TEAM

1. Tennessee Titans (12-1)

Both runningbacks looked dominant again. They make the Thunder and Lightning combo of Barber and Dayne look like a light drizzle.

2. NY Giants (11-2)

With Brandon Jacobs out of the game, the Giants just were not able to control the clock as well as they have all season. After watching Hixon today, they are going to miss Plaxico more than people think.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

Would have won by even more if they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot on multiple possessions in the first half. That defense is just scary good.

4. Carolina Panthers (10-3)

A statement win against a team that blew them out earlier in the season. They let up a bit at the end, but they are definitely playing well at the right time.

5. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

Their schedule just seems to get easier and easier as it goes on. Looks like we’ll be able to see in the playoffs whether they are for real or just the product of a soft late season.

6. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-4)

Still sitting in decent position even after the Monday night loss. And what a game (and catch) for Antonio Bryant. If he can get consistant, it would be a huge benefit.

7. Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

Granted Clinton Portis was banged up, but they just manhandled the Redskins. Even when Joe Flacco doesn’t play well, he just seems to lead this team to victories.

8. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

This is a very banged up team right now. They had to take on Pitt without Barber and with Ware hurt and the secondary banged up. They had the lead, but just collapsed late.

9. Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

Clinched their first division title in what seems like a lifetime with a throttling of the Rams. With that offense they are going to be fun to watch and a real danger to play in January.

10. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Had a chance to solidify a playoff berth, but fell short against the number one offense in the Saints. They can still get in, but the defense is going to need to step up.

11. Minnesota Vikings (8-5)

Tavaris Jackson was very impressive in relief of Gus Frerrote. It’s still too much to expect that he’ll finally realize his potential, but wouldn’t that be nice for Minnesota.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1)

Beat the Giants all over the field all game. They didn’t score nearly as many points as they could have, but with the Philly defense of old out on the field, they didn’t need to.

13. NY Jets (8-5)

Looking more and more like the team that I never expected to make the playoffs. The more they lose and the more guys like Coles start talking trash, the more you question this team.

14. New England Patriots (8-5)

Needed a fourth quarter comeback to barely survive the two-win Seattle Seahakws. It doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Neither does their lack of a rushing attack.

15. Miami Dolphins (8-5)

Didn’t look pretty, but they kept their strong playoff hopes alive by besting the slumping Bills. They need that rushing attack to stay strong if they have any chance.

16. New Orleans Saints(7-6)

A huge victory over the Falcons. With Reggie Bush coming back and Pierre Thomas showing flashes of talent, they seem to keep stockpiling weapons on offense.

17. Denver Broncos (8-5)

They won the game and moved farther ahead in the division, but likely lost Peyton Hillis for the season. They can’t possibly have anybody else to run the football, can they?

18. Washington Redskins (7-6)

Without Portis this team just doesn’t function like it should. He toughed it out and played hurt, but he just wasn’t the same back, and they are not the same team.

19. Chicago Bears (7-6)

Another team to take advantage of Jacksonville’s dysfunction. But if they stand any chance of making the playoffs Matt Forte needs to show that he hasn’t hit a rookie wall.

20. Houston Texans (6-7)

It’s too little too late, but they are certainly playing like a playoff caliber team right now. With that defense and Shaub, Slaton and Johnson on offense, they have a strong core moving forward.

21. GB Packers (5-8)

If you didn’t think the blame went to the defense before, it sure seems obvious today after allowing over 400 yards passing to Shaub and the Texans.

22. SD Chargers (5-8)

Perfect week for the Raiders to show up on the schedule. LT may look like that ankle cost him a step, but Darren Sproles sure isn’t hurting for speed. He is an exciting player.

23. Buffalo Bills (6-7)

Another lifeless performance by the offense. Edwards was out and Losman couldn’t complete anything, but Lynch barely had 30 yards. Where’s the excuse for that?

24. SF 49ers (5-8)

It’s sad that they waited this long to play like they have a pulse. Hill is making a case to be the starting QB next year, but he’s more of a stop-gap than a true NFL starter.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)

Another week and another game that the Jaguars looked like it was the first year as an expansion team. They need to do some serious restructuring next year.

26. Cleveland Browns (4-9)

They have no healthy QB and a run defense that has not played up to their salaries. All that is a recipe for a terribly unproductive season.

27. Oakland Raiders (3-10)

When you watch JaMarcus Russell get lit up behind that make-shift line all you can think about is David Carr early on with the Texans. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up the same way.

28. Seattle Seahawks (2-12)

They had the Patriots down and out, until the fourth quarter. Seneca Wallace did all he could to lead that team to victory, but somebody needs to help.

29. KC Chiefs (2-10)

Another game and another blown lead for the Kansas City Chiefs. Sure they keep playing hard, but they need to prove they can win every now and then.

30. St. Louis Rams (2-11)

It seems like a long time ago that they won two games in a row and showed some signs of a pulse. It’s gonna be another early pick for the Rams in April’s draft.

31. Cincinnati Bengals (1-11-1)

Another week, another blowout for the Bengals. They can’t score on anybody and they can’t stop anybody from scoring. I have no idea why Carson Palmer is fighting to come back.

32. Detroit Lions (0-13)

Daunte Culepper looked a little bit like the QB of old and Calvin Johnson stayed hot, but they couldn’t close out another game where they had a late lead.