1. Seahawks (10-1; last week No. 2): That three-game lead in the division could soon be a three-game lead in the conference.
2. Broncos (9-1; No. 3): Good luck wrapping Christmas presents, Denver; Colorado’s entire supply of tape is being used on Peyton Manning’s ankle.
3. Chiefs (9-1; No. 1): The loss to the Broncos would be considered a moral victory if Jerry Jones hadn’t ruined the term.
4. Saints (8-2; No. 4): Watching the 49ers play the Saints close in the Superdome should give the Panthers a lot of confidence for their upcoming trip there.
5. Panthers (7-3; No. 9): There’s nothing like an asterisk on their signature win to give the Panthers even more motivation to keep winning.
6. Patriots (7-3; No. 5): Calm down, Pats fans. You still have the Tuck Rule game.
7. Colts (7-3; No. 6): Andrew Luck is starting to realize that, in order to be Peyton Manning, Luck needs to start acting like Peyton Manning.
8. Bengals (7-4; No. 10): An unprecedented third straight trip to the playoffs is within reach. Now, can they win a playoff game for the first time since January 1991?
9. 49ers (6-4; No. 7): The good news, if there is any, is that the 49ers played the Saints close in the Superdome even though Colin Kaepernick was once again mediocre.
10. Cardinals (6-4; No. 13): Could Bruce Arians win consecutive coach of the year awards, with different teams?
11. Lions (6-4; No. 8): By faking a field goal while up by four in the fourth quarter, Jim Schwartz proved he’s not scared. Of getting fired.
12. Eagles (6-5; No. 15): Buddy Ryans would say of Nick Foles, “All he does is throw touchdowns. And run for them.”
13. Bears (6-4; No. 16): Josh McCown will soon have as many career wins as Cade McNown.
14. Packers (5-5; No. 12): If Aaron Rodgers’ collarbone doesn’t heal by the time for breaking wishbones, the Packers will long for the days of losing in the divisional round of the playoffs.
15. Cowboys (5-5; No. 14): If the Cowboys want to make it to the playoffs, they need to act like the playoffs are starting on Sunday.
16. Jets (5-5; No. 11): Rex Ryan could soon have plenty of time to spend at Dave & Buster’s.
17. Dolphins (5-5; No. 17): This team at times seems just good enough to lose in the first round of the playoffs.
18. Giants (4-6; No. 22): Yep, Tom Coughlin does his best coaching when on the hot seat.
19. Chargers (4-6; No. 18): Philip Rivers isn’t broken, but the rest of the team is.
20. Titans (4-6; No. 19): The Titans now have a Skelton in the closet. Which won’t supplant the skeleton in the closet of losing at home to Jacksonville.
21. Steelers (4-6; No. 25): Maybe NFL Network should consistently report on Ben Roethlisberger’s future every week for the rest of the season.
22. Browns (4-6; No. 20): The playoffs start Sunday against the last team the Browns played in the playoffs, 11 years ago.
23. Rams (4-6; No. 23): If they can keep playing like they did at Indy, this team could make things interesting down the stretch.
22. Bills (4-7; No. 27): With the next three opponents at 2-8, 2-8, and 1-9, the Bills could make things interesting down the stretch.
25. Ravens (4-6; No. 21): Maybe they’ll replace Jim Caldwell with Cam Cameron in December.
26. Raiders (4-6; No. 26): Terrelle Pryor was the quarterback of the future, but that’s now in the past.
27. Redskins (3-7; No. 24): Even Paul Westhead can see what RGIII is up to.
28. Buccaneers (2-8; No. 30): It may have been too early to say Greg Schiano definitely will be fired, but it’s definitely too early to say he won’t be.
29. Falcons (2-8; No. 28): This season is going so poorly that Bobby Petrino might quit again.
30. Texans (2-8; No. 29): How bad has it gotten in Houston? Bad enough that a guy who has been through plenty of low points over the last decade wants out.
31. Vikings (2-8; No. 31): The Vikings think the Packers’ current quarterback struggles are funny. The Vikings won’t after losing to Scott Tolzien.
32. Jaguars (1-9; No. 32): A week after Ed Reed talked his way out of Houston, Cecil Shorts could be trying to do the same thing.