First and foremost, the NFL is not the BCS. Style points don’t matter. Only wins matter.
The Ravens won on Sunday and are in second place as they near the “quarter pole.” Sure the victory left some things to be desired, and yes, Billy Cundiff helped the Ravens out by not converting two field goal attempts. But, shouldn’t second-guessing be reserved for the losing team?
One thing to definitely be happy about is the play of Baltimore’s special teams. The Ravens coaches, too, showed their prowess in deciphering what the Browns were doing, and countered with the winning adjustments in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore is 2-1 in a tough division, but they still have work to do before I can consider them among the five best teams in the league.
Speaking of which, here are the teams I believe to be the five best heading into Week 4.
1. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
Next game: Bye
It took an extra period, but the Seahawks out-muscled the Broncos and proved again they are the better team. They withstood an impressive drive from the Broncos that tied the game late with 18 seconds left in regulation, and won on a 6-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch.
Though three of their next four contests are on the road, the Seahawks’ toughest remaining game seems to be when they travel south to Santa Clara to play the 49ers on Thanksgiving night.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (3-0)
Next game: Bye
Someone once said you are what your record says you are. Well, the Bengals are 3-0, and they’ve earned it. Their offense has stalled in the red zone more than they would’ve liked, but right now they rank as the 6th-best scoring offense in football (26.7 points per game), ahead of New Orleans, Dallas, and Denver.
They have yet to allow a sack and their defense is the best in the league (11.0 points allowed per game). 2014 couldn’t have started better for Marvin Lewis.
3. Denver Broncos (2-1)
Next game: Bye
Coaches and players won’t say this, but if they had to lose a game, losing (on the road in overtime, without getting a possession) to the team that just won the Super Bowl is something that can be justified. Meaning, Denver can hold their heads high knowing no other team is likely to give Seattle such a competitive game at CenturyLink Field.
Three of Denver’s next four games will be played at home. Since Peyton Manning started playing for the Broncos, they’ve compiled a home record of 16-2. If Denver loses even one home game this season, I’ll be surprised.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
Next game: at San Francisco (1-2)
There’s no question the Eagles are giving up too many points (26 per game) and LeSean McCoy is being held in check (2.9 yards per carry). However, Philadelphia has racked up at least 30 points in each of their first three games–something no other team has done.
5. Arizona Cardinals (3-0)
Next game: Bye
Despite a change of quarterback in Week 2 and playing against a high-caliber quarterback in each game so far, the Cardinals keep winning. A lot of credit is owed to their defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles. As a defensive back, Bowles won Super Bowl XXII as a defensive back for the Redskins, so he knows what championship defense is all about.
The Cardinals’ defense is the strength of their team, and the best unit of their defense is their defensive backfield, led by cornerback Patrick Peterson (two First-Team All-Pro selections in three years).
Arizona went 10-6 last year, missing the playoffs by one game, playing in a division with Seattle (13 wins) and San Francisco (12 wins). They can be better this year.
Game of the week: Carolina (2-1) at Baltimore (2-1)
Sunday, September 28 at 1:00 P.M. ET on CBS
Current Vegas line: Baltimore -3
Over/under: 40.5
Game-time forecast: Sunny, 83 degrees, 0% chance of rain, winds W at 5 mph
