But why wait? The Top Ten for Week 5
1. KC: like I said in my prediction on the week, the Chiefs are the most balanced team in the league so far. Offense: 2nd in yards, 1st in pts per game, 10th in passing yds per game, 2nd in rushing yds per game. Defense: should be stronger. Overall a middling 17th, BUT the pt difference between them and the number one Buffalo Bills? 7 pts. And they're better than 2 tds ahead of the Bills on offense. Meaning they're better but vulnerable. They need to work on secondary coverage or the best playoff teams will have an in to beat them.
2. Phi: outside of the misleading Jags they have the next best differential, understanding that the difference between them and the next six teams is not more than 3 pts. I like the development of their qb and the use he's making of the weapons they acquired to augment the offense in the offseason. Tied with GB for the 6th best scoring team in the league and a defense a half point out of 9th place. The bad news for their division is that they've gotten better every week. Their only loss? A 7 pt away game at Arrowhead. They haven't dominated, but they stay in a game and have the tools to beat you in the home stretch.
3. Den: no one wants to talk about them because no one is in love with their qb. But outside of the one away game in Buffalo, a top 10 defense, he's played really good football. In fact, their offense is tied for 9th in scoring. With that defense it will be enough to hold serve at home and manage enough road wins to contend. Right now it's good enough for me to start them here. Oh, his name is Siemian.
4. GB: best signal caller in the league, bar none. And he's getting enough help from his team. Middling scoring defense, but 6th in yds against the pass, crucial come playoffs.
5. Sea: after a worrisome start they appear to be getting their legs under them. 15th scoring offense and a 5th ranked scoring defense. They're a top 7 defense against the pass, but weak against the run and their O line is still suspect against the harder pressuring front sevens. We'll see if they can build or if they'll slip from this spot next week.
6. Det: they were in both games they lost. Troubling that those losses came at home though. A potent offense (top 10) and a top 10 defense, but like KC they're vulnerable in the secondary.
7. Atl: haven't lost anything meaningful from their SB run and that makes them a dark horse from this position and deadly. Decent defense combined with an offense that is balanced, 8th in both passing and rushing yds per game, 8th in pts scored. Seventh on my list, for now.
8. Rams: I believe in the coaching here, but the turnaround is so quick I can't say I have the same faith in the talent on hand. That said, they're the 2nd best scoring unit at present by the numbers (5th passing/13th rushing). Defensively? Strong against the pass and suspect against the run. If you have to have a weakness that's the way to go...at least in their division.
9. Hou: those of us in the SEC ranks understood how remarkable Watson was before he reached the NFL. Watching the Browns, Bears, and Niners overlook him had me shaking head in the last draft. When the Jets did it I was laughing out loud. Even without JJ this is a strong defensive unit and Watson will have opposing defenses worried while he acclimates and grows week to week. A scary thought over the next couple of years.
10. Car: they surprised me with the improvement in weeks 4 and 5. Cam looked great and his defense played well enough until late. This far down I could put a handful of teams. The Panthers feel like a good choice.
Hon Men: NO, for shutting out Miami and beating up Cam and Co. They were off, but have a chance to move into the top tier next week.
