NFL TOP TO BOTTOM

1. Denver (6-1): Time for John Elway to remind everyone who’s boss around here.

2. San Francisco (6-1): Steve Mariucci isn’t a genius, but the guy who made the 49er schedule is.

3. Green Bay (5-2): Packers have yet to extend an invitation here to buy stock.

4. Jacksonville (5-2): Win over Steelers produces game lead, and tiebreaking advantage.

5. New England (5-2): Big game with Packers, which means Bledsoe will have the shakes.

6. Kansas City (5-2): Missouri calls this its Super Bowl--only bowl Schottenheimer will see.

7. Minnesota (5-2): Gives you a clue what the feeling here is about game with Tampa Bay.

8. Pittsburgh (5-2): As long as they feed the ball to Bettis, Steelers will hang around.

9. Tampa Bay (5-2): The party’s just about over.

10. Miami (5-2): Somebody has to round out the top 10; never thought it would be Miami.

11. New York Jets (5-3): And definitely not the Jets.

12. Dallas (4-3): Someone in the NFC East has to win the division title.

13. Detroit (4-4): The Lions aren’t consistent, play in a tough division, but on a hunch. . . .

14. Washington (4-3): Trying to get by without Terry Allen, and failing.

15. Oakland (3-4): Outrageous, but all that offense and still nine games to play.

16. Seattle (4-3): How far can Moon carry them with no running game?

17. Buffalo (4-3): No Super Bowl threat, but somehow remain competitive.

18. Philadelphia (3-4): Rodney Peete needs to play over his head, or on his toes.

19. Carolina (3-4): Nothing worse than a lackluster expansion team.

20. New York Giants (5-3): Can’t drop the stiffs any lower.

21. Tennessee (3-4): McNair’s coming on, and so are the Oilers.

22. Baltimore (3-4): Just like the Orioles; they choke under pressure.

23. St. Louis (2-5): Phone call for Vermeil--someone named Georgia.

24. San Diego (3-4): Chargers might as well turn that cannon on themselves if can’t beat Colts.

25. Cincinnati (1-6): Any time now, guys, you might want to turn it on.

26. New Orleans (2-6): Saints have No. 3 defense--shooting for 0-0 ties rest of the year.

27. Atlanta (1-6): Chris Chandler has become the NFL’s “Bubble Boy.”

28. Arizona (1-6): Stoney gets rocked, so now Jake gets the call--to sell tickets.

29. Indianapolis (0-7): Paul Justin to the rescue.

30. Chicago (0-7): Bears have set their sights on Ron Powlus.