| No. Team | Previous | Record | Comment |
| 1. Patriots | 1 | 14-2 | First since '72 Dolphins to win last 12 games. |
| 2. Chiefs | 2 | 13-3 | Defense might spell early playoff exit. |
| 3. Colts | 3 | 12-4 | Co-MVP for Manning. |
| 4. Eagles | 5 | 12-4 | McNabb gets hot for playoffs. |
| 5. Rams | 4 | 12-4 | Lost key home-field advantage. |
| 6. Titans | 6 | 12-4 | Co-MVP for Steve McNair. |
| 7. Panthers | 9 | 11-5 | A 5-1 record in tough NFC South. |
| 8. Broncos | 7 | 10-6 | QB Plummer won eight of 10 starts. |
| 9. Cowboys | 8 | 10-6 | Doubled win total from 2002. |
| 10. Packers | 12 | 10-6 | Back-door playoff berth counts, too. |
| 11. Ravens | 13 | 10-6 | First division title in eight-year history. |
| 12. Seahawks | 14 | 10-6 | Franchise 2-9 when 34 degrees or colder. |
| 13. Dolphins | 10 | 10-6 | Wannstedt loses GM powers. |
| 14 Vikings | 11 | 9-7 | Five losses to teams with losing records. |
| 15. Bengals | 15 | 8-8 | December fade should inspire 2004 team. |
| 16. Buccaneers | 16 | 7-9 | First losing record since 1995. |
| 17. Saints | 17 | 8-8 | Too talented to be missing playoffs. |
| 18. 49ers | 18 | 7-9 | Trying to keep key free agents. |
| 19. Bears | 19 | 7-9 | Late run not enough to save Jauron. |
| 20. Bills | 20 | 6-10 | Fired Williams was 17-31 in three seasons. |
| 21. Jets | 21 | 6-10 | Pennington injury doomed season. |
| 22. Steelers | 22 | 6-10 | Move to "finesse" offense backfired. |
| 23. Browns | 26 | 5-11 | Three offensive assistants take fall. |
| 24. Falcons | 32 | 5-11 | Had 3-1 record with Vick starting. |
| 25. Texans | 23 | 5-11 | Five losses by less than a touchdown. |
| 26. Redskins | 24 | 5-11 | So long, Steve. |
| 27. Jaguars | 25 | 5-11 | Winless on road in 2003. |
| 28. Lions | 28 | 5-11 | Still rebuilding after three years. |
| 29. Chargers | 31 | 4-12 | Failed to address defensive shortcomings |
| 30. Cardinals | 32 | 4-12 | Bidwills should fire themselves. |
| 31. Giants | 27 | 4-12 | Have fourth overall pick in draft. |
| 32. Raiders | 29 | 4-12 | Gannon lost it in '03. |
