Still doubting the Cincinnati Bengals? Didn't think so.
Still don't think Carson Palmer is an elite quarterback? No to that as well.
Still doubting the Denver Broncos? Not anymore.
The 4-1 Bengals have been true Cardiac Cats so far this season, winning with drama. (AP)
Still questioning Josh McDaniels? Not now.
The Broncos are in first place at 5-0 in the AFC West and the Bengals are in first place in the AFC North at 4-1. Can you believe it?
We spend an entire summer trying to figure out the surprise teams in the NFL, in large part because we know they are there. The Bengals were one of my choices.
The Broncos were not.
Five weeks into the season, they are the two biggest surprises so far. The Bengals' only loss came to Denver, and the Broncos are one of only five undefeated teams.
After pulling off another stunning last-minute comeback Sunday, capped off by a Palmer touchdown pass with 22 seconds left for a 17-14 victory in Baltimore, the Bengals are atop the AFC North.
Denver had its prove-it-to-me victory Sunday with a 20-17 overtime thriller over the New England Patriots. You can't doubt them anymore like I have. I'm done.
Both teams earn A grades for their victories this week in our CBSSports.com Grades, but they deserve the same for the way they've opened the season.
Whatever the Bengals' victory meant, it paled in comparison to the story of the day, which was defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer coaching with the heaviest heart of all. Zimmer's wife, Vikki, was found dead at the age of 50 last week, and Zimmer made the decision along with his family to coach Sunday.
It's called therapy. Grieving is a tough thing to gauge, and people grieve in their own ways. Some might say it's too much to coach so soon, but that's not for us to decide. Zimmer said coaching was what his wife would have wanted, and we all have to respect that.
The Bengals defense honored her memory with a heck of a game. It's a small token of appreciation, much like the cookies she used to make for them, but it says how those players feel about their coach -- and him losing his wife of 27 years. They gave him the game ball in the locker room after, and a choked-up Zimmer thanked them with a few words.
The Cincinnati defense was dominating all day, holding the Ravens without a score until late in the fourth quarter. Their only score to that point came on an Ed Reed interception return for a score, one of the few bad passes Palmer threw on the day.
Baltimore's only offensive score came when bad tackling on a short pass turned into a 48-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco to Ray Rice, and the Bengals trailed 14-10 with less than seven minutes left.
That set the stage for the late-game heroics by Palmer -- again. He got help this time by three defensive penalties, one a really stupid hit to the head by Ray Lewis on Chad Ochocinco. But that doesn't dim the fact the Bengals went 80 yards in 11 plays in 1:53 for the winning score.
On that play, Palmer faced a 1st-and-10 from Baltimore's 20 with 27 seconds left. He took the snap, looked left, came back right and found Andre Caldwell open in the right middle for the game-winning score.
In the past three weeks, Palmer has had game-winning touchdown passes in the final minute to beat both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ravens. Both times, the passes went to Caldwell.
The Broncos won because of their league-best defense and because Kyle Orton outplayed Tom Brady, once again validating McDaniels' decision to bring him in and jettison Jay Cutler. Orton threw for 330 yards and two scores.
Denver and Cincinnati excelled on Sunday in clutch situations to earn their lofty grades. But the only A+ grade of the day goes to Zimmer.
Football isn't life or death. But on this day, it sure did help a man with the latter. Even if it was for 60 minutes, or even for the entire day, something as simple as winning a football game might have helped Zimmer with his unbearable and unimaginable grief.
Vikings: They got another defensive touchdown (on a Jared Allen fumble return), had three takeaways in the red zone and did pretty much what they wanted on offense. They overmatched the Rams, but the defense did give up some yards.
B
3.25
C-
Rams: You can't turn it over four times and expect to win against a good Minnesota team. They did move the ball, which is better than the offense played in its first four games. The defense didn't play well again.
Eagles: Donovan McNabb lit up the Tampa Bay defense and the Eagles secondary had three big interceptions. This is a team that is getting better as the season moves along. McNabb is dangerous with all his weapons.
A
3.40
D
Buccaneers: Is Josh Johnson the answer? It sure doesn't look like it. And that defense can't cover anybody. It's going to be a long, long first season for coach Raheem Morris.
Giants: It didn't take much to beat this Raiders team, but Tom Coughlin's teams always beat the teams they should. Eli Manning toughed it out to throw two touchdown passes and then sat down when the game got out of hand. Ahmad Bradshaw had a huge day.
A
3.60
F
Raiders: How bad can it get? They don't even compete anymore. The offense is terrible and the defense is just behind. Tom Cable fights better than he coaches. JaMarcus Russell is really bad.
