Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

I said I wouldn’t over-react to one win or one loss. Well, I lied a little bit. My No. 1 team last week lost to Miami, who might be better than we all think, and to me that was unforgivable.
So here is my Week 5 rankings:
1. N.Y. Giants (4-0) … Last week: No. 4.
I am officially a believer. They are the best team right now. True, they haven’t played the tough part of their schedule just yet, but they are playing well on both sides of the ball. They are No. 1 in rushing (181.3) and No. 6 in stopping the run (82.0).
2. Dallas (4-1) … Last week: No. 2.
Again, I don’t like this team. But they have the best collection of talent in the league on both sides of the ball, though defensively they can be beaten. Cowboys took the Bengals lightly and barely survived. This pick alone says a lot about how whacky the league is this year.
3. Washington (4-1) … Last week: Unranked.
I have to give this team their props. I’m on the bandwagon very, very late. Clinton Portis is the key. He can control the game. And Jason Campbell, my whipping boy, has played well for the last month. I finally got over his awful performance in Week 1 against the Giants. This team is good.
4. New England (3-1) … Last week: No. 3
I am on an island here, having the Patriots this high. But I just believe there is too much talent to be in the middle of the pack in this mediocre year. The Patriots manhandled the 49ers on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Can they do it this week against the Chargers? I didn’t think so. But now I do.
5. Pittsburgh (4-1) … Last week: No. 9
The Steelers are tough and they have a very good quarterback. They are not a great team, but like the Giants, they know who they are. After roughing out a few wins, I believe they are ready to go on a roll. Willie Parker returns this week, too.
6. Denver (4-1) … Last week: No. 7
Still slightly disappointed in this team, but they are still good. They finally played a little bit of defense and they beat Tampa. Three weeks from now they will have played Jacksonville, New England (here on Monday night) and Miami. If they are 7-1, they will be in the Top 3. If they are 5-3, they are a decent playoff team at best.
7. Chicago (3-2) … Last week: No. 8
They move up ever so slightly after burying Detroit, in Detroit. I like this team. They have three “winnable” but difficult games coming up over the next month (Atlanta, Minnesota, Detroit and Tennesee). If they sweep then they are contenders in the NFC.
8. Carolina (4-1) … Last week: Unranked.
It’s time I get on this bandwagon, too. They have beaten three decent teams thus far (San Diego, Chicago and Atlanta). And I don’t want to over-react to their win over Kansas City (34-0) on Sunday. But this franchise might finally be finding its footing after the 2003 Super Bowl season. Jake Delhomme is a very good quarterback. He is protecting the ball a lot better. Might be a Top Five team very soon.
9. San Diego (2-3) … Last week: No. 1.
I can’t believe these guys are this bad. I had them croaking the Patriots a few weeks ago. But now I see a tossup with the Patriots pulling it out. The Chargers can’t wait to make their move in November. They are too good to be 2-4, but it could happen.
10. Tennessee (5-0) … Last week: Unranked.
This does not admit any mistakes just yet. But I have to give them their props. They just win. Jeff Fisher deserves an A-plus for his efforts in keeping this team together in some difficult times with their former starting quarterback (Vince Young). This is a very physical team. The only issue I have is they haven’t beaten anybody of note other than Jacksonville. We will see.

Omissions:
Philadelphia (2-3) … Schedule has been tough, but …
Buffalo (4-1) … Probably a Top 10 team but disappointed last week.
Jacksonville (2-3) … Read press clippings and can’t live up to them.

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