NFL writer John Dudley ranks the five most impressive teams from Week 5:
1. Steelers (21-0 over Seahawks): No matter what you thought of the Seahawks going into the game, Seattle had the NFL’s eighth-best offense and a tough defense. The Steelers shredded both, holding Matt Hasselbeck and Co. to 144 total yards and blitzing the Seahawks with two long second-half touchdown drives in a game that was even more lopsided from a physical standpoint than the score showed.
2. Chargers (41-3 over Broncos): San Diego’s offense finally woke up in a big way, and Ladainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner trampled the Broncos in an embarrassing loss that exposed all of Denver’s weaknesses. With the Raiders at home next week, the Chargers are positioned to take control of the AFC West.
3. Colts (33-14 over Bucs): This wasn’t the same Bucs team that started the season 3-1, with running back Cadillac Williams and left tackle Luke Petigout bout out with season-ending injuries. But Indy was missing running back Joseph Addai and safety Bob Sanders – and the Colts still dominated every phase of the game to keep pace with New England in the AFC.
4. Redskins (34-3 over Lions): It’s still tough to get a read on the ‘Skins and young quarterback Jason Campbell, but the offense produced 366 total yards and 23 first downs and the defense came up big against one of the NFC’s more potent attacks. Don’t look now, but Joe Gibbs has the Redskins knocking the door in the NFC East.
5. Cardinals (34-31 over Rams): The mark of a young, improving team is winning close games on the road. The Cardinals did that, even if it came against the flailing Rams. Arizona scored two defensive touchdowns and showed some offensive punch a week after a slogging win over the Steelers behind the two-headed quarterback rotation of Matt Leinart (100 yards) and Kurt Warner (190 yards and one touchdown).
Week 5 rankings (record, previous ranking)
1. New England (5-0, 1)
2. Indianapolis (5-0, 2)
3. Dallas (5-0, 3)
4. Pittsburgh (4-1, 5)
5. Jacksonville (3-1, 9)
6. Arizona (3-2, NR)
7. Green Bay (4-1, 4)
8. San Diego (2-3, NR)
9. Tennessee (3-1, NR)
10. Washington (3-1, NR)
11. Seattle (3-2, 6)
12. N.Y. Giants (3-2, 12)
-- John Dudley (john.dudley@timesnews.com)