(Last week’s ratings in parentheses)
1. Chicago (2): Yes, the best team in the league resides in the NFC.
2. Indianapolis (1): A one-point win over the Titans basically is a loss here.
3. Denver (4): You beat the Patriots and Ravens back to back and you’re big-time.
4. Seattle (5): Rams won’t be a picnic today.
5. New England (6): Different team since getting bounced by the Broncos.
6. Baltimore (3): No Steve McNair magic every week.
7. San Diego (7): Marty Schottenheimer finally let Philip Rivers breathe.
8. Cincinnati (8): Bengals have bad taste in mouths after loss to the Pats.
9. Atlanta (9): Michael Vick has to come out of the bye week hot.
10. Carolina (10): Panthers can prove themselves against the Ravens.
11. Jacksonville (13): Coach Jack Del Rio doesn’t mind piling up the points when he can.
12. Philadelphia (14): Now it can all be about Donovan McNabb’s fabulous comeback season.
13. New Orleans (15): Reggie Bush for president.
14. St. Louis (18): Rams can take control of division with win over Seahawks.
15. New York Giants (17): When they all behave, the Giants can play a little.
16. Pittsburgh (11): Ben Roethlisberger is below average, and the defending champs are on that border.
17. Dallas (12): Drew Bledsoe is stiffer than an accountant at a toga party.
18. Minnesota (19): Best defense in Minnesota in years.
19. Kansas City (20): Ditto in K.C.
20. Buffalo (16): Bills won’t ever go back to Chicago.
21. Washington (21): The best of The Lousy.
22. Arizona (22): Matt Leinart makes the Cardinals better.
23. New York Jets (23): That one hurts.
24. Cleveland (24): Still a long way from being decent.
25. Tampa Bay (25): Bruce Gradkowski is a bright spot in a dark hole.
26. San Francisco (28): Champs of the Bay Area. Big deal.
27. Houston (27): Coach Gary Kubiak going for big upset in Big D today.
28. Miami (26): Daunte Culpepper stinks, and he’s upset. Bad combo.
29. Green Bay (29): It’s over, Brett Favre.
30. Detroit (30): The best of the really bad.
31. Oakland (31): Go get the ball, LaMont Jordan.
32. Tennessee (32): At least Vince Young is exciting to watch.
ON THE MOVE
Pittsburgh
The defending champions are in trouble. You can’t start 1-3 in the AFC and have serious playoff designs. The season is not dead for Bill Cowher’s team, but the pulse is faint. The Steelers’ only hope depends on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been awful this season. If Big Ben can get it together, the Steelers have a slight chance. If not, there will be a new champion come February.
