Five weeks into this season, I thought I’d take a look at the winningest teams and try to decide if they were for real or not.  Currently, there are 10 teams with one loss and 2, the Bears and Colts, with no losses. In no particular order, let’s take a closer look at these teams.

Bears 5-0 with wins against the Packers, Lions, Vikings, Seahawks, Bills

I had intended to write about and overrated and overhyped Bears team, but the more I looked, the more impressed I became.  Obviously, it all starts with the defense.   Urlacher and Tommie Harris may be the two best players in the NFL at their positions.  The Bears arguably have the best front 7 in the NFL with a strong secondary backing them up.  So far this year, this defense has only surrendered 36 points.  For comparison, the 2000 Ravens who hold the record for fewest points allowed in a 16 game season, gave up 55 points after 5 games.  The Bears had a great defense last year as well, but this year, that defense is complimented by a good offense.  To go with their strong running game, they finally have a strong passing game with Rex Grossman showing why he was a first round pick 3 years ago.  They also have a good, but not spectacular special teams.  Their record has been helped by playing a very weak schedule thus far, but they shellacked the teams they were supposed to beat.  With only one tough game remaining against New England, this team will get a lot of discussion about going undefeated.

Colts 5-0 with wins against against the Giants, Texans, Jaguars, Jets, Titans.

They’ve also padded their record against relatively weak competition, but unlike the Bears, these have been close games.  Prior to the season, everyone wondered if they would miss Edgerrin James.  Their running game has suffered somewhat, but their offense is still able to score.  The real free agent losses are Triplett and Thornton, two of their best defenders last year.  Joey Porter was right last year when he called this defense soft, and without these two, their run defense is essentially nonexistent.  With tough upcoming games against the Redskins, Bronco, Patriots, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, and Bengals, there won’t be any talk about going undefeated this year, but should still win their division.

Patriots 4-1 with wins against Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Bengals.  Lost to the Broncos.

The Patriots do not look like their normal selves early this season.  Except for the Bengals game, each of their other wins against relatively weak competition, have been close.  Brady does not appear to be as comfortable without his top receivers from last year, but their running game has picked up the slack.  Running back Lawrence Maroney will earn rookie of the year honors if he continues to play like he has.  The defense is not spectacular but always seem to get the job done.  The loss of Vinatieri may hurt because his replacement, Gostkowski is only hitting 62% of this field goals.  With remaining games against the Vikings, Colts, Jaguars, and Bears as their roadblocks, the Patriots should easily win their weak division.

Bengals 3-1 with wins against the Chiefs, Browns, and Steelers.  Lost to the Patriots.

Prior to the Patriots game, the Bengals were viewed by many as the best team in the league, but the Patriots, and the Steelers before them, exposed the Bengals soft run defense.  Like last year, this defense lives by the turnover, but cannot stop the run.  The loss of their best linebacker, Odell Thurman, for the season first to a drug and then to a drinking offense, has greatly hurt this team.  The addition of Sam Adams has not helped.  The offense is still talented, but Carson Palmer has not been as good as last year.  With perhaps the leagues toughest schedule with upcoming games against the Panthers, Falcons, Ravens x 2, Chargers, Saints, Broncos, and Steelers, all teams with strong ground games, the Bengals will struggle to make the playoffs.

Broncos 3-1 with wins against the Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens.  Lost to the Rams.

The Broncos have probably been the most impressive team in the AFC.  Though they struggle to score points, they score enough to win.  Their defense has not give up a touchdown all season and they have done this against  the toughest schedule in this early season.  They also have a difficult schedule with games against the Chargers x2,  Steelers, Colts, Bengals, and Seahawks.  The AFC west is shaping into one of the the toughest divisions in the league, but the Broncos should take the division.

Chargers 3-1 with wins against the Raiders, Titans, and Steelers.  Lost to the Ravens.

This team will get some votes as the best in the AFC on the strength of their primetime beating of the Steelers, but look at who they’ve beaten.   The combined record of these teams is 1-12.  They do have some of the best offensive weapons in the league with Ladainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates.  They have a very good offensive line, and their QB, Philip Rivers looked unbeatable against the Steelers.  The defense led by Jamal Williams and Shawne Merriman can be dominating.  Their remaining schedule is relatively easy with  4 tough games against the Bengals, Broncos x2, and Seahawks.  With the Broncos in the same division, the Chargers should get one of the wildcards.

Ravens 4-1 with wins against Buccaneers, Raiders, Browns, and Chargers.  Lost to the Broncos.

They have been aided by a very easy early schedule and did not look good against the Browns, Chargers, or Broncos.  Only late game heroics by McNair kept them from a losing record.  As always, this defense is tough, but the offense cannot move the ball with any consistency.  Their offensive line is not very good and was weakened by the season ending loss of their left guard, Mulitalo.  Though he has led the teams to two late game winning drives, McNair’s passer rating is actually lower than Kyle Boller’s was last year.  With tough upcoming games against the Bengals x2, Steelers x2, Saints, Falcons, and Panthers, I don’t see this team making the playoffs.

Eagles 4-1 with wins against the Texans, 49ers, Packers, and Dallas.  Lost the the Giants.

This team probably should be 5-0 were it not for a miracle comeback by the Giants.  However, enthusiasm for this team should be tempered by looking at the record of it’s opponents thus far.  Not one has a winning record.  They did look impressive against Dallas, but Dallas is not that good.  Their upcoming schedule includes difficult games against the Redskins x2, Jaguars, Saints, Colts, Panthers, Giants, Cowboys, and Falcons.  Nevertheless, because the NFC east is not nearly as strong as expected, the Eagles should take this division.

Rams  4-1 with wins against Broncos, Lions, Packers, Cardinals.  Lost to the 49ers.

They followed an impressive opening day win against the Broncos with an embarrassing loss to the 49ers.  Aside from the Broncos, their schedule has been very easy.  Their defense is much better than it has been in recent years, and their offense is still very strong.  They play a much tougher upcoming schedule with games against the Seahawks x2, Chargers, Panthers, Bears, Redskins, and Vikings.  Even though they play in the weakest division in the NFL, and the Seahawks are fading, I don’t see the Rams making the playoffs.

Seahawks 3-1 with wins against the Lions, Cardinals, Giants.  Lost to the Bears.

This team is not the same without Steve Hutchison.  Shaun Alexander, when he was not hurt, found the going much more difficult without Hutchison paving the way.  Other than the Bears game, their defense has played well albeit against inferior competition.  They beat 3 weak teams, before getting blown out by the Bears.  They have only 3 difficult games against old AFC west rivals, the Chargers and Broncos, and Vikings, so should coast to the division title.

Saints 3-1 with wins against the Browns, Falcons, Packers, Bucs.  Lost to Carolina.

The Saints have been the feel good story of the year so far.  You wonder how good they could have been the past few years if they did not have Aaron Brooks.  Reggie Bush is a future star and Drew Brees has solidified the quarterback position.  The defense is solid.  They have a difficult upcoming schedule with games against the Eagles, Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Falcons, Cowboys, Redskins, Giants, and Panthers.  Though they are vastly improved, I don’t see them winning the NFC south, but due to the overall weakness of the NFC, may get a wildcard.

Falcons 3-1 with wins against he Panthers, Buccaneers, and Cardinals.  Lost to the Saints.

This team should be a powerhouse with it’s top ranked run offense, but you just don’t know what to expect from Vick.  Always a threat to run, he rarely has great passing days which holds back this offense.  The defense is much improved with the addition of John Abraham.  Their upcoming schedule includes tough games against the Giants, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Redskins, Cowboys, Panthers, and Eagles.  They will be fighting for a wildcard.