Team [Record] (O-Rank, D-Rank)

1. New England [8-0] (1, 10) – Between the Sox and the Pats, Beantowners could be insufferable by Christmas. I may start wishing for blizzards and looking into a KG voodoo doll. Sorry, Mark.

2. Indianapolis [7-0] (3, 3) – Someone just told me these guys are playing the Pats this coming week. That’s funny, you’d have thought there’d be more hype… they have no chance, btw.

3. Dallas [6-1] (2, 5) – You can always expect the Cowboys to get a pretty good run here. They’re still the #2 offense in football and the defensive numbers (like many others) are skewed by a visit from the Patriots. Three consecutive division games coming out of the bye will tell-all about the ’07 ‘Boys.

4. Pittsburgh [5-2] (8, 1) – A lot of people like them better than the Cowboys. That’s all well and good, but so far, even when Romo’s bad, Dallas can still win. When Big Ben is Bad Ben, not so much for the Steely McBeamers. Only defense that has yet to give up a hundred points though. And Hines Ward owns the Bengals.

5. Green Bay [6-1] (5, 12) – Farve’s march through the record books continues to overshadow the effort that this young defense is putting forth. And everyone who wants four AFC teams in the top five… The Packers just beat a team that the team ahead of them couldn’t. That said, they will have to run to stay here. I think.

6. New York Giants [6-2] (13, 7) – Since getting blown out by Dallas and Green Bay in the first two weeks of the season, the G-Men have really locked it down on D. However, that game in London was dreadful. I know the conditions weren’t great, but 8 of 22 for 59 yards, Eli? That performance beats the Dolphins on a neutral field. Period. That’s it, that’s the list. They get the Cowboys after a bye week. Here’s a hint: Look for Burress. He’s open.

7. San Diego [4-3] (19,18) – I kinda hate to put them this high, but I don’t really like my options. They’ve won three straight in convincing fashion on the backs of Gates and Tomlinson. I guess the biggest question is: What the heck took so long? Now you’re looking at Foxboro and the RCA Dome on the road in January. And possibly the Ketchup bottle as well. Good luck with that.

8t. Tennessee [5-2] (22, 5) / Jacksonville [5-2] (20, 15) Aren’t these the same team? It can look like it any given Sunday. Stellar defense, good running, no passing. This is a tie that will be broken in a few weeks, I suppose, when they meet head to head for the second time. I’m not giving the Titans an edge for their Week One win. I’m not giving the Jags an edge with the Mighty Quinn Gray taking the snaps. Sorry, it’s a tie.

10. Tampa Bay [4-4] (6, 8) I filled my AFC quota, so I’m going back to the NFC. In my heart of hearts, I know the Bucs don’t belong here after losing consecutive winnable games. But I’m not that impressed with the offenses in Seattle, Baltimore or Washington. I think the Saints will surge and perhaps end up here, but Tampa could still make the playoffs. They’re one of the more balanced teams in the league, they just need to play good defense and good offense in the same game, which seems to be a problem.

BEST OF THE REST: Baltimore (time for Boller to step up), Seattle (favorable schedule down the stretch should get them to January), Washington (I think Tom Brady just scored again), Detroit (the defense steps up, the offense steps down. KJones looking nice, though), Carolina (one nice drive against Indy, then squadoosh).

Tomorrow, maybe something other than football! Maybe a little Hot Stove, maybe some KOBE!, maybe a little Nanowrimo... See you then!