1. Denver Broncos (4-1) (2) – What’s remarkable is that 7 of their first 8 games are against playoff caliber teams.
2. San Diego Chargers (5-1) (3) – A stumble, but not a fall.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-2) (4) – Why is Ray McDonald still playing?
4. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) (4) – Four in a row and starting to get that look.
5. Seattle Seahawks (3-2) (1) – If they played Dallas again this week, in Dallas, I’d take them and give points.
6. New England Patriots (4-2) (7) – Remember when they were completely done…two weeks ago?
7. Arizona Cardinals (4-1) (8) – All alone atop the NFL’s toughest division.
8. Green Bay Packers (4-2) (9) – They have two things going for them – Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the NFC North is a bunch of screw ups.
T-9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1) (6) – Falling fast.
T-9. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) (10) – Looking convincingly good.
T-11. Dallas Cowboys (5-1) (14) – I’m not sold. Not yet.
T-11. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) (12) – Let’s see the defense do that trick twice.
13. New Orleans Saints (2-3) (11) – End of the line – they have used up all their Mulligans.
T-14. Carolina Panthers (3-2-1) (13) – Smoke and mirrors?
T-14. Detroit Lions (4-2) (14) – I don’t trust this team. Not at all. Not even with how good that defense is playing.
16. Chicago Bears (3-3) (19) – Season saver (temporary).
17. New York Giants (3-3) (16) – Upset special, coming right up.
18. Cleveland Browns (3-2) (22) – I guess they’re just part of that whole “Cleveland Renaissance” thing. I’m waiting for LeBron to buy an NHL team and bring back the Cleveland Barons.
19. Houston Texans (3-3) (17) – J.J. Watt and 21 guys who aren’t J.J. Watt.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) (17) – If you remember the last time the Steelers got hog tied and spanked like that, you’re probably older than me.
21. Buffalo Bills (3-3) (20) – They’re not better than their record, but they’re not worse either.
22. Miami Dolphins (2-3) (21) – Can’t establish momentum.
23. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) (24) – Could turn a lot of heads with a win this week.
24. Atlanta Falcons (2-4) (22) – They’re not a good team playing bad; they’re a bad team playing.
25. Minnesota Vikings (2-4) (25) – Learning experience.
26. New York Jets (1-5) (26) – Someone tell Geno Smith to STFU.
27. Washington RacialSlurs (1-5) (27) – Good news, they might win this week (vs. Tennessee)
28. St Louis Rams (1-4) (28) – Marking time to the rebuild.
29. Tennessee Titans (2-4) (30) – They ONLY beat Jacksonville, in their own building, because Jacksonville’s kicker missed a gimme field goal.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) (29) – Owners of the two worst blowout losses of the season. Way to go guys.
31. Oakland Raiders (0-5) (31) – Signs of life.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6) (32) – The classic “they haven’t learned how to win” story.
(Won-Loss Record and Last Week’s Ranking in parentheses)