THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

SAM FARMER’S NFL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

1 St. Louis (4-0) So far, no one matches Rams’ speed.

2 Denver (3-1) Mike Anderson ran for 155 against the Chiefs last Sunday.

3 Baltimore (3-1) Ravens have given up only three sacks.

4 Oakland (3-1) Gannon’s scrambling will help Raiders at Indianapolis.

5 Indianapolis (2-1) Manning is putting early interceptions behind him.

6 Miami (3-1) Jay Fiedler needs all the help he can get from Lamar Smith.

7 New York Giants (3-1) Giants are getting back to their clock-control offense.

8 Tampa Bay (2-1) Brad Johnson has yet to throw a touchdown pass.

9 Green Bay (3-1) Brett Favre is starting to cool. Five interceptions in two weeks.

10 San Francisco (3-1) Garrison Hearst and Kevin Barlow form a nice 1-2 punch.

11 New Orleans (2-1) Joe Horn was a star last season, but where is he now?

12 San Diego (3-1) Doug Flutie almost worked his magic in Cleveland.

13 Philadelphia (2-2) Eagles have no business losing to Arizona. Again.

14 Cleveland (3-1) Ex-Bruin Jamir Miller has five sacks in four games.

15 Pittsburgh (2-1) Defense is keeping Steelers in the hunt.

16 Chicago (2-1) Three in a row? Bears haven’t done that since ’95.

17 New York Jets (2-2) Vinny Testaverde: no interceptions.

18 Cincinnati (2-2) Bengals have to start stopping the run.

19 Seattle (2-2) How long can Holmgren stick with Hasselbeck?

20 Jacksonville (2-2) Jaguars need a clear-headed Brunell.

21 Carolina (1-3) Chris Weinke is looking better by the week.

22 Minnesota (1-3) Daunte Culpepper looks greener than he did last season.

23 Tennessee (0-3) Titans have already lost as many as they did in each of the last two seasons.

24 Arizona (1-2) Cardinals have yet to rush for 100 yards in a game.

25 Atlanta (2-2) At least the run defense is working OK for Falcons.

26 Kansas City (1-3) Priest Holmes does not a running game make.

27 New England (1-3) Could Tom Brady permanently supplant Drew Bledsoe?

28 Buffalo (0-4) Rob Johnson is playing his way out of town.

29 Detroit (0-3) Charlie Batch gives Lions a lift, but he’s too erratic.

30 Dallas (0-4) Quarterback Anthony Wright doesn’t look horrible.

31 Washington (0-4) Dan Snyder deserves this team.