Brees and the Saints are still the team to beat.

1. New Orleans Saints (13-0)

They pulled the baby out of the fire the last two weeks, but New Orleans is doing the right thing by keeping their starters in the rest of the way and trying for 16-0.

2. Indianapolis Colts (13-0)

Many experts are saying Indianapolis will sit their starters now that they’re in the final stretch. It seems like every time they do that, they are sent home quickly. When Indianapolis played everyone down the stretch in 2006, they won the Super Bowl. Coincidence?

3. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)

Minnesota pulled away from the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday and Adrian Peterson came back to earth. They need Peterson to be at the top of his game for the post season.

4. San Diego Chargers (10-3)

Philip Rivers would be a runaway MVP candidate if it weren’t for Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Face it, San Diego’s erratic run game and defense hasn’t earned the 10 wins. It’s been all Rivers and his receivers.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)

Philadelphia was flying high offensively against the New York Giants. By scoring on a 72-yard punt return and a 60-yard reception, DeSean Jackson tied an NFL record for most touchdowns over 50 yards in a season with eight.

6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)

Aaron Rodgers had a mediocre performance against the rival Chicago Bears, but Green Bay pulled away with a 21-14 win. Ryan Grant had two touchdowns and 137 yards on the ground, including a season long 62-yard run on his first carry of the game.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)

Cincinnati turned in a poor performance against Minnesota last Sunday. The once prolific Carson Palmer continues to confuse experts. He did toss a touchdown but only threw for only 94 yards on 15-of-25 passing. That’s only 3.8 yards a throw.

8. Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

Arizona followed up a great performance against Minnesota with a dud against the San Francisco 49ers. Seven turnovers on Monday night? Yikes! They should be able to bounce back next week against the Detroit Lions.

9. New England Patriots (8-5)

Paging Randy Moss! Even though New England still beat the Carolina Panthers, much is being made about Moss’ non-performance. However, when these same questions about his work ethic surfaced late in the 2007 season, Moss bounced back for the post season.

10. Denver Broncos (8-5)

Despite a solid game and an NFL record 21 receptions from Brandon Marshall, Denver was still on the losing end Sunday against Indianapolis. They are far from the teams that started out 6-0 but could still pull off a wild card berth.

11. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

Even though Romo has played well the past two weeks, Dallas’ December woes continue. They dropped their second straight to San Diego Sunday, and it doesn’t get easier. They have the undefeated New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Miami’s 14-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars came from good defense and a solid outing from Chad Henne. It also added another tie breaker in their campaign for a spot in the AFC playoffs.

13. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

A nice beat down on the Detroit Lions was needed, and it couldn’t come at a better time. With Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Oakland left on the schedule, they could easily finish 10-6 and earn a wild card birth.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6)

Sure, Jacksonville is still technically in control of the final wild card spot in the AFC, but it doesn’t look like they can hold onto it. Undefeated Indianapolis and New England are next on the schedule.

15. New York Giants (7-6)

What happened to their defense? They were picked apart by the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. New York is a shell of the team that started the season 5-0 and are now finding themselves in a whole for the post season.

16. Tennessee Titans (6-7)

Vince Young was playing well before he went out of last Sunday’s game with a strained left hamstring. Kerry Collins didn’t have to do much because Tennessee was playing the St. Louis Rams, and Chris Johnson was his usual dominant self.

17. New York Jets (7-6)

Even with Mark Sanchez out, the Jets were able to dispose of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks to their defense and running game. However, there playoff chances are dwindling.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7)

The 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns has officially knocked the wind out of Pittsburgh’s playoff sails. The absence of Troy Polamalu is crucial, but it shouldn’t have completely ruin their entire season.

19. San Francisco 49ers (6-7)

San Francisco forced seven turnovers against Arizona. Frank Gore got it going on the ground, rushing for 167 yards and a touchdown. They get Philadelphia this Sunday.

20. Houston Texans (6-7)

Houston looked like a playoff contender heading into the season and following the bye week when they were 5-4. After routing Seattle 34-7, they get the St. Louis Rams Sunday. Could Houston put 45 on the board?

21. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)

Atlanta has battled through injuries this season, the hardest being the loss of quarterback Matt Ryan. However, that isn’t an excuse for their porous defense, which ranks 29th in total defense.

22. Buffalo Bills (5-8)

Buffalo had a good game against the Kansas City Chiefs, picking off Matt Cassel four times and rushed for 200 yards. They have some parts to be a competitive team next year.

23. Carolina Panthers (5-8)

There is a lot of talk about Carolina firing head coach John Fox. Could that mean Bill Cowher will take the headset next season?

24. Seattle Seahawks (5-8)

Seattle’s defense is pitiful, as they showed against Houston. This team needs to be blown up or altered significantly.

25. Chicago Bears (5-8)

It’s easy to be like Trent Dilfer and pin all Chicago’s blame on Jay Cutler. Yes, 22 interceptions are inexcusable, but there are other problems with this team. They all starts up top with GM Jerry Angelo and trickle down to head coach Lovie Smith.

26. Washington Redskins (4-9)

Washington beat the Oakland Raiders 34-13 and quarterback Jason Campbell is showing why he should stay put. With Bruce Allen now as vice president of football operations, changes are guaranteed to come. Hopefully, they’re the right ones.

27. Oakland Raiders (4-9)

Bruce Gradkowski goes out and Oakland struggles. So, it’s back to JaMarcus Russell right? Wrong! Enter Charlie Fyre as the new starting quarterback. That move might have officially spelled the end for Russell in the silver and black.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (3-10)

As mentioned earlier, Cassel tossed four picks to Buffalo in a 16-10 loss. If you saw his stat line for the year, you would say he’s had a respectable season. However, if you saw him on the field, you’d ask why the heck Kansas City paid him to be a franchise quarterback.

29. Detroit Lions (2-11)

Detroit was all but non-existent against Baltimore, but you expect that from a team that is young and inconsistent as them. They get the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday.

30. Cleveland Browns (2-11)

They deserved to be bumped up in the rankings after last Thursday’s upset against Pittsburgh. Cleveland made life a living hell for Ben Roethlisberger and company.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-12)

Remember when this team won the NFC South in 2007 and were just shy of making the post season last year? It’s sad to see how far they’ve fallen. This is what you get for taking the rebuilding route.

32. St. Louis Rams (1-12)

Welcome to the NFL Keith Null. The St. Louis quarterback had five interceptions and suffered a 47-7 loss to Tennessee in his first start. They’ll be better days, but they probably won’t be in St. Louis anytime soon.