1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) Last Week: 1
The Chiefs enter Sunday night’s highly anticipated showdown against the Denver
Broncos fresh off their bye week. A win at Denver would give the Chiefs their
first 10-0 start in franchise history and a two-game cushion in the AFC West
race.
2.
Seattle Seahawks (9-1) Last Week: 2
Russell
Wilson had a 92.3 Total QBR in the Seahawks’ 33-10 thrashing of the Falcons,
his second-highest Total QBR this season. It was his seventh game with a Total
QBR above 90.0 over the last two seasons, second-most in the NFL behind just Peyton
Manning. (Via ESPN Stats and Information)
3.
Denver Broncos (8-1) Last Week:
3
Peyton Manning tossed four TD’s in the Broncos’ 28-20 win over the Chargers in San
Diego. This marks the eight time in Manning’s career that he has thrown at
least 30 TD passes in a season, second-most in NFL history behind only Brett
Favre, who achieved this feat nine times in his career. (Via
ESPN Stats and Information)
4.
New England Patriots (7-2) Last Week: 5
The
Patriots are 10-3 coming off the bye week in the Bill Belichick era. Winning their
11th game following the bye week since 2000 will be a challenge for
the Patriots at streaking Carolina.
5.
New Orleans Saints (7-2) Last Week: 7
Drew
Bress and the New Orleans Saints torched the Cowboys woeful defense, posting an NFL-record 40 first downs in its 49-17 demolition of Dallas.
6.
Carolina Panthers (6-3) Last Week: 12
The
Panthers 2nd ranked defense played exceptional in their win over
the 49ers in San Francisco. Carolina held San Francisco, a club that had scored
31 points or more in each of its past five contests, to three field goals and a
paltry 45 yards in the second half.
7.
Detroit Lions (6-3) Last
Week: 11
By
sweeping the season-series versus the Bears, the Lions put themselves in
excellent position to take a strangle hold over the NFC North, especially with
an ailing Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
8.
San Francisco 49ers (6-3) Last Week: 6
Offensive
production continues to be the ultimate determinant of success for the 49ers.
In
their six wins, the 49ers have scored at least 31 points. However, in their
three defeats, the 49ers have scored in single digits. The offense looked
particularly atrocious on Sunday as Colin Kaepernick threw for just 91 yards
and was sacked a season-high six times.
9.
Indianapolis Colts (6-3) Last Week: 4
The
Colts defeated the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos earlier this season, but a 30
point loss at home to the middling St. Louis Rams has to raise some eyebrows
for Indy’s Super Bowl aspirations.
10.
Chicago Bears (5-4) Last
Week: 8
Head
coach Marc Trestman made a critical error by starting Jay Cutler, who did not
look ready in his return to action, over red-hot QB Josh McCown. Trestman
seemingly realized his mistake late in the Bears’ 21-19 loss to the Lions when
he pulled Cutler with 2:17 left to play and inserted McCown, who steered the
Bears on a 10-play, 74-yard drive that ended with an 11-yard TD pass to Brandon
Marshall that pulled the Bears within two with 47 seconds left to play.
11.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) Last Week: 9
Andy
Dalton had his second straight rough outing, completing less than half of his
passes (24 for 51) with three interceptions as the Bengals allowed the Ravens
to climb back into the AFC North race.
12.
Green Bay Packers (5-4) Last Week: 10
Seneca
Wallace, filling in for injured QB Aaron Rodgers, suffered a season-ending
groin injury midway through the first quarter of the Packers’ loss versus the
Eagles, thrusting promoted practice squad QB Scott Tolzien into action. Tolzien
played well, given the circumstances, completing 24 of 39 passes for 280 yards
and a touchdown with two interceptions, earning him a start this week against
the Giants at the Meadowlands.
13.
New York Jets (5-4) Last
Week: 16
The
Jets, fresh off their bye week, aim for a season-sweep against the Bills on
Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.
14.
Dallas Cowboys (5-5) Last Week: 13
It’s
no wonder why Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones regrets firing Rob Ryan. The
Cowboys’ pitiful defense has broken the franchise record for yards allowed in a
game twice in the past three weeks. The Cowboys rank dead last in total
defense, prompting questions if defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will last
the season in Dallas.
15.
Arizona Cardinals (5-4) Last Week: 18
The
Cardinals continue to fly under the radar in a competitive NFC playing field,
despite impressive play from their defensive unit. The Cardinals feature a
stout run defense (3rd ranked in the NFL) that surrenders under 87
rushing yards per contest.
