Dirty dozen
The top six and the bottom six heading into Week 17:
| Team | Comment |
| 1. Pittsburgh (14-1) | Just keep going |
| 2. New England (13-2) | Belichick calls win over Jets best of season |
| 3. Philadelphia (13-2) | Back to three despite losing – the JV was playing |
| 4. Indianapolis (12-3) | If Peyton carries Colts to Super Bowl, he’s really MVP |
| 5. San Diego (11-4) | Indy loss could easily have been a win |
| 6. Green Bay (9-6) | 8-2 in last 10 games and Favre always gives them a shot |
| 27. Miami (4-11) | Saban will have something with which to work |
| 28. Tampa Bay (5-10) | Predictably, Griese is starting to slide |
| 29. New York Giants (5-10) | Should have won in Cincy |
| 30. Tennessee (4-11) | No one left to use |
| 31. Cleveland (3-12) | Hung in at Miami |
| 32. San Francisco (2-13) | Back to the bottom |
Source: Associated Press