Cohen's NFL Rankings

Perhaps being seeded number one on my top ten is equivalent to the kiss of death. I had Pittsburgh ranked number one after the first two weeks, and they proceeded to get destroyed by the Eagles. I had Tennessee ranked number one, and they barely got past Baltimore. I even had Dallas ranked number one, and they have not been the same since. Last week, the Giants were ranked number one, and, as a result, they got destroyed by the Browns. So whichever team is ranked number one from here on out, be forewarned: Go with the opposite.

1) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): This is the third time this season they are ranked numero uno, and why not? The Steelers have fought off injuries and a tough schedule to get to 4-1, and are clearly the toughest team in the AFC. This week they get a gift in the Cincinnati Bengals, but, as most fans know, the Bengals are a tough out.

2) Tennessee Titans (5-0): The last undefeated team in football. Will they go 16-0? Humm? No! The Titans are a nice story, but with erratic Kerry Collins leading the way for a shaky offense, it is a matter of time before the Titans hit a major losing streak.

3) N.Y. Giants (4-1): Well at least they got that one out of their system! What a disaster on Monday night against Cleveland. The Browns gave it to the Giants, and that should constitute a wake up call for Big Blue that it is, indeed, a long season before Super Bowl XLIII. This loss is a chance for the Giants to refocus and get back on track.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2): Watch out for Tampa Bay. No, not the Rays, who are going to their first World Series. The Buccaneers are the best team in the South after dismantling the Panthers 27-3 last week. It appears it just doesn't matter who the QB is in Tampa, whether it is Brian Griese or Jeff Garcia ... they can get the job done. Earnest Grahmn and Warrick Dunn have been the quietest one-two punch in the league rushing for 790 combined yards this year. Moreover, the Bucs are 2-1 in the division with blowout wins agaisnt Atlanta and Carolina.

5) Buffalo Bills (4-1): The young and fiesty Bills will finally get tested as to how good they really are. The Bills play San Diego at home this week, and a win against the confusing Chargers will go a long way to paving a road to the postseason for Buffalo.

6) Arizona Cardinals (4-2): The Cards are a good team; in fact, they will likely win the NFC West, because Seattle, St. Louis and San Francisco can't get out of their own ways. Kurt Warner has been great this year, passing for a 102 QB rating, 12 touchdowns and only five picks. The Cardinals are also a tough team, beating up the Cowboys in all phases of the game last week.

7)Washington Redskins (4-2): Talk about a wake up call. The Redskins got one last week losing to the lowly Rams in the final seconds, 19-17. Still you have to be impressed by the Skins start this year; no would have predicted it. They should rebound this week against the Browns.

8) Denver Broncos (4-2): Is it just me or do these guys not remind me of the 2000 and 2001 Rams? Those Ram teams could score at any time, anywhere on the field. But their defense was always terrible, allowing opponents to run all over them. Well, that's the 2008 Broncos, who continue to baffle everyone. One week they look dominant; the next, they lose to the likes of Kansas City. Who are the Broncos this year? An 8-8 or 9-7 team?

9) Atlanta Falcons (4-2): Let's give a hand to the Falcons. No one on the face of the earth thought that Atlanta with a rookie quarterback and a franchise in total rebuilding mode would look this good. They have had gut-check victories in Green Bay and at home against Chicago in consecutive weeks. Matt Ryan has been solid as the new quarterback and Michael Turner has been the best running back in the league with 597 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Will the good fortune continue?

10) Carolina Panthers (4-2): Even though they got blasted by Tampa Bay, the Panthers are a solid team. They have good players and should rebound from the loss and push for that NFC South title all year long.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (A.K.A The Next Five)

11) Dallas Cowboys (4-2): These guys are falling, and falling, fast. First, they lost Terrence Newman for the year with hernia surgery; then they lost their punter, Matt McBriar, for the year, Adam Jones due to assault charges, and now Tony Romo for four weeks because of a broken pinkie. Oh, and by the way, Terrell Owens is unhappy. What a shock.

12) N.Y. Jets (3-2): The Jets are on their way up. New York should have pounded the Bengals but decided to play it safe against a desperate football team and it worked out. Hey, they all count in the end. Brett Favre has given this club life on the offensive side of the ball, but the key for them is the run. If the Jets can start to move the ball on the ground, they will be almost unstoppable.

By the way, their defense is relentless. Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas and Shaun Ellis all have three or four sacks each this season! Keep an eye on this trio for a pro-bowl appearences.

13) Chicago Bears (3-3): Kyle Orton is the answer for the Bears. The once bumbling offense that was led by the bumbling Rex Grossman, now knows how to score points. Matt Forte, the rookie running back, has been a breath of fresh air in Chi-Town after the busts of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson.

14) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3): Who are these Jaguars, really? First, they beat the Colts in the waning seconds in week 3 to save their season; then they go out and get embarrassed by Pittsburgh at home. Finally, the Jaguars find a way to stop a highly talented Broncos team in Denver no less. Will the real Jags please step up!

15) Minnesota Vikings (3-3): This has been a weird year for Minnesota. Adrian Peterson is having a down year, yet the Vikings are finding ways to win. Whether it is taking advantage of turnovers from the Saints in week 5 or taking advantage of the buffoonery by the Lions, the Vikings are .500. If Minnesota is truly deserving of winning the NFC North, they have to start winning games on their own and not rely on other people's mistakes.