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Freeman wants release from Bucs

Josh Freeman's time with the Buccaneers may be rapidly coming to an end, as he's reportedly asked the team for his release. The Buccaneers replaced Freeman with rookie Mike Glennon last week, but it didn't keep them from falling to 0-4 after a loss to the Cardinals. It's clear that the relationship between Freeman and the team is irreparably fractured, although the team could try to trade him before granting him an outright release.

  • Are the Buccaneers treating Josh Freeman fairly?

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      44%
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      56%

    Discuss (Total votes: 18,451)

  • Would you want your favorite team to pursue Josh Freeman if it had a vacancy at quarterback?

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      28%
    •  
      72%

    Discuss (Total votes: 14,332)

  • Who is most to blame for the Buccaneers' struggles this season?

    •  
      20%
    •  
      63%
    •  
      17%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,128)

  • Who would be the best choice to start for the Buccaneers?

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      54%
    •  
      46%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,131)

Comment »

Getty Images

NFL Week 5 Pick 'Em

Five NFL teams are a perfect 4-0, and all five are in action this week on the road. The Chiefs will visit Tennessee, the Saints are headed to Chicago, the Patriots are packing for Cincinnati, the Seahawks will touch down in Indianapolis, and the Broncos are Dallas-bound. Which teams will come out unscathed? Cast your votes on every Week 5 matchup!

  • Which team will win the Bills-Browns game in Cleveland?

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      45%
    •  
      55%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,153)

  • Which team will win the Chiefs-Titans game in Tennessee?

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      86%
    •  
      14%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,204)

  • Which team will win the Saints-Bears game in Chicago?

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      74%
    •  
      26%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,234)

  • Which team will win the Patriots-Bengals game in Cincinnati?

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      65%
    •  
      35%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,187)

  • Which team will win the Lions-Packers game in Green Bay?

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      31%
    •  
      69%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,175)

  • Which team will win the Seahawks-Colts game in Indianapolis?

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      65%
    •  
      35%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,195)

  • Which team will win the Jaguars-Rams game in St. Louis?

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      10%
    •  
      90%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,068)

  • Which team will win the Ravens-Dolphins game in Miami?

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      31%
    •  
      69%

    Discuss (Total votes: 3,046)

  • Which team will win the Eagles-Giants game in New York?

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      66%
    •  
      34%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,978)

  • Which team will win the Panthers-Cardinals game in Arizona?

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      58%
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      42%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,926)

  • Which team will win the Broncos-Cowboys game in Dallas?

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      88%
    •  
      12%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,991)

  • Which team will win the Texans-49ers game in San Francisco?

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      31%
    •  
      69%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,979)

  • Which team will win the Chargers-Raiders game in Oakland?

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      79%
    •  
      21%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,869)

  • Which team will win the Jets-Falcons game in Atlanta on Monday night? (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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      8%
    •  
      92%

    Discuss (Total votes: 2,906)

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video

The Saints and Dolphins met on Monday Night Football in a battle of unbeatens, but it was quickly apparent that New Orleans was the better team. The Saints are one of five 4-0 teams remaining, along with the Seahawks, Patriots, Broncos, and Chiefs. Which of these teams is the best? Click on the logos below to set your rankings!

NFL Power Rankings

49ers

49ers

San Francisco 49ers
2-2

Bears

Bears

Chicago Bears
3-1

Bengals

Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals
2-2

Bills

Bills

Buffalo Bills
2-2

Broncos

Broncos

Denver Broncos
4-0

Browns

Browns

Cleveland Browns
2-2

Buccaneers

Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
0-4

Cardinals

Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals
2-2

Chargers

Chargers

San Diego Chargers
2-2

Chiefs

Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs
4-0

Colts

Colts

Indianapolis Colts
2-1

Cowboys

Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys
2-1

Dolphins

Dolphins

Miami Dolphins
3-1

Eagles

Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles
1-3

Falcons

Falcons

Atlanta Falcons
1-3

Giants

Giants

New York Giants
0-4

Jaguars

Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars
0-4

Jets

Jets

New York Jets
2-2

Lions

Lions

Detroit Lions
3-1

Packers

Packers

Green Bay Packers
1-2

Panthers

Panthers

Carolina Panthers
1-2

Patriots

Patriots

New England Patriots
4-0

Raiders

Raiders

Oakland Raiders
1-3

Rams

Rams

St. Louis Rams
1-3

Ravens

Ravens

Baltimore Ravens
2-2

Redskins

Redskins

Washington Redskins
1-3

Saints

Saints

New Orleans Saints
4-0

Seahawks

Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks
4-0

Steelers

Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers
0-4

Texans

Texans

Houston Texans
2-2

Titans

Titans

Tennessee Titans
3-1

Vikings

Vikings

Minnesota Vikings
1-3

Your Rankings

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How big a threat are the Saints?

