1. Cowboys (10-1)
Win at Washington was 10th straight for the Cowboys. There are still question marks about the defense but the best offense in football makes that seem unimportant.
2. Patriots (9-2)
Won at Jets but, for the second straight week, the offense sputtered until late. TE Rob Gronkowski (back) and QB Tom Brady (knee) are gimpy.
3. Raiders (9-2)
Beat the Panthers using Falcons formula: Score a lot of points and wait for the defense to make a few key plays. LB Khalil Mack is dominating.
4. Seahawks (7-3-1)
It looked as if Hawks had their offensive issues sorted out. Then they went to Tampa and managed only a field goal as the o-line fell apart.
5. Falcons (7-4)
The defense has shown incremental improvement but took two big hits with season-ending surgery for CB Desmond Trufant (above) and DE Adrian Clayborn out for at least a month. The Bucs are keeping the pressure on in the NFC South.
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6. Giants (8-3)
Yeah, it was the Browns, but still can’t knock a dominant road victory. Now the schedule toughens for Giants: last five opponents are 34-19-1.
7. Chiefs (8-3)
KC rallied from eight points down in final three minutes of regulation at Denver and then won on banked-in field goal in OT. Still not sure their offense is good enough to take them anywhere.
8. Broncos (7-4)
Overtime loss at home to Chiefs put Broncos two games behind Raiders in AFC West. They have a tough finishing schedule in crowded AFC wild-card race.
9. Lions (7-4)
The Lions once again pulled out a win late, this time turning an interception into the winning field goal vs. Vikings as time expired. I keep thinking they can’t do it every week but they do.
10. Dolphins (7-4)
The Dolphins beat the 49ers while playing three backup o-linemen and essentially abandoning the running game.
11. Steelers (6-5)
With dominating Thursday night W at Colts, Steelers sent notice that they aren’t finished.
12. Bills (6-5)
Bills held off Jags at home to stay in AFC wild card picture.
13. Buccaneers (6-5)
Are the Bucs for real? Signs point to yes after hard-fought W vs. Seahawks keeps them in NFC South race. And they do own that W against Falcons.
14. Ravens (6-5)
Followed up respectable effort in loss at Dallas with tough home W vs. Bengals.
15. Eagles (5-6)
Their offensive struggles resurfaced in Monday night home loss to Packers.
16. Titans (6-6)
Titans won at Bears so I guess they are what passes for quality in AFC South?
17. Washington (6-4-1)
Whatever chance Washington had of an NFC East title died with loss to Cowboys.
18. Vikings (6-5)
The lack of any kind of downfield passing threat caught up to them in loss to Lions.
19. Texans (6-5)
Ugly home loss to Chargers is latest evidence that the QB Brock Osweiler experiment is not working but Texans may still end up winning wretched AFC South by default.
20. Saints (5-6)
Saints always have a chance as long as QB Drew Brees can still play like he did while carving up the Rams.
21. Packers (5-6)
The Packers had no running game at Philly but it didn't matter because QB Aaron Rodgers got his rhythm back.
22. Chargers (5-6)
They’ve had a lot of injuries and are not really in AFC playoff picture so give them credit for still competing.
23. Colts (5-6)
QB Andrew Luck (concussion) returned to practice after missing Steelers game but realistically they aren’t getting a wild card.
24. Panthers (4-7)
The defending NFC champs will spend December 2016 playing out the string.
25. Cardinals (4-6-1)
The offense always has been hit-or-miss but it was surprising to see defense fold in the Dome.
26. Rams (4-7)
Rookie QB Jared Goff looked better in his second game so that’s something to build on for Rams.
27. Bengals (3-7-1)
After loss at Baltimore, the Marvin Lewis job watch is in full steam.
28. Jets (3-8)
They had an upset W vs. Pats in hand before D allowed nine-play TD drive.
29. Bears (2-9)
QB Matt Barkley (remember him?) was actually pretty good vs. Titans in relief of injured Jay Cutler.
30. Jaguars (2-9)
Went to Buffalo and gave another competitive-but-losing effort.
31. 49ers (1-10)
Couldn’t score on final play at Dolphins and lost 10 straight games for first time ever.
32. Browns (0-12)
Coach Hue Jackson got emotional while calling 0-12 record in his first season as a head coach “probably the hardest thing ever.”
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