| Rnk | LW | Team | Record | Comments |
| 1. | 2. | New England Patriots | 11-2 | Riding a 9 game winning streak despite a lack of individual difference makers in the lineup. Continue to win by spreading the ball around through the air on offense and with stellar play from just about everyone on defense. |
| 2. | 3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 10-3 | The top 2 teams in this weeks rankings have combined to win 17 straight. The Eagles and Patriots are actually very similar teams. Pro Bowl caliber QBs surrounded by a deep if somewhat unspectacular supporting cast. Maybe that is the wave of the future. Instead of spending big on a small core of superstars, spread the money around to foster competition and create depth. |
| 3. | 5. | Indianapolis Colts | 10-3 | Delivered a knockout blow to the Titans. Dungy and Manning still need to prove themselves on the playoff stage. |
| 4. | 6. | St. Louis Rams | 10-3 | Desperately need to get home field advantage in the playoffs to avoid Philadelphia in January. |
| 5. | 1. | Kansas City Chiefs | 11-2 | In big trouble if they must play a top RB in the playoffs. |
| 6. | 4. | Tennessee Titans | 9-4 | Made things very tough on themselves by losing the last 2 weeks. Will now have the unenviable task of winning 3 road playoff games to get to the Super Bowl. |
| 7. | 12. | Denver Broncos | 8-5 | Plummer has been an upgrade, but the key to playing QB in Denver is handing the ball to Portis and getting out of the way. |
| 8. | 13. | Baltimore Ravens | 8-5 | Now in firm control of the AFC North. Hard to envision a team led by Wright getting too far in the playoffs. Even with this defense. |
| 9. | 7. | Miami Dolphins | 8-5 | Wannstedt probably needs to win 2 games in December to make the playoffs and keep his job. I have a feeling that he will be looking for work come January. |
| 10. | 8. | Seattle Seahawks | 8-5 | Have now lost 5 straight on the road. Probably need to win in St. Louis or San Fransisco to make the playoffs and save Holmgren's job. Then again, with the Cowboys fading and the Vikings not playing particularly great football a 9 win team could get a wildcard in the NFC. |
| 11. | 10. | Carolina Panthers | 8-5 | Were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time on Sunday night with Vick returning to the lineup in Atlanta. No reason to panic though..... Still have a 2 game lead for the division with Arizona, Detriot, and the Giants remaining on the schedule. |
| 12. | 14. | Green Bay Packers | 7-6 | A game behind for both the division and a wildcard. Have a legitimate shot to catch one from among the struggling Vikings, Seahawks, and Cowboys. |
| 13. | 15. | Minnesota Vikings | 8-5 | Not sure how much stock to put in a home win over a Seahawks team that has struggled away from Seattle. Lets see how things go this week outside on grass in Chicago. |
| 14. | 9. | Dallas Cowboys | 8-5 | Early season surge now seems to be more a function of a really easy schedule than a Parcells inspired miracle. |
| 15. | 11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 7-6 | Kitna picked the wrong time to start turning the ball over again. |
| 16. | 18. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-7 | Finally managed to beat the Saints after losing 3 straight to their division rival. Of course the win was too little, too late. The defense can take a bit of added solice from ending McAlister's run of 100 yard games. |
| 17. | 19. | San Fransisco 49ers | 6-7 | I thought starting Garcia over Rattay was a mistake. For at least a week I couldn't have been more wrong. |
| 18. | 21. | Buffalo Bills | 6-7 | Williams may save his job yet with late season push. |
| 19. | 16. | New Orleans Saints | 6-7 | Have had as much trouble winning in December under Haslett as the Dolphins have had under Wannstedt. |
| 20. | 24. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-8 | Bettis deserves some kudos for his long, distinguished career. This weekend he passed Thomas to move into 9th in NFL career rushing. He needs only 5 yards to surpass Steeler legend Harris and move into 8th all time. Bettis will probably not be back and even if he does return should not be considered more than a veteran insurance policy. If his career in black and gold is almost over the schedule suggests he could go out with a bang. The Jets and Chargers are on tap before facing the Ravens to close out the season. Could Bettis string together 3 straight 100 yard games before the trip to Baltimore? Possible. |
| 21. | 17. | New York Jets | 5-8 | Pennington has toughness and leadership skills, but his lack of arm strength is a major issue on blustery days. |
| 22. | 27. | Washington Redskins | 5-8 | Showed some life by beating a team that had already quit on the season. A win over the Giants is nothing to write home about, but at least Spurrier still has them playing hard. |
| 23. | 20. | Houston Texans | 5-8 | Not the same team with Ragone and Hollings forced into action due to injuries to Carr and Davis. That really shouldn't come as much of a shock. |
| 24. | 22. | Chicago Bears | 5-8 | Outside shot at a playoff spot was sabotaged by Stewart reverted to the form that got him run out of Pittsburgh. |
| 25. | 28. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-9 | Del Rio seems to be on the right track. |
| 26. | 30. | Atlanta Falcons | 3-10 | Firing of Reeves was not a surprise, although the timing was rather curious. Coming off a primetime win against a legitimate playoff contender in Vick's return to the starting lineup. |
| 27. | 25. | Cleveland Browns | 4-9 | How stupid do you think Davis feels for drafting Green over Portis, a player he recruited to Miami? |
| 28. | 32. | San Diego Chargers | 3-10 | Plan to give Brees an opportunity down the stretch depite Flutie's solid play to determine whether they need to spend a draft pick on Manning or Roethlisberger. |
| 29. | 23. | Detriot Lions | 4-9 | Injuries to Stewart, Rogers, and Hakim have made it very tough on Harrington. |
| 30. | 26. | New York Giants | 4-9 | Have lost their last two games at home by a combined score of 44-14 against the less than imposing Bills and Redskins. |
| 31. | 29. | Oakland Raiders | 3-10 | Could be forced to start Rob Johnson against the Ravens. What is the record for most sacks allowed in a single game? |
| 32. | 31. | Arizona Cardinals | 3-10 | Losers of 5 straight have been outscored 387 to 180 on the season. Expect Fassel to be given the opportunity to try to turn around this moribund franchise after he is fired by the Giants. |