1) New Orleans Saints: The injuries at cornerback are alarming and you can
bet Tom Brady will go after whoever starts at that position on Monday night.
They are continuing to get great balance on offense.
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), DT (depth), DE (depth),
SLB (veteran depth)
2) Indianapolis Colts: They are continuing to survive despite the various
injuries in their secondary. RB Joseph Addai is showing tremendous versatility
this season and has been able to stave off rookie Donald Brown.
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), WLB
(veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
3) Minnesota Vikings: The defense has played better since the bye and their run
defense is starting to look dominant again. Getting back starting CB Antoine Winfield this week should help solidify the back end. Offensively, they can beat
you so many ways. WR Sidney Rice could be the NFL's most improved player.
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: C (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
4) New England Patriots: The improved play from the secondary this season is a
big reason why they will easily win the AFC East. QB Tom Brady is starting to
show that his severe knee injury from last season is well behind him.
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), WR (veteran depth), G
(veteran depth), ILB (depth)
5) San Diego Chargers: They're continuing to get it done on defense and
defensive coordinator Ron Rivera deserves a lot of credit for the turn around.
They are making a strong commitment to the running game despite veteran RB
LaDainian Tomlinson's struggles. QB Philip Rivers is having perhaps his best
season as a pro.
Last Ranking: 7
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
6) Arizona Cardinals: The newly found running game is really helping keep
opposing defenses off balance. It will be interesting to see if their defensive
improvement of late can continue against a much improved Titan offense.
Last Ranking: 8
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), DE (depth), CB (depth)
7) Cincinnati Bengals: They really should have won last week's game. The
defensive breakdowns late weren't happening in previous weeks. They do need to get
starting RB Cedric Benson soon in order to get the solid balance back on offense
like they've had all season.
Last Ranking: 5
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT (depth), CB (veteran depth/nickel)
8) Dallas Cowboys: If it wasn't for their defense, this team might have a losing
record. They must stay on schedule with the running game in order to take
pressure off struggling QB Tony Romo.
Last Ranking: 9
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
9) Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb has looked better of late, but they need
to find their screen game. That part of their offense has produced big plays in
the past. The defense is doing
fairly well despite some key injuries at linebacker and in the secondary.
Last Ranking: 11
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), SLB
(veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
10) Pittsburgh Steelers: The absence of starting SS Troy Polamalu is very
noticeable. It's amazing how much one player not being in the lineup makes such
a difference. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians needs to stay on schedule with the running game, especially
when they have a lead.
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran
depth), OLB (depth)
11) New York Giants: They still need to get better consistency out of the
running game. Defensively, the secondary still is having big coverage problems
on a weekly basis. It would help if they got a better pass rush.
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), S
(veteran depth upgrade)
12) Jacksonville Jaguars: Some would argue that they've benefited from an easy
schedule. However, they're getting very good balance on offensive of late and
when they do that, the Jaguars are tough to beat. The defense still needs to
find a pass rush, but they are finding more discipline of that side of the ball.
Getting starting CB Rashean Mathis back soon is a must as teams will continue to
exploit his absence. They really need to sign a veteran cornerback for
insurance.
Last Ranking: 16
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), DE (depth), OLB (veteran depth),
ILB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
13) Atlanta Falcons: They've been able to keep their running game on track
despite missing starting RB Michael Turner of late. However, their defense has
major issues in the secondary, which are preventing them from winning.
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), DT
(veteran depth), SLB
(depth), WLB (depth), S (veteran depth upgrade)
14) Baltimore Ravens: After a hot start, their passing game has really
regressed. Joe Flacco hasn't found his rhythm in several weeks. They must help
him by upgrading at the receiver position next season. The absence of starting
CB Fabian Washington will be tested against the strong Steeler passing game this week.
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), ILB (veteran depth), CB
(veteran depth), S (depth)
15) Denver Broncos: Reality is starting to catch up with this team. Their run
defense is starting to fall apart and the lack of size in the front-seven is
starting to show.
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth upgrade), G (depth), S
(veteran depth)
16) Green Bay Packers: The losses of OLB Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris are huge
to their defense. The key now is for them to run the ball better in order to
keep those defensive injuries from being major issues going forward.
