| No. Team | Last week | Record | Comment |
| 1. Chiefs | 1 | 11-1 | Victory clinches fifth AFC West title. |
| 2. Patriots | 4 | 10-2 | Eight-game win streak franchise's longest in one season. |
| 3. Titans | 2 | 9-3 | Indy game rides on Steve McNair's gimpy leg. |
| 4. Colts | 3 | 9-3 | RB Edgerrin James should be difference vs. Tennessee. |
| 5. Eagles | 7 | 9-3 | 66.1 percent completions for McNabb in last eight. |
| 6. Dolphins | 6 | 8-4 | Have won three in a row to get in race. |
| 7. Cowboys | 7 | 8-4 | Four losses in row to Eagles. |
| 8. Rams | 9 | 9-3 | WR Holt on pace to set receiving yardage mark, 1,849. |
| 9. Panthers | 8 | 8-4 | Should be able to reverse two-game skid. |
| 10. Broncos | 12 | 7-5 | Defense keeps them in contention. |
| 11. Seahawks | 10 | 8-4 | League's top third-down offense. |
| 12. Vikings | 10 | 7-5 | Defense only good for interceptions. |
| 13. Packers | 13 | 6-6 | League's best December record, 34-11, in last 10 years. |
| 14. Bengals | 15 | 7-5 | Marvin's magical mystery tour wheels into Baltimore. |
| 15. Ravens | 16 | 7-5 | Billick: Big, bad Baltimore bullies. |
| 16. Saints | 18 | 6-6 | Nine 100-yard games in a row for McAllister. |
| 17. Buccaneers | 14 | 5-7 | Six losses when tied or ahead in 4th quarter. |
| 18. Bills | 20 | 5-7 | 12 sacks in last four games, 13 in first eight. |
| 19. Jets | 22 | 5-7 | Martin needs 131 rushing for 1,000 for first nine seasons. |
| 20. Texans | 25 | 5-7 | Trying again to win consecutive games for first time. |
| 21. 49ers | 17 | 5-7 | Should get home win against Arizona. |
| 22. Steelers | 19 | 4-8 | Bus needs 65 rush yards to be ninth all-time. |
| 23. Giants | 21 | 4-8 | Weak O-line forces Collins into hurried mistakes. |
| 24. Redskins | 23 | 4-8 | Bruce Smith needs half a sack to set record. |
| 25. Browns | 24 | 4-8 | Host first Monday night game since '99 return. |
| 26. Bears | 27 | 5-7 | Lost six in a row to Packers. |
| 27. Raiders | 26 | 3-9 | Brown needs one TD catch to be fourth with 100. |
| 28. Lions | 28 | 4-8 | Trying to win four in a row at Ford Field. |
| 29. Jaguars | 31 | 3-9 | Favored at home against Houston. |
| 30. Cardinals | 30 | 3-9 | Bengals might have lost division in desert. |
| 31. Falcons | 29 | 2-10 | Might be a one-man team. |
| 32. Chargers | 31 | 2-10 | Outscored 219-105 in the first half. |
