The NFL’s Dirty Dozen

The top six and bottom six teams based on current level of play.

1. San Diego (10-2): With Shawne Merriman back, the most solid team in the league.

2. Dallas (8-4): Luck counts.

3. Indianapolis (10-2): Lots of holes on defense, but Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison make up for a lot.

4. Chicago (10-2): Can a team this bad on offense really lead its conference?

5. Baltimore (9-3): Another plodding offense.

6. Tennessee (5-7): Consecutive wins over the Eagles, Giants and Colts. Even Tuna couldn’t have picked that trifecta.

27. Arizona (3-9): Takes more than two wins to shed historic futility.

28. Washington (4-8): At least the Skins are trying out the QB of the future.

29. Tampa Bay (3-9): When the Bucs lose their 10th, do they switch back to orange uniforms?

30. St. Louis (5-7): Has lost six of seven. Worse, lost to Arizona at home.

31. Oakland (2-10): How do you hold the other guys to minus-5 yards passing and lose?

32. Detroit (2-10): Do the Lions want Joey Harrington back?

Dave Goldberg, Associated Press