Balance creates choas in NFL

The results of Sunday's NFL contests proved one of two things. Either the league is so balanced that each week anything can happen, or I don't know much about football.\nUnlike Major League Baseball, where teams can basically spend their way into the playoffs, the NFL has a salary cap that goes a long way to ensure competitive games week after week. I thought had several teams and players figured out, but this weekend's performances put some serious doubts in my head.\nThe St. Louis Rams, who I thought were a lock to win 14 or 15 games, got crushed by Kansas City 54-34 for their first loss the season. Even worse for the Rams is two of their stars, quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk, sustained potentially serious injuries in the loss. It will be interesting to see if former IU quarterback Trent Green will be able to keep the Rams on top of the NFC West until Warner returns from a broken finger.\nI had also thought the Bengals had a great chance of pulling off the worst season in league history. Going into Sunday's game against Denver, the Bengals had been outscored 143-37 on to a 0-6 record. \nBut the Bengals turned it around Sunday, knocking off the Broncos 31-21, thanks in part to running back Corey Dillon's huge performance. Dillon, probably the best-kept secret in the league, broke the all-time rushing record by carrying for 278 yards. In only his fourth year as a pro, he now holds the first and sixth highest single-game totals.\nI had also been convinced Colts' team president Bill Polian was a genius for picking Edgerrin James over Ricky Williams in the 1999 draft, but now I'm not so sure. While James led the league in rushing last year and has been solid this season, Williams has been compiling impressive numbers. With 156 yards in New Orleans' 21-19 win against Atlanta Sunday, Williams has topped the century mark in his last five outings and has the Saints (4-3) in the midst of a playoff run.\nTeams to look AT:\n• Oakland's 31-3 stomping of Seattle was its fourth consecutive win, giving them a two-game lead in the AFC West. The Raiders (6-1) face 0-7 San Diego Sunday.\n• After losing two of its first three and making owner Daniel Snyder throw a fit in the process, Washington (6-2) has bounced back to win five in row and moved into first place in the NFC East. \n• Minnesota (7-0) managed to get by Buffalo 31-27 Sunday and are the only unbeaten team. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has looked like a seasoned veteran, but having guys like Cris Carter and Randy Moss to throw to helps.\nTeams falling faster than Firestone stock:\n• Tampa Bay (3-4) was a pre-season pick to win its division but lost its fourth consecutive game to Detroit Thursday.\n• Jacksonville (2-6) was another team expected to be in the playoffs but has looked more like domesticated house cats in dropping its last five games.\n• Although Baltimore's record is respectable, the Ravens haven't scored a touchdown in their last four games and have lost two in a row. Note to Baltimore: Touchdowns are kind of important.\n• Chicago (1-7): No explanation necessary.