NFL writer John Dudley ranks the five most impressive teams from Week 6:
1. Patriots (48-27 over Cowboys): I heard Cris Collinsworth say Sunday night that the Patriots are the best team he's ever seen, including the '85 Bears and the Montana 49ers. I don't agree with Collinsworth on much, but he might be right on this one.
2. Jaguars (37-17 over Texans): Give Jack Del Rio credit for having -- uh -- nerves endings the size of church bells. The guy was on the hot seat and still went with David Garrard over longtime franchise quarterback Byron Leftwich -- a move second-guessed by anyone with access to a keyboard or a TV mike -- and the Jags have responded by winning four of their first five games to solidify their position as first in line to sniff the Colts' afterburners. Can we finally put to rest the talk of the Texans and playoffs for at least one more season?
3. Ravens (22-3 over Rams): Yes, I realize the Rams are terrible. But the Ravens deserve credit for turning themselves around by going back to the sort of nasty, physical game-planning that made them a Super Bowl team all those sniveling Brian Billick news conferences ago. If they can keep Steve McNair upright and Willis McGahee can handle the load, the Ravens can make some noise over the final 10 weeks.
4. Saints (28-17 over Seahawks): Even if the Seahawks did lose their GPS coordinates for the end zone for the better part of two games, the previously winless Saints showed some moxie by going into Qwest Field and pulling off a big win over the a team that should have been hungry after getting shut out in Pittsburgh a week earlier. Is it just me, or does Mike Holmgren never seem sufficiently upset when he looks out on the field and sees his team stinking up the joint?
5. Browns (41-31 over Dolphins): Until they learn the fine art of tackling, the Browns will have to rely on their high-powered offense to win games. The arrangement is working out so far, with Derek Anderson emerging as the competent, if not flashy, quarterback the team has lacked since Bernie Kosar and Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow developing into two of the top receiving threats in the league.
Week 6 rankings (record, previous ranking)
1. New England (6-0, 1)
2. Indianapolis (5-0, 2)
3. Dallas (5-1, 3)
4. Pittsburgh (4-1, 4)
5. Jacksonville (4-1, 5)
6. Green Bay (5-1, 7)
7. San Diego (3-3, 8)
8. Tampa Bay (4-2, NR)
9. N.Y. Giants (4-2, 12)
10. Carolina (4-2, NR)
11. Baltimore (4-2, NR)
12. Kansas City (3-3, NR)
-- John Dudley (john.dudley@timesnews.com)