From 0-4 to 4-0, the New Orleans Saints -- and back-from-the-cold coach Sean Payton -- have returned to elite status. Or have they? It certainly seemed that way when they dispatched the also-previously-undefeated Miami Dolphins 38-17 on "Monday Night Football." Can Drew Brees and Co. continue the success and crash the Broncos' party at the top?

  • Where do the Saints rank among the NFL's best teams?

    •  
      65%
    •  
      35%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,358)

  • How surprised are you about the Saints' 4-0 start after beginning 0-4 a season ago?

    •  
      15%
    •  
      42%
    •  
      43%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,244)

  • To what do you attribute the Saints' turnaround this season?

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      6%
    •  
      22%
    •  
      69%
    •  
      3%

    Discuss (Total votes: 4,923)

  • If Peyton Manning is the league's best QB, who is No. 2?

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      30%
    •  
      41%
    •  
      21%
    •  
      8%

    Discuss (Total votes: 12,318)

  • How far will the Saints go this season?

    •  
      2%
    •  
      6%
    •  
      32%
    •  
      41%
    •  
      19%

    Discuss (Total votes: 4,976)

  • Will the Saints reach another Super Bowl with Drew Brees and Sean Payton?

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      75%
    •  
      25%

    Discuss (Total votes: 4,960)

Comment »

AP Photo/John Bazemore

What about the rest of the AFC?

Yeah, so the Denver Broncos are good. But a few other AFC teams laid down markers Sunday, showing that they might have something to offer Peyton Manning & Co. if the time does come. The New England Patriots held off the Atlanta Falcons on the road. The Kansas City Chiefs reached a surprising 4-0 with a rout of the New York Giants. The Indianapolis Colts put up their second straight blowout (it was the Jacksonville Jaguars, but a win's a win). And hey -- the Cleveland Browns were victorious again! Now, to see what happens to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night ...

  • If the Broncos are No. 1, which is the second-best team in the AFC?

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      32%
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      15%
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      43%
    •  
      10%

    Discuss (Total votes: 31,538)

  • If/when Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski return, will the Patriots be a legitimate threat to the Broncos in the AFC?

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      64%
    •  
      36%

    Discuss (Total votes: 16,308)

  • Which team will finish with the better record?

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      51%
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      37%
    •  
      12%

    Discuss (Total votes: 28,238)

  • Which team will win the AFC North?

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      63%
    •  
      19%
    •  
      18%

    Discuss (Total votes: 10,466)

  • Which team will win the AFC South?

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      62%
    •  
      33%
    •  
      5%

    Discuss (Total votes: 10,142)

  • Which of these teams is most likely to miss the playoffs?

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      12%
    •  
      71%
    •  
      17%

    Discuss (Total votes: 10,248)

  • How many games will the Jaguars win this season?

    •  
      21%
    •  
      46%
    •  
      33%

    Discuss (Total votes: 33,115)

  • Do you still believe the Trent Richardson trade was a mistake for the Browns?

    •  
      50%
    •  
      28%
    •  
      22%

    Discuss (Total votes: 34,640)

Comment »

Just how good are the Broncos?

Six days after cruising past the Oakland Raiders, the Denver Broncos dispatched an allegedly better team in easier fashion, dropping the Philadelphia Eagles 52-20 at Sports Authority Field. Now, it's early. Just-a-quarter-of-the-way-into-the-season early. But it's hard to ignore just how dominant Peyton Manning & Co. look. Oh yeah, and they get Von Miller back soon.

How many games will the Broncos win this regular season?

  •  
    16%
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    46%
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    20%
  •  
    18%

Discuss (Total votes: 228,875)

  • When will the Broncos lose their first game?

    •  
      6%
    •  
      2%
    •  
      17%
    •  
      2%
    •  
      73%

    Discuss (Total votes: 55,346)

  • The Broncos are averaging 44.8 points per game. Will they break the Patriots' record of 589 points in a season (36.8 per game)?

    •  
      74%
    •  
      26%

    Discuss (Total votes: 53,757)

  • Peyton Manning has 16 TD passes through 4 games. How many will he throw this season? (Tom Brady's record is 50.)

    •  
      27%
    •  
      73%

    Discuss (Total votes: 120,228)

  • Peyton Manning is averaging 367.5 YPG passing (a 5,880-yard pace). How many will he throw for this season? (Drew Brees' record is 5,476.)

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      36%
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      64%

    Discuss (Total votes: 51,866)

  • How will Peyton Manning fare the rest of the way?

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      3%
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      51%
    •  
      46%

    Discuss (Total votes: 28,883)

  • Will the Broncos win the Super Bowl?

