16. Minnesota Vikings, 1-3 (19)
They got their first win of the season after losing a nail-biter last week tot he Titans. Perhaps they are figuring this out after a slow start. Did Gary Kubiak contribute to getting Bill O’Brien fired by beating his old team last week? Let’s say yes. That seems like a fun thing to believe.
15. Carolina Panthers, 2-2 (24)
This team might be overmatched in across-the-board talent, but the can rush the passer, and they have a conservative, accurate quarterback. they can beat mistake-prone teams any week. That makes them middle-of-the-road for now.
14. San Francisco 49ers, 2-2 (10)
This team has been slammed by injuries and the quarterback position was a gaping hole against the Eagles. Still, they have a ton of talent and a great coaching staff. They will compete until the end of the season.
13. New Orleans Saints, 2-2 (13)
They beat the Lions, which they should do, but had to climb out of a big hole to get there. The offense is starting to put it together now, and the return of Michael Thomas will push them to a new level. Look for them to climb.