The theme this week (and I suspect next) are losses by teams that don’t mean anything. Eagles lose to the Rams and Falcons lose to the Saints but maintain their positions because they had nothing to play for. Meanwhile, teams that had golden opportunities to help themselves reach the playoffs laid eggs. Not much change at the top and bottom of the rankings but just like the playoff race, the middle is packed with teams jockeying for position.
| Rank (Pv) | Team | Record | Comment |
| 1 (1) |  |
14-1 | If they rest their starters, they might inadvertantly help the second hottest team in the AFC sneak into the playoffs. It would then be interesting to see if Buffalo can reach the AFCCG in Pittsburgh. |
| 2 (2) |  |
13-2 | Playing starters means possible injury. Resting them means possible loss of momentum. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. |
| 3 (3) |  |
13-2 | They proved that losing to Miami was just one of those things. Man the AFC playoffs are going to be good. |
| 4 (4) |  |
11-3 | Great come from behind victory over SD gets Manning the TD record. I loved how he didn’t celebrate because he needed to get the 2 point conversion first. |
| 5 (5) |  |
11-4 | They didn’t step on Indy’s throat when they had a chance. This means their road will most likely go through Pittsburgh one round earlier. |
| 6 (6) |  |
11-4 | What if Vick plays this week and suffers an injury? Not that I’m jinxing him or anything. |
| 7 (8) |  |
9-6 | Mike Mularkey just sent Tony Dungy a gift basket and a plea to start the Big Three. |
| 8 (7) |  |
10-5 | They learned this week that they’re not quite ready to face the top dogs in the AFC. |
| 9 (11) |  |
9-6 | I didn’t think they could do it but they won the division by going into Minny and punking them in their own house. |
| 10 (13) |  |
9-6 | Jump in the standings this week not because of impressive win but the poor showings from teams previously above them. And they have the last WC spot right now. |
| 11 (14) |  |
7-8 | Yeah, I’m sick of hearing how they started out 1-7 too. But you gotta admit, this team looks good. Now, one more hurdle against New Orleans for a playoff spot. |
| 12 (17) |  |
7-8 | I know they won’t make the playoffs but they get rewarded for practically knocking another team out of them too. |
| 13 (9) |  |
8-7 | Going into last weekend, they controlled their own destiny in getting to the playoffs. Laid a 21-0 egg. Ouch. |
| 14 (10) |  |
8-7 | Let me get this straight – Tice loses the division at home and gets his option picked up? Is McCombs trying to run this team into the ground? You’d think he was trying to sell it or something. |
| 15 (12) |  |
8-7 | I expected a better showing from the Ravens with the playoffs on the line. |
| 16 (15) |  |
8-7 | They’re in the driver’s seat for the division but don’t expect them to make any noise in the playoffs. |
| 17 (16) |  |
7-8 | Say what you want about their terrible D, they play some entertaining games. |
| 18 (18) |  |
7-8 | Great come from behind win against the Giants. I don’t understand why Kitna isn’t a starter somewhere else. |
| 19 (20) |  |
7-8 | New Orleans has always had the talent. Let’s see if they can scrape out a playoff berth this weekend. |
| 20 (22) |  |
7-8 | Considering the lineup the Eagles had out there, the Rams should’ve won by 40. This is not a playoff team, folks. |
| 21 (25) |  |
6-9 | You know, one better snap and they’d be in the wildcard hunt. |
| 22 (26) |  |
6-9 | The definition of owned includes the words Cowboys over Redskins. |
| 23 (19) |  |
5-10 | I don’t know who the QB is next year but their top receiver (Clayton) is going to go high in Fantasy drafts. |
| 24 (24) |  |
5-10 | So what if they can’t pull games out. Are you not entertained? |
| 25 (21) |  |
5-10 | Why is Denny Green not being called out more for sitting McCown in the middle of the season? Oh, it might be because no one cares about the Cardinals. |
| 26 (23) |  |
5-10 | Was that the same Shawn Springs and Sean Taylor who were whining about missing the Pro Bowl? Fellas, Pro Bowlers don’t give up game winning 39 yard TDs in the final minute. |
| 27 (27) |  |
5-10 | Hey, how about them Bulls. |
| 28 (28) |  |
5-10 | NY Giants – we steal defeat from the jaws of victory. |
| 29 (30) |  |
4-11 | Dolphins try to turn franchise around by giving the reins and full control to a college coach. Because, you know, it’s worked so well recently. |
| 30 (29) |  |
4-11 | Who knew containing Drew Bennett was the key to stopping the Titans offense? |
| 31 (31) |  |
3-11 | What exactly do Browns fans have to look forward to next year? |
| 32 (32) |  |
2-13 | It’s been coming since week 10 but the San Francisco 49ers are officially on the clock. |