1. New England Patriots (12-3) (1) – Only 12 win team in the NFL. Just sayin’.
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-4) (3) – If you’re not afraid of the Seahawks right now, it’s because you’re on the Seahawks.
3. Denver Broncos (11-4) (2) – Yeah, I get it, I’m supposed to think they’re in some kind of funk. I don’t buy it.
4. Green Bay Packers (11-4) (4) – As good as they have looked at times, I don’t trust them in the playoffs.
5. Detroit Lions (11-4) (7) – Can make a very loud statement at Green Bay this Sunday.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) (T-8) – Have won 7 of 9 and are looking very ready for the postseason.
7. Dallas Cowboys (11-4) (10) – Brand new ‘Boys? Still have to prove it in the playoffs.
8. Indianapolis Colts (10-5) (5) – Luck can only take you so far (ya see what I did there?)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4-1) (11) – The Steelers prefer syrup (private joke).
10. Arizona Cardinals (11-4) (6) – It’s a damn shame how fate has screwed the Cardinals this year.
11. San Diego Chargers (9-6) (T-14) – All of a sudden, it’s the Chargers.
12. Baltimore Ravens (9-6) (T-8) – They had it and now they have to wish for Christmas.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) (12) – See what happens when you ignore your problems?
14. Houston Texans (8-7) (17) – And they will themselves into the playoff race
15. Miami Dolphins (8-7) (16) – On balance, a good decision to bring Philbin back. This team was competitive and got close this year.
T-16. Kansas City Chiefs (8-7) (13) – Have dropped four of five and are nearly in free fall.
T-16. Buffalo Bills (8-7) (T-14) – In their defense, the Raiders are kicking ass and taking names at home right now.
18. Carolina Panthers (6-8-1) (24) – The team that couldn’t win suddenly can’t lose.
19. New York Giants (6-9) (22) – They’ll finish under .500, so I guess that means we know who’s winning the Super Bowl next year, right?
20. St. Louis Rams (6-9) (18) – Heard a half-joking rumor that they might be interested in trading for Robert Griffin in the offseason. If they do it, Alanis Morissette is gonna have to write a fourth verse to Ironic.
21. San Francisco 49ers (7-8) (19) – Next year, when everybody claims that the 49ers are falling apart without Jim Harbaugh, remember that they’re a 7 win team with an ancient running back, no receivers and a defense that’s about to lose 4 or 5 players in the offseason. But it’s because of Harbaugh, because, they said.
22. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) (25) – Big deal you beat the Saints in New Orleans. EVERYBODY does that.
23. Cleveland Browns (7-8) (20) – Congrats to the Browns. They’ve gotten zero information on Johnny Manziel, they didn’t win squat with Brian Hoyer, and now they have neither.
24. Minnesota Vikings (6-9) (21) – A big key to this season? They’ve gone winless in division.
25. New Orleans Saints (6-9) (23) – They’ve been so horrible this season, I kind of expect to see a bloody hand come out of the turf now that they’ve been eliminated.
26. Oakland Raiders (3-12) (29) – Of all the cellar dwellers, their situation seems the best.
27. Chicago Bears (5-10) (26) – Free to a good home. One Cutler. Slightly used. Not good with children or teammates. Requires special handling. Brandon Marshall not included.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) (30) – Before anything else, fix that o-line before you break your shiny new quarterback.
29. Washington RacialSlurs (4-11) (31) – The good news: RGIII can be redeemed. The bad news: Jay Gruden is an idiot too.
30. New York Jets (3-12) (27) – Interesting: Rex Ryan’s next job. Not interesting: Geno Smith’s next press conference.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-13) – (to the tune of Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off) You say Jameis, I say Jamias. You say Mariota, I say Mariotta. Jameis, Jamias, Mariota, Mariotta, we get a new Q B!
32. Tennessee Titans (2-13) – Just like Tampa, bottom 2 in a 2-quarterback draft is a good place to be.
(Won-Loss Record and Last Week’s Ranking in parentheses)