32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13) - The Ravens dominated the Colts this past week, and have to play teams fighting for a playoff berth in the Titans and Texans the next two weeks. Their best chance at avoiding dubious history is their finale against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
31. St. Louis Rams (2-11) - After falling to the Seahawks on Monday night, the Rams have games against the Bengals, Steelers and 49ers to close out the season. The team can't protect the quarterback, and need another receiving threat to play alongside Brandon Lloyd.
30. Minnesota Vikings (2-11) - The Vikings had a chance to beat Detroit with one play left from the Lions one-yard line, but Joe Webb was sacked to end the game. Even without Adrian Peterson, the team still hung with Detroit, but you can't turn the ball over six times and expect to win. It'll be interesting to see if Ponder remains the starter at quarterback, or whether Joe Webb will close the season running the offense.
29. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (4-9) - For a while it looked as though Tampa was going to be able to play up to their potential, as they raced out to a 14-0 lead on Jacksonville. Sadly, they allowed 41 straight points and fell to the 4-9 Jaguars. This team is not playing smart football, and appears to be looking forward to some time off in about three weeks.
28. Cleveland Browns (4-9) - The Browns hung with the Steelers for the majority of the game, but that was just as much due to the injury to Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey as it was solid play by the Browns. The team needs more production on offense, and while Colt McCoy is scrappy, he's better served as a backup.
27. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) - The Chiefs got embarrassed on the road against the Jets 37-10 on Sunday, and fired head coach Todd Haley monday morning. Injuries have hurt the team, but Haley and his immature and abrasive attitude began to wear on this team.
26. Carolina Panthers (4-9) - The Panthers jumped out to a 23-7 halftime lead against the Falcons, but the defense gave up allowed Matt Ryan to throw for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the offense was put in check the rest of the game, which the ended up losing 31-23.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) - The Jags crushed a hapless Bucs team 41-14. The defense scored two touchdowns, and Maurice Jones-Drew scored four additional times in the game. Whoever is the next head coach of this team will need to add offensive playmakers, but the defense was great before being beset with injuries.
24. Washington Redskins (4-9) - The undermanned Redskins played the Patriots tough for the entire game, coming up just short as Rex Grossman was intercepted inside the Pats' 20 with only seconds remaining. This team is a consistent quarterback away from being solid, as the defense has generally played well this year.
23. Buffalo Bills (5-8) - Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his worst games of the year, completing just 13 of 37 passes and threw two costly interceptions, and the pass defense couldn't stop Philip Rivers and the San Diego passing attack, losing 37-10. Until the defense can generate a pass rush, there's little hope for the Bills to turn the season around.
22. Miami Dolphins (4-9) - The Dolphins fired head coach Tony Sparano, just one day after the 'Fins fell to the Eagles 26-10. The timing is odd, considering the team had been playing much better football over the past month, but management will likely try to get a jump on contacting a big name former coach. Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher are likely two of the names that will come up in their search.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) - The offense was back together and healthy, and the defense forced three turnovers and logged nine sacks in their 26-10 win against the Dolphins. If the Eagles can play a full 60 minutes, they can compete with any team in the league, but their pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy will have to wait until next season.
20. Oakland Raiders (7-6) - The Raiders are struggling mightily, getting embarrassed by Green Bay 46-16 this past Sunday. Their offense is clearly lacking the big play, and are now a full game behind the Broncos for the AFC West lead. If Darren McFadden can't return this week, Oakland will at home watching the playoffs, instead of participating in them.
19. Seattle Seahawks (6-7) - Don't look now, but the Seahawks are still (barely) in the NFC playoff picture. Marshawn Lynch has proven to be a steal in the trade from Buffalo, and has racked up 9 touchdowns in the past eight games. While their playoff hopes are slim at best, the team should compete for a playoff berth in 2012.
18. San Diego Chargers (6-7) - The Chargers beat down the free-falling Bills, and Philip Rivers threw for another three touchdowns. They are two games back of Denver with three to play, but there's still an outside chance they can reach the postseason, and potentially save head coach Norv Turner's job.
17. Arizona Cardinals (6-7) - The Cardinals have beat two potential playoff teams in back-to-back weeks, this time knocking off the 49ers 21-19. John Skelton threw three touchdown passes in relief of an injured Kevin Kolb, and the defense was able to sack 49ers QB Alex Smith five times. The Cardinals are 4-1 in their last five, and Beanie Wells should have an easier time running, as the 49ers have the #1 ranked run defense.
