Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says that Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is the NFL's most intimidating player. "Every time you throw the ball, (Freeney is) a factor. As a quarterback, you probably have anywhere from a second and a half to sometimes four seconds to make your decision and throw the ball," Brady told the Indianapolis Star. "With Freeney, it's probably consistently around two seconds with sometimes being from the time the ball is snapped, a second and a half, you've got to throw that ball. There's no time for decision-making. "You're making your decision before the ball is snapped based on the coverage."

On the Patriots' long flight to England, Tom Brady dressed in a suit while his teammates were in warm up gear. He was asked if it was a superstition. "Yeah, I think I?ve always done it. I think it looks great for the team to look nice and professional. Hopefully I try to set the tone for the other guys, but none of them took my cue."

The scoreboard is where games are officially won and lost, but they are largely decided by the team that wins the battles of yards per pass, yards per carry, penalty yards lost, first downs, and turnovers. For this reason, I created the following formula called the ?Trench Counter? to look at which team truly controls the game: (2x Yards per pass) + (2x Yards per carry) + (.5 First downs) - (Penalty yards/10) - (2.5 Turnovers) - (Opposing Team's Trench Counter) Click here for more information on the Trench Counter For the 2009 season, our weekly team rankings will be based solely off this formula. 1. New Orleans Saints: 17.6 The Saints are +9 in the takeaway/giveaway category this season, which is a testament to their improved defense. Darren Sharper alone has five interceptions, two of which became TDs and 275 in interception return yards. 2. Indianapolis Colts: 11.4 The Colts again are excellent against the pass, giving up just 4.6 yards per attempt and have improved to the middle of the back against the run with a 4.1 net average. 3. Denver Broncos: 11.0 Correll Buckhalter is still leading the NFL in yards per carry with a mark of 6.7, which is a full two yards better than his career average. 4. New England Patriots: 9.8 The Patriots have only allowed one touchdown to be scored against them on the ground. 5. New York Giants: 9.2 Opposing teams have only attempted three field goals giants the Giants. 6. Minnesota Vikings: 7.8 While Percy Harvin gets a ton of deserved press for his abilities on kickoff returns, Darius Reynaud is averaging 17.3 yards per return. 7. Green Bay Packers: 6.7 The Packers have been very effective defending the pass, allowing a passer rating of 70.1. 8. Pittsburgh Steelers: 6.3 Ben Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards on Sunday, as the Steelers become almost unrecognizable from their traditional offensive selves. 9. Philadelphia Eagles: 5.7 Penalties have hurt the Eagles' defense, as they have allowed 11 to 1st downs to come via the penalty. 10. Baltimore Ravens: 2.9 Ray Rice leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage with 766, over 200 more than fellow second-year man Steve Slaton. 11. Houston Texans: 2.9 The Texans have struggled mightily to sack opposing quarterbacks, with only seven of them occurring through their first six games. 12. Dallas Cowboys: 2.4 If only they could all stay healthy.. Dallas running backs Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones each have yards per carry averages over 5.0, while the latter is at 10.1 in his 21 attempts. 13. San Francisco 49ers: 1.9 The 49ers intend to use Michael Crabtree on the field at the same time as Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan during Sunday's game at Houston. 14. Chicago Bears: 0.7 Injuries to the Chicago defense continue to pile, with Pisa Tinoisamoa now down for the season. 15. Atlanta Falcons: 0.6 The Atlanta defense has come along this season and impressively denied the Bears from scoring during three of their four red zone opportunities. 16. Seattle Seahawks: 0.6 Seattle trails the 3-2 49ers and Cardinals in the NFC West, but their +9 season point differential is only five and 11 points behind those two teams respectively. 17. Arizona Cardinals: 0.3 Larry Fitzgerald leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns with five, but is a co-leader due to the presence of Minnesota's Visanthe Shiancoe. 18. New York Jets: -0.1 The rise and fall of Mark Sanchez was swift; he now has a 56.7 passer rating, which puts him only above JaMarcus Russell and Derek Anderson. Rex Ryan will need to have a short hook with Sanchez if his play continues to be costing his team as it did against Buffalo. Kellen Clemens is one of the NFL's better backup QBs. 19. Jacksonville Jaguars: -0.1 Mike Sims-Walker is second in receiving yards per game with an average of 99.5. 20. Buffalo Bills: -0.7 The concussion to Trent Edwards creates even further uncertainty in an uncertain situation for Dick Jauron. 21. Cincinnati Bengals: -1.1 The Bengals have had very little success in getting to the quarterback if it hasn't been Antwan Odom, who is now out for the remainder of the 2009 season. Jonathan Fanene will be expected to be more successful, but they will need to get creative with their linebackers. 22. Washington Redskins: -1.3 Sherman Lewis' system isn't too complicated and I wouldn't be floored if they somehow got it together well enough to knock off an Eagles' team that just loss to the Raiders. 23. San Diego Chargers: -3.1 Once a great strength of the Chargers, the team is averaging just 2.9 yards per rush and 57.6 yards per game, both of which are last in the NFL. 24. Miami Dolphins: -3.1 Given the Saints propensity to score in bunches, the Dolphins will likely have to abandon their bone-crushing running game and give Chad Henne's arm another big test. 25. Kansas City Chiefs: -5.6 Dwayne Bowe has gotten back into shape and the tough love from the new regime seemed to pay off in Washington when he had his first 100-yard game of the season. 26. Carolina Panthers: -6.8 The Panthers have an unmanageable interception perception of 7.3%. 27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -7.9 Josh Johnson will make his fourth NFL start on Sunday and gets to do so at Wembley Stadium against a New England team that just destroyed the Titans. 28. Detroit Lions: -8.7 In terms of net yards allowed per defensive play, Detroit is last with an average of 6.2. 29. Tennessee Titans: -11.5 The Vince Young calls will continue for as long the Titans remain inept and winless. It really wouldn't hurt at this point and it will make their offseason decision on him far less complicated. 30. Cleveland Browns: -13.3 The Browns draw the Packers this Sunday, which may trigger their floundering pass rush. 31. St. Louis Rams: -13.8 Steve Spagnuolo had to answer questions about his time management this week, which is a good problem to have when you're winless. 32. Oakland Raiders: -15.0 JaMarcus Russell was an efficient 17-for-28 for 224 yards, despite the two interceptions in Oakland's 13-9 win over the Eagles. They were 4-for-14 on 3rd down compared to Philadelphia's 2-for-16.

Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas wasn't upset with coach Bill Belichick for benching him against the Titans on Sunday. "That's over with," Thomas told the Boston Globe. "Last Sunday is done. Let's move on to Tampa. It's bigger than me. I mean, these guys had a great game, and so we are trying to overshadow it by what happened to one person. "No one person is bigger than the game. No one person is bigger than the team, so I don't want to make it seem like it's about me, because it's not about me. "Bill made his decision - it is what it is whether you like it or not, that's what it is. I live with it. I'm a professional. I come here, do my job, and I go home." When asked if he felt the move was intended to be motivational, Thomas said he doesn't play mind games. "I don't need something like this to fire me up," he said. "You just go out there and you do your job. It's not kindergarten. I don't play mind games."

The Patriots have released veteran wide receiver Joey Galloway, the team said Tuesday, according to an ESPN.com report. Galloway has seven receptions for 67 yards this season. He has not been on the Patriots active roster for the last three weeks.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher was embarrassed by the team's 59-0 loss at the hands of the Patriots on Sunday. "I'm disappointed and embarrassed," Fisher told the Associated Press. "Fortunately for me, career-wise, I have never been through anything like this before and, unfortunately, it happened tonight. I can assure you one thing, it's not going to happen again." The Titans, who won their first ten games last season, are now winless through six games. "I don't think anybody in this league is 59 points better than us," tight end Bo Scaife said. "This is the worst it gets."

