Here’s how I see the league breaking down, heading into week six of the season. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!

* Home games are capitalized

1. New Orleans (4-0)

After a weekend of much needed rest, I expect the Saints to hit the field ready to keep their winning streak going, but it’s going to take a masterful performance this week against the Giants if they want to emerge victorious.

Next week: NEW YORK GIANTS (5-0)

2. New York Giants (5-0)

The Giants showed no signs of letting up despite playing a horrible Oakland squad, who look as though they’re ready to jump ship on every play. Eli certainly wasn’t 100% but he still came out to play, which speaks volumes about his leadership role on this team. Next up is the showdown of the season with New Orleans in the Superdome.

Next week: @ New Orleans (4-0)

3. Minnesota (5-0)

The Vikings looked every bit the part of Super Bowl contender last week, albeit against the hapless Rams. As long as Favre keeps slinging it all over the field and the defense steps up to the plate, Minnesota will be able to beat any team in the league.

Next week: BALTIMORE (3-2)

4. Indianapolis (5-0)

The Colts are getting production across the board, propelling them to a fast start offensively week in and week out. Their defense hasn’t been too bad either, and it should only get better once Bob Sanders is back at full steam.

Next week: BYE

5. Denver (5-0)

I really wasn’t all that impressed with the Broncos through the first four weeks, but when they pulled out a solid win over a good New England team in overtime, they got my attention. Major credit to Mike Nolan for his dramatic turn around of the Denver defense, which has played its ass off all season long.

Next week: @ San Diego (2-2)

6. Cincinnati (4-1)

Save a fluke play in week one, the Bengals could very well be sitting at 5-0 right now, after pulling off a major upset last week against their rivals in Baltimore. Time for their doubters to start believing.

Next week: HOUSTON (2-3)

7. Philadelphia (3-1)

With McNabb back and Westbrook reasonably healthy, the Eagles offense is finally firing on all cylinders. That’s likely to continue next week against a horrible Oakland team, that can’t stop anyone right now.

Next week: @ Oakland (1-4)

8. Atlanta (3-1)

Winning by 35 points on the road against San Francisco is no easy task, but that’s exactly what Atlanta did last week. The offense under Matt Ryan took major strides in that game and should keep it up as the season moves on.

Next week: CHICAGO (3-1)

9. Chicago (3-1)

Coming off a BYE week, the Bears should be well rested and healthy, boding well for the remainder of the season. I still have reservations with their offense, as they need an upgrade at WR, but overall they’re playing as well as posssible right now.

Next week: @ Atlanta (3-1)

10. New England (3-2)

I was as shocked as everyone else when the Broncos pulled off the upset of the season in beating the Patriots last week, but that being said, New England still has the ability to beat anyone in the league on most every Sunday, so they didn’t drop too far.

Next week: TENNESSEE (0-5)

11. San Diego (2-2)

This Chargers team has more raw talent than anyone else in the league, but so far they haven’t been able to consistently find ways to put it all together. Once they do, lookout, because they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Next week: DENVER (5-0)

12. San Francisco (3-2)

The 49ers got embarassed at home last week, and I doubt Mike Singletary is going to let that slide anytime soon. They’ll have plenty of time to think about that loss during their BYE week, and I expect them to come back ready to play.

Next week: BYE

13. New York Jets (3-2)

I wouldn’t say that the Jets played horribly last Monday against the Dolphins, but a loss is a loss, so they dropped down a few rungs this week. Look for them to rebound this week against a pathetic Bills squad that has no clue right now.

Next week: BUFFALO (1-4)

14. Pittsburgh (3-2)

The Steelers weren’t very impressive in their win against the Lions last week, but that said, this team still has the ability to win every week if they play well, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a run soon.

Next week: CLEVELAND (1-4)

15. Green Bay (2-2)

The signing of Mark Tauscher this week should make a big difference in the Packers offensive production, as Aaron Rodgers will likely stay off his back a bit more. The defense will be better as well with Atari Bigby on his way back, so look for the Pack to play well on Sunday.

Next week: DETROIT (1-4)

16. Miami (2-3)

Miami has really stepped up their game over the last two weeks, and a lot of the credit for that has to go to Chad Henne, with his steady play at quarterback. The Dolphins defense hasn’t been too bad either.

