Dave Betancourt | Sports Section Manager

Ok, here it is. The first installment of Dave’s Top Ten list. A lot has been going on in the NFL in this young season. These rankings are based from the performances of all the teams after the first week. Things could change big time as the NFL and the rest of the sports world tries to get back to the swing of things after all the horrible acts of last week. So if you don’t like these rankings, give your opinion and let your voice be heard. Holla.

1. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): Even though most publications are picking the Broncos as the top of the crop I’ve still got to give my number one vote to the defending Super Bowl champs. The defense is still off the hook to say the least. Yeah they opened up with the Bears but still, they look great. Running back will be an issue all year with the loss of Jamal Lewis but let’s face the facts: the Ravens won the Super Bowl without a QB and rode the defense. Now they have a quality QB in Elvis Grbac who looks impressive in Brian Billick’s offensive system. But hey, the Ravens play the Broncos in week four so all questions will be answered then.
2. Denver Broncos (1-0): Losing McCaffery for the year will hurt big time. Wide out was the one place where depth was an issue.
3. St. Louis Rams (1-0): We know what the offense can do. If that new defense could hold teams to 21 or less, look out.
4. Indianapolis Colts (1-0): Offense reminding people of the ‘99 Rams. Can the D-line play good week in and week out?
5. New Orleans Saints (1-0): Is Aaron Brooks the man or what? And to think all the talk at family reunions is always about that cousin named Vick.
6. Oakland Raiders (1-0): D-line and secondary looking great. Will age catch up with them towards the end of the season?
7. Miami Dolphins (1-0): Defense pimp slapped the Titans in a nasty way. Receivers much improved. Can Fiedler lead them to the promised land?
8. Tennessee Titans (0-1): Not having a big name receiver may hurt them in the playoffs yet again. Kearse, McNair and George are still all that and a bag of Doritos, though.
9. New York Giants (0-1): Don’t sleep on the Giants. Yes they lost to Denver, but that’s corner Dave Thomas’s fault. They’re solid everywhere except corner.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0): Offense better perform better than it did in week one. Who do they think they are, the Ravens?