In the aftermath of Drew Brees’ mauling of the Giants and Tom Brady’s obliteration of the Titans, I must ask: Which quarterback had the better day? Statistically, it was Brady, but Brees theoretically faced a better defense.

Brady wins because he was passing in a blizzard while Brees was passing in a dome. After the previous week’s loss to the Broncos, do you think the Patriots were trying to make a statement that they still are the team to beat in the AFC?

More random musings from the weekend that was:

– Why do the Eagles always seem to lose a few inexplicable games every season (or last year, tie the Bengals)? Playing the Raiders should have been a gimme, but instead, the Eagles missed a chance to gain ground on the Giants.

– The Broncos’ road throwback AFC jerseys are far less obnoxious than their home jerseys. And maybe it’s just me, but with the team rolling, this might be the wrong week for Denver’s bye.

– Finally, who will get fired first: Dick Jauron, Jim Zorn or Jeff Fisher? Jauron at least got a reprieve when the Bills beat the Jets, and I would think the Tennessee brass respects Fisher’s years of service to wait until the end of the season. That leaves Zorn, whose Redskins now start playing teams with at least one victory under their belts.

It’s kind of a strange week for the rankings: The Cowboys jumped five spots without even playing, thanks to losses to many teams in front of them. Dallas tied Arizona for the week’s biggest gain, while the Chargers tumbled the most, down six.

1. Colts (5-0)
2. Saints (5-0)
3. Vikings (6-0)
4. Broncos (6-0)
5. Giants (5-1)
6. Patriots (4-2)
7. Steelers (4-2)
8. Falcons (4-1)
9. Cowboys (3-2)
10. Eagles (3-2)
11. Cardinals (3-2)
12. Bengals (4-2)
13. Ravens (3-3)
14. Packers (3-2)
15. Bears (3-2)
16. Dolphins (2-3)
17. Texans (3-3)
18. Chargers (2-3)
19. 49ers (3-2)
20. Jets (3-3)
21. Panthers (2-3)
22. Jaguars (3-3)
23. Seahawks (2-4)
24. Bills (2-4)
25. Raiders (2-4)
26. Redskins (2-4)
27. Chiefs (1-5)
28. Lions (1-5)
29. Browns (1-5)
30. Titans (0-6)
31. Buccaneers (0-6)
32. Rams (0-6)

Tough week last week; I’m hoping to bounce back …

WEEK 6
CINCINNATI over Houston
GREEN BAY over Detroit
MINNESOTA over Baltimore
NEW ORLEANS over N.Y. Giants
PITTSBURGH over Cleveland
Carolina over TAMPA BAY
WASHINGTON over Kansas City
JACKSONVILLE over St. Louis
Arizona over SEATTLE
Philadelphia over OAKLAND
NEW ENGLAND over Tennessee
N.Y. JETS over Buffalo
ATLANTA over Chicago
SAN DIEGO over Denver
Last week: 9-5 Season: 59-17

SMART STARTS
Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: It hasn’t been the greatest fantasy season for Portis, but he is facing the Chiefs on Sunday and is still Washington’s best offensive choice.

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: He’s been on the injury report every week this season (thank you, Bill Belichick) but finally seems healthy again. He scored a touchdown last week and could get another, plus approach 100 yards receiving, against the hellbound Titans.

Eagles defense: Playing the Raiders. Enough said.

NAP TIME
Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: Palmer might have elevated himself to every-week fantasy starter instead of a sleeper, but in the event you have him as Tony Romo or Peyton Manning’s backup, he has a great matchup against the Texans on Sunday.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers: Finley delivered the game of his career before the bye week and is becoming another viable option for Aaron Rodgers. He might not get 148 yards receiving again, but 60-70 and a TD are possible against the Lions.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: Hasselbeck’s health is improving, his receivers are getting open, and Seattle hosts Arizona. Put it all together, and 300 yards and three TDs are not that outrageous.

