1. New England (8-0, Last week’s ranking: 1) – You think Bill Belichick is still a little peeved at Spygate? I mean, even Matt Cassel completed two passes. Regardless, we can now officially get revved and expect a lot of fireworks between that Pats and the champs.

2. Indianapolis (7-0, Last week’s ranking: 2) – In keeping with Dwight Freeney’s comments, the game against the Patriots is Round 1 of a two-game heavyweight clash.

 

3. Dallas (6-1, Last week’s ranking: 4) – With Tony Romo now signed long-term, the Cowboys can shift their attention to the Eagles. That shouldn’t be too difficult considering Dallas is 1-7 against its NFC East foe over the last eight games.

 

4. Green Bay (6-1, Last week’s ranking: 4) – I know Brett Favre will get all the ink, and deservedly so, but his receivers – notably Greg Jennings and James Jones – don’t get the credit or recognition their deserve making big plays by stretching the field.

 

5. Pittsburgh (5-2, Last week’s ranking: 5) – Having disposed of the lowly Bengals, the Steelers can now focus their efforts on the Ravens and – the Browns?

 

6. N.Y. Giants (6-2, Last week’s ranking: 6) – I’m not going to fault the Giants for a sluggish performance against the last-place Dolphins in rainy London. After all, they won the game.

 

7. Jacksonville (5-2, Last week’s ranking: 7) – I don’t think the Jaguars can succeed without David Garrard, but backup Quinn Gray managed the game well against a tough Tampa Bay defense.

 

8. San Diego (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 9) – I know I’m overlooking the Vikings, but the Chargers will find out where they stand among the AFC elite when they host the Colts in two weeks.

 

9. Tennessee (5-2, Last week’s ranking: 8) – Vince Young told the Tennessean that: “As an offense, we have to get it together.” A sentiment that I’m sure is shared by his defense.

 

10. Detroit (5-2, Last week’s ranking: 11) – RB Kevin Jones has really been a big plus in recent weeks, making the Lions’ offense even more dangerous.

 

11. Seattle (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 14) – The Seahawks’ defense is going to get tested this week against the high-powered Browns. I wouldn’t have said that at the start of the season.

 

12. Baltimore (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 15) – It really doesn’t matter who plays QB for this team, the Ravens won’t be a match for the surging Steelers.

 

13. Kansas City (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 16) – A big test for Jared Allen and the rest of the Chiefs’ defense will be how they handle Brett Favre this Sunday. Allen, who ranks second with eight sacks, needs to have an impact if the Chiefs are to come away with an important victory.

 

14. Cleveland (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 20) – If Tom Brady wasn’t playing out of his mind, Derek Anderson would be leading the league with 17 touchdown passes. I wonder how Brady Quinn feels about that.

 

15. Carolina (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 10) – Even when the Panthers took an early 7-0 lead over the Colts, did anyone really expect them to pull the upset?

 

16. Tampa Bay (4-4, Last week’s ranking: 12) – Despite his struggles, Jeff Garcia still had a chance to get the win for the Bucs but over threw a wide open Ike Hilliard for winning TD with 30 seconds remaining. You can’t get those opportunities back, Jeff. Still, Hilliard could’ve bailed out his QB by not dropping a first down to extend the drive.

 

17. Washington (4-3, Last week’s ranking: 13) – I guess Joe Gibbs wasn’t blowing smoke when he praised New England to no end during the last week. But I don’t think even the Redskins’ coach could’ve envisioned a 52-7 shellacking.

 

18. Denver (3-4, Last week’s ranking: 17) – You almost never see Champ Bailey get burned downfield, but Packers receiver James Jones got the best of him for Green Bay’s first touchdown.

 

19. New Orleans (3-4, Last week’s ranking: 25) – Now that’s the Drew Brees I remember from the last three years. With three straight wins under their belts, the Saints are in hot pursuit of the Panthers.

 

20. Arizona (3-4, Last week’s ranking: 19) – The NFC West is far from settled, but the Cardinals have to stop turning the ball over if they expect to overtake the Seahawks in the second half of the season.

 

21. Philadelphia (3-4, Last week’s ranking: 22) – Brian Westbrook – and not Donovan McNabb – will be the key to the Eagles’ success against the Cowboys.

 

22. Chicago (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 21) – Was that Brian Griese out there or Rex Grossman? I get confused when I see a Bears QB with a passer rating of 38.3.

 

23. Houston (3-5, Last week’s ranking: 18) – The Texans really do look like a beaten bunch. After a promising start, injuries have really hampered this team.

 

24. Cincinnati (2-5, Last week’s ranking: 23) – Well, at least the Bengals will have an easier time against the Bills. Oh, wait, Cincinnati has lost eight straight contests to Buffalo. Nevermind.

 

25. Buffalo (3-4, Last week’s ranking: 28) – Winning two games against the down and out Jets can make a team’s record look better than it actually is.

 

26. Minnesota (2-5, Last week’s ranking: 24) – I wonder how closely Viking officials were looking at Matt Ryan’s comeback win over Virginia Tech.

 

27. Oakland (2-5, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Now you know why you’re a first-round bust, Mike Williams. How do you drop a sure first down with your team driving for the winning score?

 

28. San Francisco (2-5, Last week’s ranking: 27) – The optimism at the beginning of the year generated by this team is now completely gone.

 

29. Atlanta (1-6, Last week’s ranking: 30) – The Falcons had a bye week and moved up one spot. If they don’t play another game, I think I can nudge them up a little higher.

 

30. N.Y. Jets (1-7, Last week’s ranking: 29) – So Eric Mangini is finally going with Kellen Clemens as his QB. That only took about five weeks.

 

31. St. Louis (0-8, Last week’s ranking: 32) – The Rams have a bye week after their loss to the Browns. So who should be more excited, the team or its fans?

 

32. Miami (0-8, Last week’s ranking: 32) – The Dolphins have now lost on both sides of the ocean – a claim no other NFL team can make.