    •  
      69%
    •  
      31%

    Discuss (Total votes: 29,289)

  • If you were a neutral fan, which would you prefer to see?

    •  
      79%
    •  
      21%

    Discuss (Total votes: 27,696)

  • Which is more true?

    •  
      45%
    •  
      55%

    Discuss (Total votes: 51,247)

Comment »

Worse shape -- Giants or Steelers?

Talk about symmetry. Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger both were picked in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. Both have won two Super Bowls. And both own ugly 0-4 records (is there any other kind of 0-4 record?) thus far this year. Yeah, things are dire for the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. Which esteemed quarterback will bounce back first? Whose team is in more trouble?

  • Which team has been the bigger disappointment?

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      73%
    •  
      27%

    Discuss (Total votes: 10,003)

  • Who/what is most to blame for the Giants' 0-4 start?

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      13%
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      20%
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      26%
    •  
      1%
    •  
      40%

    Discuss (Total votes: 9,622)

  • Who/what is most to blame for the Steelers' 0-4 start?

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      17%
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      40%
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      20%
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      14%
    •  
      9%

    Discuss (Total votes: 9,505)

  • Which team has the better chance of returning to relevance in 2013?

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      63%
    •  
      37%

    Discuss (Total votes: 9,487)

  • Which quarterback has the brighter future?

    •  
      80%
    •  
      20%

    Discuss (Total votes: 9,289)

  • When will the Giants next make the playoffs?

    •  
      4%
    •  
      43%
    •  
      37%
    •  
      16%

    Discuss (Total votes: 9,012)

  • When will the Steelers next make the playoffs?

    •  
      3%
    •  
      20%
    •  
      77%

    Discuss (Total votes: 8,768)

  • Which team has the better long-term outlook?

    •  
      62%
    •  
      38%

    Discuss (Total votes: 33,978)

Comment »

Cassel to start for Vikings

Matt Cassel will get another chance to recreate his success filling in for Tom Brady in 2008, as the Vikings will start him on Sunday against the Steelers. Christian Ponder's injury is too serious for him to start, but missing this game could be risky for him. Ponder hasn't played well this season, and if Cassel provides stability at the position, he could do to Ponder what Lou Gehrig did to Wally Pipp. But, you know, with much less historical significance.

  • Who should start for the Vikings if both are 100 percent healthy?

    •  
      50%
    •  
      50%

    Discuss (Total votes: 28,075)

  • Who will be the Vikings' starting quarterback at season's end?

    •  
      49%
    •  
      38%
    •  
      13%

    Discuss (Total votes: 7,658)

  • Which team's quarterback situation is the most dire?

    •  
      13%
    •  
      21%
    •  
      54%
    •  
      12%

    Discuss (Total votes: 7,499)

  • Which team will win the Steelers-Vikings game in London?

    •  
      40%
    •  
      60%

    Discuss (Total votes: 20,551)

Comment »

Michael Thomas/Getty Images

No more panicking in S.F.?

That didn't last long. Just four days after the San Francisco 49ers looked a shell of last season's NFC champions, the Bay Area's team traveled to the Midwest, shook off its defensive absences, and thrashed the St. Louis Rams 35-11. Is the crisis over in San Fran? Or are the Rams just that bad?

What do you make of the 49ers' 35-11 win at St. Louis on Thursday night?

  •  
    21%
  •  
    79%

Discuss (Total votes: 117,736)

  • Assuming the Seahawks are best, which is the second-best team in the NFC?

    •  
      30%
    •  
      15%
    •  
      15%
    •  
      32%
    •  
      8%

    Discuss (Total votes: 14,210)

  • Which is the worst team in the NFC?

    •  
      19%
    •  
      38%
    •  
      43%

    Discuss (Total votes: 13,861)

  • How many games will the 49ers win this season?

    •  
      54%
    •  
      36%
    •  
      10%

    Discuss (Total votes: 13,353)

  • When will the Rams next make the playoffs?

    •  
      26%
    •  
      74%

    Discuss (Total votes: 12,400)

Comment »

It's a battle of "The Buckeye State" when the Bengals make the trip north to take on the Browns -- a team they've defeated seven times in the last 10 meetings. The lone matchup of undefeated teams comes Monday night when the Dolphins play the Saints. But are those games more intriguing than Eagles at Broncos or Bears at Lions? Set your rankings!

NFL Games of Week 4

SFO at STL

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

NYG at KC

New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs

BAL at BUF

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

CIN at CLE

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

CHI at DET

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

ARI at TB

Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

IND at JAX

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

SEA at HOU

Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans

PIT at MIN

Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings

NYJ at TEN

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans

WAS at OAK

Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders

PHI at DEN

Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos

DAL at SD

Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers

NWE at ATL

New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons

MIA at NO

Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints

Your Rankings

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