Cowboys: It took a while to get going, but the Cowboys might have saved their season in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tony Romo and Miles Austin made two huge pass plays to score touchdowns, the last a 60-yard catch-and-run in overtime. Austin had 10 catches for 250 yards. Wow.
C
2.68
C
Chiefs: The pass defense went to sleep late in the game and Romo and Austin carved it up. Matt Cassel played better. His pass to Dwayne Bowe to tie it was a heck of a throw. The offensive line still has issues.
Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger is getting better and better. He completed 63 percent of his passes and threw three touchdown passes. The defense had seven sacks and the good news is the outside rushers, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, had 4½ of them.
A
2.94
C-
Lions: Playing without Matthew Stafford, they were feisty. Daunte Culpepper played a decent game, despite all the pressure. The defense has trouble defending the pass, and that showed up again. They are competing, which is a good sign.
Panthers: It sure wasn't pretty, but they'll take it. They had two scores set up by special teams. The defense did play well, limiting the Redskins to under 200 yards. Julius Peppers had two sacks. They turned the ball over twice to set up Washington scores.
C-
1.35
C-
Redskins: The offense isn't good, and that will bring even more heat on Jim Zorn. If not for the defense, they wouldn't have even been in this game. DeAngelo Hall had a pick to set up one score. Can't imagine what the D.C. area is like.
Browns: They won a game when their quarterback was 2 for 17 for 23 yards. That's amazing. Jamal Lewis ran for 117 and a recovered fumble set up the game-winning points. It was ugly, but you know they will take it.
C
1.28
D-
Bills: You have to feel for their defense. At least they showed up. That passing game isn't very good. Roscoe Parrish's fumble in the closing minutes was inexcusable. Dick Jauron is in trouble -- big trouble.
Bengals: Cedric Benson had 120 yards and a touchdown, the first player to go over 100 on the Ravens in 40 games. Carson Palmer did throw a pick that was returned for a touchdown by Ed Reed, but he played well. The defense, like we said, was outstanding.
B-
3.00
B-
Ravens: Joe Flacco and the offense could never get it going. They seemed out of sorts for most of the game. Flacco threw for 186 yards, but couldn't get anything to his receivers. The defense played well, but really let down on that last drive.
Falcons: Matt Ryan lit up the San Francisco defense for 329 yards and two touchdowns. Roddy White had eight catches for 210 yards and two scores. Michael Turner added three touchdown runs and the defense shut down the San Francisco running game and didn't let the passing game get going.
C
2.92
F
49ers: That wasn't very good. Is that who they are? Or was that an aberration? We'll soon find out. They didn't get anything going. What happened to the pass defense? The running game was nonexistent.
Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck makes a huge difference for this team. He threw four touchdown passes in his first game back from a broken rib. The defense got a touchdown on a fumble recovery and totally dominated the Jacksonville offense.
D
2.40
F
Jaguars: That was what you call an ambush. That was awful. They couldn't do anything on offense and the defense was shredded. Rashean Mathis had a really rough go, getting beat for three touchdowns. The offensive line was whipped.
Broncos: Kyle Orton had a big day with 330 yards and two touchdowns. He also led them on the game-winning drive with some precision passing in overtime. The defense again came up with a good, solid day. They limited Tom Brady to 215 yards passing.
A
3.66
B
Patriots: Once again, they didn't look that good on offense. And the defense had some issues covering the pass. Much of that had to do with a lack of pressure. They need to improve in that area.
Cardinals: That goal-line stand at the end saved the game. But what happened in the second half? Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's pick for a score helped turn a horrible second half into a victory. Kurt Warner was on fire in the first half, but struggled after.
F
2.10
C
Texans: Matt Schaub played a great second half, but it went for naught when the goal-line stand turned back the Texans. Andre Johnson outplayed Larry Fitzgerald. The defense woke up in the second half, thanks to pressure up front.
Colts: Peyton Manning had another big game with three touchdown passes and the Colts defense shut down the Tennessee running game, and limited the big plays in the passing game. They head to their bye week 5-0.
A
3.26
D
Titans: That defense struggled like it has all season long. It can't stop the pass, and Manning carved them up. The offense doesn't make any big plays, which means they kick a lot of field goals. That doesn't win games.
Dolphins: The running game clicked in the Wildcat, but this one was about Chad Henne. He grew up here. The throw he made to Ted Ginn was huge in the fourth quarter, but two passes on the game-winning drive were really big. The defense needs to improve the pass defense.
B+
2.06
B-
Jets: What happened to the defense? It was pushed around in the run game and let Henne drive to the winning points. Hard to believe it was that bad in the fourth quarter. Mark Sanchez to Braylon Edwards is a combination Jets fans will love.
