1.   San Diego Chargers (12-3)—As I said last week, I think they are playing like the best team in football; I just needed an excuse to drop the then-perfect Colts. They may have some flaws on defense but with the longest winning streak in the league at 10 games, QB Philip Rivers playing like a legit MVP candidate, and Norv Turner NOT being Norv Turner for the moment these guys locked up the No. 2-seed in the AFC. They will be most people’s favorite to win it all and their game this weekend in Washington means zero unless you’re interested in watching a coaching funeral (sorry, Coach Zorn).

2.   Indianapolis Colts (14-1)—The debate about sitting or playing the starters raged all week and the Colts, or more importantly Jim Caldwell, decided that an undefeated season was not the ultimate goal during a loss to the Jets. I would prefer teams, or anyone for that matter, take a shot at immortality when it lies in front of them but the Colts will be good and ready for the playoffs in a couple of weeks. Expect a series or two from Peyton Manning & Co. against the Bills this weekend before they rest yet again.

3.   New Orleans Saints (13-2)—The Saints clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs despite a head-scratching loss to the Bucs. Special teams breakdowns on the return and kicking teams need to be tightened up before they host a playoff game in a couple of weeks but for now they head to Carolina to work out some kinks early before all the starters watch the rest of the game in baseball hats.

4.   Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)—A David Akers game-winning kick with four seconds left meant six wins in a row for the Eagles who may be the strongest team in the NFC right now. The explosive play from Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin will be a huge component to their success the rest of the way. The NFC East and a potential first-round bye are on the line in Dallas this Sunday in what figures to be the game of the week.

5.   Minnesota Vikings (11-4)—Teams can’t afford incomplete efforts on the field at this time of year, which is what the Vikes put forth on Monday. I don’t believe I’m the only one with a feeling that Minny may be fading at the wrong time, having lost three of their last four. They are now fighting to keep a bye week and will have to beat the Giants to do so this Sunday.

6.   New England Patriots (10-5)—The Patriots officially restored order to the AFC East by claiming yet another title. Tom Brady was brilliant (23 of 26, 4 TDs) and the Moss-Welker duo scorched the Jags in the blowout victory at Foxboro. The Pats play Houston with next to nothing on the line as they know they will host a playoff game the following week; expect starters to be resting on Sunday.

7.   Dallas Cowboys (10-5)—The Cowboys locked up a playoff berth but will host the Eagles for the NFC East title this Sunday. Just a year ago, Philly bounced the ‘Boys from the playoffs in Week 17; revenge will be on their mind in addition to a divisional title. Big D seems to be clicking at the right time and this game may have pundits thinking Dallas can make a run to Miami in February.

8.   Arizona Cardinals (10-5)—After downing the Rams, the Cardinals find themselves locked into hosting a first-round playoff game. The NFC West Champs may very well host the Packers this week and next in a strange twist of playoff fate. I foresee a lot of rest for the starters this week and head coach Ken Whisenhunt showing a very small percentage of the playbook.

9.   Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)—The contest against the Chiefs may have been a little too close for comfort but the win ensured the Bengals their second playoff appearance since 1991. The AFC North Champions will face the Jets in their season finale which will determine nothing if the Pats win earlier in the day. They will close out Giants stadium likely be resting all of their starters…seems anticlimactic.

10. Green Bay Packers (10-5)—The Pack bounced back from a tough loss at Pittsburgh to nail down a playoff spot by crushing the Seahawks at Lambeau. They travel to Arizona in what may be a preview for the following week’s playoff game against the Cards. Strange scenario but the Pack will likely play hard to keep some momentum going especially on defense before the important January games kick in.

11. Baltimore Ravens (8-7)—The Ravens missed an opportunity to secure a playoff berth by coming up short in Pittsburgh. Dropped passes (or TDs, Derrick Mason) as well as 11 penalties will have them regretting playing a poor game with that much on the line against their biggest rival. Stepping into The Black Hole in Oakland may not be the tough assignment it used to be but, then again, the Ravens should not have let it get to this point.

12. Denver Broncos (8-7)—The Broncos no longer control their own destiny for the playoffs after losing their seventh game in their last nine. Nine penalties and some big plays let up by the defense put them in a position to lose against Philly and now they need a win against Kansas City and some major help to avoid the collapse from their 6-0 start.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)—The Steelers-Ravens rivalry might be the league’s best as they went yet another round that came down to the final minute. Despite getting gashed on the ground, Pittsburgh came up with big sacks and turnovers to keep the Ravens from scoring and blowing yet another 4^th quarter lead. They head to Miami needing a win and a loss from either the Jets or Ravens to sneak into the playoffs.

14. New York Jets (8-7)—All of the validation going on surrounding the Jets and their fans is pointless. Just enjoy the Christmas gift courtesy of Colts’ head coach Jim Caldwell gave you by sitting Peyton & friends. Gang Green can now control their destiny against a Cincy team that may have nothing to play for on Sunday night.

15. Tennessee Titans (7-8)—After earning the respect of everyone in the league by storming back into the playoff picture after a 0-6 start, the Titans fell to the Chargers effectively ending their chances at a miraculous comeback. Turnovers and penalties were costly in the first half against the NFL’s best team. They close out the ’09 season at Seattle trying to make it back to .500.

16. Houston Texans (8-7)—Up 27-0 with just over four minutes left in the first half, the Texans had to secure the 7-point win by recovering an onsides kick with two minutes to play in the contest in Miami. The explosive offense has never been the issue for Houston but a matter of whether or not they will get consistent stops on defense; plus, can they stay healthy? If they miss the playoffs, it will be an interesting debate on Head Coach Gary Kubiak keeping his job or being let go.

