1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They are off to their first 6-1 start in franchise history. This is also their best start. Tom Brady continues to play at the highest level. See what happens when you get settled in with the offense? Everyone is talking about the Cardinals, Packers, Rams and Cowboys, rightfully so. But, this is still who you have to defeat in order to get anywhere in the NFC. They are still the class of the conference as far as I’m concerned. They will look to win their fifth straight today when they travel to New Orleans to faces the Saints. It’s a playoff rematch!
2. Green Bay Packers: Seven wins and counting. Thursday night was a game they had to grind out to win. No Davante Adams, no Allen Lazard and no Marquez Valdes-Scantling. How would they survive? Simple, they changed up their identity and depended more so on the running game. Since that week one debacle against the Saints, they have won seven straight as I mentioned up top. You could make a case that was a statement win for them. Now, they get to enjoy a few extra days off before next weekend when they get back on the field. They are rolling right now and they’re having fun doing it.
3. Dallas Cowboys: When they’re playing well, there’s a buzz amongst the league. The game is even greater when they are on top of their game because it gives people something to talk about. The Cowboys have gone back to the basics and built their offense around running the football. They are such a tough out when they run the ball consistently because nobody can limit them. The NFC East is theirs for the taking. There isn’t a team in the division that will compete with them. Washington is struggling, the Eagles can’t get it together and the Giants? Yeah, right.
4. Los Angeles Rams: They’ve bounced back nicely since that loss to Arizona in week four. As I’ve said, Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay were a tandem meant to be together. This is why Stafford’s enjoying arguably the best year of his career. They got all they could handle against the Detroit Lions. They were able to survive because their two biggest defensive stars rose to the occasion. I’m talking about Jalen Ramsey and of course, Aaron Donald. I see them coasting for a while. The NFC West will be an intriguing one for the rest of the year with the Rams and Cardinals!
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Talk about statements! That’s exactly what they did in Baltimore. What the Ravens did to the Chargers the week before is what the Bengals ended up doing to the Ravens a week later. Punched them in the mouth and just took control of the football game. I was so impressed with them and I don’t see them just “falling off”. They have two of the more impressive wins on the year. They beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh and then beat the Ravens in Baltimore. Those are two tough places to play. Crazy to think the Bengals are in first place in the AFC North.
