NFL Power Ratings Oct. 16: A day late, a dollar short

By Nate Sandstrom
After the NFC East went 1-3 over the weekend everything I thought I knew about the order of the NFL is gone. Talking to a few people at the bar last night, it seems like no one can easily identify who they think the top five teams in the league are.

Here's my crack, they it may be the least confident I've ever been in these rankings.

(W-L, previous rank)
1. Tennessee (5-0, 4 ). By virtue of being last unbeaten.
2. N.Y. Giants (4-1, 1). Is old Eli back or was it just a bad day?
3. Washington (4-2, 2). They won Rams game in every way but the score.
4. Tampa Bay (4-2, 9). Two drives from 6-0.
5. Arizona (4-2, 18). Two wins against my top 10.
6. Buffalo (4-1, 8). Bye week was well-timed.
7. San Diego (3-3, 10). Finally beat the Pats.
8. Dallas (4-2, 3). Could the team of destiny finish last in the NFC East?
9. Pittsburgh (4-1, 6). Practically clinched AFC North already.
10. Carolina (4-2, 5). Hey, one loss in six years at Tampa ain't that bad.
11. New Orleans (3-3, 19). Just wait 'til Brees gets Colston and Shockey back.
12. Philadelphia (3-3, 12). Whose career is ending faster, David Akers or Matt Stover?
13. Atlanta (4-2, 24). Can't believe I'm doing this, but they've earned this spot.
14. Chicago (3-3, 7). Hester starting to produce on offense.
15. Indianapolis (3-2, 22). Nice win vs. Ravens, but I don't take that much from it.
16. N.Y. Jets (3-2, 17). Definitely in the playoff hunt.
17. Jacksonville (3-3, 13). Up and down unless they keep it on the ground.
18. New England (3-2, 16). Belichick is a gen.... oh, never mind.
19. Denver (4-2, 11). Fast start ending quickly.
20. Miami (2-3, 15). All this Wildcat talk. They did lose to the Texans.
21. Baltimore (2-3, 14). Four of next five on the road. Need to win two of them.
22. Cleveland (2-3 29). Thought preseason was eight games, not four.
23. Green Bay (3-3, 20). Peaked in Week 2.
24. Houston (1-4, 28). Now they got the first one out of the way will they keep it going?
25. San Francisco (2-4, 23). O'Sullivan was throwing the ball like punts in fourth against Iggs.
26. Minnesota (3-3, 21). Strangely, are likely to be in first if they somehow win at Chicago.
27. Oakland (1-4, 26). Who cares?
28. Kansas City (1-4, 27). Ditto.
29. Seattle (1-4, 25). Watch out for the Seneca Wallace/Charlie Frye platoon.
30. St. Louis (1-4, 32). Enjoy that win Rams, it may be their last this year.
31. Cincinnati (0-6, 30 ). Why does anyone still cover what Chad Johnson says?
32. Detroit (0-5, 31). Look Kitna, Greise got hurt and Garcia's playing so maybe you have hope.