17. Carolina Panthers (7-8)—Fighting hard until the season’s end is a typical characteristic of a John Fox-led team. They destroyed the Vikings and Giants in back-to-back weeks and have won three of four in a run that has likely saved the coach’s job for yet another season. They host the Saints who will likely be sitting their starters for most if not all of the game.

18. Miami Dolphins (7-8)—Too little, too late for the Dolphins as their comeback on Sunday mirrored their season-long comeback from a 0-3 start – they both fell just short. The Fish need a slew of losses if they beat the Steelers but they are still alive which is a positive for a team that has rebuilt themselves into a playoff contender again just two seasons removed from 1-15.

19. New York Giants (8-7)—No one would have guessed that the Giants would find themselves here after starting the season 5-0 but myriad problems, especially defensively, have landed them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. They need to re-tool and will definitely be making some changes on the coaching staff and roster for 2010. They head out to Minnesota to play a motivated Vikings team this Sunday.

20. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)—Matt Ryan looked to be back in top form as he threw three TDs in a rout of the Bills. This season may have been a slight step back for the Falcons but with a chance to go 9-7 against the Bucs this Sunday, it says a lot that their down years still produce winning records.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)—Not much went right for the Jags against the Pats and they will be on the outside looking in at this year’s playoffs as a result of that effort. After missing ‘the tournament’ for the second straight year, Jack Del Rio may have to make some changes in order to keep his own job. I’m not sure there’s enough talent on this roster to beat out any of the top playoff teams from the AFC. Up next: at Cleveland.

22. San Francisco 49ers (7-8)—Frank Gore went over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season, the first 49er player ever to accomplish the feat. Mike Singletary’s defense forced six turnovers and will try to finish the season at .500 with a win over the Rams as they build toward 2010.

23. Chicago Bears (6-9)—A shockingly good performance from the Bears and Jay Cutler (4 TDs) earned them a thrilling OT win over the Vikings on Monday night. With Lovie Smith on the hot seat for the team’s disappointing season, games like this down the stretch may have management thinking twice about ending his regime only three years removed from a Super Bowl appearance. A game in Detroit should rack up one more win to close out the season.

24. Cleveland Browns (4-11)—Three wins in a row for the Browns and a diamond in the rough found in RB Jerome Harrison is a great way to show improvement (finally!) on the field in 2009. If new Browns football czar Mike Holmgren thinks Eric Mangini can get the job done in the long run, he will allow him a pass on poor play before he got there. I think this is the case, so it will be a matter of what roster changes will be made for 2010. The host the Jags looking for four in a row.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-12)—Break up the Bucs! Two in a row for Tampa and this time over the Saints in New Orleans was the most unlikely of upsets this season. Cadillac Williams and the collective special teams effort earned the win and showed that playing for pride can actually be a motivating factor late in the year. They host Atlanta to finish out the 2010 season.

26. Oakland Raiders (5-10)—Thirteen penalties and three interceptions highlighted the ineptitude of the Raiders’ latest performance against the Browns. Regardless of the cast of characters that takes the field, they manage to play undisciplined football for large portions of the game; a shame considering the talent level of their roster. Tom Cable is one of a few coaches whose seat will be red hot following Week 17 action. They host and will try to play spoiler to the Ravens this Sunday.

27. Buffalo Bills (5-10)—Brian Brohm’s NFL debut at QB was nothing to write home about. Getting very little help from anyone else on the Bills, he threw two INTs and generated less than 200 yards of offense. There will be quite a bit of roster changes for this team in 2010 starting with the offensive line. They finish up against Indy’s B-team this Sunday.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (3-12)—RB Jamaal Charles has been on fire for almost a month now but unfortunately it has not translated into any wins; they fell to the Bengals 17-10. The roster turnover will continue all during the offseason as Head Coach Todd Haley continues to bring in his type of player to run his up-tempo offense. This team disappointed, as there were thoughts of them being this year’s big turnaround and they will be picking in the top five of the draft yet again.

29. Washington Redskins (4-11)—My good friend Kevin H., a long time Redskins fan, actually convinced himself after the win over the Raiders that maybe Head Coach Jim Zorn could come back with Sherm Lewis calling the plays since Jason Campbell looked good and the team was playing hard. After these last two weeks, Kevin H would probably like to drive a school bus full of players and coaches to the airport for their one-way flights home. Zorn’s last game is in San Diego in Sunday…at least the weather’s nice…

30. Detroit Lions (2-13)—Drew Stanton threw three INTs in his first career start and three more fumbles doomed the Lions in a loss to the 49ers. They finish up against the Bears and will likely pick second in the draft as they continue to rebuild with a solid nucleus of Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Kevin Smith on offense.

31. Seattle Seahawks (5-10)—There is probably not a team in the league playing worse football than Seattle at this stage. Matt Hasselbeck (four more INTs) may be entering his final days as a Seahawk just four years after a Super Bowl appearance, the injuries have mounted throughout the team, and everyone associated with the club looks like they just want to go home for the offseason. Don’t be surprised if Chris Johnson and the Titans run wild on them as he tries to get over the 2,000-yard mark.

32. St. Louis Rams (1-14)—They clinch last place with a loss on Sunday which should not be difficult since they lost to this 49ers team 35-0 in October. Credit to Steven Jackson for making the Pro Bowl in the worst team circumstances imaginable and good luck to coach Steve Spagnuolo who has a very long way to go this offseason.

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