1. San Diego (12-2, Last week’s ranking: 1) – I’d like to talk about other players on this team but LaDainian Tomlinson seems to break records every week he plays. It’s one thing for Tomlinson to perform with the offence going well, but when it struggles and he still gains almost 200 yards in rushing, then there’s nothing more I can say.
2. Baltimore (11-3, Last week’s ranking: 2) – Ravens fans mush have gone ballistic when QB Steve McNair’s hand was stepped on, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game against Cleveland. However, McNair appears to be fine, keeping the Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations in tact.
3. Chicago (12-2, Last week’s ranking: 4) – This is the first time where I concede the offense picked up the slack for an off week by the defense. How the Bucs put up 31 points against the Bears, however, remains a mystery.
4. Indianapolis (11-3, Last week’s ranking: 5) – The Colts’ outlook would be a whole lot better if the performance by DE Dwight Freeney (three sacks, three forced fumbles against the Bengal) continues.
5. New Orleans (9-5, Last week’s ranking: 3) – Drew Brees and company must have been reading too many of their press clippings last week. How else do you explain the baffling performance the Saints displayed against the Redskins one week before their rout of Cowboys?
6. Dallas (9-5, Last week’s ranking: 7) – So Marion Barber is the running back Bill Parcells puts in when the game is on the line and the second-year tailback delivers in a big way. And again I wonder why this kid is not starting.
7. New England (10-4, Last week’s ranking: 8) – The Patriots finally go without committing a turnover and not surprisingly come out on top against the Texans. However, I’m still not convinced this team can maintain that kind of consistency as the playoffs approach.
8. Cincinnati (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 6) – I didn’t expect the Bengals to beat Indianapolis, but Carson Palmer throwing for only 176 yards is hard to digest, especially with two inexperienced safeties patrolling the middle.
9. Philadelphia (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 13) – At 33, Brian Dawkins remains one of the best safeties in the NFL. His 12 tackles against the Giants proves that point.
10. N.Y. Jets (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 15) – What was more impressive than Chad Pennington’s 399 yards against the Vikings was the Jets’ third straight road win. They won’t be an easy out if they make the post-season.
11. Denver (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 17) – That 54-yard rope to Javon Walker that Jay Cutler unleashed looked a lot like the old John Elway – didn’t it?
12. Tennessee (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 14) – The Titans’ defense deserves all the credit for the team’s win against Jacksonville. Scoring three defensive touchdowns shows the Titans are more than just Vince Young and a running game.
13. Jacksonville (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 9) – I’ve given up trying to figure out the Jaguars. One week they’re running all over the Colts and the next game they can seem to hold on to the ball.
14. Seattle (8-6, Last week’s ranking: 10) – I know the 49ers are an improving team, but losing twice to them doesn’t make this year’s edition of the Seahawks anything to write home about.
15. Pittsburgh (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 19) – So the defense finally put back-to-back solid outings. Where was that kind of effort when the Steelers’ needed it most?
16. N.Y. Giants (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 11) – Tom Coughlin has definitely lost his player and it’s hard to imagine the grouchy coach returning under any circumstances.
17. Atlanta (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 12) – Jim Mora Jr. picked the wrong time to attempt future employment humor. I don’t think owner Arthur Blank is too happy right about now.
18. Kansas City (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 16) – I don’t understand why Larry Johnson carried the ball only 19 times against the Chargers, considering he was averaging 4.4 yards a rush.
19. Buffalo (7-7, Last week’s ranking: 21) – The Bills’ defense limited the Dolphins to 212 yards in another impressive showing by a solid unit.
20. Miami (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 18) – The Dolphins benched Joey Harrington for Cleo Lemon in the fourth quarter. Is there any surprise they were shutout by the Bills?
21. San Francisco (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 25) – Don’t look now, but Frank Gore ranks third in league rushing.
22. St. Louis (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 23) – Steven Jackson is proving to be quite the workhorse for the Rams. Not a bad player to build around for the declining Rams.
23. Green Bay (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 24) – It looks like Brett Favre will reach 5,000 completion for his career by the end of this season. Too bad his year won’t extend into the playoffs.
24. Minnesota (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 20) – Now that Brad Johnson is officially out as Vikings QB, coach Brad Childress will be measured on how he develops rookie Tarvaris Jackson.
25. Washington (5-9, Last week’s ranking: 27) – Cornerback Carlos Rogers had quite the fourth quarter against Drew Brees and the Saints. An interception and a pass breakup in the end zone on the Saints’ final play should be encouraging to the former first-round pick.
26. Carolina (6-8, Last week’s ranking: 22) – Could Jake Delhomme’s job really be in jeopardy.
27. Arizona (4-10, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Arizona's Anquan Boldin reached the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in his four-year NFL career and yet the Cardinals still haven’t improved during that stretch.
28. Cleveland (4-10, Last week’s ranking: 28) – Turnovers were the only reason why the Browns kept close to Baltimore.
29. Houston (4-10, Last week’s ranking: 29) – Do the Texans have enough guts to pass on a top caliber QB during this year’s draft?
30. Tampa Bay (3-11, Last week’s ranking: 30) – Taking the Bears into overtime just might be the highlight in an otherwise miserable season for the Bucs.
31. Oakland (2-12, Last week’s ranking: 31) – The look on Warren Sapp’s face after a seventh straight loss by the Raiders says it all.
32. Detroit (2-12, Last week’s ranking: 32) – Matt Millen must have some incriminating pictures of the Ford family for him to remain employed with the Lions.