Sorting through the contenders and pretenders

Even though it's still just September, there are 10 undefeated teams. So which teams are contenders and which are pretenders? Let's break it down.

1. New England Patriots

This is the best team in the NFL with no major weaknesses. The Patriots game plan better than anybody, have a roster full of veterans and they make in-game adjustments better than anybody. Defensively, they are getting great play out of their LBs and this is a group with amazing versatility. They can play run or pass defense equally well. They can blitz, they matchup well and this is a unit full of interchangeable parts. On offense Tom Brady has his best weapons ever and is starting a magical season. His pass protection is good, he spreads the ball around, and if the Patriots don't pass, they have the talent to run the ball effectively. On top of everything else, they play with a chip on their shoulder. This team is never unprepared nor looking ahead and it's not out of the question New England could go 16-0.
Status: Contender

2. Houston Texans
QB Matt Schaub and a much improved defense are finally giving the Texans a chance to be competitive. The defense, led by a D-line that is starting to dominate, is creating turnovers and is especially stout versus the run. Offensively, the Texans are running the ball effectively, controlling the clock and letting Schaub make key plays when needed. Schaub is not putting up huge numbers, but he doesn't turn the ball over and gives this team a boost of confidence heading into this week's showdown with the Colts, which will show just how far this team has come -- or has to go.

Status: Pretender.

3. Indianapolis Colts

The defending Super Bowl champions look a lot like the team that won it all a year ago. Let's see, great offense, incomparable quarterback, a good running game and a defense that shows excellent team speed? Yep, sounds familiar. But they are somewhat undersized and still susceptible to physical, power run games. The Colts have four new starters on defense but you get the feeling they'll be a top 15 defense in another month because of their athleticism and range. If that happens. Indy will be tough to beat because we know it will put up a lot of points. The Colts don't have to play great defense to get back to the Super Bowl, they just have to be a middle of the pack unit. This will be a tough team to beat.
Status: Contender.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

These are vintage Steelers. They run the ball with a physical style, play an attacking defense that punishes opponents and ask QB Ben Roethlisberger to manage the game and utilize a very effective play-action package off the run game. They don't give up big plays on defense and may be the best in the league at creating turnovers. As strange as it sounds, this is almost a tougher and more physical team than it ever was under Bill Cowher. If everything else is clicking, the Steelers don't have to be great in the passing game because they will control the clock and tempo. All they need Big Ben to do is manage the game and limit turnovers -- a strong recipe for playoff success.
Status: Contender.

5. Denver Broncos

Some people would call them lucky after two narrow wins over inferior opponents, but good teams find a way to win when they don't play their best game. The Broncos are in that category. Remember, even though the season is only two weeks old, Denver is in the top third in almost all offensive and defensive categories. On defense, the Broncos have the best CB duo in the league (Champ Bailey and Dre Bly). That allows them to blitz and play a lot of exotic schemes behind man-to-man coverage. The running game is productive, as usual, and while QB Jay Cutler has been a little bit up-and-down, he can do everything they ask of him and by midseason he will be at the top of his game.
Status: Contender.