By Christopher Reina * The number in parenthesis is the average point differential per game. 1. New England Patriots (25) The Patriots let their three-game streak of scoring 38 points come to an end on Monday when they put up 34 against Chuck Bresnahan?s defense. The Patriots? defense once again looked impressive as they held Carson Palmer and the Bengals to just 13 points. 2. Dallas Cowboys (20) For the fourth consecutive week, the Cowboys defense improved, with the seven points allowed against St. Louis came on a Dante Hall punt return. Their October 14th game at home versus New England is very much looking like a battle of two unbeatens. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (16) Mike Tomlin suffered his first loss as a head coach against Ken Whisenhunt and the Steelers. Willie Parker was held to just 37 yards rushing off 19 carries. 4. Indianapolis Colts (14) Just as they were overshadowed last season, the Colts have been as impressive as ever, but are flying under the Patriots and Cowboys and under the radar in general. Injuries to Marvin Harrison, Joseph Addai, Bob Sanders and Rob Morris are very concerning though. 5. Green Bay Packers (10) Brett Favre now knows Mike McCarthy?s offense and the ?other? Bob Sanders has one of the best young defenses in the NFL. 6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9) Tiki Barber probably won?t end up in Tampa Bay, but this team is now the favorites in the NFC South regardless. 7. Seattle Seahawks (9) The Seahawks defense is leaps and bounds better than it was last season. "This Seattle defense is different," said Julian Peterson. "We're coming to hit. We're coming to hurt." Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Kelly Jennings and Marcus Trufant have been excellent in the secondary. 8. Tennessee Titans (6) The Titans are off to their best start since 2003. 9. Jacksonville Jaguars (4) The Jaguars defense have yielded just 34 points through three games, though their offense has only scored 36 of their own as Maurice Jones-Drew has been hugely disappointing. 10. Houston Texans (4) The Falcons spoiled Matt Schaub?s return to Atlanta, but there are no regrets yet in Houston. 11. Philadelphia Eagles (3) Could Brian Westbrook be the most important non-QB in the NFL to his team? 12. Minnesota Vikings (2) Brad Childress and the Vikings have lost three in a row, all close games. 13. Washington Redskins (1) The Redskins gave their newfound ground game a break with their bye. 14. Arizona Cardinals (1) The Cardinals are 2-2, but there is trouble in the valley of the sun with Matt Leinart?s displeasure with the QB platoon system. 15. Oakland Raiders (1) How often can a team score 35 points and only pass the ball for 75 yards without getting a special teams of defensive score? The Raiders appear to be buying into Lane Kiffin. 16. Carolina Panthers (-1) Steve Smith had 118 and 153 yards in the Panthers? first two games and just 10 and 32 over the past two. They face a Saints team on Sunday that will be very desperate and John Fox can?t afford to go to 2-3. 17. Detroit Lions (-2) The Lions are 3-1 despite giving up 121 points this season. Can they count on scoring 34 4th quarter points every week? 18. Cleveland Browns (-2) I didn?t want to do it, but I?m starting to believe in Braylon Edwards, Derek Anderson and offensive coordinator Rod Chudzinski. 19. Kansas City Chiefs (-3) The Chiefs are 2-2 while getting very little from Larry Johnson, which is true testament to Herman Edwards, as well as the surprising play of rookie Dwayne Bowe. 20. Baltimore Ravens (-3) Where would the Ravens be without the resurgent season from Derrick Mason? 21. New York Giants (-3) Just when New York begins digging Tom Coughlin?s grave, they rattle off two wins against divisional opponents. 22. Cincinnati Bengals (-6) Marvin Lewis can?t survive another playoff miss with this team. 23. Denver Broncos (-6) With injuries to Javon Walker and Travis Henry, Mike Shanahan?s bye week can?t come soon enough. 24. Atlanta Falcons (-6) The Falcons need to fix their running attack by giving more carries to Jerious Norwood. 25. New York Jets (-8) The Mangini magic has worn off in year two. 26. San Diego Chargers (-9) While the NFL season is very short, the Chargers can?t panic with all the talent they have on both sides of the ball. 27. Chicago Bears (-9) The Bears have a ton of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but they are still far better than what their 1-3 record indicates. 28. San Francisco 49ers (-9) Mike Nolan and the 49ers have crashed back to earth after their fast 2-0 start. 29. Miami Dolphins (-10) The Dolphins are one of three teams that still don?t have a win and you can?t blame Ronnie Brown for that. 30. Buffalo Bills (-13) Lee Evans found his stride once again this past week, while Marshawn Lynch is very legit. 31. St. Louis Rams (-16) Last week I wrote that the Jake Long/Sam Baker watch was about to begin. It has begun now. 32. New Orleans Saints (-22) Glenn Dorsey played in the Superdome on Saturday and the Saints will likely be in position to have him play there on Sunday?s if they continue their current path.