| No. Team | Last week | Record | Comment |
| 1. Chiefs | 1 | 9-0 | Dick Vermeil keeps team focused on one at a time. |
| 2. Titans | 3 | 7-2 | League's top-rated rush defense. |
| 3. Colts | 2 | 7-2 | K Mike Vanderjagt has made 28 consecutive field goals. |
| 4. Patriots | 4 | 7-2 | Bill Belichick hosts mentor Bill Parcells. |
| 5. Panthers | 7 | 7-2 | Now aim to secure home field for playoffs. |
| 6. Cowboys | 10 | 7-2 | Best nine-game start since 1995. |
| 7. Eagles | 13 | 6-3 | 22-7 road record since start of 2000 season. |
| 8. Buccaneers | 6 | 4-5 | Under .500 with a 47-point scoring edge. |
| 9. Vikings | 5 | 6-3 | Weak team defense has been exposed. |
| 10. Rams | 12 | 6-3 | Seven sacks, seven takeaways vs. Ravens. |
| 11. Dolphins | 9 | 5-4 | Only 2-of-20 on third down in last two games. |
| 12. Seahawks | 8 | 6-3 | 5-0 at home, 1-3 on road. |
| 13. Broncos | 11 | 5-4 | QB Jake Plummer returns today from broken foot. |
| 14. Ravens | 14 | 5-4 | QB Anthony Wright from 3rd to 1st. |
| 15. Packers | 15 | 4-5 | Ahman Green's fumbles hurt offense. |
| 16. Bills | 16 | 4-5 | Fifth loss in seven games, four in a row on road. |
| 17. Giants | 17 | 4-5 | "Fire Fassel" was chant at end of last loss. |
| 18. 49ers | 18 | 4-5 | Among NFL's most inconsistent teams. |
| 19. Saints | 19 | 4-5 | Scored every time in red zone. |
| 20. Bengals | 20 | 4-5 | Another chance, albeit improbable, to reach .500. |
| 21. Redskins | 21 | 4-5 | Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson calling plays. |
| 22. Steelers | 24 | 3-6 | Soft schedule could let them back in race. |
| 23. Jets | 25 | 3-6 | Mentally tough, but run defense is soft. |
| 24. Browns | 22 | 3-6 | 3 under .500 for first time under Butch Davis. |
| 25. Texans | 23 | 3-6 | Memo to Bills: Run the ball. |
| 26. Falcons | 30 | 2-7 | Dan Reeves finally gets career win No. 200. |
| 27. Raiders | 26 | 2-7 | The autumn wind is a Raider out of the playoff hunt. |
| 28. Cardinals | 27 | 3-6 | Nine-game road losing streak. |
| 29. Lions | 29 | 3-6 | No 100-yard rusher, receiver in last 16 games. |
| 30. Bears | 28 | 3-6 | League's lowest-ranked offense. |
| 31. Jaguars | 31 | 2-7 | Byron Leftwich has four turnovers in four losing starts. |
| 32. Chargers | 32 | 2-7 | QB Flutie (41) oldest to start since Warren Moon (44). |
