We are four weeks into the NFL season, and we’ve already seen plenty of surprises and disappointments. There have been devastating injuries (Tom Brady), thrill-a-minute wins (Carolina, anyone?), and silly name changes (Chad Ocho Cinco). But, at the end of the day, what teams are the best and worst of the crop in the NFL?

To answer those questions, I looked at what each team has done so far. Their games, how the games were played, the stats involved, the level of competition, and my general feeling about the teams. After considering all of those criteria, I picked the best and the worst teams, and now I shall explain the merits (and demerits) of the two teams.

Let’s start at the very bottom, and reveal the worst team in the NFL. And, in a departure for me, it’s NOT the Detroit Lions. No, the worst team in the NFL was the easiest choice; the St. Louis Rams. Here is the case for the Rams as the worst team in the NFL:

 #1: They are as united as the Hatfields and McCoys: The Rams have been fighting amongst themselves almost since the season began. First, Scott Linehan benched Marc Bulger after the first three bad games in favor of a brittle Trent Green. Then, it’s revealed that Bulger and Linehan didn’t see eye to eye. After that, Steven Jackson revealed that many teammates (including himself) did not approve of Linehan’s decision. Lastly, there are reports that Linehan would be fired regardless of the result Sunday (another bad loss) and that he attempted to trade star WR Torry Holt. They lack harmony, to say the least.

#2: They have the worst point differential in the league: Through the first four games of the season, the Rams have been outscored 147 to 43; the 104 point difference is the worst in the NFL (a full 50 points worse than #2, the Lions). That means the average score of a Rams game is 39 to 11! Need more stats? Well, here comes… 

 #3: The stats don’t lie: The Rams have allowed 40 more first downs (91 to 51) than they have gained, are converting about 20% of their 3rd downs (11 out of 49), have been nearly doubled up on the ground (664 rushing yards allowed, 336 gained), have allowed more than four times as many touchdowns (17 to 4), and the most key stat; they’ve allowed 13 sacks (an average of 3 per game). With stats like that, it’s no wonder they’ve lost by scores of 38-3 (Eagles), 41-13 (Giants), 37-13 (an injured Seahawks team), and 31-14 (Bills).

#4: Scott Linehan is not respected by his team:  With all the negative feelings towards Linehan from management down to the star players like Jackson and Holt, it’s little wonder that he is expected to be fired sometime in the next few days. Once a coach loses the players’ respect, the team plays lifeless, and it has clearly shown this year. It’s the Matt Millen factor; you need to change just to clear the stench out of the air.

So, the Rams are clearly the worst team in the NFL. But who is the best team? It’s not as clear cut as the Rams are. Four teams are currently undefeated (with the Ravens in action Monday), and several teams that have lost once, like the Cowboys, Broncos, Redskins, and Buccaneers, have had impressive moments. But, after considerable thought, the best team in the NFL is the Tennessee Titans. That’s right; the Titans are the best team. How, when you consider that well known QB Vince Young (he hasn’t played like a star, hence well known being used) has been out most of the season? Glad you asked:

#1: To use an old cliché, defense wins championships: As opposed to the Rams’ league worst point differential, the Titans boast the league’s best differential (+70). They also have 15 sacks, which leads the league, have given up the sixth fewest yards (263.5 per), are tied for first in INTs (8), and lead the league in total turnovers recovered (12, including four fumble recoveries). No wonder they’re undefeated.

#2: Kerry Collins helps keep defenses honest: Granted, Collins isn’t going to make Titans fans remember Air Coryell, but with him in the game, the Titans’ pass attack at least opens up the running game; Collins’ 7 YPA (yards per attempt) is two yards higher than Young’s, and since he became the starter, the Titans have gone for 24, 30 and 31 points since he replaced Young. And, as the 2000 Ravens showed, you don’t need a spectacular QB to win a title. So, as long as Collins plays mistake-free (only one INT and one sack), they’ll be fine.

#3: They have a two-headed RB monster: Collins should be familiar to a running attack like this; similar to the 2000 Giants’ Thunder & Lightning combo of Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne, the Titans have Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Johnson has assumed the lead back role, and has proven he can be a fine runner; he has 337 yards on 67 carries (a robust 5 yards per carry), and has 3 total TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving). White has become a goal-line back and has 5 TDs on his 60 carries. A ground game like this is critical come playoff time, but so far, no one has an answer for this duo.

 #4: A +6 turnover differential: With such good ball security, the Titans can afford to be methodical in their approach. By comparison, the Bills’ have a +1 differential, the Ravens are also +1, and the Giants are even in that department, among the undefeated teams.

With that, there are the best and worst teams in the NFL right now. Will that stay the same come January and February? With the Titans, it’s not certain; they need to sort out the issues with Young, and decide what to do with him. But they have the kind of physical attack that does well in the playoffs. As for the Rams, it seems certain that they will be bad all year; Linehan will probably be fired within the time this is posted, and likely interim coach Jim Haslett won’t be able to turn around the season with a team full of malcontents. While the Rams won’t lose all 16 games, they have the look of a 1-15 or 2-14 team. That’s my opinion on the best & worst of the NFL.

Writer's Note: This post was written Sunday night, prior to the Rams firing Scott Linehan. So, all material written therein about Linehan was before the fact. Bur wasn't I right, people?