NFL Week 5 Observations

There are now only 3 undefeated teams left and after next week there will be only 2. I don't think it is a coincidence that the Cowboys, Patriots, and Colts rank 1-2-3 in total offense in the NFL. So, what else is worth mentioning after week 5?

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1) The New England Patriots are good and they are on pace to set some records. But, does their record setting pace have anything to do with the quality of their opponents? The Patriots have beaten the Jets, the Chargers, the Bills, the Bengals, and the Browns. Those teams have a combined record of 7 wins and 16 losses. In terms of yards allowed the Jets defense ranks 28th in the NFL, the Chargers rank 22nd, the Bills rank 32nd, the Bengals rank 30th, and the Browns rank 31st. So, the Pats have faced 4 of the 5 worst defenses in the league thus far. The Pats' number 2 ranked defense has faced the Jets' 29 ranked offense, the Chargers' 18 ranked offense, the Bills' 31st ranked offense, the Bengals' 4th ranked offense, and the Browns' 8th ranked offense. We'll find out a little more about New England when they play Dallas next week.

2) So what about the Colts opponents this year? The Colts have beaten the Saints, the Titans, the Texans, the Broncos, and the Buccaneers. Those teams have a combined record of 11 wins and 12 losses. In terms of yards allowed the Saints have the 16th ranked defense in the NFL, the Titans rank 5th, the Texans rank 11th, the Broncos rank 20th, and the Buccaneers rank 12th. The Colts defense ranks 6th in the NFL. They have piled up their defensive statistics against the Saints 22nd ranked offense, the Titans 24th ranked offense, the Texans 15th ranked offense, the Broncos' 5th ranked offense, and the Buccaneers' 25th ranked offense. The Colts have a bye week this week but face 3-1 Jacksonville in week 7.

3) How 'bout those Cowboys? The Cowboys don't play their 5th game until tonight against Buffalo. But so far the Cowboys have beaten the Giants, the Dolphins, the Bears, and the Rams. Those teams have a combined record of 5 wins and 15 losses. In terms of yards allowed the Giants have the 13th ranked defense in the NFL, the Dolphins rank 24th, the Bears rank 23rd, and the Rams rank 27th. Dallas' defense currently ranks 9th in the NFL and they have piled up those statistics against the Giants' 16th ranked offense, the Dolphins' 19th ranked offense, the Bears' 30th ranked offense, and the Rams' 27th ranked offense. The Cowboys should pad their statistics again tonight against a really bad 1-3 Buffalo team.

4) I included the info above just to show that the Patriots, Colts, and Cowboys haven't really had to play a really tough team so far. Of the 3 undefeated teams, it appears the Colts have probably played the toughest schedule so far, and the Patriots have probably played the easiest schedule in the entire NFL.

5) I'm sure hoping the Dallas vs. New England game next week is televised.

6) Tampa and Seattle both lost this week. If you read my previous post last week about the possibility of a team going 16-0 this season you'll understand that both of those teams losing may end up playing a significant role in whether Dallas goes 16-0 this season.

7) Did anyone else think Cleveland moved the ball pretty well against New England? That game could have been a lot closer if not for Cleveland's 4 turnovers. Thanks a lot Derek Anderson.

8) How good are the Steelers? They have the number 1 ranked defense and the 7th ranked offense. But, their opponents haven't been that strong. And, they lost to Arizona. We''ll find out more about Pittsburgh in week 14 when they play the Patriots.

9) I've decided that Detroit isn't very good. Yes, they have 3 wins but they have been shellacked by Philadelphia and Washington.

10) Don't look now, but I think somebody out in San Diego might have finally figured out the problem.

11) I know its still early but I think Washington may be a pretty good football team. We'll find out more about them next week when they play at Green Bay and in week 8 when they play at New England.