Nov. 18--Last week's rank in parentheses.
1. Patriots 9-0 (1): They lose WR Julian Edelman to a broken foot and squeak past the Giants with a field goal. Chasing 16-0 just got more difficult.
2. Panthers 9-0 (3): Like it or not, Cam Newton will be dancing in January. The question is whether he'll be dancing in February.
3. Cardinals 7-2 (5): Carson Palmer is a legitimate MVP candidate.
4. Bengals 8-1 (2): If Andy Dalton doesn't want to be called a "Red Ryder BB gun," he needs to play better. Much better.
5. Vikings 7-2 (6): You know what makes it easy to like this bunch? Mike Zimmer's team doesn't care if it's not generating a national buzz.
6. Steelers 6-4 (8): Would not be a surprise to see offensive coordinator Todd Haley emerge as a head-coaching candidate again.
7. Broncos 7-2 (4): The defense was carrying this team when it was winning with Peyton Manning. The QB change shouldn't derail things.
8. Packers 6-3 (7): What's confounding here is they were playing pretty well through first six games without Jordy Nelson. Now, the offense looks broken.
9. Seahawks 4-5 (9): They had a terrific run for two seasons. It looks like time for a retooling.
10. Bills 5-4 (15): The website billsplayoffdrought.com tracks it to the second. It has been 15 years, 10 months and counting.
11. Giants 5-5 (12): Last two losses by a total of four points and now they get a week off to recharge.
12. Jets 5-4 (10): Those who thought Gang Green were ready for a significant push this season overlooked the fact that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the quarterback.
13. Bears 4-5 (21): Sometimes you make your breaks, sometimes you catch them. Both apply here with the Broncos coming to town at seemingly the right time.
14. Raiders 4-5 (14): Trips to Detroit and Nashville are next. If they're serious about challenging, the Silver and Black must win these two.
15. Chiefs 4-5 (18): Don't rule them out of the playoff hunt. Their three-game winning streak is second to only the Patriots in the AFC.
16. Falcons 6-3 (16): They have lost three of the last four. We'll see if a week off fixed what was ailing Matt Ryan and the offense.
17. Rams 4-5 (11): Case Keenum, you're up.
18. Dolphins 4-5 (20): Shaky pass defense better gear up as they close the season facing some pretty good quarterbacks.
19. Redskins 4-5 (23): At the end of September who would have figured Kirk Cousins might save Jay Gruden's job?
20. Eagles 4-5 (13): Chip Kelly says with the "exception" of four or five teams, "everyone's kind of doing the same thing." Problem is Philly isn't one of the four or five.
21. Colts 4-5 (17): Don't look now, but here come the Texans.
22. Texans 4-5 (25): Just to remind us he beat the Bengals in the 2012 playoffs, T.J. Yates came off the bench to do it Monday night.
23. Buccaneers 4-5 (26): They now have doubled the number of victories they had in 2014.
24. Saints 4-6 (19): Rob Ryan probably will be only the first of several to pay for this mess with his job.
25. 49ers 3-6 (27): The Blaine Gabbert train rolls on. Next stop Seattle. Look out.
26. Cowboys 2-7 (22): Welcome back, Tony Romo.
27. Jaguars 3-6 (30): The Jaguars in all-gold "color rush" uniforms in prime time Thursday night? Cover your eyes.
28. Lions 2-7 (32): Party like it's 1991! That was the last time they won at Lambeau Field before Sunday's upset.
29. Chargers 2-7 (28): No injuries were reported during their week off.
30. Ravens 2-7 (24): When the draft rolls around, they won't bemoan the hosing they got from officials before the Jaguars' game-winning field goal.
31. Titans 2-7 (29): The Titans in all-light-blue "color rush" uniforms in prime time Thursday night? Cover your eyes.
32. Browns 2-8 (31): Buckle up. Johnny Football tabbed the starter for the remainder of the season.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
