1. New England (15-0, Last week’s ranking: 1) – Think Bill Belichick won’t play his starters for most of the game if the contest against the Giants is close. Well then, you haven’t been paying attention this season.

 

2. Indianapolis (13-2, Last week’s ranking: 3) – I know Tony Dungy wants to give his best players some playing time against Tennessee, but I wouldn’t have Peyton Manning standing on the sidelines Sunday night, much less starting him for a pair of drives.

 

3. Dallas (13-2, Last week’s ranking: 2) – If there was a good time for the Cowboys to have an injury occur to their most dangerous offensive weapon, it’s now. The Cowboys have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the NFC and Terrell Owens has three weeks to rest his high angle sprain.

 

4. Jacksonville (11-4, Last week’s ranking: 5) – Running back Fred Taylor is having his best season in years and the Jaguars have won six of their last seven games. It’s a pretty good combination heading into the post-season.

 

5. Green Bay (12-3, Last week’s ranking: 4) – While the Packers lost home field advantage, it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest they have a good shot at unseating the Cowboy should the two teams square off in the NFC title game at Texas Stadium.

 

6. San Diego (10-5, Last week’s ranking: 6) – Winners of their last five games, the Chargers won’t be patsy once the playoffs roll around.

 

7. Pittsburgh (10-5, Last week’s ranking: 7) – It’ll been interesting how the Steelers handle the Jaguars in the first round if they meet at Heinz Field. The first time the teams played there this year, Jacksonville’s offensive line did quite the number on Pittsburgh’s defense.

 

8. Seattle (10-5, Last week’s ranking: 10) – Like last season, the Seahawks will host the first round, giving the team, which will play either Washington, Minnesota or New Orleans, a great shot of advancing.

 

9. Tennessee (9-6, Last week’s ranking: 13) – If the Titans can’t beat the Colts, who should have their starters out in rather quick fashion, then they don’t deserve a chance to play past Sunday night.

 

10. N.Y. Giants (10-5, Last week’s ranking: 11) – Hey I’m sure the Giants would love to be the first team to beat the Patriots this season, but not at the expense of a major injury to one of their key players.

 

11. Cleveland (9-6, Last week’s ranking: 8) – With the Browns controlling their own destiny, how could they put up a stinker against the Bengals?

 

12. Tampa Bay (9-6, Last week’s ranking: 9) – Forget about a meaningless loss to the lowly San Francisco 49ers, I’d be more concerned with these injuries the team has encountered recently.

 

13. Washington (8-7, Last week’s ranking: 20) – The Redskins have to be loving this scenario: a chance to make the playoffs with a victory over the hated Cowboys, who have no interest in winning at all cost.

 

14. Minnesota (8-7, Last week’s ranking: 12) – How can we believe Tarvaris Jackson is Minnesota’s long-term solution at quarterback when he continues to turn the ball over.

 

15. Philadelphia (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 19) – The Eagles’ Jekyll and Hyde season has to be maddening to all that follow this team.

 

16. New Orleans (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 14) – Even if the Saints miraculously stumble into the playoffs, can you really see this team winning a game?

 

17. Buffalo (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 15) – Some would should tell Trent Edwards that ‘I’m a California boy that has to get use to bad weather’ excuse won’t fly in Western New York.

 

18. Houston (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 16) – While they don’t have a winning season, at least the Texans seem to be going in the right direction.

 

19. Arizona (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 17) – It took overtime for the Cardinals to beat a hopeless Atlanta Falcons team. So let’s throw a party!

 

20. Detroit (7-8, Last week’s ranking: 18) – It really is hard to believe this team was once 6-2.

 

21. Chicago (6-9, Last week’s ranking: 22) – I’m sure Bears fans are asking one question after Chicago beat the NFC’s second best team for a second time. What the heck happened the rest of the year?

 

22. Denver (6-9, Last week’s ranking: 21) – The Denver motto for next season should be, defense, defense and more defense.

 

23. Carolina (6-9, Last week’s ranking: 23) – That heart attack bit Steve Smith pulled after scoring his first touchdown in seven games was hysterical. Too bad the Panthers’ season can be categorized in the same way.

 

24. Cincinnati (6-9, Last week’s ranking: 25) – The Bengals upset Cleveland at home last Sunday. How many would’ve predicted Cincinnati being underdogs to the Browns when the season began?

 

25. San Francisco (5-10, Last week’s ranking: 28) – I don’t think we’ll see Mike Nolan around much longer than one more year if the 49ers endure another forgettable losing season.

 

26. Baltimore (4-11, Last week’s ranking: 24) – How can Brian Billick come back to coach this offensive monstrosity again next season, Steve Bisciotti?

 

27. Kansas City (4-11, Last week’s ranking: 26) – I predicted the downfall of the Chiefs a season too soon. Still, even I didn’t see this coming.

 

28. Oakland (4-11, Last week’s ranking: 27) – So JaMarcus Russell is finally going to get his first NFL start. I’m sure that one game is going to do him a world of good, Lane Kiffin.

 

29. St. Louis (3-12, Last week’s ranking: 29) – Getting into public spats with your three best players isn’t the way to remain a head coach, Scott Linehan.

 

30. Atlanta (3-12, Last week’s ranking: 30) – Good luck to the man who takes over this team.

 

31. N.Y. Jets (3-12, Last week’s ranking: 31) – Goodbye Chad Pennington, it was nice knowing you.

 

32. Miami (1-14, Last week’s ranking: 32) – I can almost guarantee one thing now that Bill Parcells is taking over this mess:  The Dolphins won’t be drafting a quarterback with their first pick.