By Simmi Buttar, AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — The Denver Broncos are one of two teams off to a 4-0 start this season. However, they are alone at the top of the latest AP Pro32 poll released on Tuesday.
The defending champion Broncos received nine first-place votes for 381 points from balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The Broncos used their stellar defense to shut down the Buccaneers 27-7 on Sunday.
“Who says old school football doesn’t work anymore?” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said. “The Broncos are living proof that great defense is still a formula for success. Another transcendent performance against the Bucs, and the Broncos continue to roll early.”
The Minnesota Vikings, the NFL’s other 4-0 team, moved up a spot to No. 2 after beating the New York Giants 24-10 on Monday night. The Vikings received one first-place vote for 367 points.
The New England Patriots, who were tied with the Broncos last week at the top of the poll, dropped to No. 3 after losing 16-0 at home to Buffalo. The Patriots received two first-place votes for 357 points.
The good news for the Patriots is that Tom Brady will return from his “Deflategate” suspension and face the Cleveland Browns in his regular-season debut on Sunday. The Browns are the league’s only winless team.
“Tom Brady is a welcome sight for the Patriots, who were shut out for the first time at home in 23 years,” Glauber said.
“His four-game suspension from Deflategate is over, and now the poor Browns get to face a quarterback with a chip on his shoulder the size of the skyscraper at 345 Park Ave. — the place where (Commissioner) Roger Goodell works.”
The Philadelphia Eagles, the only other unbeaten team in the league, remained after No. 4 after having a bye week.
The Seattle Seahawks moved up a spot to No. 5 after beating the New York Jets 27-17. And the Pittsburgh Steelers moved to No. 6 after routing the Kansas City Chiefs 43-14 on Sunday night.
The Green Bay Packers slipped two spots to No. 7 and will host the New York Giants coming off their bye week.
The Atlanta Falcons jumped from No. 17 to No. 8 after routing Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers 48-33.
“A year before heading into their plush new home, the high-scoring Falcons are moving on up, led by revitalized Matt Ryan,” said Ira Kaufman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Oakland Raiders went from No. 16 to No. 9 after rallying past the Baltimore Ravens, who dropped to No. 10.
“Khalil Mack said the big road win against the Ravens proved Oakland is a ‘contender,'” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback. “They certainly look like a team that is growing into its high expectations.”
Week 5 rankings
| Team | Record | Points | Pvs Rnk |
| 1. Denver Broncos (9) | 4-0 | 381 | 1 |
| 2. Minnesota Vikings (1) | 4-0 | 367 | 3 |
| 3. New England Patriots (2) | 3-1 | 357 | 1 |
| 4. Philadelphia Eagles | 3-0 | 340 | 4 |
| 5. Seattle Seahawks | 3-1 | 332 | 6 |
| 6. Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-1 | 327 | 7 |
| 7. Green Bay Packers | 2-1 | 317 | 5 |
| 8. Atlanta Falcons | 3-1 | 280 | 17 |
| 9. Oakland Raiders | 3-1 | 272 | 16 |
| 10. Baltimore Ravens | 3-1 | 266 | 7 |
| 11. Cincinnati Bengals | 2-2 | 265 | 14 |
| 12. Dallas Cowboys | 3-1 | 257 | 14 |
| 13. Houston Texans | 3-1 | 253 | 12 |
| 14. Los Angeles Rams | 3-1 | 234 | 19 |
| 15. Kansas City Chiefs | 2-2 | 220 | 9 |
| 16. Carolina Panthers | 1-3 | 200 | 10 |
| 17. New York Giants | 2-2 | 185 | 11 |
| 17. Buffalo Bills | 2-2 | 185 | 21 |
| 19. Washington Redskins | 2-2 | 174 | 20 |
| 20. Arizona Cardinals | 1-3 | 169 | 13 |
| 21. New York Jets | 1-3 | 136 | 18 |
| 22. New Orleans Saints | 1-3 | 107 | 29 |
| 23. Jacksonville Jaguars | 1-3 | 95 | 30 |
| 24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-3 | 92 | 25 |
| 25. San Diego Chargers | 1-3 | 91 | 23 |
| 26. Miami Dolphins | 1-3 | 86 | 26 |
| 27. Detroit Lions | 1-3 | 85 | 23 |
| 28. Indianapolis Colts | 1-3 | 83 | 22 |
| 29. Tennessee Titans | 1-3 | 64 | 27 |
| 30. Chicago Bears | 1-3 | 57 | 32 |
| 31. San Francisco 49ers | 1-3 | 46 | 28 |
| 32. Cleveland Browns | 0-4 | 13 | 31 |
