Thank God that is over! Colts bye week is history. And that is not the only good news. Bob Sanders, the second round draft pick out of Iowa finally hit the practice field yesterday. Mike Doss the starting strong safety is also expected back this week as we face the Jags in the Dome.

The Colts start the middle of the season at 4-1 and I fell pretty good about the start. Frankly the true cream has risen to the top and there are some distinct lines being drawn in the face of the season. Along with the Colts, the Patriots and the Eagles seem to have distanced themselves from the pack. All three have continued to find ways to win and have established themselves in their divisions. Sure the Jets are keeping pace with the Pats in the AFC East, but they seem to be just that next step down from the top.

Now it is time to strap it on tight and get through what is a very winnable portion of the season. There are a couple of tough ones, but we do have the luxury of playing Minnesota and Baltimore at home as well as the Jags this week. Kansas City looks like they are off the pace and hopefully the weather won’t be awful in KC on Halloween Day. Houston, @ Chicago and @ Detroit round out the rest of the middle of the season until that nice 10 day break before Tennessee comes calling here in December.

This week is the Jags. We beat them in Jacksonville three weeks ago 24-17 in what was a fairly good game, but one the Colts had control of most of the way. I didn’t feel like the Colts showed much in that game knowing they were going to be facing the Jags again so soon. I look for a much more wide open approach to the offense and expect to see a big Colts win coming off the bye.

So after 6 weeks here is the top 10…

1. New England - Against what was supposed to be one of the best of the NFC the Pats just handled the Seahawks like they were nothing. Sure it came down to the fourth quarter, but was it ever really in doubt?

2. Philadelphia – Thorough trashing of the Panthers proved either the Eagles are very good or the Panthers are still pretenders. Probably a little of both, but I believe the Eagles are the real deal.

3. Indianapolis – Got the week off and will go into the Jax game a heavy favorite with injuries healing and all cylinders firing on an offense that can’t be stopped.

4. NY Jets – Top team in second tier of good. Undefeated Jets haven’t been tested so this week at Foxboro will determine what kind of season this team will have. They may be a wild card team, but if they can win at New England they could be more.

5. Minnesota – Offense is clicking right now. Fumblepepper to Moss is a dandy combination, but the D is bad news.

6. Denver – Big win over division rival Raiders. As crazy as it may seem, San Diego may be their only challenge for the division. Droughns is next in a long line of backs that can run behind Shanahans O-line.

7. Atlanta – Mike Vick might not be the smartest guy on the field but he makes things happen. He has to start finding alternatives to Alge Crumpler and his own legs.

8. Seattle – Battled into the fourth despite making all kinds of mistakes that put them behind the eight ball all game against Pats. Sunny skies ahead as they head to Arizona.

9. NY Giants – Week off at a bad time for this team that was really on a roll (or at least a hot dog bun).

10. Pittsburgh – Uninspiring, but still a victory at Dallas on Sunday. Trademark Cowher team with no quit in them.