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by Digger

The 2008 football season is still young. A few teams already established themselves as early season contenders. A couple of teams with Super Bowl dreams have sputtered. Just like any other sport, NFL has their share of underachievers and duds.

So, which team is the best of the best right now? With only five weeks completed many are well deserving of consideration. Tennessee (5-0)? Giants (4-0)? Washington (4-1)? Dallas (4-1)? Carolina (4-1)? Who will it be? The answer is clear....

#1 NEW YORK GIANTS (4-0)
Eli Manning has been nearly flawless leading undefeated Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in their quest for back to back titles. This kid is a new man after beating New England for the title. Manning arrived at training camp exuding confidence never shown before this season. His passes are crisp, sound decision making, spreading the ball to multiple receivers, long drives keeping opponents offenses on the sidelines. Steve Smith has become Mannings favorite 3rd down target. Veteran and local fan favorite Armani Toomer has been spectacular after pre-season leg woes.

The Giants have much more than Manning. Their pounding running game has worn down defenses. New York's offensive line has blown defenders off the line of scrimmage. Giants have completely dominated scrimmage lines since opening day. No rusher in the backfield is averaging less than 5.8 yards per carry... a devastating number for opposing teams. Giants running game opens passing lanes for Manning to hit streaking receivers. A solid passing game opens line holes for running lanes to break thru. And, it's made possible by the NFL's best blocking unit. Giants offense leads all NFL teams averaging 431 yards/game including 181.2 rushing yards/game. It all adds up to ball control as this unit controls the ball for 34:14 minutes/game.

Defense was to be the Giants biggest concern heading into '08. Legendary sacker Strahan retired. Then, standout defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora was lost for the year before it began. Many questioned whether or not this team had enough depth to fill two huge voids. Guess what? The defensive unit grew tougher and stronger. They're the NFC's best statistical unit. NFL's number one in least points surrendered (49). Battering opposition QB's with 15 Sacks and surrendering only 61 first downs helps the D unit control field position and time possession.

Distractions are nothing new to Giants players. Eli Manning was most happy when stadium sharing New York Jets signed QB Brett Favre. The media attention quickly shifted to the Jets newest pilot. WR Plaxico Burress antics already earned him an early season benching. Giants had their most explosive game on offense without him clubbing Seattle 44-6.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin has Giants players performing to near perfection. His staff seems to be calling the right plays at the right times. Players have executed above and beyond. Coughlin's biggest challenge is keeping New York focused on their mission without letting them get overconfident. After games against Cleveland and San Francisco the Giants face the teeth of their schedule. Consecutive contests (week 8-16) against NFL's elite read as follows: @ Pittsburgh, vs Dallas, @ Philadelphia, vs Baltimore, @ Arizona, @ Washington, vs Philadelphia, @ Dallas, vs Carolina. This is where the season will be won or lost. It will also determine whether or not the Giants remain worthy of best team recognition.

There's a long way to go in NFL's 2008 season. As for now anyway, the Giants are tops.

Honorable Mention:
#2 Tennessee Titans (5-0). Very soft '08 schedule helps Titans off to a quick start. Weak back half of schedule should propel them into Playoffs.

#3 Carolina Panthers (4-1). If it wasn't for a loss to Minnesota, Panthers would challenge NY for #1. Carolina is playing very strong football. Attention seems focused on other teams which bodes well for these guys. They could be primed for another run at the NFC Championship Game.

#4 Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1). NFL's #2 defense (231.6 yds/game) is swarming. Offense needs to pick it up. Fundamentally sound team.

#5 Dallas Cowboys (4-1). Picked by many to run away with NFC East on their way to a Super Bowl Championship. Cowboys have one of NFL's most prolific offenses with plenty of weapons. Outspoken Terrell Owens has already complained he's not getting the ball often enough. Sorry, T.O...... but with such a rich group of talented offensive players... winning it all should mean more than how many catches you record. Defense has had inconsistent moments (pass defense was torched vs Philadelphia). Offense should be controlling all games but it's also been inconsistent. Dallas has the talent to win it all but will have to iron out kinks before Playoff football begins.