1. San Diego (14-2, Last week’s ranking: 1) – I’m sure San Diego fans are wondering if Philip Rivers can lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl in his first year as the starting quarterback. We’ll all find out soon enough.
2. Baltimore (13-3, Last week’s ranking: 2) – Despite the improved play at quarterback this season with the addition of Steve McNair, the defense will dictate how far this team goes in the post-season.
3. New England (12-4, Last week’s ranking: 5) – Rodney Harrison’s sprained MCL against the Titans means the Patriots will be without one of their best defenders when they host the Jets.
4. Chicago (14-2, Last week’s ranking: 3) – Facing quarterback problems with their first playoff game only two weeks away isn’t what the Bears need right now. This is probably the most fragile 14-2 team in recent memory.
5. New Orleans (10-6, Last week’s ranking: 4) – Wouldn’t you just love to watch Chargers GM A.J. Smith handle Super Bowl week if a Drew Brees and Philip Rivers matchup materializes?
6. Indianapolis (12-4, Last week’s ranking: 6) – Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis and LaDainian Tomlinson. Who are the three likely running backs the Colts will have to overcome if they hope to make a playoff run? Considering their porous run defense, that run seems far-fetched.
7. Philadelphia (10-6, Last week’s ranking: 7) – Several weeks ago, the Eagles looked banged up and defeated. Today, they’re the hottest team in the NFC.
8. N.Y. Jets (10-6, Last week’s ranking: 10) – If anyone can devise a plan to beat the New England Patriots it’s Jets head coach Eric Mangini.
9. Seattle (9-7, Last week’s ranking: 13) – As much as the Seahawks’ offense has been struggling this year, the Cowboys have to be a welcomed sight. Forget about Shaun Alexander, the Cowboys would be hard pressed to stop a Pop Warner running back at this point.
10. Kansas City (9-7, Last week’s ranking: 14) – It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Larry Johnson carry the ball more than 40 times against the Colts.
11. Dallas (9-7, Last week’s ranking: 8) – Unless the Cowboys go on an improbable winning streak in the playoffs, Bill Parcells’ four-year tenure in Dallas has been a complete waist.
12. N.Y. Giants (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 16) – It’s Tiki Barber or bust for the Giants. The team simply can’t rely on Eli Manning this year.
13. Tennessee (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 11) – The Titans have to be thrilled with the promise of this team in the coming years. Who would’ve thought that to be possible four months ago?
14. Denver (9-7, Last week’s ranking: 13) – When a sudden tragedy such as the Darrent Williams drive-by murder occurs, missing the playoffs should be the farthest thing from any fan of the Broncos.
15. Pittsburgh (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 21) – If this was Bill Cowher’s last season with the Steelers, he leaves the team in a good shape for the new head coach despite a non-playoff year.
16. Cincinnati (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 12) – Maybe less time in the slammer and more time on the football field next season will get the Bengals into the post-season. I’m not sure how much longer Mike Brown will tolerate that kind of behavior Marvin Lewis?
17. Jacksonville (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 15) – Don’t panic if Fred Taylor decides he wants out of Jacksonville Jack Del Rio because Maurice Jones-Drew appears to be the real deal.
18. St. Louis (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 20) – Imagine what kind of a season the Rams could’ve had if their defense ranked higher than 23rd.
19. Buffalo (7-9, Last week’s ranking: 17) – While he’s been a bit overrated as a cover corner during his career, Nate Clements will still be missed when he signs with another team in the off-season.
20. Carolina (8-8, Last week’s ranking: 22) – Forget about the .500 record, the Panthers were a wreck from the first week of the season.
21. Atlanta (7-9, Last week’s ranking: 18) – If you count Wade Phillips’ interim tenure in 2003, Michael Vick has gone through three head coaches in six years.
22. Green Bay (7-9, Last week’s ranking: 19) – If this was Brett Favre’s final hurrah then he certainly went out on a high note.
23. San Francisco (7-9, Last week’s ranking: 24) – The win against the Broncos proves Mike Nolan can motivate this team under any circumstances.
24. Miami (6-10, Last week’s ranking: 23) – With or without Nick Saban, the Dolphins remain a team without a franchise quarterback.
25. Houston (6-10, Last week’s ranking: 28) – Like Miami, the Texans will suffer through another losing season if they don’t solve their woeful quarterback situation.
26. Minnesota (6-10, Last week’s ranking: 25) – So now we hear that Brad Childress has communication problems with his players. I guess he didn’t reveal that little piece of information when owner Ziggy Wilf interviewed him for the job.
27. Washington (5-11, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Fifty million over five years. I can see Daniel Snyder offering Bill Cowher that kind of money.
28. Arizona (5-11, Last week’s ranking: 27) – I don’t care what the Cardinals offer Pete Carroll, he’d be crazy to leave USC for a team that makes the playoffs once every blue moon.
29. Tampa Bay (4-12, Last week’s ranking: 29) – The Bucs finally have a lot of money to play with in the off-season and they’ll need it to fix this mess.
30. Cleveland (4-12, Last week’s ranking: 30) – What would a draft be without the Browns picking in the top 5.
31. Detroit (3-13, Last week’s ranking: 32) – Congratulations Matt Millen. Your team just aced you out of the first pick in the draft.
32. Oakland (2-14, Last week’s ranking: 31) – Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell? The decision could become clearer for Al Davis Wednesday night when Notre Dame squares off against LSU in the Sugar Bowl.