A long time ago (like...ten + years or so, maybe longer) we used to have a panel and we would compile the TDMMC's power rankings ever week. To be frank it was a PITA, getting everyone's votes in.
So I'm going to do a "top 5" when I feel like it and let all of you rip it apart and add your own. Here we go.
#5: Dallas (3-1)
I know. I know, I know. They lost to Arizona. They also bounced back and beat the tar out of NE and, say what you will about the Pats, they defense is still elite. Or was until Judon and Gonzales got hurt. I am going to go ahead and say this right now, Micah Parsons is the best defensive player I've seen in twenty five years.
#4: Kansas City (3-1)
I can hear it now. "HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE MIAMI IN THE TOP FIVE?" They went on the road and got smoked, junior. Winning on the road, no matter who you play, is hard. KC may have actually made Zach Wilson look like a legit QB for two quarters (which honestly should drop them off my list for that reason alone), but they WON. On the road. Like New England's, the Jets' defense is going to be problematic for a lot of opponents this year. They are very good, KC did just enough to get it done.
#3: Philly (4-0)
They are undefeated, which is great. They have a bit of a cupcake schedule coming up, they should run it to 6-0 as well. Winning, at the end of the day, is all that matters. If I were an Eagles fan I may be a little nervous. Squeaking out one win against a bad team is one thing, doing it week after week is another (and I still think River Boat Ron should have gone for two). One thing their offense seems to have this year they did not last is Swift, who is ridiculous. The defense needs to come around, they can't keep giving up 20+ points to bad teams.
#2: Bills (3-1)
The whole "the sky is falling" thing when they lost the opener to the Jets was a bit off, huh? TBH the Bills may be the most well rounded team in the league. The defense is relentless and comes at you in waves. Miller is just hanging out on the bench, waiting for this time to come back. Offensively they can score at will. Miami probably made them seem a little better than they are, but don't sleep on this team. Still the class of the AFC.
#1: Get a box of tissues for 'Stroke
How the hell do you defend the 49ers? Not rhetorical. The weak part of the offense is probably Purdy, he makes mistakes you would expect a player at his level to make. And he completed NINETY FIVE PERCENT of his passes. Not a QB rating of 95. Read that again. His offensive line is a wall, you literally can't stop the running attack. San Fran can attack you with screens, dump offs, check downs, they have burners. So, again, how do you defend this team? Equally difficult, how do you score against this defense? The same descriptions made for offense you can make on the defensive side of the ball. This team can be very special. Somewhere out there Sunstroke is smiling.
That is what I have. No honorable mentions, only top 5. What say you, board?