Ballot and comments from AP Pro 32 panel voter Rick Gosselin of Dallas Morning News:
Week 5
RICK GOSSELIN (Dallas Morning News)
- Houston Texans - The Texans don't beat themselves. They are 4-0 and have turned the ball over just twice.
- Atlanta Falcons - An NFC South quarterback leads the NFL in passing. It's not Drew Brees - it's Matt Ryan.
- Baltimore Ravens - How's this for role reversal - the offense is carrying the Ravens defense. Baltimore ranks second in offense, 23rd in defense.
- San Francisco 49ers - The 3-1 49ers play their next three games at home, starting Sunday with Buffalo.
- Arizona Cardinals - If the NFL conducted its coach of the year balloting at the end of September, Ken Whisenhunt would be the slam-dunk choice.
- Chicago Bears - The Bears lead the NFL with 14 takeaways.
- San Diego Chargers - The Chargers are once again emerging as the team to beat in the AFC West.
- Green Bay Packers - The Packers begin a rare three-game road trip this weekend at Indianapolis. Only two teams were assigned such trips in 2012, the Packers and Texans.
- Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles visit the Steelers this weekend - one of seven interconference games on the schedule. The NFC holds an 8-4 edge in those games to this point.
- Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals lead the NFL with 17 sacks.
- New England Patriots - The NFL's best offense. With Tom Brady taking the snaps, that should never be a surprise.
- Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings are playing defense again - and winning again.
- New York Giants - Only Drew Brees has passed for more yards than Eli Manning's 1,320. Brees is 0-4, Manning 2-2.
- Denver Broncos - Like old times this weekend - Manning versus Brady. Except that Manning will be wearing orange.
- Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers return from their bye this weekend. They are 14-9 all-time after byes.
- Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III arrives and suddenly the Redskins have the best rushing attack in the NFL.
- Carolina Panthers - Who rushes for more yards this season - Cam Newton or Robert Griffin III? Right now it's Griffin.
- St. Louis Rams - The Rams are still looking for their first rushing touchdown of the season. And that's with Steven Jackson in the backfield.
- Dallas Cowboys - In the last 16 games Tony Romo has committed a turnover, the Cowboys are 5-11. This team has no margin for error.
- Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have the worst passing offense in a pass-happy league.
- New York Jets - The Jets became the first home team to get shut out since the Raiders in the seventh weekend of the 2011 season.
- Buffalo Bills - An AFC North quarterback leads the NFL with 12 TD passes. But it's not Tom Brady - it's Ryan Fitzpatrick.
- Detroit Lions - The Lions have a much needed bye. That will give them time to work on special teams, which have allowed four kick returns for touchdowns in the last two games.
- Oakland Raiders - The Raiders are one of four teams with a bye this week. That will give them time to figure out how to better incorporate Darren McFadden in the NFL's worst rushing offense.
- Kansas City Chiefs - QB Matt Cassel shares the NFL interception lead with seven. He also has lost two fumbles.
- New Orleans Saints - How soon before Saints fans start putting the bags back over their heads?
- Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars have the worst passing offense in the AFC and the worst offense in the NFL.
- Indianapolis Colts - The Colts return from their bye this weekend. They are 13-10 all-time after byes.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers are reeling along with a three-game losing streak.
- Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins were criticized for reaching for QB Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick of the 2012 draft. There is silence now after his 431-yard passing performance against the Cardinals.
- Tennessee Titans - Three turnovers by Tennessee quarterbacks have been returned for touchdowns. It's tough to win when you're asking your offense to tackle.
- Cleveland Browns - Winless, but with the likes of Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Billy Winn and Jabaal Sheard this franchise finally has a future.
Online:
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