I’m going a little more subjective this week once we get out of the Top Five because, frankly, there shouldn’t be any argument about that Top Five from anyone. Let’s make this dream real.
1. New England Patriots – (7-0) Eight weeks at No. 1 and the Redskins coming up on the schedule, in Foxboro no less. So it’s going to be nine weeks then. Last week: No. 1
2. Denver Broncos – (7-0) The Sheriff shut a lot of people up Sunday night and looked like the best player on the field and with Aaron Rodgers on the other side, that should mean something. Since the Broncos crossed 4-0 I’ve been getting a Super Bowl vibe from them and now I think this bandwagon may be filling up. Last week: 5
3. Cincinnati Bengals – (7-0) Speaking of a Super Bowl vibe, I sincerely think the Bengals might be the best team in the AFC. They’re loaded on offense and defense and Andy Dalton just had his “worst” game of the season where he showed up at the end in the clutch and won his team the game. Last week: No. 3
4. Carolina Panthers – (7-0) Cam Newton’s quarterback rating is currently sitting at 78.1 and he’s probably third in the MVP race behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. He’s Super Man and he’s not playing by your normal QB rules. Last week: No. 4
5. Green Bay Packers – (6-1) Aaron Rodgers actually looked human at Mile High against the Denver defense. I wouldn’t take it too seriously, especially with the Panthers showing up on the schedule this week. Last week: No. 2
6. Arizona Cardinals – (6-2) The Cardinals continue to rack up wins against bad teams. How did a playoff team get this cupcake schedule? Last week: No. 7
7. St. Louis Rams – (4-3) Look who has a winning record for the first time since 2004? Here’s a hint. They’ve sucked since 2004. Last week: No. 8
8. Seattle Seahawks – (4-4) The Seahawks finally get a bye after fighting back to a .500 start thanks to a couple of bad teams. That all changes next week when Arizona comes to town. Last week: No. 12
9. Atlanta Falcons – (6-2) The scary game against the Titans turned into a nightmare game against the Bucs. The Falcons are still on the path for the playoffs, but each week that door narrows a little. Last week: No. 6
10. Minnesota Vikings – (5-2) The Vikings hold that second wild card spot if they season ended today. They’ll have to beat the Rams to keep it Sunday. Last week: No. 15
11. New Orleans Saints – (4-4) Drew Brees and the Saints are not only alive, they’re wreaking havoc on every team in their way. They get a breather this week with the Titans heading to the Superdome. Last week: No. 17
12. New York Giants – (4-4) The loss to the Saints wasn’t helpful, but with the rest of the NFC East in disarray it literally cost them nothing in the standings. Last week: No. 10
13. Pittsburgh Steelers – (4-4) Ben Roethlisberger’s return didn’t work out quite as planned, but I expected that in his first start after sitting out six weeks. His second week back will look more familiar. Last week: No. 11
14. Oakland Raiders – (4-3) The Raiders are suddenly a hot pick to make the playoffs and a plus .500 record. It’s fun to think about, sure, with their exciting young talent but reality is about to set in around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Last week: No. 19
15. New York Jets – (4-3) Two straight losses and Geno Smith now at quarterback? I may not have dropped them enough. Last week: No. 9
16. Buffalo Bills – (3-4) The Bills were a hot playoff pick in the preseason and one I fell for myself. If they want to get back in that conversation, they have to bounce back from two killer losses, one to the effing Jaguars. Last week: No. 13
17. Indianapolis Colts – (3-5) The Colts’ season is in turmoil, they fired their offensive coordinator and now the Denver Broncos are coming to town. Do they have it in them to save their season? Last week: No. 14
18. Philadelphia Eagles – (3-4) With the Romo-less Cowboys on the horizon, you should feel good about the Eagles this week. So why don’t we? Last week: No. 16
19. Miami Dolphins – (3-4) Nobody expected Dan Campbell and the Dolphins to beat the Patriots. The Bills are a completely different animal and if the Dolphins are going to be a factor, this is the kind of game they have to win. Last week: No. 18
20. Houston Texans – (3-5) The Texans have a week off and they need it. Frankly, they need to figure out a way to tank this season so they can draft a quarterback, but my guess is that Bill O’Brien doesn’t feel he has the job security to do it. Last week: No. 21
21. Baltimore Ravens – (2-6) The Ravens aren’t back in any race, but after their bye this week they can mess things up for a lot of other teams. Last week: No. 30
22. San Diego Chargers – (2-6) Mike McCoy has to be shocked that another head coach got fired and it wasn’t him. Maybe that’ll change this week. Last week: No. 22
23. Washington Redskins – (3-4) Here’s the Redskins’ next five games; at the Patriots, the Saints at home, at the Panthers, the Giants at home and then the Cowboys with Tony Romo back at quarterback. Good luck in the draft, guys. Last week: No. 23
24. Kansas City Chiefs – (3-5) The Chiefs have won two straight heading into their bye, and while they’re still out of the hunt, they’ve at least got a rifle and a map of the trail. Last week: No. 24
25. Dallas Cowboys – (2-5) We know that Tony Romo can’t return until Week 11, but what we don’t know is if he’ll have a competitive team to return to. Last week: No. 26
26. Cleveland Browns – (2-5) Johnny Manziel gets the start this week not long after his latest bit of drama. Manziel didn’t get in trouble with the law or the team over the incident with his girlfriend, but it raises a red flag that had been folded up since he entered rehab in the offseason. Last week: No. 27
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – (2-5) The Jaguars have their two wins. That should do it. Last week: No. 28
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (3-4) Don’t look now, but Jameis Winston has looked and played like a real NFL quarterback over the last three weeks. Last week: No. 29
29. Chicago Bears – (2-5) We’ve started the flex schedules and still somehow the Bears and Chargers are still playing on Monday night? How does that work? Last week: No. 32
30. San Francisco 49ers – (2-6) Diaper fire? Dumpster fire? Tire fire? Can we get a line on which one to use before we let the Blaine Gabbert era begin? Last week: No. 20
31. Tennessee Titans – (1-6) I don’t know about making a coaching change at this point. Look at how you could be screwing up your draft position, Titans. Last week: No. 25
32. Detroit Lions – (1-7) Another week, another embarrassing loss. At least this time you had the good manners to do it outside the country. Last week: No. 31
