Rams remain only sure thing.(Chicago Tribune)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ Not playing did wonders for the Bears. In the wake of the latest NFL results, the off week considerably enhanced the Bears' reputation.

Lopsided games proved that misery has company. In the cases of the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins_both blown out after impressive 2-0 starts_the weekend showed nothing is certain, unless it is the St. Louis Rams. Or the San Diego Chargers, the only undefeated team in the AFC.

There are some bad teams in the NFL, not all of them in the NFC Least Division, formerly known as the NFC East.

The Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins appear hopeless as well as winless. They were outscored by a combined 119-45 to the delight of the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, who are guaranteed six NFC East wins apiece. Or are they?

The Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks also continue to look worse than advertised with their "new improved quarterbacks." Like the Bears, the winless Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans gained respect by sitting on the sidelines watching.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers all were put in their places and the Dolphins have to be wondering whether any defense is good enough to slow down the Rams.

The teams that took the biggest strides to separate themselves were the Rams, defending champion Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Eagles and Giants. Then there is San Diego, the 1-15 team from a year ago that has visions of 16-0.