The Raiders host the New England Patriots in a game that could give us a real sense of how much the Raiders belong. The win over the Jets was big and is proof they are contenders in the AFC West. However, I would argue a win over the Patriots would elevate the Raiders into the discussion for true contender in the AFC. The Raiders hung with a crazy Buffalo Bills offense, coming up just short. They've gone into a division rival (even if it's a struggling Denver) and got a win. They also showed an ability to bounce back in defeating a tough Jets squad.
On the other side of the Bay, the 49ers received a modest boost from No. 23 to No. 20 following an ugly road win over the Cincinnati Bengals. They climbed ahead of the Cardinals, Jaguars and Rams with their win. I'm a bit surprised the Rams are rated No. 31 given how tough their schedule has been to date. Eventually a team does need to start winning, but I'd still take them ahead of Indianapolis and Minnesota.
32. (32) Kansas City Chiefs: There's a chance Kansas City can pick up its first win either this week against the Vikings or next week against the Colts. The Chiefs almost surprised the Chargers last week, so there is a pulse.
31. (31) Cincinnati Bengals: Lost a tough one to the 49ers and next up are the surprising 3-0 Bills. Does Cincinnati have a chance? Probably not. But don't be surprised by anything you see in the NFL this season. I'm not calling a Bengals victory here, but you just never know.
30. (29) Minnesota Vikings: They simply can't finish. They've outscored teams in the first half of games 54-7. After halftime, they've been outscored 67-6. That's why they're 0-3 and Adrian Peterson is hopping mad. Here's a hint, Vikings: When you have a lead, give Peterson the dang football.
29. (28) Indianapolis Colts: Before we bury the Colts for good, let's keep things in perspective. They almost beat the Steelers Sunday night and if they can find a way to get by Tampa Bay, there is some hope in that their next two games are against the Chiefs and Bengals.
28. (20) St. Louis Rams: Look at this upcoming schedule for 0-3 St. Louis: They get the Redskins at home, are at the Packers, at the Cowboys and home against the Saints. Can you say 0-7? Go ahead, say it. I did.
27. (24) Miami Dolphins: There was a lot about this team to like, but at 0-3 and games looming next against the Chargers and Jets, it's all but over already in Miami. They're already talking about making a coaching change.
26. (27) Denver Broncos: They move up one spot after a close loss to Tennessee, but that's as nice as I can be because up next, in order, are the Packers and the Chargers and that's just not going to be pretty at all.
25. (30) Seattle Seahawks: Technically, I have to move these guys up because they beat the Cardinals. But really, we shouldn't expect much out of Seattle. Yes, they have some decent players, but they are not built to win this year.
24. (21) Jacksonville Jaguars: If the Jaguars are going to make any kind of stand, well, don't expect it to happen this week against the Saints. Jacksonville just can't measure up yet in the AFC South, but it'll be interesting to watch the development of Blaine Gabbert.
23. (18) Arizona Cardinals: Arizona lost two straight road games it could have won and it could burn the Cardinals in the end. Every week it's been a different problem. Makes you wonder what will happen Sunday when the Giants pay a visit.
22. (19) Chicago Bears: They are 1-2, but right now, they're a better team than the one I have ranked below them. The schedule doesn't do them any favors in the coming weeks, though, so we'll see if they still have a chance.
21. (22) Carolina Panthers: Finally got their first win of the year and it came on wet and sloppy field conditions against the Jaguars. Listen, the Panthers might not finish .500, but they're exciting to watch and in time, they'll be the real deal.
20. (25) Cleveland Browns: Don't look now, but the 2-1 Browns are capable of rattling off several more wins before the season ends with a brutal schedule for them. If they can get by the Titans, they'll make some real noise.
19. (26) Oakland Raiders: OK, they beat the Jets and did it by running the ball down New York's throat. But the Raiders better enjoy their 2-1 record this week, because they get the Patriots next and then the Texans.
18. (17) Washington Redskins: Hung in there against the Cowboys, but I think the Redskins are starting to get exposed. In fact, I think they'll lose to the Rams this week. P.S. London Fletcher never should have had that rah-rah moment on the Cowboys' star at midfield before the game. Dallas will remember it.
