Fast Start Usually Means Playoff Berth

TAMPA - The NFL's big five share a rich tradition, first-place status and a healthy respect for the historical correlation between success and turnover differential.

New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Green Bay have combined for 17 Super Bowl victories and their quick starts have them primed for a postseason berth.

Since 2003, 19 of the 22 clubs that opened at 3-0 qualified for playoff spots. The Patriots, Colts and Cowboys are each coming off playoff seasons and the Steelers are only one removed from a championship.

That leaves the Packers as the biggest surprise among the unbeatens. Green Bay heads to Minnesota on Sunday for its first divisional matchup of 2007 and by late afternoon, Brett Favre's wild bunch could own a two-game lead in the NFC North.

'They came out firing and we didn't make enough plays,' Chargers S Clint Hart said after Green Bay rallied for a 31-24 triumph at jubilant Lambeau Field. 'That's Brett Favre. You tip your hat and move on.'

The Packers are also playing some inspired defense and that plus-3 turnover ratio doesn't hurt, either.

Any remaining skeptics questioning the importance of the giveaway-takeaway chart should check today's standings. The top 10 teams in turnover differential, including the Bucs at plus-3, are a combined 25-5.

The bottom 10 clubs were 7-21 heading into Monday night's Saints-Titans matchup.

With Tom Brady on a roll for the ages, the Patriots have scored 38 points in each game as they prepare for a Monday night trip to Cincinnati. And as Marvin Lewis can grudgingly attest, the Bengals may not offer much resistance against a passing attack averaging an absurd 10.1 yards per attempt.

Peyton Manning and the Colts are averaging 31 points, despite the absence of retired left tackle Tarik Glenn, and RB Joseph Addai is on pace for more than 1,400 yards. The secondary gets its nasty attitude from diminutive S Bob Sanders while CB Marlin Jackson, a former first-round pick who had been waiting for an opportunity to start, comes off a 15-tackle game against Houston.

Under first-year head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers haven't strayed from their identity as one of the league's most physical clubs. Willie Parker leads the league in rushing and the defense hardly misses OLB Joey Porter.

Anyone doubting the talent level of the Cowboys is advised to check in with the Bears, who were beaten on both sides of the ball in Sunday night's 34-10 setback. Marion Barber averages 6.4 yards per carry and QB Tony Romo has been masterful.

HUDDLE UP: Maybe Warren Sapp ought to hit the chow line instead of the practice sled. The former Bucs DT dropped almost 50 pounds in the offseason following a solid 2006 effort, but Sapp has registered only nine tackles without a sack through Oakland's 1-2 getaway. ... LaDainian Tomlinson is off to a slow start, but the real culprit in San Diego is a defense that can't stop people when it counts. Don't overlook the departure of free-agent LB Donnie Edwards, whose leadership is making a difference in Kansas City. ... A week after earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, Bucs MLB Barrett Ruud still leads all NFL players with 35 tackles. ... Tampa Bay doesn't have a vote, but you can bet Monte Kiffin's group would rather see David Carr under center Sunday in Charlotte instead of Buc-killer Jake Delhomme. ... Don't be surprised if Jets coach Eric Mangini decides to scrap a 3-4 defensive alignment that isn't getting the job done. New York is offering fresh evidence you won't be successful in a three-man front if you don't have an effective nose tackle. ...

Put Larry Johnson in another uniform and you'd swear K.C.'s $45 million man is running like a third-string journeyman. ... Give it up for Jacksonville's offensive line. You'll go a long time before you see the Broncos outgained again on the ground, 186-47. ... Denver coach Mike Shanahan showed up at Monday's news conference sporting a shiner. He said it was a reaction to the family cat, but some insiders swear Shanahan is allergic to home losses. ... Ladell Betts was money last year, but now Washington's punishing running back can't make the tough yards, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. ... While Donovan McNabb was carving open Detroit's secondary, the Eagles sacked Jon Kitna nine times, including two by former Chamberlain High standout Brodrick Bunkley.