16. Tennessee Titans (7-6) - The Titans were nearly able to upset the visiting Saints, but Jake Locker (who relieved an injured Matt Hasselbeck) was sacked at the New Orleans 8 yard line as time expired. Should the Titans lose this next week, its possible that Locker takes over at quarterback so head coach Mike Munchak can see what he has in the #8 overall pick in the draft.
15. Chicago Bears (7-6) - The team can't seem to score without QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte, though by all rights should have won their game against the Broncos, but Marion Barber inexplicably ran out of bounds, giving the Broncos the ball back with about one minute instead of approximately twenty seconds.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) - The Bengals have fallen back to Earth recently, dropping four of their last five, including blowing a 19-6 lead on the Texans. The pass defense has been vulnerable as of late, as Texans QB T.J. Yates threw for 300 yards, including the game-winner with two seconds left.
13. Dallas Cowboys (7-6) - The Cowboys let a win slip away against the Giants, as Eli Manning led two scoring drives in the last six minutes of the game to fall 37-34. To make matters worse, they're going to be without leading rusher DeMarco Murray for the rest of the season, as he suffered a broken ankle in the loss.
12. Detroit Lions (8-5) - The Lions barely snuck away with a 34-28 win against the 2-11 Vikings. The defense thrives on making big plays, but needs to shore up their run defense, as Minnesota ran for nearly 250 yards in the game.
11. New York Giants (7-6) - The Giants now lead the NFC East following their comeback win over the Cowboys. Eli Manning threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns, and Brandon Jacobs ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns against a stout Dallas run defense.
10. Denver Broncos (8-5) - The Broncos continue to win with defense, as they allowed only 10 points in their overtime win over the Bears. Tebow was again fantastic in the fourth quarter and overtime, including some perfect throws on their final drive in regulation, which was capped with a Matt Prater game-tying 59 yard field goal to force overtime.
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-5) - The Falcons shook off a horrific start to rally for a 31-23 win over Carolina. Julio Jones continues to make big plays in the passing game, and Matt Ryan threw for four touchdowns. The defense still gives up too many big plays (Greg Olsen 43 yard TD catch, DeAngelo Williams 73 yard TD run), but the offense seems to be hitting its stride.
8. New York Jets (8-5) - Rex Ryan has his team clicking on all cylinders, as they dismantled the stumbling Chiefs 37-10. Shonn Greene cracked 100 yards rushing, and the defense harrassed Tyler Palko all game. This is a team that few people want to play in the postseason, as their defense is opportunistic, and Mark Sanchez is taking better care of the football.
7. Houston Texans (10-3) - Two starts for T.J. Yates, and two wins. Opponents are stacking the box against the run, and Yates has been able to take advantage of single coverage, despite not having Andre Johnson due to a left hamstring injury. With their win over the Bengals, the Texans clinched the franchise's first playoff appearance and division title.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) - Pittsburgh looked lethargic in their win over the Browns, and both Maurkice Pouncey and Ben Roethlisberger suffered high ankle sprains in the game. If either should miss significant time, the Steelers will struggle against any team.
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-3) - The 49ers laid a bit of an egg in Phoenix, allowing Arizona backup QB John Skelton to throw for over 280 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers offensive line struggles against strong pass rushes, and the Cardinals were able to sack Alex Smith five times.
4. New England Patriots (10-3) - The Patriots escaped D.C. with a close win over the Redskins, 34-27, after Rex Grossman was picked off inside the Patriots 10 yard-line in the final seconds of the game. Rob Gronkowski set an NFL record for TE with his 15th TD reception of the season. The defense has got to stop giving up so many yards, or else Brady will need to play near-perfect football for this team to win.
3. New Orleans Saints (10-3) - The Saints beat the Titans, but like the Patriots and Lions, their defense gives up too many big plays, as Jake Locker threw for 282 yards in the second half, relieving the injured Matt Hasselbeck. Drew Brees is on pace to break Dan Marino's single season passing yardage record by nearly 200 yards, and as long as he's healthy, this team is especially dangerous at home.
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-3) - The Ravens kept the Colts winless, and Terrell Suggs recorded three sacks in the game. With Ray Lewis likely to return this week, the team seems primed for a deep playoff run this season, and Ray Rice continues to be excellent as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
1. Green Bay Packers (10-3) - The only concern for this team is the MCL sprain to WR Greg Jennings, which is expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks. The Packers beat up on the Raiders at Lambeau 46-16, and remain the league's best team.
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