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Cohen's NFL Rankings

It's been a real slow week. With baseball taking time off before the league championship series's there has been little to talk about, but the NFL is in full swing. Week six is approaching, and it is time to see where teams stand at the offical quarter pole of the season.

1) New York Giants (4-0): Everything the Giants do is right. They can run the ball with power, as Brandon Jacobs continues to run people over. Eli Manning is growing into a priemer veteran QB, playing at the top of his career performance so far, and he can only get better which is scary; and the defense continues to swarm and destroy opposing quarterbacks. No problems here. This is the most solid team in the NFL.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): After a stellar performace against the Jaguars on the road, the Steelers are back in my good graces. Ben Rothleisberger may not be Brett Favre, but he continues to fight through serious injuries to lead this team to victory. What is even more impressive about the Steelers is that they had the toughest schedule coming into the league this year. They are 4-1 and are clearly the best team in the AFC.

3) Washington Redskins (4-1): The Redskins have really figured it out. The Redskins battled and beat up the Eagles in Philly last week. That is two straight division victories on the road for the Skins and new coach Jim Zorn. Very impressive indeed. Keep in mind the Skins do not have a single road division game left this season. The Giants, Cowboys and Eagles will have to go to D.C. when they meet up with the Redskins again.

4) Tennessee Titans (5-0): When Kerry Collins is trusted to win a game, he usually fails. For most of Sunday's game against Baltimore he did just that. Collins threw two picks that contributed to a 10-6 Raven lead late in this one. But thanks to a bad roughing the passer call on the Ravens, the Titans were able to get good field position for the winning score. Not the way anyone wants to get to 5-0.

5) Carolina Panthers (4-1): Defense is also the name of the game for the Panthers. They haven't surrendered double digits in a game since a 20-10 loss to Minnesota in week 3. The Panthers surrender an average of 14 points a game, and smuther opposing running games, allowing only 98 yards per game. By the way, the Pantehrs ground game is very good. The combination of DeAnglo Williams and Jonathon Stewart have combined for 620 yards in 41 carries. That is an avarage of 15 yards per carry!

6) Denver Broncos (4-1): The Broncos needed a bounce back win, especially after the lowly Kansas City Chiefs scored 33 points on that shaky Denver D. On Sunday the Broncos actually played some solid defense, holding the Buccaneers and a red hot Brian Griese to just 13 points. Luckily for Denver they have the number two ranked offense in the league.

7) Buffalo Bills (4-1): Ok, so it might have been too good to be true; the Bills hot start fizzled last week in the Arizona heat. At least it was a dry heat, but that was no excuse as Buffalo got bombed 41-17. The Bills are a gritty young team. They still have a lot to learn before they can become an elite NFL franchise again.

8) Dallas Cowboys (4-1): How does a team with a 4-1 record drop all the way to eighth place in my rankings? Play terrible football thats how. The Boys had the Cincinnati Bengals on the ropes last week, building a 17-3 lead at the half. But the Bengals fought back and got to within 17-16, and had the ball with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. If it weren't for a Chirs Perry fumble the Boys might have lost this one. Now they go to Arizona. Unlike previous trips to the desret, this one won't be easy.

9) Chicago Bears (3-2): Hey the Bears may have found a quarterback. I have to admit that I never considered Kyle Orton as a good NFL QB, but he has played well throwing for 1100 yards, seven TD's and only 4 INT's. Plus rookie Matt Forte is dazzling so far with 383 yards on the ground this year.

10) Miami Dolphins (2-2): Yes, yes, yes, the Miami Dolphins! Don't hit the refresh button! The Miami Dolphins have craked the top 10. After beating up the Patriots two weeks ago, the Fish came back to dismantle the San Diego Chargers. Two teams that were expected to be the NFL's elite. Chad Pennington has played well, completing 67 percent of his passes this year. He never looked this sharp when he played in New York. Just goes to show you what the revenge factor can do.

Ronnie Brown has helped, rushing for six touchdowns, most of which is set up with Brown behind center in the shotgun. Now can they last a whole season? Probably not, but for beating the Patriots and Chargers, I'll give them points for at least once this year.

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