1. Indianapolis (8-0, Last week’s ranking: 2) – What Marvin Harrison proved against New England is that he’s far and away the best wide receiver in the league. His acrobatic four-yard end zone catch was a thing of beauty and he understands the position the way Peyton Manning soaks up his quarterback duties.
2. Denver (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 5) – The Broncos recovered nicely from their disheartening defeat to the Colts in Week 8. Despite the Steelers’ struggles, winning at Heinz Field is always tough and the Broncos did it in impressive fashion.
3. Chicago (7-1, Last week’s ranking: 1) – Can we finally stop comparing this team to the ‘85 Bears? That team would never had lost to this year’s Miami Dolphins or allow a large margin of defeat to such a pedestrian offense.
4. New England (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 3) – There is no way you can commit five turnovers against Indianapolis and hope to win. While the Patriots had an opportunity to tie the game at the end, the mistakes were simply too many to overcome.
5. San Diego (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 6) – It must be nice to be Philip Rivers these days. The passing game struggles and you have a player like LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored three touchdowns in the second half against the Browns, to bail you out at the drop of a hat.
6. N.Y. Giants (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 4) – The Giants have a firm grasp of first place in the NFC East but that could change. Injuries to defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora have to be a concern for the G-Men.
7. Baltimore (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 8) – The Ravens have to love the position they find themselves in. Not only are the Ravens tops in the AFC North, but they face the easiest schedule in the NFL the rest of the way.
8. New Orleans (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 9) – Do you think Dolphins head coach Nick Saban is regretting the decision to pass on Drew Brees in the off-season. Brees’s 95.2 quarterback rating ranks sixth in the league while picking apart some pretty solid secondaries along the way.
9. Atlanta (5-3, Last week’s ranking: 7) – Look, I know the Falcons are excited about Michael Vick’s new-found accuracy, but running only 26 times against the Lions was their undoing. That’s simply not enough for the best running attack in the league.
10. Jacksonville (5-3, Last week’s ranking: 15) – Head coach Jack Del Rio is being too diplomatic for his own good. Trust me; if David Garrard continues to play winning football then Byron Leftwich won’t see the field again this season.
11. Kansas City (5-3, Last week’s ranking: 14) – What’s been lost in the Damon Huard-Trent Green situation is the Chiefs’ improved rushing attack. After a slow start, Larry Johnson ranks third in rushing (819) and second in touchdowns (9).
12. Seattle (5-3, Last week’s ranking: 13) – Forget about the Seahawks’ win over the Raiders, Seneca Wallace’s big test takes place against the Rams this Sunday.
13. Cincinnati (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 10) – I wonder who Chad Johnson will blame if he doesn’t get his catches when the Bengals host San Diego?
14. Dallas (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 11) – The Cowboys can only blame themselves for that debacle in Washington. It also amazes me that some are actually blaming Mike Vanderjagt for that blocked kick. Had Marc Colombo actually taken care of Troy Vincent like he was supposed to, Vanderjagt could’ve made that kick.
15. Carolina (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 16) – I’m sure offensive coordinator Dan Henning tried to figure out how to improve on the 23rd ranked offense during Carolina’s bye week.
16. Minnesota (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 12) – We all knew Minnesota’s deficiencies on offense, but scoring only three points against the 49ers? You’ve got to be kidding.
17. Philadelphia (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 17) – Can the Eagles get their offense going against the Redskins? The answer should be yes, but the then again, the Eagles haven’t exactly been an offensive juggernaut lately.
18. St. Louis (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 18) – The only reason the Rams are still contending in the NFC West is because of Seattle’s injury problems.
19. N.Y. Jets (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 19) – I imagine the Jets were paying close attention as to how the Colts took advantage of New England’s susceptible secondary.
20. Washington (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 23) – Sean Taylor gets full marks for picking up the blocked punt and getting the Redskins into field goal range against the Cowboys.
21. San Francisco (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 24) – San Francisco’s performance against the Vikings came out of nowhere. If anyone can explain to me how the 49ers were able to hold Minnesota to just three points then please let me know.
22. Buffalo (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 25) – LB London Fletcher has as many touchdowns (1) as Josh Reed and Peerless Price.
23. Green Bay (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 20) – It’s hard to figure how unglued the Packers become when Brett Favre throws a couple of interceptions.
24. Pittsburgh (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 21) – You can officially stick the fork in the Steelers.
25. Tampa Bay (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 22) – The Bucs defense looks like a shadow of its past dominance.
26. Miami (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 31) – This is the way I expected the Dolphins to play at the beginning of the season, not when the playoffs are already out of reach.
27. Tennessee (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Vince Young can expect some more dismal efforts before the Titans turn things around.
28. Detroit (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 30) – Can Matt Millen rope ownership into another contract extension based the Lions’ win over Atlanta? I’m sure he’ll try.
29. Cleveland (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 28) – The Browns did put up a fight against the Chargers but moral victories won’t keep Romeo Crennel employed if the team remains perennial losers.
30. Oakland (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 27) – I’ve seen some hideous offensive lines in my time but that Oakland unit takes the cake. Just ask quarterback Andrew Walter. The Raiders have allowed 44 sacks through the first eight games. The Browns are next at 29.
31. Houston (2-6, Last week’s ranking: 29) – At least David Carr isn’t the most sacked quarterback in the league this year.
32. Arizona (1-7, Last week’s ranking: 32) – Only seven more weeks go and it’ll all be over, Dennis Green.