| No. Team | Last week | Record | Comment |
| 1. Buccaneers | 1 | 1-1 | A weakness revealed in kicking game |
| 2. Titans | 2 | 1-1 | Jeff Fisher will make sure his "thugs" learn from loss |
| 3. Broncos | 4 | 2-0 | Defense gets off field on 83 percent of third downs |
| 4. Chiefs | 10 | 2-0 | Must win on the road; 2-6 away from home last year |
| 5. Bills | 11 | 2-0 | Look for first 3-0 start since 1991 |
| 6. Dolphins | 8 | 1-1 | Jay Fiedler has 30-14 record as starter |
| 7. Raiders | 7 | 1-1 | Big-play defense picks up sputtering offense |
| 8. Colts | 14 | 2-0 | Perfect in four games against Jaguars |
| 9. Panthers | 15 | 2-0 | First since '91 Bills with three blocked kicks |
| 10. Redskins | 16 | 2-0 | Perfect in two for first time since '91 Super Bowl season |
| 11. Seahawks | 17 | 2-0 | Have allowed league-low 10 points |
| 12. Packers | 12 | 1-1 | 22-3 when scoring first for Mike Sherman |
| 13. Falcons | 5 | 1-1 | Peerless Price wants the ball more often |
| 14. Steelers | 6 | 1-1 | Need to find once-powerful run game |
| 15. Vikings | 18 | 2-0 | Big offensive line dominates game |
| 16. Eagles | 3 | 0-2 | Donovan McNabb's mechanics are off |
| 17. 49ers | 9 | 1-1 | Way too much offense for Browns defense |
| 18. Giants | 13 | 1-1 | Luck running out on offensive line |
| 19. Patriots | 20 | 1-1 | Losing LB Roosevelt Colvin for season can't help |
| 20. Rams | 21 | 1-1 | Note to Mike Martz: Stick with one QB |
| 21. Saints | 23 | 1-1 | 19-6 on road under Jim Haslett |
| 22. Ravens | 24 | 1-1 | Brian Billick 18-2 when RB gains 100 yards |
| 23. Cowboys | 27 | 1-1 | Billy Cundiff finds security with 7 FGs |
| 24. Jets | 19 | 0-2 | One winning September record in 10 years |
| 25. Chargers | 22 | 0-2 | Giving up 32 points a game |
| 26. Browns | 25 | 0-2 | Kelly Holcomb forcing ball, 4 interceptions |
| 27. Texans | 26 | 1-1 | David Carr takes blame for loss to Saints |
| 28. Lions | 29 | 1-1 | Loss of James Stewart puts pressure on Joey Harrington |
| 29. Jaguars | 28 | 0-2 | Winless in two for first time since 1995 |
| 30. Bengals | 30 | 0-2 | Looking for first AFC North victory |
| 31. Cardinals | 31 | 0-2 | Jeff Blake 299 passing yards shy of 20,000 |
| 32. Bears | 32 | 0-2 | Offense regresses under Kordell Stewart |
