1. Vikings (8-1; last week’s No. 2): Team of Destiny, even if fate means you have to find another spectacular way to lose in the postseason.
2. Chiefs (7-2; No. 3): The road to Arizona may eventually go through Arrowhead after all.
3. Eagles (8-1; No. 1): The ’72 Dolphins can properly celebrate the 50th anniversary of their achievement.
4. Giants (7-2; No. 6): Quiet, steady, methodical, they just keep rolling.
5. Dolphins (7-3; No. 9): The offense becomes increasingly untenable. The question is whether it will travel in January. Maybe you don’t have to.
6. Ravens (6-3; No. 7): Out of sight but barely out of mind for a week as they identify the top teams in the conference.
7. Cowboys (6-3; No. 4): With many more games like Sunday, Sean Payton chatter will rear its ugly head again.
8. Jets (6-3; No. 10): Yes, they are good enough to go up a step or two even if they have a bye.
9. Bills (6-3; No. 5): Blowing a 17-point lead at home in the second half isn’t what priceless Super Bowl favorites do.
10. 49ers (5-4; No. 11): Great teams find a way to win when they don’t play well.
11. Seahawks (6-4; No. 8): They got the Bucs at the worst possible time, in the worst possible place.
12. Patriots (5-4; No. 12): They could still be a major factor in the AFC playoff field, if they get there.
13. Titans (6-3; No. 14): A week-long visit to Green Bay will be a pretty good litmus test to determine if they’re a true contender.
14. Buccaneers (5-5; No. 16): Dorian Gray becomes Benjamin Button.
15. Bengals (5-4; No. 15): Now is the time to make their move.
16. Commanders (5-5; No. 18): Carson Wentz once lost his job based on how he played in Philly. He now loses it based on how his backup played there.
17. Chargers (5-4; No. 13): The playoffs are far from certain for a team that certainly knows how to sabotage itself.
18. Packers (4-6; No. 22): The young receivers are finally getting comfortable. It would have happened sooner if their $50 million quarterback hadn’t ignored them in the off-season.
19. Falcons (4-6; No. 17): No team needs to be able to run the ball more than the Falcons.
20. Cardinals (4-6; No. 23): The Cardinals have their own version of Geno Smith on their roster. And the fans are starting to get it.
21. Browns (3-6; No. 19): Nineteen days to Deshaun.
22. Colts (4-5-1; No. 32): Can it continue? Yes, if they play the Raiders every week.
23. Rams (3-6; No. 20): Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady have been asked if they regret not retiring. It’s probably about time someone asked Aaron Donald the same question.
24. Lions (3-6; No. 27): They’re doing enough to prevent another regime change.
25. Bears (3-7; No. 21): It’s a shame that Justin Fields’ genius is so often lost.
26. Panthers (3-7; No. 28): Baker Mayfield gets another chance to show if he can be a full-time starter.
27. Steelers (3-6; No. 29): With two games left against the Ravens, they’re not done yet.
28. Broncos (3-6; No. 25): Nathaniel Hackett continues to do himself a disservice.
29. Saints (3-7; No. 24): Why isn’t Taysom Hill the starting quarterback?
30. Jaguars (3-7; No. 26): “They have a lot of potential” has been this team’s motto for years.
31. Texans (1-7-1; No. 31): They are arguably the best 1-7-1 team in league history.
32. Raiders (2-7; No. 30): “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” It also didn’t collapse completely in a day.
