| 21 |
 |
Last week: No. 25
Record: 5-8 |
|
San Francisco 49ers
Since the 49ers are going to lose to the Chargers this week, here's how they get into the playoffs. Beat the Rams in Week 16 and the Cardinals in Week 17, hope the Rams and Seahawks enter their Week 17 game with 6-9 records and then tie. Hey, it's the NFC West, these things happen. |
| 22 |
 |
Last week: No. 19
Record: 5-8 |
|
Minnesota Vikings
Is it too late to see if Brett Favre can resuscitate the Vikings' offense? |
| 23 |
 |
Last week: No. 20
Record: 5-8 |
|
Cleveland Browns
The Browns' bandwagon was deservedly full midway through the season, but the team is learning that it has to play up for everyone, not just the Super Bowl contenders. |
| 24 |
 |
Last week: No. 23
Record: 6-7 |
|
Seattle Seahawks
Deon Butler hung on for a touchdown catch while simultaneously breaking his leg in an unthinkable way. That's amazing stuff right there. |
| 25 |
 |
Last week: No. 24
Record: 5-8 |
|
Washington Redskins
Donovan McNabb stuck it in the face of his critics by leading a touchdown drive in the final seconds against Tampa Bay, holder Hunter Smith botched the snap. McNabb might be happy that his long-term contract with the Redskins isn’t really a long-term contract. |
| 26 |
 |
Last week: No. 27
Record: 3-10 |
|
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are 3-2 in their last five games, and they've got the Dolphins, Patriots and Jets remaining on the schedule. They could really play the role of spoiler in these next three weeks. |
| 27 |
 |
Last week: No. 30
Record: 3-10 |
|
Detroit Lions
Quarterback Drew Stanton has 528 passing yards this season, which is seven less than 2009 No. 1 pick Matthew Stafford. |
| 28 |
 |
Last week: No. 30
Record: 3-10 |
|
Tennessee Titans
Head coach Jeff Fisher is typically safe from criticism from this side of the room, but his late-game clock management in Thursday's loss to the Colts was astonishingly poor. At some point, when you're down by nine in the last minute, you've just got to kick the field goal and hope to recover an onside kick to give yourself a chance at a Hail Mary. |
| 29 |
 |
Last week: No. 31
Record: 4-9 |
|
Arizona Cardinals
Kicker Jay Feely accounted for the Cardinals' first 22 points Sunday and scored 25 points overall (one touchdown run, five field goals, four extra points), while the bumbling Broncos only managed 13 total points. |
| 30 |
 |
Last week: No. 30
Record: 3-10 |
|
Denver Broncos
The head coach gets fired, the team loses by 30 points and the players question everyone's commitment. It's a mess in Denver. |
| 31 |
 |
Last week: No. 31
Record: 2-11 |
|
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals improved to 2-1 after their Week 3 victory in Carolina. Now, that win looks like the difference between the first and second overall pick in the draft. |
| 32 |
 |
Last week: No. 32
Record: 1-12 |
|
Carolina Panthers
As long as the Panthers don’t blow it by beating the Cardinals this weekend, they'll be all set for claiming the No. 1 pick. Their last two games are on the road in Pittsburgh and Atlanta. |
