How the NFL's 32 teams stack up after Week 9:
In the hunt | Teams that look good enough to be among the 12 playoff qualifiers, but not based on conference. | | Rank | Team | Record | Prv. | Comment | | 1. | Tennessee Titans | 8-0 | 1 | Finding a way to win the close ones is mark of a champion -- and of a team capable of giving the NFL another perfect regular season. | | 2. | New York Giants | 7-1 | 2 | No late surges this season; these guys already are in Super Bowl form … and then some. | | 3. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-2 | 4 | Byron Leftwich provides superb quarterback depth. | | 4. | Carolina Panthers | 6-2 | 5 | They should make it three wins in a row at Oakland. | | 5. | Washington Redskins | 6-3 | 3 | Jason Campbell gets a week to contemplate all that went wrong vs. the Steelers. | | 6. | Arizona Cardinals | 5-3 | 6 | Look for them to further pad their comfortable NFC West lead at home vs. the 49ers. | | 7. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-3 | 9 | Ultimately, they did what they were supposed to do vs. the Chiefs, giving them a chance to have a relaxing bye -- at least as relaxing as a Jon Gruden team's bye can be. | | 8. | Philadelphia Eagles | 5-3 | 11 | After three impressive wins, a harsh dose of reality could be awaiting in the form of the Giants. | | 9. | Baltimore Ravens | 5-3 | -- | Matt Ryan isn't the only rookie quarterback with a hot hand. Joe Flacco merits some props as well. | | 10. | Chicago Bears | 5-3 | -- | Facing Tennessee without Kyle Orton under center, the Bears will have a hard time maintaining their tenuous grasp on first place in the NFC North. | | 11. | N.Y. Jets | 5-3 | -- | Kris Jenkins has given the Jets a dominant defensive front that should show its muscle once again vs. St. Louis. | | 12. | Atlanta Falcons | 5-3 | -- | After pounding the Raiders, the Falcons will need all of the offense they can muster vs. the Saints. | The rest Have a question for Vic? Send it to AskVic@nfl.com, and the best ones will be answered on NFL.com. | |
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