|
Rank |
Team |
Comment |
| 1(1) |
 |
In a way, you have to believe that the Colts will benefit in the playoffs from playing all of these close games in the regular season. It's almost as if the Colts are creating a situation for Manning in which he needs to come through in the clutch so that he'll be prepared for that same situation in the postseason. |
| 2(3) |
 |
It doesn't seem to make much sense to move the Patriots up a spot after a loss, but the Bears losing threw everything into chaos at the top. The Patriots lost to a very good Colts team, and if Tom Brady's receivers didn't have a rare day of the dropsies, the outcome could have gone the other way. |
| 3(4) |
 |
The Denver Broncos offense has picked the right time to show up, precisely when the defense stops its dominating nature. Although the defense certainly came through against Roethlisberger, despite giving up 20 points. |
| 4(5) |
 |
LaDainian Tomlinson is reaching his peak at the right time, because the Chargers' big game against the Denver Broncos is coming up in a week or so. The Chargers have managed the progression of Phillip Rivers very effectively, and overcame adversity in their depleted linebacking group against the Browns. |
| 5(6) |
 |
Despite the game being closer than expected against the Texans, the Giants put yet another victory on the board. If the Chicago Bears lose, the Giants have a golden shot at being the top seed in the NFC this season. |
| 6(2) |
 |
It is a little harsh to drop the Bears down four spots, considering they still are only one of two teams with one defeat or less. However, the way the Bears, and Rex Grossman in particular, struggled against the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins is not too enlightening. They can redeem themselves against the Giants though, right back to the second or third spot. |
| 7(14) |
 |
Baltimore is back into the group of elite teams after taking a commanding lead in the AFC North by beating the Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe firing Jim Fassell wasn't such a bad idea, because things have looked more efficient for the Ravens since. |
| 8(8) |
 |
Good teams rebound from bad losses, and that's exactly what Drew Brees did against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints are still the surprise of the NFL, and are determined to make the playoffs this season. |
| 9(7) |
 |
Things aren't looking so good for the Bengals suddenly, and Chad Johnson isn't happy. It's tough to pinpoint exactly what is wrong, although a case could be made towards the injuries on the offensive line. |
|
|
| 10(9) |
 |
We knew it couldn't last forever, in regards to Michael Vick's throwing ability. The Falcons' secondary continues to get depleted, including two more injuries during the week. |
| 11(10) |
 |
The Panthers will look to rebound after the bye week, and will need to do it fast as the Saints and Falcons are ahead of them. |
| 12(13) |
 |
How much do you want to bet that as soon as David Garrard struggles, the Byron Leftwich saga will resume? |
| 13(11) |
 |
If the Eagles don't make the playoffs after all the potential they've shown this season, it's difficult to say who should deserve the blame. |
| 14(12) |
 |
The loss that the Cowboys suffered is one of the wackiest turnarounds of emotion you'll ever see. |
| 15(17) |
 |
The Saints are the surprise team of the league, but the Chiefs are perhaps the most underrated team. Larry Johnson is on fire now, but the question remains: Trent Green or Damon Huard? |
| 16(15) |
 |
After a red-hot start to the season, it's almost as if the Rams wanted to stay even with the Seahawks, failing to take advantage of Alexander and Hasselbeck being out. |
| 17(16) |
 |
If the Seahawks can sweep the season series this week against the Rams, they'll all but have the division title locked up already. |
| 18(22) |
 |
There is still hope for the Redskins, just as they went on a fantastic run at the end of last season to advance to the playoffs. |
| 19(18) |
 |
The Vikings are still in the race, but their past two losses have not been very pretty. |
| 20(19) |
 |
The Steelers truly do need a miracle to make the playoffs now, and even Jerome Bettis wouldn't be able to provide it. |
| 21(20) |
 |
Coming off the bye, the Jets still have a shot at being a surprise wildcard team if they can string together a couple of wins. |
| 22(21) |
 |
The Packers blew a golden opportunity to be the sixth playoff seed in the NFC, and the turnovers down in their own red zone sealed their own fate. |
| 23(23) |
 |
Besides a quick spurt from Bruce Gradkowski to Joey Galloway last week, the Buccaneers didn't do much against the Saints this time around. |
| 24(28) |
 |
With three wins in the book at the midway point of the season, Mike Nolan's team is better than Crennel's and Saban's. |
| 25(26) |
 |
The Bills are still a team that can play spoiler somewhere down the stretch, but how will Anthony Thomas run in place of McGahee? |
| 26(24) |
 |
It's hard to move the ball on offense without an offensive line, but their special teams unit has kept games closer than they should be at times. |
| 27(25) |
 |
David Carr led a fantastic 18-play drive against the Giants, but unfortunately, it was their only legitimate drive of the game. |
| 28(31) |
 |
Not only did the Dolphins beat the Bears, they dominated the Bears. |
| 29(29) |
 |
Joining the Dolphins, the Lions were the other team to upset a solid team last week. |
| 30(27) |
 |
Even if the Raiders defense plays good, they can't help that the offense gives up nine sacks. |
| 31(30) |
 |
Vince Young needs to establish himself as an effective passer in the second half of the season. |
| 32(32) |
 |
Remember how bright the season started for the Cardinals? It's been nothing but seven losses since. |
