1. Panthers (13-0)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Won 38-0 vs. Falcons. Next: Sun. at Giants.
Yeah, the Falcons are bad, but did you see Cam Newton zinging passes into tight spots?
2. Cardinals (11-2)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Won 23-20 vs. Vikings. Next: Sun. at Eagles.
Worrisome to see the offense struggle against banged-up Vikings but the defense came up big.
3. Patriots (11-2)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Won 27-6 at Texans. Next: Sun. vs. Titans.
They are poised to finish No. 1 in the AFC again.
4. Broncos (10-3)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Lost 15-12 vs. Raiders. Next: at Steelers.
Ugly loss to the Raiders dropped them a game behind Pats for No. 1 AFC seed. The Bengals also own the tiebreaker over them.
5. Bengals (11-2)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Lost 33-20 vs. Steelers. Next: Sun. at 49ers.
QB Andy Dalton broke the thumb on his throwing hand but there's some hope he can return for the playoffs.
6. Seahawks (8-5)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Won 35-6 at Ravens. Next: Sun. vs. Browns.
This is the potential playoff opponent the Panthers should most worry about.
7. Steelers (8-5)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Won 33-20 at Bengals. Next: Sun. vs. Broncos.
This is the team the Broncos don't want to see in their playoff opener.
8. Chiefs (8-5)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Won 10-3 vs. Chargers. Next: Sun. at Ravens.
It wasn't pretty against the Chargers but that's seven Ws in a row.
9. Packers (9-4)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Won 28-7 vs. Cowboys. Next: Sun. at Raiders.
Need to see them do it again to be convinced they've worked out their problems on offense.
10. Jets (8-5)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Won 30-8 vs. Titans. Next: Sat. at Cowboys.
They've quietly won three in a row to move up to sixth in the AFC.
11. Vikings (8-5)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 23-20 at Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs Bears.
They got the big game they needed from QB Teddy Bridgewater--until he fumbled on a sack strip with five seconds left in field-goal range.
12. Raiders (6-7)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Won 15-12 at Broncos. Next: Sun. vs. Packers.
That was an inspired performance in Denver but they only seem to win like that when the pressure is off.
13. Eagles (6-7)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Won 23-20 vs. Bills. Next: Sun. vs. Cardinals.
I guess they are as good as anyone in the terrible NFC East.
14. Giants (6-7)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Won 31-24 at Dolphins. Next: Sun. vs. Panthers.
They finally managed to close out a W late.
15. Bills (6-7)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Lost 23-20 at Eagles. Next: Sun. at Redskins.
They are two games behind in the AFC wild card race.
16. Buccaneers (6-7)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Lost 24-17 vs. Saints. Next: Thurs. at Rams.
They've been outscored by 34 points on the season yet are seventh in the NFC.
17. Colts (6-7)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Lost 51-16 at Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs. Tecans.
They've been outscored by 81 points and yet are leading the AFC South.
18. Washington (6-7)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Won 24-21 at Bears. Next: Sun. vs. Bills.
I guess they are as good as anyone in the terrible NFC East.
19. Texans (6-7)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Lost 27-6v s. Patriots. Next: Sun. vs. Colts.
As usual, they are a team with a lot of good players and nothing to show for it.
20. Jaguars (5-8)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Won 51-16 vs. Colts. Next: Sun. vs. Falcons.
More important than ending the Colts' AFC South winning streak at 16 was a strong game from QB Blake Bortles.
21. Saints (5-8)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Won 24-17 at Buccaneers. Next: Mon. vs. Lions.
No reason to think they won't sweep the Falcons.
22. Falcons (6-7)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Lost 38-0 at Panthers. Next: Sun. at Jaguars.
After a beat down like that you have to question the leadership. Will they win another game?
23. Bears (5-8)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Lost 24-21 vs. Washington. Next: Sun. at Vikings.
Kicker Robbie Gould missed a late field-goal attempt to tie after he missed one to win the previous week.
24. 49ers (4-9)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Lost 24-10 at Browns. Next: Sun. vs Bengals.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks said they took the Browns lightly. Really.
25. Dolphins (5-8)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Lost 31-24 vs. Giants. Next: Sun. at Chargers.
They have a lot of decisions to make, including whether to permanently keep Dan Campbell as coach.
26. Rams (5-8)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Won 21-14 vs. Lions. Next: Thursday vs. Buccaneers.
The fans have stopped showing up with owner Stan Kroenke looking to move the team to Los Angeles.
27. Lions (4-9)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Lost 21-14 at Rams. Next: Mon. at Saints.
The end is near for coach Jim Caldwell.
28. Browns (3-10)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Won 24-10 vs. 49ers. Next: Sun. at Sehawks.
At least QB Johnny Manziel showed something.
29. Cowboys (4-9)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Lost 28-7 at Packers. Next: Sun. at Packers.
They are last in the NFC.
30. Chargers (3-10)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Lost 10-3 at Chiefs. Next: Sun. vs. Dolphins.
The end is near for coach Mike McCoy.
31. Titans (3-10)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Lost 30-8 at Jets. Next: Sun. at Patriots.
They are 2-4 under interim coach Mike Mularkey.
32. Ravens (4-9)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Lost 35-6 vs. Seahawks. Next: Sun. vs. Chiefs.
They will finish with a losing record for the first time in eight years under coach John Harbaugh.
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