Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 5 of the 2001 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 10 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Rams |
5-0 |
Beat up by savvy Giants and barely survived.
|
| 2. Packers |
4-1 |
Do the doubters believe after win over Ravens.
|
| 3. Raiders |
4-1 |
Defense came up with enough plays at Indianapolis.
|
| 4. Saints |
3-1 |
Didn't expect to struggle with Panthers, but still won.
|
| 5. 49ers |
4-1 |
Sweep of the Falcons thanks to Garcia/Owens combo.
|
| 6. Giants |
3-2 |
Didn't win in St. Louis but didn't take any prisoners.
|
| 7. Ravens |
3-2 |
Defense finally taken apart at Lambeau Field.
|
| 8. Broncos |
3-2 |
QB Brian Griese looks pretty fuzzy these days.
|
| 9. Steelers |
3-1 |
First-place Steelers riding the Bus last three weeks.
|
| 10. Bears |
3-1 |
Most improved defensive unit in the league.
|
Offensive player of the week:
49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens: Nine catches for 183 yards and three touchdowns, including a 52-yard score in overtime to beat the Falcons.
Defensive player of the week:
Giants defensive end Michael Strahan: Six tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble in a heartbreaking losing effort at St. Louis.
Special team player of the week:
Panthers kick returner Steve Smith: The rookie returned his second kick for a score this year (kickoff on opening day), giving the Panthers a short-lived lead over New Orleans.
Number of the week:
10 and seven. Ten straight wins by the Patriots over the Chargers and seven straight wins by the Jets over the Dolphins.
Surprise of the week:
It was the way Green Bay handled the Ravens' defense that was the biggest shock. Their four touchdown drives totaled 295 yards on 31 plays.
Coaching move of the week:
Trailing 25-20 on Carolina's 1-yard line and with just :01 remaining, Saints head coach Jim Haslett ran the ball (pitch to RB Ricky Williams) and it paid off as New Orleans escaped, 27-25.
Rising this week:
49ers. After winning just 10 games the past 2 seasons (1999-00), Niners are an impressive 4-1 and racking up wins in the division.
Falling this week:
Broncos. Mike Shanahan's club still looks a little lost a few weeks following that loss to Baltimore.
Store it away:
Parity reigns once again. After five weeks, more than half the league is either 3-2,
2-2 or 2-3.
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