THAT’S A NEGATIVE
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: Lewis surprised many last week with 120 rushing yards in his first game back from injury. But he performed that well because Derek Anderson stunk at quarterback and the Bills stunk on defense. The Browns play at Pittsburgh, meaning Lewis stays on your bench.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: Rice’s success running the ball has been overshadowed by Willis McGahee’s touchdown barrage. At Minnesota, it’s not a good week for any Baltimore running back, so be wary of starting Rice.

Lee Evans, WR, Bills: Can Evans and Terrell Owens be the best wide receiver tandem in history to not be getting the ball? Buffalo gets the Jets this week, so expect little from either of them, maybe nothing from Evans.

OK, I’ll admit it, I think the Broncos are legitimate after they rallied to defeat the Patriots on Sunday. No luck was involved in the victory, unlike in Week 1 against the Bengals; and they didn’t need a fortunate defensive stand, like they did against the Cowboys in Week 4.

But can it last? The Broncos have a history of good starts that eventually imploded (albeit, with another coach). If they can hold off the Chargers, they will win the division, but I just don’t see the Broncos as a team that can win playoff games against AFC teams that, frankly, are more battle-tested. Their next big test, perhaps bigger than against the Patriots, will be Monday night against the Chargers.

– The 49ers failed miserably against the Falcons, but Mike Singletary’s influence is still obvious. Dre’ Bly loses a fumble on an interception showboating, then apologizes to his team like no other player has apologized to his team before. The culture is changed — would Bly have been as contrite pre-Singletary? The Niners are like the Broncos — good enough to win the division, but not quite a viable playoff contender. But look out in 2010, when Singletary’s approach has really set in.

– The Chiefs’ throwback Dallas Texans helmets were cool. The Broncos’ brown and yellow uniforms, not so much.

– Was last year just an aberration for the Titans? They were so resigned to their losing Sunday they brought Vince Young in. Everything that seemed to work so well last year — the defense, the running game — isn’t this season, and there seems to be no relief in sight. I wonder, if the Titans had won Week 1 against the Steelers if they would have had more confidence over the last few weeks.

– Finally, with so many teams in disarray, the Bills might be in the most trouble. How do you lose to the Browns 6-3? I admire Terrell Owens’ restraint, but something amazing must be imminent from his mouth. And for once, he might be justified in complaining.

The surprise Bengals make this week’s biggest jump, up six from No. 16 to No. 10. The Jets take the worst tumble, down seven spots.

1. Giants (5-0)
2. Colts (5-0)
3. Saints (4-0)
4. Vikings (5-0)
5. Broncos (5-0)
6. Eagles (3-1)
7. Patriots (3-2)
8. Steelers (3-2)
9. Falcons (3-1)
10. Bengals (4-1)
11. Ravens (3-2)
12. Chargers (2-2)
13. Bears (3-1)
14. Cowboys (3-2)
15. Jets (3-2)
16. Cardinals (2-2)
17. Dolphins (2-3)
18. Packers (2-2)
19. 49ers (3-2)
20. Texans (2-3)
21. Seahawks (2-3)
22. Panthers (1-3)
23. Redskins (2-3)
24. Jaguars (2-3)
25. Titans (0-5)
26. Lions (1-4)
27. Browns (1-4)
28. Bills (1-4)
29. Raiders (1-4)
30. Chiefs (0-5)
31. Buccaneeers (0-5)
32. Rams (0-5)

Cruising!

WEEK 5
BUFFALO over Cleveland
Dallas over KANSAS CITY
Minnesota over ST. LOUIS
N.Y. GIANTS over Oakland
PHILADELPHIA over Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh over DETROIT
CAROLINA over Washington
BALTIMORE over Cincinnati
SAN FRANCISCO over Atlanta
Jacksonville over SEATTLE
ARIZONA over Houston
New England over DENVER
Indianapolis over TENNESSEE
MIAMI over N.Y. Jets
Last week: 12-2 Season: 50-12

Before I delve in to this week’s picks, wow, did I miss badly on some picks last week. I’m not sure how I missed Derrick Ward’s status all week before I chose him as a sleeper; Marshawn Lynch stunk, and Willis McGahee did reach the end zone. At least I got Matt Forte right …