As stated last week,NEVER mention Rivers in the same sentence as Peyton Manning unless you say Rivers sucks. Manning carved up the Jets defense for 377 yards and 3 TD and NO INT-the same defense that Rivers could NOT solve and threw the pic that gave the Jets the lead. Manning did not leave it to the kicker to win he game like that loser Rivers did. Rivers not capable of leading a team to anything
...(more)
What a waste of all that jack Manning is. I bet the Giants would like a redo and keep Rivers instead of getting Manning. I know, Manning has won a Superbowl, and Burress is not there but Manning is just not consistent enough. Rivers is looking far more consistant right now. No way Manning should be the highest paid player in the NFL!!!
The game was over when Norv decided to lay it down in the 2<sup> nd</sup> quarter, running up the middle on 3<sup> rd</sup> and 5 (when our avg run was like 2 yards) with 2:30 minutes left and then punting the ball was a stupid move, to me that series changed the whole game. Why not put the ball in the Rivers hands and maybe go into half time with a possible 10- 14 p
...(more)
Is Prisco the only one saying over and over and over again that the NFL is "all about passing." Look, the passing is game is great and fun to watch but I don't think it is the Superbowl formula. Sure the Saints, Vikings, and Colts have great quarterbacks and can put up points, but the Superbowl is about whose defense is better. The last two years proves my point with the Steelers and Gia
...(more)
I think it is quite apparent at this point that Brady is a great statue quarterback. But unfortunately for Tom, in the NFL today it is necessary for the leader of the team to be able to have at least minimal mobility. I saw some of his completions against the Ravens and he literally had the day. However; whenever pressured, he made very poor decisions and threw the ball into cove
...(more)
"Facts are facts. Favre gagged in the fourth quarter Sunday, and now the Vikings aren't undefeated anymore. He threw for 334 yards, but two fourth-quarter turnovers for scores were what lost this game.
Free pass? Not here.
On the first turnover, Favre held the ball too long and Steelers defensive end
Seriously, did you want them to go for it on 4th and 11 from the Dallas 32? Were you watching the game? The Eagles O-line was not going to hold up on an obvious passing down like that. At least with the field goal, the Eagles got to kick the ball, and if the D mans up and stops somebody then they get the ball back with 2 minutes left with a chance to run the 2 min offense.
...(more)
I am not sure how to look at this playoff picture for the Ravens. They have shown life in many games this season like the dropped pass in NE, missed FG against Minn, or the close game against Pitt and Indy. I think if they wake up they could be a huge threat. What does everyone else think??
Typical response form certain type of sports reportere. Prisco incures this double standard of Sean Paton not being thick skinned about opinions fron the media to the fact that they're rusty down the stretch, yet obviously Payton's one little tongue in cheek comment obviously upset Prisco enough where he has to dedicate his entire lead in to it, instead instad of focusing on the Saints p
...(more)
Really Prisco? So after your month-long lovefest with the Cowboys, you're not even going to bring up how wrong you were? You're just going to move on to hopping on the Saints bandwagon?
Look, I hope the Saints win this weekend, very badly in fact. But Prisco has been loving the Cowboys and hating Favre all year long. He has writt
...(more)
Come on man, pick the Vikings to win... Most of the teams you pick to win, lose! I want the Saints to win it all so that Drew Brees won't have any trouble getting to the Hall of Fame. You sportswriters seem to think that a team accomplishment is needed to get an individual into the HOF.
Pete - you successfully picked 1 game out of 4 - your grade is 25% and we're going to have to hold you back for another year... your mom will need to sign the report card and send it back.
The Saints receive an "A+" for their "stout" defense which gave up an average of 410 yds in previous 5 reg season games. First play of game for Cardinals was a 79-yd TD run&nb
...(more)
I don't know if Prisco is grading on curves here or not, but I have a hard time figuring out how he grades like he does. I am just glad he never was a real teacher, otherwise students would be developing some serious complexes.
Can anyone explain to me why the Ravens and the Cowboys don't get an F?
I know it really doesn't matter since the games are over, and
...(more)
Once again Rivers proved he cannot carry a team and cannot win when the chips are on the table. He cannot carry Peyton's jock. The trade by the Giants for Eli has proved to be correct. Idiot Prisco said that San Diego would get the better of Rivers-Eli Manning trade. WRONG! How many rings does Rivers have? NONE! All Charger fans want Brees back. Rivers is a loud mouth,arrogant jerk that will NEVER
...(more)
Prissy...what's up with your grading of the Saints and the Vikings? You give the Saints an A+, but only an A to the Vikings. Why?
Weren't you writing the past 2 weeks about how great the Cowboys are and they are the best team in the NFC? And their defense had finally got to the point of being the best and being able to shut down any offense. Where was that defens
...(more)
Recaps: 
