1. New England (11-0, Last week’s ranking: 1) – Have the Eagles given a blueprint on how to beat the Patriots? Perhaps, but teams still need the players in place to execute the game plan. In the end, the Pats remain undefeated because of the outstanding performance of WR Wes Welker.

2. Dallas (10-1, Last week’s ranking: 2) – Next to New England, this will be the Cowboys biggest test. If Dallas’s front seven can’t get enough pressure this Thursday against the Packers, it could be a long day for a suspect secondary.

 

3. Green Bay (10-1, Last week’s ranking: 3) – This is Brett Favre’s best – and probably last – chance to get his first victory at Texas Stadium. The strategy for the offense seems obvious: play four wide and watch Favre pile up the yards and touchdowns.

 

4. Indianapolis (9-2, Last week’s ranking: 4) – Don’t sleep on the Colts. Despite their injuries, Indianapolis has only allowed two touchdowns in the last two games and is getting healthier.

 

5. Jacksonville (8-3, Last week’s ranking: 5) – Even with a strong season under the direction of David Garrard, the Jags need to take the next step by beating the champs this Sunday.

 

6. Pittsburgh (8-3, Last week’s ranking: 5) – I don’t care about the muddy conditions, the Steelers almost lost a second straight game – this time to a winless Dolphins team. If this continues, how are we supposed to take the Steelers seriously?   

 

7. Cleveland (7-4, Last week’s ranking: 9) – Somehow I see Brady Quinn bringing up the rear of the bench next year as well.

 

8. Tampa Bay (7-4, Last week’s ranking: 10) – The Bucs created four fumbles and two interceptions against the Redskins. It was just another day at the office for the Tampa Bay defense.

 

9. Seattle (7-4, Last week’s ranking: 12) – The Seahawks allowed three sacks against the St. Louis Rams in the first half – an area that needs to improve down the stretch. While they look to clinch another NFC West title, the Seahawks won’t go anywhere without good pass protection.

 

10. N.Y. Giants (7-4, Last week’s ranking: 7) – Eli Manning is running out of excuses. Four picks against the Vikings’ in what appears to be another second-half nose-dive won’t make the New York faithful very happy.

 

11. San Diego (6-5, Last week’s ranking: 13) – Like the Seahawks, San Diego is extremely fortunate it plays in the weak division. Philip Rivers could continue to have good passing days if he utilizes TE Antonio Gates the way he did against the Ravens.

 

12. Detroit (6-5, Last week’s ranking: 11) – It’s hard to be critical of the Lions this week after they were simply beaten by a better Packers squad.

 

13. Tennessee (6-5, Last week’s ranking: 8) – At least the Lions have an excuse. It’s pretty hard the make the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense look like the 85 Bears, but the Titans managed to pull it off.

 

14. Philadelphia (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 17) – The game plan against the Patriots was almost perfect and the Eagles should be commended for their performance. But why would A.J. Feeley throw that deep out which resulted in an interception late in the fourth quarter? Had he simply concentrated on the short to intermediate passes – like he had throughout the game – we may have witnessed one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.

 

15. Arizona (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 14) – Of all the blunders against San Francisco – Steve Breaston, Neil Rackers – the one that baffles me the most was one made by Kurt Warner. As a veteran and former MVP, how could Warner not have thrown the ball away while he was in the end zone with the game in OT?

 

16. Denver (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 15) – The only way the Bears could have beaten Denver was if Devin Hester played a big role in the game. So with that in mind, why would the Broncos continually kick to the most dangerous man in the NFL?

 

17. New Orleans (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 21) – As bad as the Saints have been this year, they still have a shot at the playoffs. However, QB Drew Brees will need to be on his game every week for that to happen.

 

18. Washington (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 16) – It’s impossible to talk football when addressing the Redskins after the tragic death of S Sean Taylor on Tuesday. Suddenly, a possible spiraling season doesn’t seem so important anymore.

 

19. Buffalo (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 18) – I don’t think the Bills will be extending J.P. Losman to any kind of long-term deal after his season. Call me crazy, but it’s just a hunch.

 

20. Houston (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 19) – Ball securing re-emerged its ugly head against the Browns – a problem the undermanned Texans can’t overcome.

 

21. Minnesota (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 23) – "It's significant because now you have a chance to be in the mix," said Vikings coach Brad Childress. Look Brad, you had a nice win against the Giant and let’s leave it at that.

 

22. Chicago (5-6, Last week’s ranking: 24) – The sad part about the Bears is if wasn’t for Devin Hester, they would’ve been blown out by the Broncos.

 

23. Kansas City (4-7, Last week’s ranking: 20) – I don’t care if your kicker is struggling. Why would you go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Oakland 23 with less than five minutes remaining instead of kicking a field goal, Herm Edwards?

 

24. Carolina (4-7, Last week’s ranking: 22) – The Panthers may want to look at drafting a QB in the first round even if Jake Delhomme comes back completely healthy next year.

 

25. Cincinnati (4-7, Last week’s ranking: 28) – Someone has to tell Chad Johnson that the Bengals have no shot at the playoffs this year.

 

26. Baltimore (4-7, Last week’s ranking: 25) – The Ravens can watch the New England-Philadelphia game all they want - it won’t make a difference.

 

27. Atlanta (3-8, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Forget about the loss to the Colts, that was to be expected. What I can’t believe was Warrick Dunn stayed in the league long enough to surpass 10,000 rushing yards. I would bet no one could’ve envisioned that when he was drafted.

 

28. Oakland (3-8, Last week’s ranking: 29) – It’s another lost season for the Raiders, but linebacker Kirk Morrison doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his outstanding play.

 

29. San Francisco (3-8, Last week’s ranking: 31) – LB Patrick Willis’s run down of Cardinals WR Sean Morey in overtime will long be remembered in my book.

 

30. N.Y. Jets (2-9, Last week’s ranking: 27) – The Jets did a nice job in limiting Terrell Owens, but couldn’t find an answer for Marion Barber. It’s just the latest string of problems in a long and miserable season.

 

31. St. Louis (2-9, Last week’s ranking: 30) – I’d love to make some kind of humorous remark about how the Rams backup QB Gus Frerotte blew that botched snap on fourth-and-goal, but why bother? It only adds to a lousy season for the lowly Rams.

 

32. Miami (0-11, Last week’s ranking: 32) – If anything, Monday night’s performance against the Steelers proved to me that the Dolphins won’t go winless this year.