eagles belong here. They may have looked horrible against the Cowboys, but that was only one game. Andy Reid now knows they have to hand the ball off at least one out of three plays, instead of one out of 20. If he doesn't the Eagles may not make the playoffs this year.

Oh yeh, if you didn't see the first link:
Click here to read my latest article about the Eagles

Overtime

32. USC 6-0
You don't think USC could move the ball against Houston? Were you watching on Sunday night when Seattle rushed for 322 yards on 40 carries. Wow. Even after Alexander was pulled with 141 yards on 22 carries, when it was obvious Seattle was going to run every down, the backups continued to run for easy first downs. The Texansembarrassed embarrased.

33. Houston 0-5
I am only interested in this team because Dominick Davis has a chance to score a TD for me every week at the end of the game when they are getting blown out. The Texans offense watched most of the game from the sidelines.