Who's Hot Who's Not

WHO'S Hot

Bills
They're one of two—4--0 NFL teams, that is. In knocking off the Rams (and their coach, Scott Linehan), Buffalo polished an attractive defensive line: It's allowed an average of less than 16 points a game. Of the team's best start since 1992, linebacker Kawika Mitchell (above), told The Buffalo News, "It's a beautiful thing."

Moose
That's Mike Mussina, the Yankees righty and comeback player of the year. Six shutout innings gave him 20 wins on the season—at 39 he's the oldest 20-game winner ever—and 270 in his career. Will he retire? Or take a run at 300? Mussina's not sure yet, but in the meantime he says, "I'm proud of myself."

Javon Ringer
The Spartans are 4--1 largely because they're using a Ringer. The running back's gone for 681 yards over the past three games, and he carried—brace yourself now—44 times in Saturday's win over Indiana. No wonder he's bulled his way into Heisman contention.

Tony Schumacher
Closing in. The driver's 13th win puts him a few quick turns from his fifth straight NHRA title. Said Schumacher, who won seven straight, lost a tight one then won again last week, "I guess we're out of our slump."

WHO'S Not

Bengals
And now there are four—winless teams that is. Cincy fell to 0--4, continuing its woeful play behind a verifiably offensive line. After throwing three picks and losing a fumble on Sunday, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (above), playing for wounded Carson Palmer, lamented his "silly mistakes." What's in store this week? A visit to (yikes!) Dallas.

Badgers
They're from Wisconsin and had a 19--0 halftime lead over Michigan. Then this: They gave up 27 straight points, blew a chance to tie by drawing an "ineligible man" penalty and wound up losers. That's one way to slip from nine to 18 in the AP poll. Coach Bret Bielema: "We need to quickly forget what just happened."

Aaron Rodgers
Forget that 2--0 start. The Packers' QB tossed three picks in Sunday's loss to the Bucs, and that's not what really hurt: A late-game shoulder injury left Rodgers in "intense pain" and could limit him this week. Oh, and the guy he replaced—a Brett somebody—had himself a day for New York.

Tony Stewart
Falling out. The fiery driver just doesn't win these days (he's 0 for 2008), and a 40th-place finish on Sunday dropped him to 11th in NASCAR's Sprint Cup standings. With seven races to go, Stewart can start gearing up for next year.