|
Rank |
Team |
Comment |
| 1(1) |
 |
Two losses in a row won't hurt the Colts ranking, and
neither would another lay down against the Arizona Cardinals. They locked
up first place in the rankings awhile ago, and there's nothing they can do
to lose it. |
| 2(2) |
 |
Yes, the Seahawks beat the Colts, and looked impressive in
doing so. However, as mentioned above, the game didn't mean too much. Shaun
Alexander will be looking for the rushing TD record this week, and should
achieve it with ease. |
| 3(4) |
 |
The Broncos were able to lock up the AFC's second seed with
a dominating victory over the Oakland Raiders. Now the Broncos can safely
rest Jake Plummer and some of their defensive stars if they wish to. |
| 4(5) |
 |
The Bengals should have taken a step back after an
awful defensive effort against the Buffalo Bills, but the Chargers fell so
far back that there was room to move them up. Carson Palmer can't really
take a "break" this week if he wants to lock up the third seed. |
| 5(8) |
 |
Although it may not seem like it based on the scores, Rex
Grossman can do wonders more than Kyle Orton did. The Bears are a team that
everyone in the NFC hopes "someone else" will eliminate for they have to
face them. |
| 6(6) |
 |
The Panthers could end up just like the Chargers did with
one more loss: a great team that lost games it shouldn't have. However, if
the Panthers are able to reach the postseason, they definitely have the
talent to be ranked this high. |
| 7(9) |
 |
With the front seven of the Patriots' defense staying
healthy, the entire secondary is benefiting as a result. With Corey Dillon
healthy in the running game as well, the Patriots are quickly getting back
to their Super Bowl level. |
| 8(10) |
 |
The Steelers were running on all cylinders against the
Browns in what was their easiest victory of the year. Although a win over
the Lions seems likely, the Steelers can not simply lay down. |
| 9(7) |
 |
The Giants are safely in the playoffs now, but they can't
feel too good about losing so badly to the Redskins. While the Bears and
Seahawks have established themselves in the NFC, the Giants don't appear as
a "serious" threat. |
| 10(11) |
 |
The Jaguars have played much better than their 10th ranking
shows, but if the team has lost any chemistry with Byron Leftwich, an exit
in the first round of the playoffs could be possible. |
| 11(12) |
 |
Joe Gibbs has all but clinched a playoff berth in just his
second season back. He'll have to decide if Mark Brunell is healthy enough
though, because if he falters, the Cowboys could leap ahead instead. |
| 12(13) |
 |
The Buccaneers should be looking to cruise into the
playoffs with an easy game against the New Orleans Saints. However, Chris
Simms cannot let his team be upset like they were earlier this year by the
49ers. |
| 13(15) |
 |
Too little, too late could be the motto for the Chiefs.
Despite having one of the best young running backs in football in Larry
Johnson, two NFC East losses late in the season will remove them from the
playoffs unless Pittsburgh collapses. |
| 14(14) |
 |
The Cowboys can't be too happy that the three teams they
want to lose have fairly easy match-ups. However, they will be thrilled if
they have an opportunity to make the playoffs in the very last game of the
season. |
| 15(3) |
 |
If the Chargers would have won last week, they'd still be
ranked around the third spot. Too many letdowns for the most underachieving
team in football have dropped them at the top of the "non-contending"
playoff team list. |
| 16(18) |
 |
The Dolphins have a lot to be proud of. Even though they
are out of the playoffs, they have to love the fact that they can still
prevent the Patriots from attaining the third playoff seed. |
| 17(16) |
 |
After going on a six-game hot streak, the Vikings have
cooled off, losing two in a row. Now the question will be what to do about
Daunte Culpepper next year? |
| 18(17) |
 |
In Week 1, it was the Falcons against the Eagles in what
was thought of as a preview for the NFC Championship. Boy, was everyone
wrong. |
| 19(22) |
 |
I don't know what set Kyle Boller and this offense off, but
they have finally learned how to play after about three years. |
| 20(25) |
 |
Kelly Holcomb is showing an awful lot of signs that he can
start in the NFL. He turned a Bills offense that wasn't a threat to score
at any time under Losman into a team that has the potential to get points
on every drive. |
| 21(23) |
 |
Although the Eagles would have liked to have finished .500
despite all of their injuries, it simply wasn't meant to be. Still, they
can finish strong if they found a way to upset the Redskins' playoff hopes. |
| 22(19) |
 |
The Browns suffered what was possibly their worst loss
since returning to the NFL against the Steelers. Thankfully for the Browns,
it was the only time this year that it's been "that bad". |
| 23(26) |
 |
If the Cardinals are able to establish a running attack
next year, they could be one of the "surprise" teams in the league. |
| 24(20) |
 |
The Raiders don't seem to have a whole lot of chemistry,
even after 15 games together. I'm not sure if getting rid of Norv Turner is
the answer, but something needs to be done. |
| 25(21) |
 |
The Rams will have a chance to contend next year when
Bulger is back, and the coaching situation is settled. |
| 26(24) |
 |
The Titans have a good group of promising receivers, but
they'll have to decide if Steve McNair will be throwing to them next year,
or if a guy like Vince Young will. |
| 27(27) |
 |
The fact that Brett Favre keeps his team in the game with
now their fifth or sixth string running back as the starter tells you that
there should be no questioning whether he should retire or not. |
| 28(28) |
 |
At least Vinny Testeverde got to throw one more touchdown -
the last one on ABC's Monday Night no less. It could also be the last one
of his career. |
| 29(30) |
 |
The 49ers are one win better than they were last year. They
probably wish they Alex Smith would have shown some more production this
year, but he'll have some experience under his belt now. |
| 30(29) |
 |
Aaron Brooks will be gone, and the Saints still don't know
if they'll have a true home next year. Things don't look too bright for the
Saints over the next few years. |
| 31(31) |
 |
Things don't look too bright for this franchise's future
either. However, a new group of management at nearly all levels could work
with the talent they have in all of their former first rounders. |
| 32(32) |
 |
Do the Texans want Reggie Bush, or don't they? I guess
we'll find out this week. |
