We’re going to stipulate that until the Eagles lose a game, they are the top team in the NFL. And since the NFC East actually looks much better than we expected it to be, sitting on top of the division gives them extra credibility.
So with the 5-0 Eagles the No. 1 team, who is No. 2? We have five possible candidates who are all 4-1 through the first five weeks.
Buffalo Bills
Of all of the 4-1 teams in the league, no one suffered a loss that was closer to a win than the Buffalo Bills. In that lone loss to Miami, the Bills outgained the Dolphins 497-212 and ran 90 offensive plays to just 37 for Miami.
Along with the largest point differential in the league at 91 points, Cold, Hard Football Facts’ Quality Stats Power Rankings has the Bills ranked No. 1 overall. They also rank first in Total Team Yards and Total Team Yards Allowed.
Kansas City Chiefs
We get a treat this coming Sunday with the top two teams on our list meeting Kansas City. The best 4-1 team, the Bills, play the second best (by an eyelash) 4-1 team, the Chiefs. Kansas City ranks first overall in Cold, Hard Football Facts’ Quality Standings, and Patrick Mahomes has them at second overall in Real Quarterback Rating.
The Chiefs lone loss of the season came at the Colts, and was largely a result of having to use a backup kicker because of an injury to Harrison Butker.
Dallas Cowboys
Beyond the top two, things become a little tighter. But the nod for being the third-best team at 4-1 goes to the Cowboys because of their excellent defense.
The Cowboys are second in the NFL with 20 sacks, and they have allowed the third-fewest points on the season. The 4.7 yards per play they are allowing is also fifth-best in the NFL.
The Dallas defense has not regressed at all from last season, and once Dak Prescott comes back this team will give the Eagles a serious run for the NFC East.
New York Giants
It’s a tough call between the Giants and Vikings, but we’re giving the fourth spot to the Giants and rookie head coach Brian Daboll. A big part of the Giants elevation to this status is the re-emergence of Saquon Barkley. He has been absolutely fantastic, ranking the Giants fifth overall on Cold, Hard Football Facts’ Offensive Rusher Rating.
The defense has been equally good, ranking first overall in Defensive Rusher Rating. They’re also up to fifth in Quality Standings, and their only loss of the season was to the Cowboys, just above them on this list.
Minnesota Vikings
The last of the 4-1 teams is the Minnesota Vikings, and they feel like the most likely to lose games going forward. The offense has weapons, and Justin Jefferson is on pace for 1,859 yards. They are also in the top 10 in total yards and passing yards. But there are cracks to this team that may catch up to them.
Kirk Cousins ranks 17th in Offensive Passer Rating and 14th in Real Passing Yds/Attempt, and they are 24th in total yards allowed, which actually gives them a negative yardage differential.
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