1) New Orleans Saints: They are playing closer games of late because of
injuries at various positions on defense. Offensively, they've been struggling a
bit of late with running the ball.
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), DT (depth), DE (depth),
SLB (veteran depth)
2) Indianapolis Colts: Heck of a comeback last week against the archrival
Patriots. Still, you have to wonder how much longer they can continue winning
these close games. The injuries in the secondary are starting to take a toll on
the defense.
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), WLB
(veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
3) Minnesota Vikings: Veteran QB Brett Favre has to get strong consideration for
offensive MVP. With Favre behind center, you can use all parts of the field.
Sidney Rice has gone from being a developmental receiver to possibly being one
of the NFL's best young receivers with Favre throwing to him.
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
4) New England Patriots: The secondary continues to play well and they're much
deeper at cornerback than in year's past. Tom Brady is starting to look like the
quarterback from two years ago that set several NFL passing records.
Last Ranking: 5
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), WR (veteran depth), G
(veteran depth), ILB (depth)
5) Cincinnati Bengals: There is no cornerback tandem that's playing better than
Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. They gave nothing to the Steelers last week.
Despite the injuries they have up front, their defense has been terrific for
several weeks.
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT (depth), CB (veteran depth/nickel)
6) Pittsburgh Steelers: It was the first game in a long time last week that
starting QB Ben Roethlisberger consistently held on to the ball too long. It
would help if they made more of a commitment to the running game especially when
Roethlisberger is struggling.
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran
depth), OLB (depth)
7) San Diego Chargers: Give defensive coordinator Ron Rivera credit for the for
the turn around on defense. Just about four weeks ago, it looked like the
defense would be the reason why this team wouldn't have a realistic shot at the
playoffs. Now, they might be the reason why this team wins their division.
Last Ranking: 11
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
8) Arizona Cardinals: Despite some key losses on defense, the Cardinals are
getting pretty consistent play out of their front-seven. The offense is starting
to get better production out of the running game. That will be key as we head
toward the final stretch of games.
Last Ranking: 12
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), DE (depth), ILB (veteran depth), CB (depth)
9) Dallas Cowboys: Their offense is really disjointed and has no rhythm. You
have to wonder why they don't run the ball more considering they have three
quality backs. By running the ball more, that would take the pressure off
inconsistent QB Tony Romo.
Last Ranking: 7
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
10) Atlanta Falcons: Second-year QB Matt Ryan has struggled a bit this season
with his accuracy and he needs to be more consistent with his mechanics. Their
defense isn't good enough to overcome his struggles.
Last Ranking: 8
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), DT
(veteran depth), SLB
(depth), WLB (depth)
11) Philadelphia Eagles: Losing starting RB Brian Westbrook for possibly several
more weeks is problematic because opposing defenses can play them differently.
The secondary has taken on some injury hits of late that could be a problem
going forward.
Last Ranking: 9
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), WLB
(veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
12) Baltimore Ravens: QB Joe Flacco is struggling of late and he's not seeing
the field as clearly as he did earlier in the season. Their inconsistent
secondary will have a major test this week against the Colts.
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), ILB (veteran depth), CB
(veteran depth), S (depth)
13) New York Giants: The hope is that the bye will help get their offense
on the right track. The coaches have to find a way to get RB Brandon Jacobs
untracked. The secondary also must show strong improvement if this team is to
make the playoffs.
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: RT (veteran depth), S
(veteran depth upgrade)
14) Denver Broncos: This team is on a downward spiral and you can attribute a
few things for the slide. Their front-seven is starting to show leakage and the
tackling at linebacker has been inconsistent of late.
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (depth)
15) Houston Texans: A key for a playoff push will be how well they can run the
ball and how the defense plays the rest of the way.
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), DE (veteran pass rushing depth)
16) Jacksonville Jaguars: They are finally getting the running game going like
they want to and the passing game is finding more consistency. While the talent
on defense is questionable, you have to be impressed with their effort of late
on that side of the ball.