17. (23) San Francisco 49ers: This is why the NFC West is what it is. The 49ers are 2-1 and lead the division, but this week, they begin a stretch against the Eagles, Buccaneers and Lions which could easily see them fall to 2-4. If that lead the division, we'll be seeing stars.
16. (13) Atlanta Falcons: Wasn't this supposed to be a Super Bowl-contending team? Well, the Falcons are 1-2 and have to be in a bit of a panic. They should get better this week against the Seahawks, but then they get the Packers.
15. (6) Philadelphia Eagles: The Dream Team is 1-2 and the star quarterback is taking a beating. Seriously, nobody other than Jay Cutler has taken as many hits as Michael Vick. He's hurting and I doubt he will last the year. The Eagles also don't have enough toughness when they need short yardage.
14. (15) Tennessee Titans: They've lost Kenny Britt to torn knee ligaments, but they should be able to improve to 3-1 when they meet the Browns this week. The Titans might be one of those teams that fly under the radar, so keep your eyes on them.
13. (14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They're tied atop their division along with New Orleans, but something tells me the Bucs won't stay there for long. Yes, they can move to 4-1 if they take care of business against the Colts and 49ers, but I'm not sure they will.
12. (12) Dallas Cowboys: They needed a bunch of field goals to beat the Redskins at home on Monday night. Tony Romo again showed his toughness by playing through some severe rib pain. He just better be careful against the Lions' pass rush this week. It could get ugly.
11. (16) Buffalo Bills: Two weeks ago, I had the Bills ranked 24th. Shows you what I know, right? But OK, here they are now, just outside of the Top 10, and we'll find out how good they really after because after Cincinnati this week, the schedule gets brutal: They get the Eagles, Giants, Redskins, Jets and Cowboys, in that order.
10. (13) New York Giants: It looks like the Giants just might be figuring it out. They had a nice win over the Eagles and Eli Manning has got the passing game going. The Giants come to Arizona on Sunday and they've had some problems in recent years against the Cardinals.
9. (4) Houston Texans: Played a very good Saints team on the road and almost came away with a win. I'm not ready to sell the Texans yet by any stretch. They should be able to give the Steelers a game, too. But man, could they use Arian Foster right about now.
8. (3) New York Jets: The Jets' defense isn't as fearsome as we thought. The Raiders ran over them and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they lose Sunday night at Baltimore. But aside from the AFC Championship game, the bigger the game, the better the Jets usually play. Yes, I don't know who I'm picking in that one yet.
7. (11) Detroit Lions: Needed overtime to beat the Vikings, but they did it on the road and up next are the Cowboys, again on the road. I'm sold on this Detroit team, though, and I think they'll move to 4-0. There, I said it.
6. (9) San Diego Chargers: I had a sneaky suspicion they might lose to the Chiefs, but they won by three. They should improve to 3-1 after Miami visits next week, but the Chargers are still capable of their yearly early-season collapse, so don't hold your breath.
5. (8) Pittsburgh Steelers: If they would have lost to the Colts, the Steelers would have tumbled out of the Top 10, no questions asked. But since they held on, barely, I'll cut them some slack this week. But it gets tougher this week when they play at Houston, so stay tuned.
4. (10) Baltimore Ravens: Rebounded from that disappointing loss to Tennessee by pummeling the Rams and next up they get the Jets at home on Sunday night in what should be the game of the week. Rookie receiver Torrey Smith had a huge game on Sunday. Is he for real?
3. (2) New England Patriots: You can criticize me for only dropping the Patriots only one spot after their three-point loss to the Bills, but let's not lose sight of how good this team still is. If they lose next week at the Raiders, we'll talk. But that's not going to happen, so there.
2. (5) New Orleans Saints: I'm not so sure the Saints are the second-best team in the NFL, but they probably deserve to climb three spots after beating a pretty good Texans team in a close one. Truthfully, though, the Patriots should and likely will regain this ranking before long.
1. (1) Green Bay Packers: Still unbeaten after dispatching the Bears in Chicago and should fatten their record next week at home against a Broncos team that still looks lost. If they beat the Falcons in Week 5, I can see the Packers going 7-0 heading into their bye week before a road date with the Chargers.
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