| Team | Last week | Record | Comment |
| 1. Buccaneers | 1 | 9-3 | Allowed NFL-low 149 points. |
| 2. Packers | 2 | 9-3 | Defense leads league with 38 takeaways. |
| 3. Eagles | 3 | 9-3 | Three starting QBs in three weeks, three victories. |
| 4. Raiders | 4 | 8-4 | Streaky: Four wins, four losses, four wins. |
| 5. Chargers | 11 | 8-4 | Marty Schottenheimer is 20-5 career vs. Raiders. |
| 6. 49ers | 7 | 8-4 | 41 TD passes from Garcia to Owens. |
| 7. Falcons | 8 | 8-3-1 | Seek ninth game in a row without a loss. |
| 8. Saints | 9 | 8-4 | Coach Jim Haslett has 15-7 road record. |
| 9. Dolphins | 5 | 7-5 | QB Jay Fiedler returns to starting lineup. |
| 10. Patriots | 10 | 7-5 | WR Troy Brown on pace for another 101 catches. |
| 11. Steelers | 12 | 7-4-1 | Flip-flop. The offense is now carrying the defense. |
| 12. Broncos | 6 | 7-5 | Finally lost a game in daylight. |
| 13. Colts | 13 | 8-4 | Won four in a row to take lead in AFC South. |
| 14. Chiefs | 17 | 6-6 | 13-2 at home vs. NFC teams since 1995. |
| 15. Titans | 20 | 7-5 | Won six of last seven, including 3-0 vs. division. |
| 16. Bills | 21 | 6-6 | RB Henry (rush), WRs Price, Moulds (rec.) all over 1,000. |
| 17. Browns | 15 | 6-6 | .301 winning percentage after Nov. 1 since 1988. |
| 18. Jets | 14 | 6-6 | QB Chad Pennington is 5-3 as starter. |
| 19. Ravens | 19 | 6-6 | Billick is doing better coaching job than in 2000. |
| 20. Rams | 16 | 5-7 | The run looks like it's over, at least for this year. |
| 21. Giants | 18 | 6-6 | TE Shockey leads rookies with 49 catches for 563 yards. |
| 22. Jaguars | 22 | 5-7 | Won seven of eight vs. Browns, 199-97 scoring edge. |
| 23. Cowboys | 23 | 5-7 | 23-11 in first game after Thanksgiving. |
| 24. Redskins | 24 | 5-7 | Big Daddy Wilkinson could be done in D.C. |
| 25. Panthers | 26 | 4-8 | Competitive despite series of off-field distractions. |
| 26. Cardinals | 25 | 4-8 | Six weeks ago they were playing for NFC West lead. |
| 27. Seahawks | 27 | 4-8 | Buzz has Holmgren leaving Seattle for San Francisco. |
| 28. Lions | 28 | 3-9 | Harrington's rookie season has been a success. |
| 29. Bears | 29 | 3-9 | Chicago M.A.S.H. unit bugs out to Miami. |
| 30. Vikings | 30 | 3-9 | RB Michael Bennett just 6 yards from 1,000. |
| 31. Texans | 31 | 3-9 | Expansion team will lose No.1 overall draft pick to the ... |
| 32. Bengals | 32 | 1-11 | Loss would make 12 for third time in four years. |
