(Won-Loss Record and Last Week’s Ranking in parentheses)
1. Seattle Seahawks (9-1) (1) – They’re gonna be hard to catch.
2. Denver Broncos (8-1) (2) – Are they playing possum with Peyton’s injury?
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) (3) – Andy Reid’s record coming off a bye is about to get put the most severe test ever.
4. New Orleans Saints (7-2) (4) – Brutal end of season schedule is both challenge and opportunity.
T-5. New England Patriots (7-2) (7) – Can they stop Carolina?
T-5. Carolina Panthers (6-3) (10) – Are they for real enough for you now?
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) (4) – And now New Orleans? This team is suddenly in crisis mode.
T-8. Indianapolis Colts (6-3) (5) – Call it a breather.
T-8. Detroit Lions (6-3) (9) – With their remaining schedule, no excuse not to take the division.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) (8) – Still comfortably in front, but can’t slip up vs. Cleveland.
11. Chicago Bears (5-4) (11) – Quarterback Shmuarterback. The defense is the problem.
12. Green Bay Packers (5-4) (12) – Hey guys, can I play quarterback next?
13. Arizona Cardinals (5-4) (16) – They own tiebreakers with Detroit and Carolina. Just sayin.
14. New York Jets (5-4) (14) – So is this a good week or a bad week?
15. Dallas Cowboys (5-5) (13) – Relax. They’re still gonna win the East.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) – Are you buying Nick Foles? I don’t think I am.
17. San Diego Chargers (4-5) (15) – Can still make a run in the West, but do they have the juice?
18. Cleveland Browns (4-5) (19) – If you’re the Browns, season starts Sunday.
19. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) (21) – Not too late to get back in it.
20. Miami Dolphins (4-5) (17) – They’re an ungodly mess.
21. Tennessee Titans (4-5) (18) – They coulda been a contender they coulda been somebody.
22. New York Giants (3-6) (27) – They’re still talking playoffs. I’m not kidding.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) (28) – They’re not talking at all.
24. Washington Redskins (3-6) (22) – This is hard to achieve, but they are really are the worst team in the NFC East.
25. Oakland Raiders (3-6) (23) – Time to start thinking about next year.
26. St. Louis Rams (4-6) (29) – Credit Jeff Fisher. This team is still fighting.
27. Buffalo Bills (3-7) (24) – Have lost 5 of last 6.
28. Minnesota Vikings (2-7) (30) – They’re still in the QB market.
29. Atlanta Falcons (2-7) (25) – It’s a shame to watch Tony Gonzalez have to play on this shell of a team.
30. Houston Texans (2-7) (26) – Blow it up. You know who to build around.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) (31) – The only team that gets better the more guys get hurt.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) (32) – Minus 176 point differential is still almost 100 points worse than next worst team.
