All of the teams have played 10 games, there are no byes left, and so it's time to start saying: "If the playoffs started today . . . "
The Falcons would sneak in as the No. 6 NFC seed and play a wild card game at Lambeau Field. I remember when Michael Vick and Co. did what seemed impossible and beat Hall of Famer Brett Favre there in January, but it ain't happening with this Falcons team against Aaron Rodgers. Anyway, the Falcons can't worry about playoff scenarios with the Bucs and Seahawks creeping up one game behind and five 4-6 teams looming
1. Patriots (10-0)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Won 20-13 vs. Bills. Next: Sun. at Broncos.
They weren't that crisp against the Bills but they were down to two healthy receivers at one point. "We'll keep fighting out and figure out a way to win," QB Tom Brady said.
2. Panthers (10-0)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Won 44-16 vs. Redskins. Next: Thurs. at Cowboys.
The Falcons still have to play them twice and, right now, I'd take the Panthers and give 10 points.
3. Cardinals (8-2)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Won 34-31 vs. Bengals. Next: Sun at 49ers.
It was impressive to see QB Carson Palmer overcome an awful start to make winning plays.
4. Broncos (8-2)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Won 17-15 at Bears. Next: Sun. vs. Patriots.
With QB Peyton Manning on the mend, Brock Osweiler passed for 250 yards and two TDs and the defense stopped a late two-point conversion.
5. Bengals (8-2)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Lost 34-31 at Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs Cardinals.
No shame in the Bengals losing a shootout at Arizona but now the Steelers are just two games back in the AFC North.
6. Vikings (7-3)
Previous rank: 4. Result: lost 30-13 vs. Packers. Next: Sun. at Falcons.
They flunked their first big test since losing to the Broncos in Week 2. They won't be facing Aaron Rodgers in the Dome.
7. Steelers (6-4)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Seahawks.
The Steelers have the worst conference record (3-4) of the AFC teams chasing wild cards.
8. Packers (7-3)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Won 30-13 at Vikings. Next: Thurs. vs. Bears.
They reestablished their status as the team to beat in the NFC North. They can go on a run with Bears, at Lions, and Cowboys in next three.
9. Bills (5-5)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Lost 20-13 at Patriots. Next: Sun. at Chiefs.
The defense certainly had the Patriots flummoxed for long periods. QB Tyrod Taylor and the offense couldn't do much.
10. Giants (5-5)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Redskins.
Those four blown leads in the fourth quarter may not hurt them because the NFC East is so bad.
11. Colts (5-5)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Won 24-21 at Falcons. Next: Sun. vs. Buccaneers.
No doubt the Falcons collapsed but the Colts also made plays.
12. Chiefs (5-5)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Won 33-3 at Chargers. Next: Sun. vs. Bills.
The Chargers are banged up but that's still an impressive W for the Chiefs. They've won four in a row since losing five straight and are back in the wild card race.
13. Seahawks (5-5)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Won 29-13 vs. 49ers. Next: Sun. vs Steelers.
They aren't what they used to be but does anyone want to face them in the playoffs?
14. Texans (5-5)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Won 24-17 vs. Jets. Next: Sun. vs Saints.
That's a good win against the Jets but the schedule gets real after the Saints: at Bills, vs Patriots, at Colts.
15. Buccaneers (5-5)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Won 45-17 at Eagles. Next: at Colts.
QB Jameis Winston tied a rookie record with five TD passes against the Eagles. He's running away with the offensive rookie of the year award.
16. Falcons (6-4)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Lost 24-21 vs. Colts. Next: Sun. vs. Vikings.
The Falcons can forget about the NFC South title. At this point they just need to win a game.
17. Jets (5-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 24-17 at Texans vs. Bills. Next: Sun. vs. Jets.
Remember when they looked like they might challenge the Pats? They've lost four of five games since.
18. Jaguars (4-6)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Won 19-13 vs. Titans. Next: Sun. vs. Chargers.
The Jags won consecutive games for the first time since 2013 to stay in contention in the awful AFC South.
19. Eagles (4-6)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Lost 45-17 vs. Dolphins. Next: Sun. Thurs. at Lions.
The Eagles aren't quite in full meltdown mode because the NFC East is so bad but lose at the Lions and it will be a garbage fire.
20. Bears (4-6)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Lost 17-15 vs. Broncos. Next: Thurs. at Packers.
Just when it looked as if their offense was clocking the Bears managed just one touchdown late against the Broncos.
21. Washington (4-6)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Lost 44-16 at Panthers. Next: Sun. vs Giants.
Back to earth for Washington after blowing out the Saints.
22. Saints (4-6)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Bye. Next: Sun. at Texans.
They are probably going to have to win their next three to stay in the wild card hunt: at Texans, vs. Panthers and at Buccaneers.
23. Raiders (4-6)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Lost 18-13 at Lions. Next: Sun. at Titans.
They rallied from a 13-0 deficit against the Vikings but then did nothing.
24. 49ers (3-7)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 29-13 at Seahawks. Next: Sun. vs. Cardinals.
That victory against the Falcons may end up being the highlight of their season.
25. Rams (4-6)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Lost 16-13 at Ravens. Next: Sun. at Bengals.
How down are the Rams on QB Nick Foles? They left Case Keenum in against the Bengals when he was clearly woozy from a head injury.
26. Cowboys (3-7)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Won 24-14 at Dolphins. Next: Thurs vs. Panthers.
QB Tony Romo made a triumphant return from injury. That makes the game against the Panthers more interesting.
27. Dolphins (4-6)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Lost 24-14 vs. Cowboys. Next: Sun. at Jets.
It's looking like a seventh straight year with no playoffs.
28. Lions (3-7)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Won 18-13 vs. Raiders. Next: Thurs. vs. Eagles.
Don't look now but they've won two in a row.
29. Browns (2-8)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Bye. Next: Mon. vs. Ravens.
30. Titans (2-8)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Lost 19-13 at Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs Raiders.
They blew a late lead in Jacksonville to fall to 0-5 on the road.
31. Chargers (2-8)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Lost 33-3 vs. Chiefs. Next: Sun. at Jaguars.
QB Philip Rivers and TE Antonio Gates argued on the sideline, which I guess is better than not caring.
32. Ravens (2-8)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Lost 22-20 vs. Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs. Rams.
Blown call or not, they just aren't very good.
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