@PaleEhle on Twitter
1) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-3): Change: 0 [1,3] A very disappointing home loss to Arizona, but I'm not going to overreact. This is the #1 team in the league, and Russell Wilson's first home loss doesn't change that. Also, if you haven't noticed....the Cardinals are actually really good.
2) CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-4): Change: 0 [2,14] What a statement win against the Saints. The Panthers are a force to be reckoned with, led by Luke Kuechly and their fierce defense. Many sites would jump them to #1 this week, but I'm holding off - there are problems on offense, and that worries me heading into the playoffs against a stacked NFC. Fortunately for Carolina, a win gives them a first round bye and home playoff game.
3) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-4): Change: 0 [2,8] My top 3 is looking incredibly solid as the Patriots showed once again that they are the class of the AFC with a romp of the defending champs. The Patriots will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-5): Change: 0 [2,6] Again, I'm not overreacting to one loss. The Saints lost a hard-fought game in the final minute, and their defense was outstanding. Their improved defense could be the key to winning their first ever road playoff game in the wildcard round this year.
5) DENVER BRONCOS (12-3): Change: +1 [1,6] Denver moves up for their sheer offensive brilliance, but their sluggish first halves really don't sit well with me. I see a team like the Patriots going up 21-0 against the Broncos if they play a first half like the ones they've been playing. It works against their bottom of the barrell opponents of the last few weeks, but playoff teams will take advantage of that.
6) SAN FRANCSICO 49ERS (11-4): Change: -1 [2,7] Sure, they won on Monday Night Football, but I wasn't impressed. A much harder test next week as they face the red-hot Cardinals.
7) ARIZONA CARDINALS (10-5): Change: +1 [7,24] What a win for the Cardinals! It will be a shame if this team doesn't make the playoffs, but they're currently on the outside looking in.
8) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-5): Change: +2 [1,14] As I've been saying for a while this season, the Colts can lose to anybody, but they can also beat anybody. Huge win over the Chiefs, and the Colts are the team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
9) CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-5): Change: 0 [7,11] The Bengals got a big win when they needed it, and are playoff bound. Maybe Marvin Lewis can finally get a playoff win. Fourth time's the charm, right?
10) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-4): Change: -3 [7,22] Right when I finally give the Chiefs some respect, they go out and lose like that. GRANTED, the Colts are an enigma and can beat anyone, but I still expected a lot more.
11) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-6): Change: +1 [10,22] All they have to do is beat a crippled Dallas team, and they're in.
12) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-7): Change: +1 [12,25] The Chargers are peaking at the right time, but they will need a win and losses by the Dolphins and Ravens to make it into the playoffs.
13) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-8): Change: +5 [13,26] You have to wonder: what if Antonio Brown had just kept his foot in bounds....but regardless, this is the team that no one wants to face right now.
14) GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-7-1): Change: +3 [2,20] I really think they can beat the Bears with....or without Rodgers. They've grown a ton in the last three weeks, and could make a deep playoff run if Rodgers does come back.
15) CHICAGO BEARS (8-7): Change: -4 [8,17] They had a chance to clinch the division, but they didn't even put up a fight on SNF against the Eagles in a game that Philly didn't even need. They haven't given me any reason to think that they can beat Green Bay next week.
16) BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-7): Change: -1 [14,20] Their season was on the line, but you wouldn't have known it the way they played against the Patriots. Pathetic. They're only still alive because the Dolphins managed to be even worse.
17) ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-8): Change: +2 [14,29] No one wants to face them right now.
18) DETROIT LIONS (7-8): Change: -4 [8,18] I am absolutely disgusted by Detroit. They had the division handed to them on two silver platters due to injuries to Rodgers and Cutler, and they responded by going 1-5 after a 6-3 start. It's time for a regime change...there's way too much talent on this team for them to be playing so poorly. So many 4th quarter leads BLOWN this season! If they could even have beaten the Giants last week, they would have a win-and-in scenario this week....instead, they're eliminated.
19) DALLAS COWBOYS (8-7): Change: +1 [12,20] Romo showed a lot of heart staying on the field and playing through the pain in their comeback win over Washington. But will he be good to go against the Eagles for the division title next week despite his herniated disc? Questions abound in Big D.
20) MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-7): Change: -4 [16,31] This team is such a fraud. I've called it all season, but they showed just why in their abysmal showing against Buffalo.
21) MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-10-1): Change: 0 [21, 31] They're the best of the lower-echelon teams.
22) NEW YORK GIANTS (6-9): Change: +2 [12,26] Nice win to save what little pride they have left this season.
23) NEW YORK JETS (7-8): Change: -1 [13,30] They won, good for them....
24) BUFFALO BILLS (6-9): Change: +1 [22,29] They beat a "playoff contender" in the Dolphins.
25) TENNESSEE TITANS (6-9): Change: -1 [18,30] At least they didn't lose to the Jags.
26) OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-11): Change: +2 [24,32] They were competitive against the Chargers, for what it's worth.
27) CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-11): Change: -1 [16,27] Once again, Cleveland is looking to next year….
28) ATLANTA FALCONS (3-12): Change: +2 [8,30] Nearly beat the 9ers and made a boring MNF matchup mildly interesting.
29) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-11): Change: -2 [27,32] Jags have won enough games this year. It's time to secure a top-5 draft pick!
30) TAMPA BAY BUCS (4-11): Change: 0 [19,31] They've shown flashes this year, but are still several seasons away.
31) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-11): Change: 0 [17,31] Cousins has made them competitive.
32) HOUSTON TEXANS (2-12): Change: 0 [6,32] Gave Denver a bit of a scare.
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