The Saints thumped the Giants in Week 6's marquee showdown, while the Chiefs earned their first win and the Patriots embarrassed the Titans. We will calculate each team's Trench Counter*. Kansas City 14, Washington 6 Team Trench Counter: Chiefs +7.2, Redskins -7.2 The Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) notched their first win of the season against the Washington Redskins (2-4) at FedEx Field. Matt Cassel went 17-for-32 with 186 yards and Larry Johnson had 83 rushing yards on 23 attempts, but all the Chiefs needed were four field goals and a safety to win. Dwayne Bowe had six receptions for 109 yards in the win, rookie coach Todd Haley's first in the NFL. The Redskins pulled Jason Campbell at halftime, replacing him with veteran Todd Collins. Campbell was 9-for-16 with 89 yards and an interception in the game. Collins helped Washington move the ball better, but the team's offense managed just two field goals in their sixth straight game against a previously winless franchise. Carolina 28, Tampa Bay 21 Team Trench Counter: Buccaneers +3.1, Panthers -3.1 DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart paced the Carolina Panthers (2-3) on the ground as they kept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6) winless through the season's first six weeks. Williams had 30 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while Stewart notched 110 yards and a score on 17 rushing attempts. Jake Delhomme, who has struggled for a majority of the season, finished the afternoon with 65 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Only one of Tampa Bay's three touchdowns came on offense, with Cadillac Williams rushing for a 20-yard score in the first quarter. Sammie Stroughter returned a kickoff 97 yards in the third, while Tanard Jackson scored on a 26-yard interception return in the fourth. Quarterback Josh Johnson fumbled five times, losing one, as he tallied 147 yards and an interception in the loss. Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 14 Team Trench Counter: Steelers +24.1, Browns -24.1 The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) defeated the Cleveland Browns (1-5) for the twelfth straight time on Sunday afternoon. Ben Roethlisberger went 23-for-35 with 417 yards, two touchdowns and an interception at Heinz Field. Rashard Mendenhall ran for 62 yards and a score in the win, while Hines Ward (159 yards and a touchdown) and Santonio Holmes (five catches for 104 yards) led the team in receiving. Derek Anderson went 9-for-22 with 122 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the loss. Josh Cribbs, who is still looking for either a trade or a new contract, threw two incomplete passes while rushing six times for 45 yards. Anderson lost a pair of fumbles in the loss, while Jamal Lewis and James Harrison combined for just 47 yards on 16 carries. New Orleans 48, N.Y. Giants 27 Team Trench Counter: Saints +24.6, Giants -24.6 Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints (5-0) past the New York Giants (5-1) at the Louisiana Superdome in a battle of the NFC?s unbeatens. Brees went 23-for-30 with 369 yards and four touchdowns against what was the NFL?s leading defense. Pierre Thomas (72 yards), Mike Bell (34 yards and a touchdown) and Reggie Bush (six carries for 17 yards and a score) paced New Orleans on the ground. Eli Manning struggled in his return home to Louisiana, going 14-for-31 with 178 yards, one touchdown and an interception. David Carr, who came on his relief late in the blowout, had 72 yards and a score on 4-for-5 passing. Ahmad Bradshaw led New York in rushing with 48 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. In addition to Manning?s interception, he lost a fumble against the Saints improving defense. Minnesota 33, Baltimore 31 Team Trench Counter: Vikings +8, Ravens -8 Ryan Longwell hit a 31-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in regulation to give the Minnesota Vikings (6-0) a dramatic win over the Baltimore Ravens (3-3). Brett Favre had 278 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, while Adrian Peterson rushed for 143 yards on 22 carries. Sidney Rice led Minnesota in receiving with six receptions for 176 yards, including a 63-yard connection with Favre. Joe Flacco played very well, but his defense didn?t hold up their end of the bargain. He went 28-for-43 with 385 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Ray Rice nearly kept pace with Peterson, tallying 77 yards and two scores on just ten carries. Rice added 117 receiving yards on ten receptions, while Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton were on the receiving end of Flacco?s touchdown strikes. Jacksonville 23, St. Louis 20 (OT) Team Trench Counter: Jaguars +14.3, Rams -14.3 The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) used a strong rally to keep the St. Louis Rams (0-6) from the win column on Sunday. David Garrard went 30-for-43 with 335 yards and two interceptions, but Maurice Jones-Drew saved the day. He rushed for 133 yards and three scores on 33 carries, including a pair of fourth quarter scores. Mike Sims-Walker led the team in receiving with nine catches for 120 yards. Marc Bulger had 213 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the loss. Steven Jackson had just 50 yards on 16 carries, while defensive end Leonard Little added to the offense with a 36-yard touchdown return in the fourth period. The 20 points is the most the Rams have scored all season. Green Bay 26, Detroit 0 Team Trench Counter: Packers +10.8, Lions -10.8 The Green Bay Packers (3-2) scored early and never looked back against the Detroit Lions (1-5) at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers went 29-for-37 with 358 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the victory. Donald Driver, who is now Green Bay?s all-time leading receiver, had seven catches for 107 yards. Ryan