16.
San Diego Chargers (4-5) Last Week: 15
The
Chargers’ woes versus the Broncos continued on Sunday, losing their fourth
consecutive head-to-head game against Denver.
17.
Cleveland Browns (4-5) Last Week: 19
There
is tremendous optimism surrounding the Browns following their bye week and why
not? Their defense is playing at a championship level and QB Jason Campbell has
seemingly resurrected his career. A win at Cincinnati this week would give the
Browns a season-sweep over the Bengals and position Cleveland just a ½ game back of
first-place in the AFC North.
18.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) Last Week: 21
The
Eagles moved into a tie for first-place in the NFC East after defeating the
Packers behind the play of Nick Foles. Foles has clearly won the starting QB
job in Philadelphia, posting 16 touchdowns versus 0 interceptions on the
season.
19.
Baltimore Ravens (4-5) Last Week: 20
The
Ravens saved their season by defeating the Bengals on Sunday. However, this
club is headed nowhere if they can’t solve their severe rushing troubles.
Tailback Ray Rice is averaging just 36.1 rushing yards per game and 2.5 yards
per carry in 2013.
20.
Miami Dolphins (4-5) Last Week:
17
As
the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin saga lingers off-the-field, the Dolphins
continue to crumble on-the-field, losing their fourth game in its past five
contests, most recently to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
21.
Tennessee Titans (4-5) Last Week:
14
The
embarrassing home loss to the Jaguars is nothing new for the Titans in the Mike
Munchak-era in Tennessee. Two years ago, Munchak’s Titans lost to the 0-13
Colts. An even more concerning stat: The Jaguars have won eight games since
2011, and three have come against Mike Munchak's Titans.
22.
St. Louis Rams (4-6) Last
Week: 28
The
Rams were given hope for the future after Tavon Austin’s breakout game against the Colts that included a 98-yard punt return for a score and touchdown
catches of 57 and 81 yards. Austin recorded 314 all-purpose yards, second most
in franchise history.
23.
New York Giants (3-6) Last Week: 27
The
Giants are back in the playoff hunt—despite losing their first six games of the
season—after notching their third straight win on Sunday versus the Raiders.
Can the Giants make it four in a row versus the Packers sans Aaron
Rodgers?
24.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) Last Week: 25
Big
Ben is enraged over the report that said he wants out of Pittsburgh. Big
Ben adamantly stated he has no desire to leave the Steelers organization and would rather retire than accept a trade.
25.
Washington Redskins (3-6) Last Week: 22
The
Redskins ripped off seven straight wins last year after starting 3-6 to capture
the NFC East crown. However, a lengthy win streak and thus a second consecutive
division title are highly unlikely, given the club’s deplorable defense.
26.
Oakland Raiders (3-6) Last
Week: 23
QB
Terrelle Pyror seems to be regressing as a play-maker. In his last four games,
he has thrown just 1 TD versus 8 interceptions.
27.
Buffalo Bills (3-7) Last
Week: 24
E.J.
Manuel did not provide a spark in his return to the Bills lineup as the offense
was dreadful against the Steelers, punting the ball nine times and converting
just 3-of-14 third downs.
28.
Houston Texans (2-7) Last Week:
29
The
Texans have lost 7 straight contests after starting the season 2-0. A home game
against the struggling Raiders could provide Houston its first win in over two
months.
29.
Atlanta Falcons (2-7) Last Week:
26
The
Falcons seem to hit a new low every single week. After getting pounded at home
by Seattle, the team’s third straight blowout defeat, is highly respected head
coach Mike Smith now on the hot seat in Atlanta?
30.
Minnesota Vikings (2-7) Last Week: 30
Rookie
return man/wide receiver Cordarrelle Paterson hauled in his first TD reception
in the Vikings’ upset over the Redskins on Thursday Night Football.
31.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) Last Week: 31
Cornerback Darrelle Revis had his best game as a member of the Bucs on Monday Night
Football, limiting Dolphins No. 1 wideout Mike Wallace to just four catches for
16 yards. Revis also snatched an interception late in the game to seal the Bucs
first victory of 2013.
32.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) Last Week: 32
The
Jaguars’ defensive unit ensured the club won’t finish 0-16 by forcing four
turnovers and limiting the Titans to 83 rushing yards in their stunning win on
Sunday.
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