Through the first five weeks of the 2011 NFL season, all eight divisions have at least one new team either in first place or tied for the top spot. If that holds, it will be the most new division winners in a single season.
Entering Week 6, there are 18 teams with a .500 or better record. That’s two behind the most such teams (20) through the first five weeks of a season in NFL history (2001, 2010).
Nine teams – Detroit (5-0), Green Bay (5-0), Buffalo (4-1), New England (4-1), New Orleans (4-1), San Diego (4-1), San Francisco (4-1), Baltimore (3-1) and Washington (3-1) – lead the way with one loss or none.
There is still a lot of season left to be played. And in the NFL, the only thing predictable is the unpredictability.
A look at one of the key games in Week 6:
HOUSTON TEXANS (3-2) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-1) (Sunday, CBS, 4:05 PM ET)
Two teams with at least a share of first place in its division will meet in Baltimore. The Texans enter tied with Tennessee for first place in the AFC South while the Ravens lead the AFC North.
Houston ranks third in the AFC averaging 132.8 rushing yards per game and the Texans are the only team in the NFL with two running backs with at least 250 rushing yards (BEN TATE, 321 yards & ARIAN FOSTER, 256). However, Houston will be tested on Sunday as it faces the AFC’s top ranked rushing defense in Baltimore (72.5 yards per game).
"This is the NFL," says Texans linebacker BRIAN CUSHING, "and every week is going to be a fight. The great teams find a way to win. We’re going to play a great team at their place this week. It will definitely be a test."
The Ravens were off last week and have had success in games following a bye, notching a 3-0 record under JOHN HARBAUGH and winning eight of their past nine.