Last week's rankings in parenthesis.
1. Eagles 10-1 (1). They've won each of their last four games by a minimum of three touchdowns and now face a good West Coast test with games at the Seahawks and Rams.
2. Patriots 9-2 (2). Next three games are on the road, including a Dec. 17 game at Heinz Field against the Steelers when the top seed in the AFC playoffs could be at stake.
3. Steelers 9-2 (3). This is a really difficult team to figure out. How they went to the end at home against Brett Hundley and the Packers will remain a mystery.
4. Vikings 9-2 (4). Defensive end Everson Griffen has to be in the running for defensive player of the year.
5. Rams 8-3 (7). When a young team can bounce back from a bad loss to Vikings with a big win over a good team like the Saints, that's a very strong sign.
6. Panthers 8-3 (6). With the Saints and Vikings in the next two weeks, Carolina will be put to the test.
7. Saints 8-3 (5). The eight-game winning streak ended but a potent running game still has New Orleans set for legitimate playoff run.
8. Falcons 7-4 (10). Last year's NFC champion suddenly looks like a major factor in the playoff race having rolled off three straight wins.
9. Seahawks 7-4 (11). We'll see how the injury-ravaged secondary can hold up with Eagles coming to Seattle.
10. Jaguars 7-4 (8). Doug Marrone got greedy in the final minute at Arizona and that cost him. Losing to the Cardinals and former QB Blaine Gabbert is a disappointment.
11. Chargers 5-6 (16). Don't look now but they might just run away from the AFC West.
12. Titans 7-4 (14). It's not too soon to look to Dec. 31 finale with Jaguars as a huge game. Tennessee plays Texans, Cardinals and 49ers in next three weeks.
13. Ravens 6-5 (15). Even with a comfortable lead, the Ravens are not interested in stretching the field vertically with Joe Flacco.
14. Redskins 5-6 (17). If running back Samaje Perine, offense could find some balance with need to heat up down the stretch.
15. Lions 6-5 (9). Disappointing Thanksgiving showing leaves Lions chasing in the final five weeks. They need QB Matthew Stafford's ankle to heal quickly.
16. Bills 6-5 (19). Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin's torn meniscus creates an issue for Buffalo, which has little room for error.
17. Chiefs 6-5 (12). Andy Reid is sticking with QB Alex Smith, who had 16 touchdowns and no interceptions in first eight games and four scores and four picks in the last month.
18. Cowboys 5-6 (13). They've been blown out by 20 or more points in the last three weeks and if that trend continues, Jerry Jones could make some major changes.
19. Raiders 5-6 (20). Amari Cooper is in concussion protocol and Michael Crabtree has been suspended for one game for his melee with Aqib Talib that cost him a gold chain.
20. Cardinals 5-6 (26). Bruce Arians says it's possible Gabbert is playing his way into the team's plans for 2018. That sounds dangerous.
21. Bengals 5-6 (23). Rookie Joe Mixon got rolling with 114 yards rushing in Sunday's win over the Browns.
22. Packers 5-6 (18). Green Bay battled but Mike McCarthy never should have opted for 57-yard field goal attempt at Pittsburgh, where kicking is treacherous. Miss turned the momentum.
23. Jets 4-7 (22). Wide receiver Robby Anderson lobbying for Pro Bowl votes during the game isn't the best look but wide receivers will go to great lengths for attention.
24. Dolphins 4-7 (21). The offensive line has been struggling and quarterback Matt Moore was sacked seven times in Sunday's loss at New England.
25. Buccaneers 4-7 (24). Jameis Winston will return to practice on Wednesday but not in time to save this season.
26. Texans 4-7 (25). Two takeaways from Monday night's loss at Baltimore: Jadaveon Clowney is very disruptive without J.J. Watt and Houston's special teams are straight awful.
27. Bears 3-8 (27). For the second consecutive year the Bears and 49ers will meet in December with draft position at stake. Remember when they used to battle for NFC supremacy?
28. Broncos 3-8 (28). They've come full circle at quarterback as Trevor Siemian is starting once again.
29. Colts 3-8 (29). Chuck Pagano tried to lighten the mood Monday after Indianapolis blew a halftime lead for the sixth time this year. GM Chris Ballard is likely picking a new coach after the season.
30. Giants 2-9 (30). After placing four players on injured reserve Monday, New York has run its total to 22 _ 13 since the beginning of the regular season.
31. 49ers 1-10 (31). Offensive line issues have been adding up but Kyle Shanahan named Jimmy Garoppolo as QB for Sunday's game at Soldier Field.
32. Browns 0-11 (32). Hue Jackson has "big plans" for Josh Gordon's return. Perhaps that includes a first victory of the season.
