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CAPSULES AND RANKINGS
Team: 1. Denver (8-1)
Opponent: Chicago
Comment: Defense wins titles. Tell that to guys defending Elway.
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Team: 2. San Francisco (7-2)
Opponent: Dallas
Comment: Football players win football games. Look it up.
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Team: 3. Green Bay (8-1)
Opponent: at Kansas City
Comment: “We’ve got guys with heart.” Or, they’d be stiffs.
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Team: 4. Pittsburgh (7-2)
Opponent: at Cincinnati
Comment: Ya gotta wanna win, and talk like that too.
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Team: 5. Philadelphia (7-2)
Opponent: Buffalo
Comment: It’s us against the world and we are not paranoid.
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Team: 6. Dallas (5-4)
Opponent: at San Francisco
Comment: Backs against the wall make it tough to pass, kick ...
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Team: 7. Washington (7-2)
Opponent: Arizona
Comment: A must game. As opposed to the 15 others?
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Team: 8. Buffalo (6-3)
Opponent: at Philadelphia
Comment: You just got to make plays. Pregame speech must be thrilling.
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Team: 9. Kansas City (6-3)
Opponent: Green Bay
Comment: Takes total team effort, unless you want to rely on Bono.
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Team: 10. New England (6-3)
Opponent: at N.Y. Jets
Comment: It’s a challenge, coping with Parcells.
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Team: 11. Indianapolis (5-4)
Opponent: at Miami
Comment: Have to see film first. Wasn’t paying attention.
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Team: 12. Minnesota (5-4)
Opponent: at Seattle
Comment: Other teams paid to make plays too. More than we get.
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Team: 13. Houston (5-4)
Opponent: at New Orleans
Comment: Give the other team credit. Then you won’t rip us.
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Team: 14. Carolina (5-4)
Opponent: N.Y. Giants
Comment: These guys busted their tails at minimum of $275,000.
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Team: 15. San Diego (5-4)
Opponent: Detroit
Comment: Win one for the Gipper. Gifford? Kathy Lee’s husband?
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Team: 16. Miami (4-5)
Opponent: Indianapolis
Comment: Adversity builds character. Also gets you fired.
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Team: 17. Detroit (4-5)
Opponent: at San Diego
Comment: This team showed a lot of character. But no coaching.
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Team: 18. Oakland (4-5)
Opponent: at Tampa Bay
Comment: It all starts at the top. Thereby dooming the Raiders.
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Team: 19. Cincinnati (3-6)
Opponent: Pittsburgh
Comment: Bengals giving 110%. Why didn’t Shula think of that?
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Team: 20. N.Y. Giants (4-5)
Opponent: at Carolina
Comment: If you can’t make it in New York, move to New Jersey.
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Team: 21. Seattle (4-5)
Opponent: Minnesota
Comment: Every game is big if you fear Kingdome falling on you.
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Team: 22. Chicago (4-5)
Opponent: at Denver
Comment: People weren’t giving ‘em a chance. They were right.
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Team: 23. Baltimore (3-6)
Opponent: at Jacksonville
Comment: They put their pants on one leg at a time. Even Vinny.
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Team: 24. Jacksonville (3-6)
Opponent: Baltimore
Comment: Key is to hit ground running. Not land on facemask.
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Team: 25. Arizona (3-6)
Opponent: at Washington
Comment: All you can do is your best. Leaves them two TDs shy.
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Team: 26. New Orleans (2-7)
Opponent: Houston
Comment: It’s not how you play the game ... “Whew,” says Everett.
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Team: 27. Tampa Bay (1-8)
Opponent: Oakland
Comment: Team with the best players wins. So Buccaneers lose.
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Team: 28. N.Y. Jets (1-8)
Opponent: New England
Comment: No quit here. So Kotite will have to be fired.
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Team: 29. Atlanta (1-8)
Opponent: at St. Louis
Comment: It just comes down to execution. Whose?
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Team: 30. St. Louis (2-7)
Opponent: Atlanta
Comment: Winning isn’t everything. So long as Georgia can shop.
* THE POLLS: Associated Press and USA Today/CNN--C10
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