Power shift

The fourth consecutive bizarre week in the NFL. Upsets all round and the confusion in the AFC playoff picture has now been matched by the NFC. What do we make of losses to Dallas and Denver, and the mediocre performances of San Diego, Buffalo and Jacksonville? Are Washington the real deal? Plenty of questions, all of which are answered below.

AFC

1. Tennessee Titans (4-0, LW: 1)
The class of the AFC. Four games in and they haven't really been tested yet. Hands down the best defense in the league, and the offense is capable enough to get by. 30+ points the last two weeks shows that they aren't a slouch on offense. The running game is still going smoothly, and Kerry Collins has been competent. It's a bit depressing to think how good they would be if Vince Young had lived up to his potential. This team can run away with the AFC South.

2. Buffalo Bills (4-0, LW: 2)
The second shaky performance in a row, but this tough is only going to help them later on in the year. They're coming up big under pressure and Trent Edwards is showing he can perform on fourth quarter drives. The defense is stellar and they did will to escape a potential danger game with a victory.

3. San Diego Chargers (2-2, LW: 3)
Not thrilled with this pick, considering the 15-0 halftime deficit in lowly Oakland, but looking at the competition I don't know who else belongs here. At the very least you can't question the team's spirit. In their two losses and the game against Oakland they came out after halftime, came from behind and played spirited football. The next test is playing four quarters of good football.

4. New England Patriots (2-1, LW: 6)
Almost every team in the AFC got worse this weekend, so doing nothing moves you up in my eyes. No matter how good a certain player is, even if he's Tom Brady, I don't believe all of a sudden you can go from 16-0 to a mediocre team. If the Patriots can incorporate Randy Moss into the offense they should be fine given the strength of their shockingly easy schedule.

5. Denver Broncos (3-1, LW: 4)
Could easily be, and probably should be, 1-3. The offense might be amazing but when the defense gives up that many yards a game it's a difficult flaw to cover up. They aren't really a contender but they should still make the playoffs. Why? After the bye week they have a stretch where they go Miami, @Cleveland, @Atlanta, Oakland, @Jets, Kansas City. They should go at least 5-1 in that stretch.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1, LW: 5)
Dodged a bullet today. Huge win over the Ravens to gain control of the AFC North. The Ravens had that game but the Steelers came from nowhere. Pittsburgh is too banged up and too weak on the offensive line to be considered true contenders, but given the weak division they play in they'll be in the playoffs. The schedule the AFC North drew is horrible for them, so 9-7 will more likely than not win you the division.

On the outside looking in:

Jacksonville (2-2, LW: -)
I don't know how you can like any team that is two field goal kicks from being 0-4. The run game isn't the same as it was last year, and David Garrard (despite the strong performance yesterday) is looking shaky. Will probably be in a battle for the Wild Card.
Indianapolis (1-2, LW: -)
This AFC is so wide open it wouldn't shock me if Indy suddenly got its act together and came from nowhere to take the championship. But considering their porous run defense and the health concerns on offense, it's hard to like them right now. The schedule is brutal as well. Already 1-2, the Colts have to play Tennessee twice, New England, and away to Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Jacksonville and San Diego. Even games they have like away to Houston next week are no gimme.
Baltimore (2-1, LW: -)
Season might have ended today. Win that game against Pittsburgh and the Ravens are 3-0, 2 games clear of the Steelers and in control of the division. The defense looks good and the offense at the very least does a capable job of moving forward. Joe Flacco doesn't inspire that much confidence though, missing a wide open Ray Rice in the second quarter on that play was called back was shocking. The next two weeks (home to Tennessee, at Indy) will go a long way to establishing their season. A split their and the division is not out of the question.
NY Jets (2-2, LW: -)
Still don't buy it. I think the Arizona game was their abberation game, where simply everything went right on offense. The defense is swiss cheese (84 points conceded the past two weeks) and Favre is never going to play like that again.

NFC

1. NY Giants (3-0, LW: 3)
Has to be doesn't it? The Eagles and Cowboys failed to impress so until proven otherwise the Giants are the class of the NFC. The Plaxico situation raises a few concerns, but with Seattle, Cleveland and San Fran coming in the next few weeks they'll have a while to sort it out.

2. Dallas Cowboys (3-1, LW: 1)
Washington game raises some concerns. You still have to question their chemistry and intelligence on offense. The loss was no fluke, they were genuinely outplayed by the Redskins.

3. Carolina Panthers (3-1, LW: 4)
I like the look of this Panthers team. The Panthers are solid on D, and the offense looks great. The running back tandem is solid, Jake Delhomme looks good and Steve Smith is definitely back. My pick to win the South.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2, LW: 2)
Don't put too much weight on the loss to Chicago. Away in a tough environment without their best player, and they were literally two inches from winning the match. How strange was Desean Jackson on Sunday, has a wide receiver ever had so much positive and negative impact on a game? Scores a touchdown and gets two huge runs, but a) fumbles a punt that is recovered by the bears, b) misjudges a punt which leads to the Eagles being pinned inside their own 5, and c) run a route wrong, which led to an interception. Amazing.

5. Chicago (2-2, LW: -)
Got to love the heart this team showed against the Eagles. That goal line stand could be the launching point of a playoff season. The defense is as good as any, the special teams probably the best in the league, but you have to worry about the offense. Lets not kid ourselves, Kyle Orton is dreadful. The amazing thing is that it may not matter. With that defense and Devon Hester the offense is going to getting the ball around midfield time and time again. With the Packers banged up and the Vikes shaky you have to like the Bears in the North.

6. Seattle Seahawks (1-2, LW: -)
I'm over my 49ers love. With Branch and Engram coming back the Hawks will be in decent shape for the rest of the season. Despite the poor start to the year Seattle is still tied for the division lead in the loss column. 7-9 will win this division, I kid you not.

On the outside looking in:

Washington (3-1, LW: -)
Not buying it. As good as they were against Dallas I think that was just a case of everything going right for the Skins, and catching Dallas on a bad day. The fact that they've outscored their opponents by just 5 points on the season means something.
Green Bay (2-2, LW: 4)
Past two weeks raise some concern. The loss of key players on defense hurts and with Ryan Grant and now Rodgers banged up things don't look good. The season may hinge on Ryan Grant's ability to match last year's form.
New Orleans (2-2, LW: -)
Drew Brees is carrying this team more than any other individual is carrying a team in the NFL. Not sure where I stand on the Saints. Defense is terrible and receiving corps banged up, but they're one big Redskins play and the boot of Martin Gramatica away from being 4-0. Keep an eye on them.
Tampa Bay (3-1, LW: -)
I don't know about them. Solid team that seemingly gets it done. Virtually no shot at that Super Bowl, but they might get into the playoffs. Unlike last year I don't think 9-7 wins the South, Carolina is too good.
San Francisco (2-2, LW: 6)
Scoring one touchdown against the terrible New Orleans defense is a concern.

Super Bowl pick: After the Dallas loss I think now it has to be Tennessee. The defense is phenomenal, the offense gets it done and most importantly the team seems locked in and focused. That's a pretty good mix.