NFL RANKINGS

1. Dallas Cowboys

Dak and the Giant task.

2. New England Patriots

Threatening to win by the dozen again.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Having Nike make them snow shoes.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Good in any kind of weather.

5. Oakland Raiders

Frozen in their tracks in Kansas City.

6. Denver Broncos

Run game more like a walk game.

7. Detroit Lions

Playing Chicago can be a bear.

8. New York Giants

Starring in Cowboys II.

9. Atlanta Falcons

Feeling Tampa’s hot breath on neck.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

Finding their footing just in time.

11. Baltimore Ravens

Not excited about a Brady X-mas.

12. Miami Dolphins

Still feeling wild about playoff chances.

13. Washington

Cousins needs to take liberties again.

14. Buffalo Bills

Need Tyrod to tidy things up.

15. Tennessee Titans

Fit to be tied in AFC South.

16. Indianapolis Colts

May send Texans South for the winter.

17. Green Bay Packers

2 4 5 3 7 8 6 9 12 14 10 11 13 15

19 Hope to have more than snowball’s chance. 20

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Have holiday sack to deliver Brees.

19. Houston Texans

May not thaw out until January.

20. Minnesota Vikings

Receiving Jaguars delivery from FEMA.

21. Arizona Cardinals

Plan on quitting later.

22. New Orleans Saints

Never defensive about anything.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

E-A-G…, oh forget it.

24. Cincinnati Bengals

18

16 17 25 21 23

27 Have an every-once-in-awhile philosophy.

22 Will play out hand before heading home.

24

25. San Diego Chargers 26. Carolina Panthers

Dressed for suck-sess.

27. Chicago Bears

Rolling out the Matt in Detroit.

28. Los Angeles Rams

Fisher wins, but loses popular vote.

29. New York Jets

28 Wondering if they can take more time off.

30

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Bortles views INTs as completions.

31. San Francisco 49ers

Paper bag promotion begins this week.

32. Cleveland Browns

(last week) 1

29 26

31

32 City asking they clean up before they leave. Tom Silverstein

WHAT’S TRENDING

With four weeks to go, there are 20 teams at .500 and better, and of those 12 are no more than two games over. That leaves a lot of uncertainty in the playoff picture, which isn’t a bad thing as far as the NFL is concerned and might not be a bad thing for those interested in tight playoff races. But it doesn’t speak well of the quality of football we might see in the playoffs. In the AFC South, for instance, Indianapolis, Houston and Tennessee are all 6-6. Maybe the Colts will get hot, but they’ve got lots of holes. In the NFC North, Green Bay and Minnesota are mathematically in the game, but the Vikings’ offense is punchless and the Packers’ defense is down for the count. In the NFC South, Atlanta and Tampa Bay are 7-5. The Buccaneers have won four straight and might keep going, but they are young and not bad-weather tested. The Falcons can’t seem to finish anyone off and have lost three times at home. In the AFC North, Baltimore and Pittsburgh are both 7-5 and on winning streaks. The Ravens’ defense has been resurrected but will lead them only so far, and Pittsburgh hasn’t been the juggernaut everyone expected. The bottom line is the playoffs might not be competitive until the championship round. Dallas and Seattle appear head and shoulders above everyone else in the NFC and New England, Oakland and Kansas City will be next to impossible to beat at home come the postseason. Until then, let the jostling begin.

ON DECK

The New England Patriots have won at least 10 games a total of 14 consecutive seasons and are showing no sign of slowing down. This week, the Patriots face another tough test with the hot Baltimore Ravens, who have won four of their past five games. New England has won 10 games while playing four games without quarterback Tom Brady and against a very good slate of teams. Among the teams they’ll have played this season are Seattle, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Denver. If the Patriots beat the Ravens and Miami loses to Arizona, the Patriots would become the first team in NFL history to win eight consecutive division titles. They and the Packers lead the NFL with active streaks of seven consecutive years in the playoffs. It won’t be long before they’re guaranteed No. 8.