1-New York Jets (5-1) Defense is central. Running game is pounding for 159 a game (2nd in the NFL).

2-Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) Bens return means an implausible amount to the Steelers; they will only get better as the season goes on.

3-Baltimore Ravens (4-2) Ravens played tough, no shame in losing to another top tier team.

4-New England Patriots (4-2) Still the Pats, Brady and Branch have a connection that still works.

5-Indianapolis Colts (4-2) Manning looked sharp and gets big wins. How #18 goes, the Colts go.

6-New Orleans Saints (4-2) Hammering the Bucs, doing what they are supposed to do, against a young team.

7-New York Giants (4-2) Ahmad Bradshaw playing very well, maybe getting to next level in career.

8-Houston Texans (4-2) Nice bounce back win against a strong opponent, and only giving up 201 in the air, can be a good sign.

9-Philadelphia Eagles(4-2) huge win versus a very good team, getting good play from 2 QBs is a luxury most teams don’t have.

10-Atlanta Falcons (4-2) Taking a step back, need to work on pass coverage.

NFL POW (PLAYER OF THE WEEK)

Joseph Addai (RB, Indianapolis Colts) pounding the Redskins for 7.5/ rushing attempt, Addai ended up with 128 yards on the ground and a TD. His 1st 100+ yard rushing game in over 2 years comes at a good time in the Colts 27-24 win over the stubborn Redskins, helping to put the Colts back into a tie for division lead with Houston.

Hard-hitting matchups this week to watch for; St. Louis at Tampa Bay (The Rams are looking to go over .500 and possibly the division lead in the perplexing and random NFC west. This is huge news for Rams fans, very interesting game with 2 up and coming teams in the NFL. Bradford is playing very solid in his rookie season at QB, with 1357 yds and 7 TD.), Pittsburgh at Miami (The Fish coming off a huge win against the Pack, now get the newly revamped offense of the Steelers and the same excellent defense.

Don’t sleep on Miami’s D, they are only giving up 202 passing yards/ game(5th in the AFC.), Minnesota at Green Bay (Ok, so the 2010 drama isn’t nearly as strong as it was in 2009, but it’s still a big divisional matchup, where if the Vikes want to be a serious challenger for their division, they need to strike now, when the Pack are struggling a bit.) NY Giants at Dallas (The Cowboys may be just playing for pride in this game, after last weeks loss. But pride is essential in Dallas, of course a game against the top team in your division at home, where you are 0-2, a mammoth game at Jerry’s world) Cincinnati at Atlanta (Falcons and Bengals battle it out, the Bengals have to show up or they can quickly fall by the wayside in the AFC North, with the way the Steelers and Ravens are playing. Bengals were supposed to be a contender in the North.)