Week 5 recap

Are we overlooking the Colts? For what it's worth, the Colts had the toughest strength of schedule among the three teams that went into Monday night's game undefeated. Indianapolis had played teams with a combined 11-12 record (.478), including three teams that now have winning records. New England had played teams with a combined 7-16 record (.304), including none with a current winning record. And Dallas, which is 5-0 after Monday night's last-second victory over Buffalo, has faced teams with a combined 6-19 mark (.240). Only one has a current winning record, and two of the victories were against Miami and St. Louis, which are a combined 0-10.

Then again ... The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win its first five games by 17 or more points. So it's not like T. Brady and the boys are squeaking by all these inferior opponents.

Meanwhile, the winless still struggle: Who will be the first of the league's last three winless teams -- the Rams, Saints and Dolphins -- to win a game? Well, the next home game against a team with a current losing record is Atlanta (1-4) at New Orleans a week from Sunday. But keep an eye on the Dolphins. Even with the probability that injured QB Trent Green will be out for a while, Miami could sneak an upset at Cleveland (2-3) on Sunday. The Rams seem to have the toughest path to win No. 1. Scott Linehan's team has to travel to Baltimore (3-2) and Seattle (3-2) before a home game against the Browns on Oct. 28.

Did you know? Congratulations to Bears coach Lovie Smith for winning his first four games at Lambeau Field. How tough is it to do that? Well, the last guy to do it was a man named Bud Grant back in the 1970s.

Look out, B. McKinnie: Bears second-year right defensive end Mark Anderson has 16 sacks in his first 21 NFL games. Not bad for a fifth-round draft pick.

MARK CRAIG