5. Atlanta Falcons (6)
Atlanta lost the game but they still played very well. They nearly swept the two representatives in the Super Bowl, and the Seahawks who are on the short-list of Super Bowl contenders this year. They are the best 4-2 team in the league right now.
6. Green Bay Packers (3)
Perhaps this is far too high for the Packers, but the Aaron Rodgers factor means they are always in the conversation. Maybe we are in for another R-E-L-A-X lecture. Rodgers really doesn’t sound too concerned with the loss—so I won’t be either.
Aaron Rodgers' plan to deal with the loss?
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 17, 2016
"Have a glass of scotch and chill out a little bit [and] watch the film." https://t.co/IP8eiPYfru
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)
Not only did the Steelers get shellacked by the lowly Dolphins, they also lost their leader in the process. Roethlisberger will be our for the near future as he get’s his torn meniscus trimmed. Looking ahead at their schedule, this was certainly not the ideal time to lose Ben. The Patriots, Ravens and Cowboys are up next—it is unlikely Ben would be back before then and the Steelers will be lucky to win any of these games with Jones at QB. A sub-500 team could be awaiting Ben upon his return. Yikes.
8. Buffalo Bills (11)
Don’t look now, but Rex Ryan has this Bills team playing a very good brand of football. They would appear to be the only threat to the Patriots in the AFC East—especially given they already have a win in hand in Foxborough. That said, Brady never loses in Buffalo.