1. N.Y. Giants (10-1) -- Somewhere in Jersey Tom Coughlin wakes up in the morning and asks, "Explain to me again how we lost by three touchdowns to these guys?" (Last week: 1)

2. N.Y. Jets (8-3) -- In New York they're already daydreaming about a Subway Super Bowl. God, please blind us now. (Last week: 4)

3. Tennessee (10-1) -- Hey, it was one loss. It's not the Titans have suddenly become a bad team. (Last week: 2)

4. Tampa Bay (8-3) -- It's looking more and more like the Bucs will find something special under their Christmas trees this year. (Last week: 5)

5. Pittsburgh (8-3) -- Back-to-back home wins have the Steelers living large again. (Last week: 8)

6. Indianapolis (7-4) -- In the fourth quarter of their win in San Diego, the Colts were starting to look like they look when they are playing like they are in someone's backyard scoring on just about every possession. (Last week: 7)

7. New England (7-4) -- Overheard in the Boston area this week: "Mr. Cassel, I played with Tom Brady. I knew Tom Brady. Tom Brady was a friend of mine. Mr. Cassel, you're no Tom Brady." (Last week: NR)

8. Carolina (8-3) -- Did someone forget to send the Panthers the memo explaining that Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino are gone, so teams actually have to devise game plans when they play the Falcons now? (Last week: 3)

9. Arizona (7-4) -- I don't care if they did lose to the Giants on Sunday. In my book, the Cardinals still are definitely worth watching. (Last week: 4)

10. Dallas (7-4) -- Now that the Cowboys are good again, Jerry Jones can go back to the plastic surgeon and have his smile re-installed. (Last week: NR)

Dropped out: Miami (9), Denver (10).

-- John Dudley