Next week: BYE

17. Baltimore (3-2)

Losing at home to the Bengals has to hurt in a bad way, but knowing the Ravens, they’ll use it as motivation instead of dwelling on it and allowing it to affect them negatively. They’ve got a big test this week though, on the road at Minnesota.

Next week: @ Minnesota (5-0)

18. Dallas (3-2)

A win is a win, but having to do it in overtime against one of the worst teams in the league last week in Kansas City probably wasn’t what the Cowboys had in mind. Still, they have to love what Miles Austin and Tony Romo showed late in that game.

Next week: BYE

19. Arizona (2-2)

The Cardinals got a big lift last week in their hard fought victory over the Texans, and seem to be on a roll right now. Travelling up to Seattle this week won’t be easy, but if they can keep playing the way they have been as of late, anything’s possible.

Next week: @ Seattle (1-4)

20. Houston (2-3)

The Texans are one of the most frustrating teams in recent memory, as they have a ton of talent, but somehow always seem to find a way to lose games they should win. Things won’t get much easier next week with a trip to Cincinnati on the docket.

Next week: @ Cincinnati (4-1)

21. Seattle (1-4)

Drilling a decent Jaguars team 41-0 will do wonders for the Seahawks psyche and it couldn’t have come at a better time for this team. We’ll see if they can keep it up next week against the Cardinals, but for now I’m cautiously optimistic.

Next week: ARIZONA (2-2)

22. Jacksonville (2-3)

Last week was a disaster of epic proportions for the Jaguars, but it should also be a wakeup call as well. This team can play better and if this doesn’t get them ready, nothing will.

Next week: ST. LOUIS (0-5)

23. Detroit (1-4)

I like what I saw in the Lions close loss to the defending Super Bowl champs, and I think this team is definitely headed in the right direction. If they can’t get Calvin Johnson back soon though, they’ll be in trouble.

Next week: @ Green Bay (2-2)

24. Carolina (1-4)

Beating the Redskins isn’t much to write home to Mom about, but the previously winless Panthers will take what they can get right now. Sooner or later Carolina has to right the ship; they have way too much talent to keep playing this bad.

Next week: @ Tampa Bay (0-5)

25. Washington (2-3)

With Jim Zorn looking at an early departure from D.C. the Redskins are primed to take a big fall this season. We’ll see if they can rally around Zorn in the coming weeks, but right now this team is headed the wrong way.

Next week: KANSAS CITY (0-5)

26. Cleveland (1-4)

The Browns have no identity offensively but they got lucky in matching up with an even worse team in Buffalo last week. I doubt they’ll be able to keep that up this week on the road at Pittsburgh,

Next week: @ Pittsburgh (3-2)

27. Buffalo (1-4)

I have no clue how Dick Jauron still has a job as a head coach in this league. The Bills are the most dysfunctional team I’ve seen in a long time and it’s not going to get any better now that they’ve changed their offense once again.

Next week: @ New York Jets (3-2)

28. Tennessee (0-5)

The Titans plunge into the depths of doom this season has been one of the most shocking things to happen this season, but sooner or later they’ll find a way to turn it around.

Next week: NEW ENGLAND (3-2)

29. Oakland (1-4)

Nothing the Raiders do surprises me anymore, as they’ve been on a downward spiral into the ground for years. Getting crushed by the Giants won’t help them recover anytime soon.

Next week: PHILADELPHIA (3-1)

30. Tampa Bay (0-5)

The Bucs are another team that just can’t figure it out offensively these days and until they get the quarterback situation settled, it’s going to be more of the same.

Next week: CAROLINA (1-4)

31. Kansas City (0-5)

The Chiefs were oh so close to getting their first win in recent memory last week against Dallas, but they couldn’t find a way to pick up the 20 yards or so they needed to get into field goal range in overtime. Maybe they can put it together this week against Washington.

Next week: @Washington (2-3)

32. St. Louis (0-5)

The Rams are as bad as can be right now and it’s not going to get any better anytime soon, unless they can magically add a ton of talent to their roster in a hurry.

Next week: @ Jacksonville (2-3)

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