Last Ranking: 17
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), G (depth), DE
(veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
17) Tennessee Titans: As long as this team doesn't fall behind, they can limit
the amount of throws that Vince Young has to make. As long as that happens and
they run the ball well, they can continue to win.
Last Ranking: 18
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), WLB
(veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth)
18) Miami Dolphins: The loss of starting NT Jason Ferguson will likely show
against teams that run the ball well. They've found their quarterback of the
future in Chad Henne. He throws a good ball and he usually puts it only where
his intended receiver can catch the ball.
Last Ranking: 19
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), NT (depth)
19) Houston Texans: The loss of starting TE Owen Daniels is starting to show. It
also doesn't help that they can't run the ball consistently well. They need to
find pass rushing help opposite Mario Williams.
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), DE (veteran pass rushing depth)
20) Carolina Panthers: The injuries at linebacker are starting to take a major
toll. And what has happened to veteran DE Julius Peppers the last few games?
Last Ranking: 20
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), G (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), WLB (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth)
21) San Francisco 49ers: We're starting to see that Alex Smith is an average
quarterback with a less than average NFL arm. Their defense still lacks enough
quality playmakers for this team to be better than they are.
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), RT (veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth)
22) New York Jets: Rookie Mark Sanchez has no business being their starting
quarterback. He's lost and is playing too fast. The defense has suffered major
slippage after a hot start. Look for some big changes next year on that side of
the ball, especially in the secondary.
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (slot), G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth),
DT (depth), DE (depth), OLB
(veteran depth)
23) Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler is in a funk of late and there are no signs that
he's going to snap out of it. It would help if they could run the ball better to
get better balance on offense.
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), G (depth), MLB (depth),
WLB (depth)
24) Kansas City Chiefs: Despite an obvious lack of talent on both sides of the
ball, head coach Todd Haley has this team playing hard each week. They must make
major upgrades on the offensive line next season if they are going to win
consistently. They also need major help at several positions on defense.
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), G (depth), DE (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), CB
(veteran depth), S (depth)
25) Buffalo Bills: The tape job they have going on with the offensive line is
starting to unravel. There's no plausible reason why Fred Jackson shouldn't be
their starting running back. The lack of depth on defense is another reason why
this team can't win consistently.
Last Ranking: 24
Needs Still to be Filled: TE (veteran depth), G (depth), OT (depth), WLB
(veteran depth), SLB (depth)
26) Seattle Seahawks: The lack of frontline talent on both sides of the ball is
a major reason why this team continues to underachieve. Defensively, they need
to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback.
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (depth), G (veteran depth)
27) Washington Redskins: They've been decimated by injury on their offensive
line, yet starting QB Jason Campbell has shown improvement of late. The injuries
at running back are also a major concern. They have to find a way to get more
out of their young receivers. The personnel staff has to revamp the cornerback
position next season.
Last Ranking: 29
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), G
(depth), WLB (depth)
28) Detroit Lions: If they could just get their key offensive players healthy,
this team could be more competitive. The secondary needs a major overhaul save
rookie S Louis Delmas. They also need help at various areas in their
front-seven.
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: DE (veteran depth), DT (veteran depth), OLB (veteran depth)
29) Oakland Raiders: They are playing hard for head coach Tom Cable each week.
They have to find a way to get better rhythm on offense. Defensively, they have
to find a consistent pass rush and improve their run defense.
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), DT (depth), MLB (depth)
30) St. Louis Rams: Depth is really bad on both sides of the ball. The positives
from this football team are that they play hard and they can run the ball well.
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), LT (veteran depth), RT (depth), DT (veteran depth),
SLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth)
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Last week, Josh Freeman showed that he's truly rookie
quarterback. Defensively, when is the last time a coordinator was removed this
late in the season? Why not wait until after the season is over?
Last Ranking: 31
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), G (depth), C (depth), LT (depth),
RT (depth), DT (veteran depth), DE (veteran depth), CB (depth/nickel), S (depth)
32) Cleveland Browns: At least the coaches let Brady Quinn throw the ball more
than five yards last week. This is clearly team turmoil.
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth-speed), LT (depth), RT (depth),
ILB (veteran depth), OLB (pass
rusher), CB (veteran depth)