STEVE SPRINGER’S RANKINGS

TOP 5

1. TAMPA BAY -- How imaginative is the offense? Gards are catching touchdown passes.

2. ST. LOUIS -- Surviving another week on the defensive high-wire.

3. MINNESOTA -- No Cunningham. No George. With Culpepper, no problem.

4. NEW YORK GIANTS -- Those waiting for Tiki to fall may have a long wait.

5. NEW YORK JETS -- Looking good until Sunday’s fall in Tampa Bay.

BOTTOM 5

27. CHICAGO -- These Monsters of the Midway don’t scare anybody.

28. SAN FRANCISCO -- You have to feel sorry for Jerry Rice.

29. PITTSBURGH -- How long before the fire goes out in Cowher?

30. CINCINNATI -- How long before the Bengals fire Coslet?

31. SAN DIEGO -- Come back Bobby Beathard, all is forgiven.