(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. Chicago (1): Rex Grossman better have learned something during the bye.
2. Indianapolis (2): Colts not likely to be scared today.
3. Denver (3): Nor are the Broncos.
4. New England (5): Patriots looking great again.
5. New Orleans (8): Saints still have to prove it.
6. Seattle (4): Injuries may keep Seahawks from being Super again.
7. New York Giants (12): The team is clicking.
8. Cincinnati (11): Win over Panthers was badly needed.
9. Baltimore (9): We’ll learn a lot about this team today.
10. San Diego (6): Not a good week for the Chargers.
11. Carolina (7): This team is too wishy-washy.
12. Atlanta (13): Four touchdown passes from Michael Vick. Really?
13. Jacksonville (10): A loss to the Texans is not playoff-quality work.
14. Minnesota (18): Win over Seahawks might go a long way.
15. Pittsburgh (14): How much can Big Ben take?
16. Philadelphia (15): Killer losses take a toll.
17. St. Louis (17): Rams need to take advantage of the Chargers’ woes.
18. New York Jets (19): Let’s start paying attention to this team.
19. Kansas City (20): The Good Chiefs showed up against the Chargers. Who will show up today?
20. Tampa Bay (21): That field goal would have been good from 65.
21. Dallas (16): Thanks for playing, Drew Bledsoe.
22. Tennessee (27): Just because so many teams in this area code stink.
23. Buffalo (23): Early-season progress seems long ago.
24. Houston (29): That’s a big win for Gary Kubiak’s bunch.
25. Washington (24): Wholesale changes needed now.
26. Cleveland (25): Charlie Frye is not the guy.
27. San Francisco (28): Man, there are a lot of bad teams down here.
28. Green Bay (31): OK, they can beat a bad team.
29. Detroit (26): Just not good.
30. Miami (30): Got another QB, Nick Saban?
31. Oakland (32): Can’t play the Cardinals every week.
32. Arizona (22): This team is awful.
ON THE MOVE
Arizona
We didn’t think it could get worse after that disaster against Chicago 13 days ago, but being beat down by Oakland – the formerly winless Raiders – is a new low for Dennis Green’s team. There is talent here, but the Cardinals, expected to be playoff contenders for the past two years, just can’t win.
