1. New England (2): Pats have covered the spread in all six games.
2. Indianapolis (1): Nothing against the Colts, but the Patriots are the best team in the league.
3. Pittsburgh (4): Broncos could be in big trouble again.
4. Jacksonville (5): Jaguars could stick with the Colts for a while.
5. Dallas (3): Cowboys are the NFC’s best, for what it’s worth.
6. Green Bay (8): Packers are Cowboys’ top competition in NFC.
7. Baltimore (11): Quarterback is still an issue for this team.
8. New York Giants (12): Here come the Giants.
9. Tampa Bay (13): Jeff Garcia has been the Bucs’ savior.
10. Carolina (15): Vinny, Vinny, Vinny!
11. Washington (6): Redskins were sloppy in a loss to the Pack.
12. Tennessee (7): The Titans are a below-average team without Vince Young.
13. San Diego (17): The Chargers are moving on up.
14. Arizona (9): Tim Rattay will not keep this team in playoff hunt.
15. Seattle (10): Seahawks need to show they are a quality team – after two bad losses.
16. Detroit (16): Lions have the look of a team ready to fade.
17. Kansas City (22): Herman Edwards deserves credit for keeping this team competitive.
18. Cleveland (23): Anderson makes Quinn pick look unnecessary.
19. Houston (14): Gary Kubiak’s team needs to find consistency.
20. Denver (20): Broncos can’t afford a third home defeat in a row.
21. San Francisco (21): 49ers have to get it right vs. Giants buzz saw.
22. Philadelphia (27): Can the Eagles win two in a row?
23. Oakland (18): Raiders’ defense will keep them in some games.
24. Minnesota (25): Adrian Peterson makes this team relevant.
25. Chicago (19): The Bears’ defense is falling apart.
26. New Orleans (29): Hey, there are the Saints.
27. Buffalo (24): The second-best team in the AFC East.
28. Cincinnati (28): It is getting ugly in the Queen City.
29. N.Y. Jets (26): Only thing worse than Jets’ play are throwback unis.
30. Atlanta (30): The Falcons just can’t compete.
31. St. Louis (31): The Rams are going to lose at least 13 games.
32. Miami (32): Dolphins are second-best team from South Florida.
ON THE MOVE
Chicago
The tumble may just be starting. That was a bad home loss to a below-average Vikings team. What has to be most alarming for coach Lovie Smith is that his defense has gone south. The Bears will have no shot if their defense doesn’t rebound. As it is, the 2-4 Bears have no chance of going back to the Super Bowl.
