1. (3.) Atlanta Falcons (6-0)
The Atlanta Falcons came close to losing on several occasions now and always managed to pull off a win. Their invincibility is in jeopardy but they remain the only undefeated team.
2. (1.) Houston Texans (5-1)
Apparently the Houston Texans are overrated, or so I have heard. I refuse to accept this judgment on the basis of one bad loss. The Texans have been very convincing in the games they had to win, which can't be said for most teams.
3. (5.) Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
The Baltimore Ravens had another lucky escape thanks to a failed two-point conversion by the Dallas Cowboys and a missed field goal attempt after a successful onside kick. The question is how will they cope with the loss of CB Lardarius Webb and LB Ray Lewis?
4. (6.) Chicago Bears (4-1)
They had a bye week and took the sole lead in the NFC North, though I'm sure they would have preferred to see the Green Bay Packers lose at the Houston Texans.
5. (7.) New York Giants (4-2)
The New York Giants simply outplayed the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Their pass rush was unstoppable, the run defense was alert and the offense was extremely proficient.
6. (2.) San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
Last time the San Francisco 49ers lost they outscored their next two opponents 79-3. A similar outcome would be priceless as their next two games are against NFC West rivals.
7. (17.) Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
The Seattle Seahawks made a huge jump after their victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. They may be ranked a little bit too high but they beat the Patriots as well as the Green Bay Packers and deserve to be above them right now.
8. (4.) New England Patriots (3-3)
This was the third heartbreaking loss for the New England Patriots this season and you have to wonder whether they're incapable of defending a close lead in the fourth quarter.
9. (12.) Green Bay Packers (3-3)
People were quick to write off the Houston Texans after Sunday's game and they were just as quick to claim that the Green Bay Packers are back on track. Let's not be too hasty. If the Packers can string a couple of good games together then we can say that they're back to their usual ways.
10. (8.) Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
The Minnesota Vikings played pretty well at the Washington Redskins but the defense had no answer for QB Robert Griffin III's rushing ability.
11. (9.) Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
Having the most porous offensive line in the history of the NFL is one thing but having to start QB John Skelton must be equally frightening.
12. (18.) Denver Broncos (3-3)
As usual the Denver Broncos had to come from behind because they weren't yet prepared to make this a competition in the first half. QB Peyton Manning & Co overcame a 24-point deficit in the second half and put 35 points on the scoreboard.
13. (19.) Washington Redskins (3-3)
Ok, this wasn't Washington's prettiest win this season but QB Robert Griffin III showed that he can beat you in so many different ways. Now if only they had a better defense.
14. (10.) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
The way the Pittsburgh Steelers lost at the Tennessee Titans has got to be embarrassing. They need a better running game or the division race in the AFC North could soon be over.
15. (11.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
The Eagles had another meltdown, blowing a 23-13 lead against the Detroit Lions with just over 5 minutes to go. Let's see if they can regroup during the bye week.
16. (13.) San Diego Chargers (3-3)
Heading into the bye week the San Diego Chargers find themselves with a 3-3 record but could have been 5-1. The epic collapse against the Denver Broncos on Monday night is reason for major concern.
17. (16.) Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The Dallas Cowboys were pretty much in charge at the Baltimore Ravens but occasional mental lapses keep preventing them from closing the deal. They are too talented to throw away games like this.
18. (21.) Miami Dolphins (3-3)
Thanks to a solid defense and a constantly improving QB Ryan Tannehill the Miami Dolphins are a match for everyone, even when they finish a game with 19 yards rushing.
19. (22.) Detroit Lions (2-3)
You can never count the Detroit Lions out, as they have clearly demonstrated when they came from behind to win at the Philadelphia Eagles, but they have to fix the discipline issues. 16 penalties are way too many.
20. (14.) Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
It's no shame to lose at the Cleveland Browns but the Cincinnati Bengals handed this game to them on a silver platter. First they blew the lead in the second half and then helped the Browns to gradually extend the lead.
21. (15.) St. Louis Rams (3-3)
The defense continues to do a great job but the offense has to force the issue more. They outgained the Miami Dolphins 462 yards – 192 yards and still managed to lose by 3 points. It's sad to see that super kicker K Greg Zuerlein potentially cost the Rams the W.
22. (24.) Buffalo Bills (3-3)
The win at the Arizona Cardinals was important for the confidence, given the beatings of the past couple of weeks. The Bills also got a good training session in, which may help to improve their pass rush.
23. (25.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
The Kansas City Chiefs were exactly the opponent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed for a morale boost. QB Josh Freeman and WR Mike Williams dismantled the secondary and the defense held the Chiefs to 260 total yards.
24. (26.) New York Jets (3-3)
QB Mark Sanchez actually managed to complete the majority of his passes and RB Shonn Greene rushed for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns on 32 carries. Maybe that's the winning formula?
25. (20.) Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
You have to be able to stop the run if you want to beat the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts failed miserably. They gave up 252 yards on the ground and rank 29th in run defense now.
26. (23.) New Orleans Saints (1-4)
The New Orleans Saints conceded several spots because they had a bye week and some teams behind them won. Let's see whether the euphoria from week 5 carries over to the divisional game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
27. (30.) Tennessee Titans (2-4)
Every so often the Tennessee Titans show that they can play football and they did it on Thursday night when they upset the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team looks so much more dangerous when RB Chris Johnson is effective.
28. (32.) Cleveland Browns (1-5)
It was only a matter of time until the Cleveland Browns got their first win. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals to end an 11-game losing streak and a 12-game losing streak against division rivals.
29. (27.) Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Let's see what the Carolina Panthers figured out during the bye week. Did QB Cam Newton regain his confidence? Did the Panthers find a way to get the running game going? We'll find out on Sunday when they host the Dallas Cowboys.
30. (28.) Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
Kansas City's quarterback situation is as bad as it gets. The only solution to this problem seems to be QB Matt Barkley in the upcoming NFL draft.
31. (29.) Oakland Raiders (1-4)
The Oakland Raiders caught the Atlanta Falcons on a bad day and still couldn't pull off the upset. They fought admirably but need to limit the amount of big mistakes.
32. (31.) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
Coming off a bye week the Jacksonville Jaguars will face an equally unsuccessful team when they travel to the Oakland Raiders for their week 7 matchup.
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