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The NFL's Top 10 in Week 6
Cold, Hard Football Facts for October 13, 2004

The Cold, Hard Football Facts have digested all the data from the first five weeks of the season and offer the most accurate Power Rankings in football. Unlike other systems, the Cold, Hard Football Facts put a premium on quality wins*, the single most accurate indicator of teams' relative strength. But remember, this is the NFL. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

I
New England (4-0; unchanged) The Patriots have just one quality win (Indy); Brady is throwing too many picks (four); and the defense surrendered 295 yards to the inept Dolphins offense (Miami's best output this year). But it's hard to argue with a record 19 straight victories.
II
Philadelphia (4-0; unchanged) The Eagles lead the league in quality wins, handing Detroit, Minnesota and NY Giants the only loss each has suffered this season.
III
Indianapolis (4-1; unchanged) Indy is on pace for an astronomical 6,333 yards of offense this season, 19 yards per game behind the pace of the "Greatest Show on Turf" Super Bowl champion 1999 Rams. But those Rams surrendered just 15.1 points per game, six points better than these Colts.
IV
New York Giants (4-1; last week, 9) In a 16-point win in Dallas, the Giants neutralized Testaverde, picking off one throw and holding him to 126 passing yards, 171 yards below his average entering the game.
V
Minnesota (3-1; unchanged) The Vikings beat Houston in overtime last week, but only after surrendering 14 points in the final 3 minutes, 11 seconds of regulation. The Minnesota defense has now gone 248 minutes of football this year without an interception.
VI
New York Jets (4-0; unchanged) A paper tiger? The Jets have one quality victory (at San Diego), but a two-point win at home against hapless Buffalo impresses no one.
VII
Seattle (3-1; last week, 4) The Seahawks beat three bad teams to start the season, while surrendering just 13 points. But they folded like a cheap suit against the historically gutless Rams, giving up 24 points in the final 8 minutes, 36 seconds to lose in overtime.
VIII
Denver (4-1; unranked) It clearly matters not who carries the ball in Denver: Five-year NFL journeyman Reuben Droughns ran for 193 yards against Carolina, and now has 320 yards rushing in his career. The Broncos average 115 yards per game more than their opponents.
IX
Detroit (3-1; unranked) Yes, Detroit. As in, the Lions. Their only loss is to Philly, and they beat the previously undefeated Falcons in Atlanta, their second road victory of the season. But there are chinks in the armor: The Detroit offense averages just 253 yards per game, while the defense surrenders 352 per game.
X
Pittsburgh (4-1; unranked) Playing a rookie quarterback is usually a blueprint for disaster, but Roethlisberger has posted a 91.3 passer rating and won all three starts. Tommy Maddox had a pre-injury passer rating of just 67.4.

Dropped from last week: Dallas, Jacksonville, Atlanta

* The Cold, Hard Football Facts define quality wins as any victory against a team that currently possesses a winning record.

The Cold, Hard Football Facts X from XXXII list is compiled by contributor Robert Glickler.


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