Cowboys, Steelers, Eagles rise on good QB play, but Colts exit

So, that thing I wrote in last week's rankings about the New England Patriots being No. 1 because "Tom Brady will be fine" - never mind that. Same goes for that thing I said about not crying for the Indianapolis Colts because Peyton Manning, who missed training camp with health issues, "will be fine."

They are not fine.

Brady's left knee, as we know, is wrecked. He's gone for the year. And, while Manning didn't get hurt, the Colts were a mess in a lopsided loss to the apparently rejuvenated Chicago Bears.

So silly of me. "Fine" in the NFL is a week-to-week assessment and rarely ever a safe, blanket statement. The competition is too fierce and the injuries far too prevalent. The latter is why the NFL would be crazy to add games to the regular season, as is being kicked around. We'll discuss that another time.

For now, the greatest degree of "fine" flashed in Week 1 came from Dallas, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, who occupy the top three spots of The Virginian-Pilot's top 10. The Colts drop out, but the Pats fall only to the middle. Dismiss them at your own risk.

Buffalo and the New York Jets are more in play now in the AFC East but, even with unknown Matt Cassel behind center, I still think New England wins the division. Too many good players. Great coaching. A soft schedule. They'll be fi... I mean, they'll battle real hard.

Anyway, behind Dallas, I have the Steelers a touch ahead of Philly at this point. Just a hunch that, if they played today on a neutral field, Pittsburgh would win. We'll see soon enough; that intrastate clash happens in Philadelphia on Sept. 21.

(Quirk o' the week: Of the top 10, only Dallas and Carolina are home this week.)

1. Dallas Cowboys

(last week: 2)

Looked great bashing Browns on the road

28-10. Burned the final 10:13 from the clock to protect lead. Great work by QB Tony Romo (320 yards) and a strong debut by first-round pick Felix Jones (62 yards on nine carries). Eleven penalties, though. Maybe the 'Boys got bored.

This week: Home vs. Philadelphia, Monday night.

2.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6)

Dominated Texans at home 38-17. It wasn't that close; Steelers led 35-3 entering fourth quarter. Willie Parker (138 yards, three TDs) rocked and rolled behind supposedly questionable offensive line; Ben Roethlisberger was a steady pilot (13 of 14, 137 yards). Impressive start to statistically toughest schedule.

This week: At Browns.

3.  Philadelphia Eagles (7)

Routed Rams at home 38-3, piling up 522 yards. Great O-line play bodes well. Donovan McNabb, without top two receivers, still put three beyond 100 yards, including diminutive rookie DeSean Jackson. Jackson also averaged 12 yards on eight punt returns, giving Birds a rare return threat.

This week: At Dallas, Monday night.

4.  New England Patriots (1)

Held on at home to beat Kansas City 17-10

despite shock of Brady's early exit. Veteran cornerback Deltha O'Neal saved 20th straight regular-season win; ran down Devard Darling to save late TD, then defended fourth-and-goal pass. Are equipped to win if Cassel keeps his wits.

This week: Suddenly big division game at Jets.

5.  New Orleans Saints (9)

Nice bump for Saints after 24-20 win at home against Tampa Bay, paced by three long Drew Brees TD passes. Another little man heard from: Reggie Bush (163 all-purpose yards on 23 touches). Defense, though, will decide Saints' fate. Good start: allowed just one offensive TD and intercepted Bucs' last gasp.

This week: At Redskins.

6.  Tennessee Titans (not ranked)

Impressive 17-10 win against former No. 4

Jags. Had three takeaways, seven sacks and held strong rushing team to 33 yards. East Carolina mojo spreads: Super-quick ECU rookie Chris Johnson gained 93 yards. Vet QB Kerry Collins steps in for injured, erratic Vince Young. Probably a good thing.

This week: At Cincinnati.

7.  Buffalo Bills (NR)

Bills break into rankings by hammering hobbled Seattle at home 34-10. Great special teams here: Bills scored on 63-yard Roscoe Parrish punt return and a

19-yard pass on fake field goal. Yielded 252 yards and also took down Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck five times.

This week: At Jacksonville.

8.  Chicago Bears (NR)

Bears produced blueprint victory in

29-13 rout of Colts: Run hard (rookie Matt Forte for 123 yards), swarm defensively (53 rushing yards allowed), shorten field (started twice beyond their 40, scored TDs each time) and ask QB Kyle Orton (13 for 21, no interceptions) not to mess up. Biggest Week 1 surprise.

This week: At Carolina.

9.  Carolina Panthers (NR)

Last-play, 26-24 win at San Diego was unexpected kick start, accomplished without best receiver (suspended Steve Smith). Scored one offensive TD. QB Jake Delhomme (23 of 41) was scattershot but cool on 11-play, 68-yard

two-minute drill to win game. John Kasay cashed four field goals.

This week: Home vs. Chicago.

10.  New York Giants (10)

Beat Redskins at home 16-7, but inability to blow out bumbling Skins is troubling. Eli Manning should have been intercepted three or four times, not once. Brandon Jacobs (116 yards rushing) and Plaxico Burress (10 catches) were beasts, though.

This week: At St. Louis.

Dropping out: No. 3 Indianapolis, far too many wobbly parts in blowout loss to Bears; No. 4 Jacksonville, big fall because offensive line is in tatters; No. 5 San Diego, talented Bolts must shore up pass rush with Denver up next; No. 7 Minnesota, ineffective DE Jared Allen and inconsistent QB Tarvaris Jackson hurt against Green Bay.