SMART STARTS
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, QB, Seahawks: Seattle plays Jacksonville, which allowed the Titans’ passing game to look like the Chargers of the late 1970s. No matter who starts for the Seahawks at quarterback, Housh should turn in a good game.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Eli Manning might not be 100 percent, but he doesn’t have to be against the Raiders. Enter Jacobs, who might be poised for his best game of the season.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: Miami plays the Jets, who have a great defense but wore down against the Saints’ running game in the second half last weekend. Granted, the Jets won’t be as focused on quarterback Chad Henne as they were on Drew Brees, but if the Dolphins keep pounding away, Brown will top 100 yards and score at least one touchdown.

LULLABY SLEEPERS
Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: Can Anderson put up big fantasy numbers two weeks in a row now that he’s starting again? Against the struggling Bills, he could. If this is the bye week for your starting QB, Anderson might be worth a chance.

Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals: Arizona faces the porous run defense of Houston, and Wells, after a week off, should be healthy enough to post his best game as a pro.

Terrell Owens, WR, Bills: Buffalo can’t struggle this badly all season, can they? After two subpar fantasy performances, the Bills will target Owens more against the Browns, maybe pushing him above 100 yards, seven receptions and a TD.

UM … NO
Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Detroit, with Matthew Stafford nursing an injured knee, won’t announce its starting quarterback until Sunday, but I don’t think the Lions will suddenly turn to its running game for help. Add in the fact that the Steelers are coming to town, and Smith doesn’t look like a great start.

Glen Coffee, RB, 49ers: I’m not convinced Coffee will put up Frank Gore numbers in Gore’s absence. Against Atlanta, I don’t think he’s a good start.

Any Oakland Raider: Do you even have to wonder why?

I experienced a miserable fantasy performance in Week 4 that I’m ready to move on. But in the interest of consistency …

– Congratulations to Brett Favre, who rose to the occasion and defeated his old team. But the biggest reason the Vikings won Monday night was their defense, as well as the Packers’ ailing offensive line. And remember, we were all impressed with Favre for a couple months last season with the Jets, and we know how that ended.

– Is it just me, or do the bad teams look really bad this year? The Chiefs, Browns, Bucs, Rams and Raiders all look worse than the Lions. That’s bad.

– I’m starting to think that it might not be Tony Romo, but the team for which he plays. Was throwing at Champ Bailey twice with the game on the line his bad choice or the coaches’? If the Cowboys go 8-8, expect big changes from Jerry Jones.

– Speaking of the Broncos, nice victory, but it’s going to come crashing down a little over the next five weeks. Still, even if they are 4-4 in November, they will contend for the AFC West title, because the Chargers don’t exactly look that great.

– Finally, I’m thinking this might be the Colts’ year (again) simply because of how Peyton Manning is playing (four games, four consecutive 300-yard passing games). With Tom Brady not quite back to form, there is no better veteran quarterback than Manning, who might be able to carry Indy even if the team’s defense struggles.

Five undefeated teams remain, and they are loading the top six of this week’s rankings. The 4-0 Broncos make the week’s biggest jump, up five spots, while the Cowboys suffer the most severe fall, down five.

1. Giants (4-0)
2. Colts (4-0)
3. Saints (4-0)
4. Vikings (4-0)
5. Patriots (3-1)
6. Broncos (4-0)
7. Ravens (3-1)
8. Jets (3-1)
9. Eagles (2-1)
10. Steelers (2-2)
11. Falcons (2-1)
12. Chargers (2-2)
13. Bears (3-1)
14. Cowboys (2-2)
15. 49ers (3-1)
16. Bengals (3-1)
17. Texans (2-2)
18. Cardinals (1-2)
19. Packers (2-2)
20. Redskins (2-2)
21. Dolphins (1-3)
22. Jaguars (2-2)
23. Titans (0-4)
24. Seahawks (1-3)
25. Panthers (0-3)
26. Bills (1-3)
27. Lions (1-3)
28. Raiders (1-3)
29. Chiefs (0-4)
30. Buccaneers (0-4)
31. Browns (0-4)
32. Rams (0-4)