THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

SAM FARMER’S NFL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

*--* Rank Team (record) Comment (last week’s rank) 1 NEW ENGLAND (2-0) Outscored opponents, 74-21. (1) 2 DENVER (2-0) Brian Griese had a 124.7 passer rating against 49ers. (6) 3 OAKLAND (2-0) Game plan against Steelers was masterful. (8) 4 PHILADELPHIA (1-1) Has gone two seasons without losing two in succession. (4) 5 NEW ORLEANS (2-0) Defensive pressure had Brett Favre on the run. (10) 6 SAN FRANCISCO (1-1) Should wax Redskins this week. (5) 7 GREEN BAY (1-1) Converted only two of nine third downs vs. Saints. (2) 8 N.Y. GIANTS (1-1) Will catch a breather against Seahawks. (9) 9 CHICAGO (2-0) Brian Urlacher makes Bear defense ultra-tough (12) 10 MIAMI (2-0) Ricky Williams is looking pretty comfortable in his new city. (11) 11 ST. LOUIS (0-2) Rams have trailed at half of last four games. (3) 12 TAMPA BAY (1-1) Defense, special teams reasons for last victory. (13) 13 SAN DIEGO (2-0) Should be 3-0 when Patriots come to town. (20) 14 PITTSBURGH (0-2) Pass defense has been lousy. ( 7) 15 BUFFALO (1-1) Overtime was kinder to Bills last weekend. (17) 16 TENNESSEE (1-1) Steve McNair coming off a minor concussion. (14) 17 CLEVELAND (1-1) Defense had three interceptions, five sacks vs. hapless Bengals. (19) 18 N.Y. JETS (1-1) Didn’t put up a fight against New England. (16) 19 INDIANAPOLIS (1-1) Peyton Manning: three interceptions in first half vs. Dolphins. (18) 20 JACKSONVILLE (1-1) Fred Taylor is very effective when he’s sound. (23) 21 MINNESOTA (0-2) Daunte Culpepper looked sharp in loss to Buffalo. (24) 22 ATLANTA (0-2) Another razor-close loss for a fragile team. (22) 23 KANSAS CITY (1-1) Defense has surrendered 400-plus yards in consecutive games. (21) 24 CAROLINA (2-0) Two victories, but consider the competition--Ravens and Lions. (26) 25 ARIZONA (1-1) Thomas Jones ran all over Seahawks. (25) 26 WASHINGTON (1-1) Spurrier’s offense wasn’t special at all Monday night. (15) 27 SEATTLE (0-2) Run defense? What run defense? (27) 28 DALLAS (1-1) Quincy Carter was a new man against Tennessee. (32) 29 HOUSTON (1-1) David Carr is green--and black & blue. (28) 30 BALTIMORE (0-2) The Ravens have nothing when it comes to their ground game. (30) 31 CINCINNATI (0-2) Bengals have been outscored, 54-13. (31) 32 DETROIT (0-2) Lions certainly don’t want to see the Packers this weekend. (29)

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