1. Panthers (11-0)
Previous rank: 2. Result: Won 33-14 at Cowboys. Next: Sun. at Saints.
They have the NFC's No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense.
2. Patriots (10-1)
Previous rank: 1. Result: Lost 30-24 (OT) to Broncos. Next: Sun. vs. Eagles.
They almost won at Mile High with a depleted roster. QB Tom Brady was upset the Pats didn't get all of the calls.
3. Broncos (9-2)
Previous rank: 4. Result: Won 30-24 (OT) vs. Patriots. Next: Sun. at Chargers.
The Brock Osweiler era is off to a good start.
4. Cardinals (9-2)
Previous rank: 3. Result: Won 19-13 at 49ers. Next: Sun at Rams.
Winning ugly on the road against an inferior division foe is worth something.
5. Bengals (9-2)
Previous rank: 5. Result: Won 31-7 vs. Rams. Next: Sun. at Browns.
They will likely be favored in every game except the showdown with Denver in the penultimate game.
6. Vikings (8-3)
Previous rank: 6. Result: Won 20-10 at Falcons. Next: Sun. vs. Seahawks.
They are back on top of the NFC South but can they keep winning with QB Teddy Bridgewater rarely taking any down field shots?
7. Colts (6-5)
Previous rank: 11. Result: Won 25-12 vs. Buccaneers. Next: Sun. at Steelers.
They are 4-0 with 40-year old QB Matt Hasselbeck.
8. Chiefs (6-5)
Previous rank: 12. Result: Won 30-22 vs. Bills. Next: Sun. at Raiders.
Five Ws in a row and a 5-2 AFC record have them leading the wild card pack.
9. Seahawks (6-5)
Previous rank: 13. Result: Won 39-30 vs. Steelers. Next: Sun. at Vikings.
They leapfrogged the Falcons for the race for the second NFC wild card.
10. Steelers (6-5)
Previous rank: 7. Result: Lost 39-30 at Seahawks. Next: Sun. vs. Colts.
They really needed to win in Seattle because the Bengals are running away with the AFC North and the Steelers have the worst conference record (3-4) of the wild card contenders.
11. Packers (7-4)
Previous rank: 8. Result: Lost 17-13 vs. Bears. Next: Thurs. at Lions.
After a second consecutive loss at Lambeau Field, their sheen of superiority is fading and their playoff seed is sliding.
12. Texans (6-5)
Previous rank: 14. Result: Won 24-6 vs. Saints. Next: Sun. at Bills.
They are in position to earn a wild card but it's going to be tough with at Bills, vs. Pats, at Colts over the next three games.
13. Jets (6-5)
Previous rank: 17. Result: Won 38-20 vs. Dolphins. Next: Sun. at Giants.
They are in the wild card race but likely need the Texans to lose a couple because they lost the head-to-head.
14. Bills (5-6)
Previous rank: 9. Result: Lost 30-22 at Chiefs. Next: Sun. vs. Texans.
They pretty much have to beat the Texans to keep their playoff hopes alive.
15. Giants (5-6)
Previous rank: 10. Result: Lost 20-14 at Redskins. Next: Sun. vs. Jets.
Eli Manning's three picks cost them a chance to take control in the NFC East.
16. Washington (5-6)
Previous rank: 21. Result: Won 20-14 vs. Giants. Next: Mon. vs. Cowboys.
It doesn't take much to lead the NFC East nowadays.
17. Falcons (6-5)
Previous rank: 16. Result: Lost 20-10 vs. Vikings. Next: Sun. vs. Buccaneers.
Getting back Devonta Freeman definitely will help but they aren't going anywhere if QB Matt Ryan doesn't round into form.
18. Bears (5-6)
Previous rank: 20. Result: Won 17-13 at Packers. Next: Sun. vs. 49ers.
QB Jay Cutler got his first win in five tries at Lambeau Field. Their 2-5 conference record makes the playoffs a long shot, though.
19. Buccaneers (5-6)
Previous rank: 15. Result: Lost 25-12 at Colts. Next: Sun. vs. Falcons.
They are still favored to beat the Falcons even after the offense misfired at Indy.
20. Raiders (5-6)
Previous rank: 23. Result: Won 24-21 at Titans. Next: Sun. vs. Chiefs.
Beat the Chiefs and they'll be in good position for a wild card berth.
21. Jaguars (4-7)
Previous rank: 18. Result: Lost 31-25 vs. Chargers. Next: Sun. at Titans.
QB Blake Bortles blew two scoring chances by twice throwing while past the line of scrimmage. "That's kind of stupid," Bortles said.
22. Eagles (4-7)
Previous rank: 19. Result: Lost 45-14 at Lions. Next: Sun. at Patriots.
They were outscored 90-31 over their past two games. It's a total garbage fire now for coach Chip Kelly.
23. Lions (4-7)
Previous rank: 28. Result: Won 45-14 vs. Eagles. Next: Thurs. vs. Packers.
Three wins in a row have them 12th in the NFC and at least thinking about the playoffs.
24. Saints (4-7)
Previous rank: 22. Result: Lost 24-6 at Saints. Next: Sun. vs. Panthers.
Three losses in a row and the Panthers on tap means their playoff chances are pretty much nil.
25. 49ers (3-8)
Previous rank: 24. Result: Lost 19-13 vs. Cardinals. Next: Sun. vs. Bears.
That W against the Falcons is their lone victory in five games.
26. Chargers (3-8)
Previous rank: 31. Result: Won 31-25 at Jaguars. Next: Sun. vs. Broncos.
The Broncos game is their Super Bowl.
27. Rams (4-7)
Previous rank: 25. Result: Lost 31-7 at Bengals. Next: Sun. vs. Cardinals.
Ownership is trying to get a new stadium from the city and state while the team goes in the tank.
28. Cowboys (3-8)
Previous rank: 26. Result: Lost 33-14 vs. Panthers. Next: Mon. at Redskins.
They lost seven games in a row without QB Tony Romo and he lasted just one game plus a half before re-injuring his collarbone.
29. Dolphins (4-7)
Previous rank: 27. Result: Lost 38-20 at Jets. Next: Sun. vs. Ravens.
First they fired head coach Joe Philbin. Now OC Bill Lazor is out.
30. Ravens (3-8)
Previous rank: 32. Result: Won 33-27 at Browns. Next: Sun. at Dophins.
They torment the Browns no matter what.
31. Browns (2-9)
Previous rank: 29. Result: Lost 33-27 vs. Ravens. Next: Sun. vs. Bengals.
Losing on a blocked field-goal attempt as time expired is a very Browns thing. At least they stayed in the race for the top draft pick.
32. Titans (2-9)
Previous rank: 30. Result: Lost 24-21 vs. Raiders. Next: Sun. vs Jaguars.
Interim coach Mike Mularkey said the league admitted officials blew a key call in the Raiders game.
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