| No. Team | Last week | Record | Comment |
| 1. Chiefs | 1 | 10-1 | Can clinch AFC West with win, Denver loss |
| 2. Titans | 2 | 9-2 | 19-3 record in past 22 games (.864) |
| 3. Colts | 3 | 9-2 | Manning one TD pass from 20 for six straight seasons |
| 4. Patriots | 4 | 9-2 | Eight OT wins in a row, NFL record |
| 5. Eagles | 7 | 8-3 | Six consecutive wins, problems vs. run |
| 6. Dolphins | 9 | 8-4 | Two victories in five days |
| 7. Cowboys | 6 | 8-4 | Defense took holiday on Thanksgiving |
| 8. Panthers | 5 | 8-3 | Can clinch NFC South with win and Bucs, Saints losses |
| 9. Rams | 8 | 8-3 | 10 consecutive victories at home |
| 10. Vikings | 14 | 7-4 | Lead NFL with 22 interceptions |
| 11. Seahawks | 10 | 7-4 | Simply can't win on the road |
| 12. Broncos | 11 | 6-5 | Mike Shanahan said to be in trouble in Denver |
| 13. Packers | 12 | 6-6 | Transforming from pass to run offense |
| 14. Buccaneers | 13 | 5-6 | Weak schedule favors playoff run |
| 15. Bengals | 17 | 6-5 | Road to division title goes through Pittsburgh |
| 16. Ravens | 18 | 6-5 | Might have won division title vs. Seattle |
| 17. 49ers | 15 | 5-6 | 18 false start penalties in five road games |
| 18. Saints | 16 | 5-6 | Eight 100-yard rushing games for Deuce McAllister |
| 19. Steelers | 24 | 4-7 | Aim for consecutive victories for first time |
| 20. Bills | 19 | 4-7 | 31st in points, 29th in yards; Williams will be gone |
| 21. Giants | 20 | 4-7 | Tiki Barber has 31 fumbles since 2000 |
| 22. Jets | 25 | 4-7 | Old N.Y. Titans meet new Tennessee Titans |
| 23. Redskins | 21 | 4-7 | Five losses by seven or fewer points |
| 24. Browns | 22 | 4-7 | Defense has out-performed offense |
| 25. Texans | 23 | 4-7 | Several close games in second season |
| 26. Raiders | 26 | 3-8 | Rod Woodson fifth player on IR in nine days |
| 27. Bears | 32 | 4-7 | Chandler, Stewart, Grossman: QB situation muddied |
| 28. Lions | 30 | 4-8 | Have won 10 of last 15 Thanksgiving games |
| 29. Falcons | 27 | 2-9 | RB Warrick Dunn out for season |
| 30. Cardinals | 29 | 3-8 | 10-game road losing streak |
| 31. Jaguars | 28 | 2-9 | Owner gives Jack Del Rio one more year to fix team |
| 32. Chargers | 31 | 2-9 | Six division losses in a row |
