Quick: Name the three best teams in the NFL over the first five weeks of the 2014 campaign.Now name the handful of teams that truly can make a run.I hope you have the 4-1 on both lists. Shame on you if you don't.I can't get enough of the 2014 Bolts. In so many ways -- the players, the coaching staff, the toughne s, the character -- they represent everything right about the NFL.I loved the all offseason. Back in May, stating San Diego was the most under-the-radar team from last season's playoff field (despite the fact that Jordan McRae Jersey the Bolts ). I declared that this bunch would be poised to make noise in 2014.Five months later, I'm even more bullish on this team.What are the makings of a legit contender? Allow me to go through the checklist and explain why San Diego fits the bill:Star quarterback/great head coachA nece sary combination -- and the have it. has done wonders since taking over the after a losing 2012 campaign. He's changed the culture and fostered accountability. McCoy is a fantastic head coach who has surrounded himself with a fine staff. And with McCoy's expertise in the quarterback department -- and offensive football in general -- has thrived. The man who appeared to be a rapidly declining veteran under is now a reborn star topping the 2014 MVP race in the early goings.I talked to McCoy this week on my SiriusXM Radio show, "Schein on Sports," and the second-year coach said he's not surprised Rivers is playing at this level, because it is a direct reflection of the QB's work ethic, talent, competitive fire and desire to learn."We all first got here learning the system -- that's No. 1," McCoy said. "And then just adapting to this was completely new for him, but he bought in from Day 1, never looked back, asked great questions. He prepares every day; he comes in, he's one of the first ones in, last ones to leave. He's just a true profe sional and he's a great guy to work with -- even a better person. We have a lot of fun working together, and we're very fortunate to have him as a leader of our organization."When you start talking about the QB/coach tandems that should frighten opposing teams in the postseason, this one stacks right up with the best of the best.Ability to deal with adversity? Check!San Diego's offensive line is a M.A.S.H. unit right now. Following 's season-ending injury, the have moved on to their fourth center. Yet the offense continues to put points on the board, as the Bolts (26.6 points per game)., I raved about this team's depth at running back. Unfortunately, , and have all suffered injuries since. Enter undrafted rookie , who caught McCoy's eye in training camp with his speed and work ethic -- and because the youngster was constantly picking Rivers' brain LiAngelo Ball Jersey . Sure enough, Oliver stepped in and tormented the on Sunday, providing 182 total yards and two touchdowns in .I loved McCoy's response Sekou Doumbouya Jersey when I asked him about dealing with adversity and the team's character."(When) we first got here last year," McCoy said, "I talked to the coaches, and I told them there's no excuse on Sunday and that's the way it's going to be. We're going to play with who we have."I said, 'Listen, you know we're going to ... over time, we're going to bring people in and everything. The roster's going to change week to week, through the offseason programs, training camp and all this and that. There's going to be injuries during the season. But our job as coaches is to do what our (active) players do best.' And from there, it stems to the players, all last year telling them everybody has an important role on the football team, some bigger than others. Some have some small role. 'Hey, this is your role on the football team.' And it's not even just a football team -- it's the whole entire organization. Making sure everyone understood that their role is important."McCoy then talked about the importance of giving everyone reps in OTAs and training camp, concentrating on having everyone prepared to contribute."We give everyone an opportunity -- 'You're one snap away' -- and when they all believe that, and you talk about the importance of special teams, the way they have to contribute, then it's your job as a coach, once an injury happens, you got to put the next guy in and it's that guy's responsibility, it's his Isaiah Stewart Jersey job to perform," McCoy said. "That's what we try to emphasize to everybody here."It's a formula and an attitude and a way of life that's worked brilliantly for coaches like , and . fans have to be thrilled to hear this -- and to see the results.Defense wins championshipsI'm not ready to call this defense elite. But it's certainly strong -- ranking and -- and getting better."We see 11 guys flying around the field," McCoy said. "We saw it with the dominating performance they had, the way they all played, whether it was stopping the run, good pa s rush, good coverage -- just 11 guys doing what they're supposed to do."Defensive coordinator John Pagano does an excellent job. Just ask McCoy."I think it all comes down to the preparation part of things," McCoy told me. "Coach Pagano and the rest of the staff (have) done a great job of putting plans together. And when you master the plan and understand pre-snap, you understand what's coming before it happens. It all starts with the preparation."Ability to win while playing any style, anywhere? Double check!Remember, San Diego marched into Cincinnati last postseason and that had gone undefeated at home in the regular season. That's a big deal.The opened this season with to a physical team. They bounced back by -- also a big deal. And I was impre sed with their ability to follow up that game by traveling acro s the country and in a hostile environment.If Denver wins the AFC West, as I anticipate, San Diego will have to go on the road in the playoffs. It won't be easy to beat someone like or in such circumstances, but the ' ability to play any style -- with their overall talent and coaching -- puts them in a position to match up favorably with the likes of the , , , and, yes, the .Crystal ballThe AFC is wide open. The season is a long way from being done. in the preseason, and I still Louis King Jersey stand by that take.But the have put the league on notice.Harrison: Power Rankings, Week 6With five weeks in the books, Elliot Harrison rea se ses the NFL pecking order -- starting with a change at the top. They have a star quarterback with diverse weapons in the pa sing attack (don't write the epitaph on veteran tight end quite yet). And the defense makes plays that change games.In the past, San Diego would get losing to inferior teams in unfathomable fashion. No longer. The Bolts impre sively -- by a combined score of 64-14 -- over the past two weeks.This head coach is great. The team's confidence is sky high.And the scary part is the should only get better, as injured players return to health and young players gain experience.It's going to be a fun ride.Follow Adam Schein on Twitter .