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), DE (depth), OLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
17) Green Bay Packers: Good win last week and the hope is that the defense can
build off last week's performance. It was obvious that they were trying to get
the ball out of QB Aaron Rodgers' hands quickly last week so that he would cut
down on his mistakes. However, they won't win most games like that. They have to
let him throw the ball down field.
Last Ranking: 18
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), G (depth), DE
(veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), S (veteran depth)
18) Tennessee Titans: QB Vince Young actually has been decent since taking over
and their running game remains one of the league's best. They could finish with
6-7 wins if the defense continues to show improvement.
Last Ranking: 24
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), WLB
(veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth)
19) Miami Dolphins: Losing starting RB Ronnie Brown could be potentially
devastating to their playoff hopes. They have to be more consistent on defense.
What they need is veteran OLB Joey Porter to start playing better.
Last Ranking: 17
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth),
CB (veteran depth)
20) Carolina Panthers: The loss of starting LT Jordan Gross could be a problem
going forward, but at least veteran OL Travelle Wharton has started a bunch of
games in the past at that position. The defense is starting to show improvement.
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth)
21) San Francisco 49ers: They have get improvement in their passing if they're
to push for a playoff spot. Their defense isn't good enough to keep the better
offenses down each week.
Last Ranking: 20
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), RT (veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth)
22) New York Jets: It's amazing how much their defense has dropped off after a
fast start this season. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez is struggling to find consistency
and there's no end in sight.
Last Ranking: 16
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (slot), G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth),
DT (depth), DE (depth), OLB
(veteran depth)
23) Chicago Bears: An improved running game would help get to give their offense
better balance. It would also help struggling QB Jay Cutler get in to more of a
rhythm at the start of each game.
Last Ranking: 19
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RB (veteran depth upgrade),
G (depth), MLB (depth),
WLB (depth)
24) Buffalo Bills: This team is a mess on both sides of the ball. Why go to a
quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has no future as a starter? Trent Edwards
should be the starter for the rest of the season so they can evaluate him for
the future.
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: TE (veteran depth), G (depth), OT (depth), WLB
(veteran depth), SLB (depth)
25) Seattle Seahawks: Injuries on the offensive line have taken a toll, but
they're still able to move the ball fairly well. The injuries in the secondary
are a big reason why this team can't stop teams consistently on defense.
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (veteran depth), OT (depth), G (veteran depth)
26) St. Louis Rams: You have to give head coach Steve Spagnuolo credit. His team
plays hard and despite a lack of talent at several positions, they're a
competitive group on both sides of the ball.
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), OT (veteran depth), DT (veteran depth), OLB (veteran depth),
MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth)
27) Kansas City Chiefs: It will be interesting to see how Jamaal Charles
performs as their starting running back. Keep in mind QB Matt Cassel works best
out of a shotgun spread formation and Charles is probably best suited to run out
of that. The defense needs major upgrades at least five positions in order to be
competitive each week.
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), G (depth), DE (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), CB
(veteran depth), S (depth)
28) Detroit Lions: For this team to win more games, they have to find a way to
run the ball better. They also need to make some major upgrades at cornerback.
The journeymen back there aren't getting the job done.
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: DE (veteran depth), DT (veteran depth), OLB (veteran depth)
29) Washington Redskins: Their defense is good enough to keep them in most
games, but the secondary is starting to fall apart. They have to find more of a
rhythm on offense.
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), DE (pass rushing depth),
WLB
(depth), S (depth)
30) Oakland Raiders: You wouldn't know it by the box score, but QB JaMarcus Russell actually threw the ball fairly well in the first half of last week's
game. Does the coaching staff really believe Bruce Gradkowski is the answer?
Last Ranking: 29
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), DT (depth), MLB (depth)
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This isn't your father's Buccaneers and rightfully so.
It's amazing how they were knocking on the door of the playoffs last season and
now they may struggle to win two games this season.
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: I haven't seen an offense this pathetic since, well, last
year's version of the Cleveland offense. At least their defense, despite the
injuries at linebacker, is somewhat competitive.
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth-speed), LT (depth), RT (depth),
ILB (veteran depth), OLB (pass
rusher), CB (veteran depth)