DownSwinging.com

As Good As It Gets
1. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
Before the game Monday Night I thought this team was the most overrated in football. Then I watched them play. And dominate. Their defense was swarming and Jared Allen may have put on the single best defensive performance in Monday Night Football history. I still think that Vikings fans need to be concerned about Brett Favre’s long-term durability as the season progresses, but right now there isn’t a better team in football.

2. Indianapolis Colts (4-0)
Right now Peyton Manning is playing at a level above just about every other quarterback in the NFL. He seems like he’s in another world. And if you saw the game two Monday Nights ago you saw an impressive Colts Defense swarm and attack the Cardinals’ Kurt Warner. They played strong, physical football and have been more than good enough to let Peyton Manning take over games with his arm.

3. New Orleans Saints (4-0)
This team is downright scary. They’re the most complete team in the NFL right now. Now they need to prove that they can continue this streak of dominance. The past two weekends the Bills and the Jets have proved that Drew Brees is indeed a mere mortal, but the Saints responded by showing that right now they are the deepest team in this league. Gregg Williams is making this defense click and the past two weeks they’ve really carried the team. On offense, when Pierre Thomas went down, Mike Bell provided rushing between the tackles. When Bell went down, Pierre Thomas returned the favor. Oh and then there’s this guy Reggie Bush.

4. New York Giants (4-0)
Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have gained stardom in New York after four impressive games. Smith in particular has become one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL. Eli Manning has made some mistakes early but has delivered when it has mattered most. The defense has played well in two games after the G-Men were gashed by the Dallas running game, albeit against two teams with a combined 0-8 record. But like the Ravens, the Giants face a tough schedule. After their next game against the Raiders, the Giants have games against New Orleans, Arizona, Philadelphia (2), San Diego, Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas. Combined record: 19-9.