1. New England (13-0, Last week’s ranking: 1) – Memo to the New York Jets: keep your traps shut this week. The sick thing about that Patriots’ offense now is that wide receiver Jabar Gaffney is starting to make plays. I mean, just how many weapons does Tom Brady need?

2. Dallas (12-1, Last week’s ranking: 2) – I know I’m borrowing a line here, but the legend of Tony Romo continues to grow. Seriously, no one can doubt this guy after how impressively he drove the Cowboys to the winning touchdown score in the dying seconds against Lions.

 

3. Indianapolis (11-2, Last week’s ranking: 3) – The Colts’ motto should be to just stay healthy. There’s nothing to do now expect wait for the playoffs and hope no else gets injured.

 

4. Green Bay (11-2, Last week’s ranking: 4) – See Indianapolis.

 

5. Pittsburgh (9-4, Last week’s ranking: 5) – It’s one thing to guarantee a win and lose to the New England Patriots, Anthony Smith, but to get burned for two longs touchdown catches can’t make your teammates happy.

 

6. Jacksonville (9-4, Last week’s ranking: 6) – Two physical teams will hook up this week when the Jaguars meet the Steelers. I wonder if Anthony Smith has a prediction for this game.

 

7. San Diego (8-5, Last week’s ranking: 9) – Hey, it was a rough three quarters but I have to tip my hat to Philip Rivers. The Chargers QB really did a great job in rallying his team from 14 points in the fourth quarter, then guiding the winning drive in overtime.

 

8. Seattle (9-4, Last week’s ranking: 8) – I’ve been down on this team the whole year, but I can’t ignore the production of Matt Hasslebeck. With a Shaun Alexander hurt for most of the season, Hasslebeck has really been the glue of the Seahawks’ offense.

 

9. N.Y. Giants (9-4, Last week’s ranking: 11) – And while I’m giving out praise, I might as well call out wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Battling a sore ankle for most of the year, Burress posts a seven-catch, 136-yard and TD game against a tough Eagles’ defense.

 

10. Cleveland (8-5, Last week’s ranking: 10) – I don’t know what the Browns were more surprised at: Seeing the Jets attempt three onside kicks in the fourth quarter or that the game was actually close in the final minutes.

 

11. Tampa Bay (8-5, Last week’s ranking: 7) – If the Bucs can’t beat the soon-to-be golfing Houston Texans, then how are they going handle the pressure of the post-season – if they get there.

 

12. Minnesota (7-6, Last week’s ranking: 15) – How could the Vikings have defeated the 49ers with Adrian Peterson gaining only three yards on 14 carries? Simple, the team can rely on Chester Taylor on the rare Sunday that Peterson struggles.

 

13. Buffalo (7-6, Last week’s ranking: 17) – We’ll see just how real the Bills are when they travel to take on Cleveland this Sunday.

 

14. Tennessee (7-6, Last week’s ranking: 12) – LenDale White (30 carries, 130 yards and 1 TD) did his part, Vince Young. What happened to you?

 

15. Arizona (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 13) – The biggest game in years and the Cardinals throw up an egg. I understand the Seahawks are a tough team, but the lack of effort was baffling.

 

16. Detroit (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 14) – How many years can the Detroit Lions disappoint their fans? It’s closing in on two decades.

 

17. New Orleans (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 19) – It’s too bad Drew Brees can’t play the Atlanta Falcons every week.

 

18. Denver (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 18) – That Jay Cutler-to-Brandon Marshall combination looks lethal. It’s a duo worth watching for every fantasy owner next season.

 

19. Philadelphia (5-8, Last week’s ranking: 16) – Start packing your bags, Donovan McNabb.

 

20. Washington (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 20) – I never thought I’d see Todd Collins back on the field, but the journeyman bailed out the Redskins against Chicago.

 

21. Houston (6-7, Last week’s ranking: 21) – Hey, I’ll admit it. I was one of the first to jump all over the Texans for picking Mario Williams No. 1 in 2006. But the kid has 9 ½ sacks so far and is coming into his own.

 

22. Chicago (5-8, Last week’s ranking: 22) – See Philadelphia, Rex Grossman.

 

23. Baltimore (4-9, Last week’s ranking: 23) – Well, at least rookie Troy Smith looked pretty good in his limited time against the Colts.

 

24. Carolina (5-8, Last week’s ranking: 24) – I barely recognize this team anymore. Where do you begin to build your Panthers, John Fox? I see big problems on both sides of the ball.

 

25. Cincinnati (5-8, Last week’s ranking: 27) – How many people predicted Carson Palmer would have nearly as many interceptions (17) as touchdowns (21)? I certainly never would’ve envisioned it.

 

26. Kansas City (4-9, Last week’s ranking: 25) – The Chiefs made the inept Denver run defense look like the ’85 Bears.

 

27. Oakland (4-9, Last week’s ranking: 26) – Can you see this team beating the Colts this Sunday? I sure don’t!

 

28. St. Louis (3-10, Last week’s ranking: 28) – I forget sometimes that this was once a great offensive team. Torry Holt’s eight straight 1,000-yard season brought that to light.

 

29. Atlanta (3-10, Last week’s ranking: 29) – The Michael Vick sentencing on Monday means the Falcons can officially look at the top rated quarterbacks in the upcoming draft.

 

30. San Francisco (3-10, Last week’s ranking: 30) – Running back Frank Gore has only a single 100-yard game this year. This from a player that set a club record last season with an NFC-best 1,695 rushing yards, topping Garrison Hearst's mark of 1,570 set in 1998.

 

31. N.Y. Jets (3-10, Last week’s ranking: 31) – All you can do is pray this week goes by quickly, Eric Mangini.

 

32. Miami (0-13, Last week’s ranking: 32) – Some where, members of the winless 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers must be smiling at what’s happening to the Dolphins.