| Rank |
Up/Down |
Record |
Team |
| 1 |
1 |
11-2 |
New England – With two straight blowout wins over great teams in the Jets and Bears, it is looking more and more like the Patriots are in a league of their own. If the defense continues to play at this level, New England won’t be stopped. |
| 2 |
1 |
11-2 |
Atlanta – Didn’t do anything to “deserve” getting bumped down, but they don’t quite have the style points New England does. Still, this is the team to beat in the NFC at this point. |
| 3 |
– |
10-3 |
Pittsburgh – Defense continues to shine, and have an inside track to a first round bye with NYJ, Car, and @Cle. |
| 4 |
– |
10-3 |
New Orleans – Six game winning streak, but since PIttsburgh it’s been five straight against sub-.500 teams. Brutal road trip at Baltimore and Atlanta will let us know how real this year’s Saints squad is. |
| 5 |
– |
9-4 |
Baltimore – Defense let Houston back into the game Monday night, but eventually sealed the deal with a pick-six. Nice tune-up for the playoffs upcoming this week with New Orleans coming to town. |
| 6 |
2 |
9-4 |
Philadelphia – The Eagles could all but lock up the NFC East with a win at New York, as well as make another statement heading into the playoffs. |
| 7 |
3 |
9-4 |
NY Giants – Losing Steve Smith for the season hurts, but the Giants have depth at WR. The defense will need to be at its best to pick up the win against the Eagles this week and take over the division lead. |
| 8 |
1 |
9-4 |
Chicago – Deflating loss in the snow to the Patriots, but Green Bay didn’t gain any ground. The NFC North is still theirs to lose. |
| 9 |
3 |
9-4 |
NY Jets – Eight straight quarters without a touchdown, and the Jets have totally lost their swagger. Another loss at Pittsburgh this week would make three straight, not exactly the way you want to be playing in December. |
| 10 |
1 |
8-5 |
Green Bay – Aaron Rodgers injury is devastating, as is inexcusable loss to the Lions; playoff chances got a lot hazier with this loss and New England looming. |
| 11 |
1 |
8-5 |
Jacksonville – Big win over Raiders keeps playoff hopes alive; can the Jags shock the football world again and beat Indianapolis in Indy this time to seal the deal? |
| 12 |
2 |
8-5 |
Tampa Bay – Sure, they still haven’t beaten anyone of substance; but the Bucs keep winning, and could find themselves in that wild card spot with home wins over Detroit and Seattle. |
| 13 |
3 |
7-6 |
San Diego – Where was this team against Oakland? If San Diego wins out, they make the playoffs with one more Kansas City loss. |
| 14 |
1 |
7-6 |
Indianapolis – Peyton Manning looks a lot like his old self in mistake-free win over Tennessee. With a win over Jacksonville, the Colts will be back in position to take the AFC South; a loss spells season’s end. |
| 15 |
4 |
8-5 |
Kansas City – Very ugly loss, but the Chiefs still control their own destiny, and winning out isn’t out of the question with @StL, Ten, and Oak remaining. Will the Chiefs thrive or crumble under pressure? Getting Matt Cassel back sooner than later is key. |
| 16 |
2 |
7-6 |
Miami – The Dolphins continue to boggle my mind. Lose to Cleveland, then win at New York? Okay then… I suppose we should expect a loss at home against Buffalo? |
| 17 |
4 |
6-7 |
Oakland – Gut check time in Jacksonville, and the defense forgot to show up in the second half. Playoff hopes all but ended Sunday, but a chance to get back to stay undefeated in the division this week against Denver. |
| 18 |
1 |
6-7 |
St. Louis – Blowout loss isn’t all that surprising against a team like New Orleans. Back at home against the Chiefs who also desperately need a win, how will the Rams respond? |
| 19 |
– |
5-8 |
Houston – Valiant effort to force overtime on Baltimore, but the offense falls short this time. Considering the quick start to the season, it is a major disappointment to be out of the running at this point. |
| 20 |
3 |
4-9 |
Dallas – The Cowboys continue to play respectable football under Jason Garrett, but fall short against the tough Eagles. |
| 21 |
– |
5-8 |
Cleveland – Follow up a nice win over Miami with a dud at Buffalo; team has taken strides this season, but clearly isn’t there yet. |
| 22 |
2 |
5-8 |
Tennessee – Hard to believe they are moving up the board considering they’ve lost six straight, but strong effort against Indianapolis shows the team hasn’t totally given up on Jeff Fisher yet. |
| 23 |
3 |
6-7 |
Seattle – Not a football team that can play well on the road. Venue may not matter with daunting task of taking on Atlanta this week. |
| 24 |
1 |
5-8 |
Washington – Blocked extra point that would have sent the game to overtime with Tampa Bay? Yep, that about sums up this season for the Redskins. |
| 25 |
1 |
5-8 |
San Francisco – Blowout win over Seattle (amazingly) keeps their playoff hopes alive; only to likely be crushed Thursday night at San Diego. |
| 26 |
4 |
5-8 |
Minnesota – Brett Favre’s amazing streak of 297 straight starts comes to an end, as does the tiny outside chance the most optimistic Vikings fans may have been holding on to that this team makes the playoffs. |
| 27 |
2 |
3-10 |
Detroit – Stunning win over Green Bay a HUGE step for this young team learning how to win, and just might cost their division rivals a playoff spot. |
| 28 |
– |
3-10 |
Buffalo – Over Buffalo’s last eight games, the Bills are 3-5, and four of the five losses have been by just a field goal. Impressive run for a team that looked hopeless through their first five games. |
| 29 |
1 |
4-9 |
Arizona – Not only does Arizona finally break their long losing streak, but they do it in blowout fashion. Good show; but it’s only Denver. |
| 30 |
3 |
3-10 |
Denver – Broncos will be lucky to pick up another win with @Oak, Hou, and SD remaining. |
| 31 |
– |
2-11 |
Cincinnati – With San Diego and Baltimore looming, the Bengals NEED a win this week against Cleveland if they want to break this long losing streak. |
| 32 |
– |
1-12 |
Carolina – Home game against Arizona is a winnable game for this group, and they could certainly use it. |
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