The Broncos’ Peyton Manning makes a pass under pressure in the first quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 14, 2014. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
1. Cowboys: DeMarco Murray is the NFL’s leading rusher by a whopping 49 yards per game.
2. Raiders: New head coach Tony Sparano is a dramatic improvement at the NFL’s second-most important position (QB is No. 1).
3. Chiefs: After nearly knocking off the Broncos in Game 2, they routed the Dolphins in Miami the and Patriots in Kansas City, Mo.
1. Bills: Went from 2-0 to giving up on a young, first-round QB for journeyman Kyle Orton.
2. Panthers: After a 2-0 start, they surrendered 37 and 38 points in blowout losses to the Steelers and Ravens.
3. Jaguars: They’re not just losing. They’ve lost by 17 (after leading by 17 at halftime), 31, 27 and 19 points.