Grant, with the game in hand early on, had 90 yards on 24 rushing attempts. Daunte Culpepper had 48 yards and an interception before leaving with a hamstring injury, leaving the Lions with Drew Stanton at quarterback. Stanton finished with 57 yards and two interceptions, with the injured Matt Stafford looking on. Kevin Smith managed 61 rushing yards, while Dennis Northcutt led Detroit in receiving with five catches for 40 yards. Houston 28, Cincinnati 17 Team Trench Counter: Texans +12.2, Bengals -12.2 The Houston Texans (3-3) cooled off the hot Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) with an impressive win at Paul Brown Stadium. Matt Schaub had 392 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, while Steve Slaton had 145 total yards and a score. Andre Johnson led Houston in receiving with eight catches for 135 yards, while tight end Owen Daniels starred with seven receptions for 78 yards and two trips to the end zone. Carson Palmer looked averaged against the Texans, tallying 259 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Cedric Benson had 44 yards and a score, but the Bengals were held scoreless in the second half. Chad Ochocinco had five catches for 103 yards, while Laveranues Coles had his first touchdown in Cincinnati. Arizona 27, Seattle 3 Team Trench Counter: Cardinals +12.8, Seahawks -12.8 The Arizona Cardinals (3-2) moved into a tie with the 49ers for first place in the NFC West with an impressive win over the Seattle Seahawks (2-4). Kurt Warner had 276 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, connecting with Larry Fitzgerald 13 times for 100 yards and a score. After taking an early lead, Arizona ran the ball 26 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Matt Hasselbeck struggled, going 10-for-29 while throwing for 129 yards and an interception. Seattle had just 14 yards on 11 attempts during an abysmal offensive afternoon. Arizona sacked Hasselbeck five times and held Seattle?s offense to a mere 128 total yards at Qwest Field. Oakland 13, Philadelphia 9 Team Trench Counter: Raiders +1.1, Eagles -1.1 In the surprise of the week, the Oakland Raiders (2-4) toppled the heavily-favored Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) in Oakland. JaMarcus Russell went 17-for-28 with 224 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Russell hooked up with tight end Zach Miller for an 86-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Oakland never trailed. Justin Fargas led the Raiders with 87 rushing yards, while Miller finished the game with six catches for 139 yards. Donovan McNabb and the Eagles took care of the ball, but he finished with 269 yards on just 22-for-46 passing as the team failed to reach the end zone. Brian Westbrook had 50 yards on just six carries, while also catching nine passes for 91 yards in the loss. David Akers, who accounted for all of Philadelphia?s points, missed a pair of field goals in the first half. Buffalo 16, N.Y. Jets 13 (OT) Team Trench Counter: Bills +10.3, Jets -10.3 The Buffalo Bills (2-4) defeated the New York Jets (3-3) on a Rian Lindell field goal with 2:44 left in overtime. Ryan Fitzpatrick had 116 yards, one touchdown and an interception after replacing Trent Edwards, who left with an injury in the first half. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson combined for 113 yards on 34 carries in the victory, while Lee Evans had four catches for 68 yards and a score. Terrell Owens had three catches for just 13 yards. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez had the worst game of his young career on Sunday, going 10-for-29 with 119 yards and five interceptions. Thomas Jones was easily the offensive star of the game, running the ball 22 times for 210 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Leon Washington tallied 99 yards on 15 carries. On 4th-and-13 from Buffalo?s 32-yard line, Sanchez threw an interception, one of two he tossed in overtime. New England 59, Tennessee 0 Team Trench Counter: Patriots +47.5, Titans -47.5 The Tennessee Titans (0-6) continued their steep decline with an absolute beat down at the hands of the New England Patriots (4-2). Tom Brady tossed an NFL record five touchdowns in the second quarter, finishing with 380 yards and six scores in the blowout. Rookie quarterback Brad Hoyer came on in the second half, going 9-for-11 with 52 yards. Lawrence Maroney had 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while BenJarvis Green-Ellis added 67 yards on seven carries. Wes Welker (ten catches for 150 yards and two scores) and Randy Moss (eight catches for 129 yards and three scores) had their best games of the young season. Kerry Collins went 2-for-12 with a total of -7 yards passing and an interception, while Vince Young threw an interception on two passing attempts. Chris Johnson was the only offensive star for Tennessee as he ran for 128 yards on 17 rushing attempts. Through the first six weeks of the season, the Titans have already doubled their loss total from 2008. *Explaining The Trench Counter

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw an NFL record five touchdowns against the Titans in the second quarter on Sunday. Brady went 24-for-28 with 345 yards and five scores in the first half, leading New England to a 45-0 lead over Tennessee. He connected with Randy Moss (twice), Wes Welker (twice) and Kevin Faulk for the scores.

The Patriots are looking to upgrade their third wide receiver spot. The Boston Globe points out that Deion Branch, a former Patriot, could be a possibility. He has fallen down the depth chart in Seattle and certainly has experience in New England's system. Branch is in the fourth year of the six-year, $36 million deal and carries a base salary of $4.94 million.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Patriots. Finnegan has missed Tennessee's last two contests with an injured right hamstring.