Which other teams may be better or worse than they appear? Here’s a quick look at a few.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 4-0.

Status: Paper Tiger

Reason: They are playing with great confidence and efficiency and have a “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” deal going. But they are the beneficiaries of a very easy early schedule against the Redskins on Jim Zorn’s maiden sideline voyage, the Rams, Bengals and Seahawks (combined 1-12). They get two more relatively easy opponents – Cleveland and the Niners – before things get hairier. Still a very good team but not the juggernaut they appear.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record: 2-3

Status: Sleeping Lion

Reason: Injuries to LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates and now to the wide receivers corps have hobbled them some but their biggest issue has been dealing with the loss of Shawne Merriman. San Diego’s pass defense is 32^nd in the league – absurd for a secondary with Antonio Cromartie, Quentin Jammer and Clinton Hart in it. They’re better than this and begin to prove it this week against New England.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Record: 2-3

Status: Sleeping Lion

Reason: They’ve lost their three games by a total of 14 points and have played some pretty good NFC competition – Dallas and the surprising Bears and Redskins. The injuries plaguing Brian Westbrook could keep them from hitting their stride but one thing for sure is that the Eagles are not a sub-.500 team.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Record: 2-2

Status: Paper Tiger

Reason: They are 32^nd in the league in rushing yards allowed per game defensively and last in the league in rushing yards gained per game offensively. They aren’t in a good place right now and – given the number of injuries they’ve sustained – they are not going to get that much better. They should be 1-3. A playoff appearance will be a triumph.

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