Dirty dozen

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

1. Chicago (6-0): Grossman was awful in Arizona and safety Mike Brown, almost as important as Urlacher, is out for season. Still, best record in NFL.

2. San Diego (4-1): Might be better than the Bears.

3. Denver (4-1): Despite just five touchdowns in five games. How come Shanahan doesn’t fire himself as play-caller?

4. New Orleans (5-1): Maybe Sean Payton knows offense after all.

5. New England (4-1): Bill Belichick was relaxed enough in bye week to be seen at baseball playoff game.

6. Indianapolis (5-0): Maybe Anthony McFarland can help plug the defensive leak.

27. Washington (2-4): No worries. Dan the Fan will overpay for more big names next year.

28. Detroit (1-5): Now Shaun Rogers is gone.

29. Houston (1-4): Still on track to be better than last season.

30. Arizona (1-5): The players are better than this. The coaching?

31. Miami (1-5): Almost catching up doesn’t count.

32. Oakland (0-5): This week’s highlight? John Madden gets his Hall of Fame ring.

Dave Goldberg, Associated Press