NFL- 1/3 of the way done. Team report cards.

There really doesn't seem to be a clear cut dominant team this year.

NFC East-
-New York Giants: 5-0 The Giants seem to be the closest to being THE dominant team in the league but they play in the NFL version of the SEC, the NFC East, so you can't expect it to last. Eli has looked like the better Manning so far.
- Washington Redskins: 4-1 Clinton Portis is the only real star on the offense but they don't make mistakes...Jason Campbell is turning into a solid qb. Defense isn't great, but serviceable.
Dallas Cowboys: 4-1 Poor coaching results in them appearing to "coast" at times. Definitely the most talented team in the NFL and should be considered the NFC favorite for the Super Bowl. The Cowboys just win on sheer talent and nothing else. With that being said, Romo is major overrated!
- Philadelphia Eagles: 2-3 The best 2-3 team in the league. I don't know how they find ways to lose but they do. Very talented squad.

NFC North-
- Chicago Bears: 3-2 The offense has improved with Orton under center. He doesn't make big mistakes. Matt Forte has re-invigorated the running game and making Devin Hester an offensive weapon seems to be working as well.
- Green Bay Packers: 2-3 Another really good 2-3 team that just can't seem to find ways to win. I've been impressed with Aaron Rodgers and the defense is solid.
- Minnesota Vikings: 1-3 The most talented 1-3 team in the league. The much over hyped and bellyhooed Vikings don't have a qb, but they have everything else in place.
- Detroit Lions: 0-4 Talented on offense but their defense is absolutely atrocious. They get behind early and cannot recover. The Matt Millen debacle is finally over, now they can start building on some of their talent.

NFC South-
- Carolina Panthers: 4-1 Great coaching...when healthy, this team is a legit contender. They're winning with great defense and two running backs, Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Jake Delhomme is a perfect qb for this team, he just finds ways to win.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-2 I can't believe Derrick Brooks is still playing at such a high level! I also can't believe Gruden had benched Jeff Garcia for Brian Griese. Garcia is the most underrated qb, he doesn't have all the tools but he wins. Griese doesn't have all the tools and doesn't win. It's perplexing, they are a playoff team with Garcia.
- Atlanta Falcons: 3-2 Most surprising 3-2 team. Michael Turner is leading the league in rushing, Matt Ryan is not playing like a rookie qb and the defense is playing surprisingly well. Finally some good karma...
- New Orleans Saints: 2-2 The Saints are missing Marques Colston and need to get Deuce McAllister back as an inside runner. Reggie Bush and Drew Brees are great players but they can't do it all.

NFC West-
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-2 The JV division of the NFC has the Cardinals on top. The offense is in sync though the loss of Anquan Boldin hurts. Adrian Wilson is the most underrated Safety in the game. By the way, how old is Kurt Warner? 45???
- San Fransisco 49ers: 2-3 Alex Smith is a total bust. J.T. O'Sullivan is the franchise qb, 50 year old Isaac Bruce is the leading receiver and the defense isn't that great. This is Mike Nolan's last year as the 49ers coach.
- Seattle Seahawks: 1-3 The Seahawks have had to recruit local flag football players to staff their receiving corps. Deion Branch? out. Nate Burleson? out. Bobby Engram? out. Ouch! So much for Mike Holmgren's swan song!
- St. Louis Rams: 0-4 Firing Scott Linehan appears to have been the right move. Benching Marc Bulger for Trent Green? Are you kidding me? Torry Holt appears over the hill and the defense has never lived up to expectations. This team has been awful!

AFC East-
- Buffalo Bills: 4-1 I wonder if the hit Trent Edwards took today will knock the good karma out of him! The offense has been in sync and the defense has played well. Motivated team that has some momentum. Dangerous!
- New England Patriots: 3-1 How the Patriots are 3-1 without Brady and Randy Moss taking the season off is beyond me. The secondary is weak, but they just keep plugging along.
- Miami Dolphins: 2-2 Big wins over the Patriots and Chargers. Great coaching + motivated team - much talent = dangerous team that can beat anybody. This team looks like a Bill Parcells team. Big, physical, ball control, minimal mistakes.
- New York Jets: 2-2 Favre seems to be developing a good relationship with his receivers and the defense has been pretty good. The young but talented O-line still needs to gel.

AFC North-
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-1 How is it that this team always finds good, young outside lbs? Right now it's James Harrison and Lamar Woodley. Offensive line has not played well and they need to get Willie Parker back quick.
- Baltimore Ravens: 2-2 As usual, the defense has kept this team competitive. Ray Lewis isn't the player he once was, but he is still a great leader. Joe Flacco has played well considering he is a rookie...he has a cannon for an arm.
- Cleveland Browns: 1-3 Talented team that is poorly coached and has had a tough schedule. It's time to get Brady Quinn into the starting lineup. They were supposed to be a playoff team this year, but that looks unlikely.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 0-5 How can a team with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmanzedah and a coach who is a defensive guru be so bad? The defense is awful, and Ocho Cinco hasn't done squat. This team is really bad.

AFC South-
- Tennessee Titans: 5-0 The Titans are undefeated but they don't have an offense to speak of. 60 year old Kerry Collins is starting in place of the emotionally fragile Vince Young. No receivers, but they have a dual rb threat in Chris Johnson and LenDale White. The defense has been excellent.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-2 Disappointing start for a team with such lofty expectations. The coke-head Matt Jones has stepped up to become David Garrard's go-to guy. Still a big, physical team that can physically dominate anybody when they want to.
- Indianapolis Colts: 2-2 Lucky to be 2-2 at this point. Both wins were come from behinds. No run defense, Bob Sanders is hurt, the O-line has been banged up, Marvin Harrison looks old and Peyton Manning does not look like himself. Not good.
- Houston Texans: 0-4 Came into this season with loftier expectations. Steve Slaton has been a pleasant surprise but Matt Schaub has not lived up to his contract. They should've won today...they handed the Colts that victory.

AFC West-
- Denver Broncos: 4-1 The Broncos defense has been surprisingly bad. They can't stop the run or generate much of a pass rush. The offense has been great. Cutler looks like the real deal and Brandon Marshall is a man-child. He could become the best receiver in the league.
- San Diego Chargers: 2-3 The Chargers have Norv Turner for a coach so they automatically have a handicap there. A better coach would take this team all the way. Too much talent that is going to waste.
- Oakland Raiders: 1-3 Who in their right mind would want to coach this team? The worst ownership in the league makes this franchise a joke. Lots of young talent on offense and the defense is decent. JaMarcus Russell has the strongest arm I've ever seen!
- Kansas City Chiefs: 1-4 Young team that has a lot of growing to do. The defense isn't too bad, but the offense is terrible. They have talent, DeWayne Bowe, Larry Johnson, Tony Gonzalez, but no qb.