THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

SAM FARMER’S NFL RANKINGS WITH COMMENTS

Team (Record): Comment

1. Oakland (8-2): Raiders get a breather with Cardinals, K.C. at home.

2. Pittsburgh (8-2): Kordell Stewart has reinvented himself.

3. St. Louis (8-2): Turnovers are killing the Rams.

4. Chicago (8-2): As usual, Bears are thinking defense first.

5. Cleveland (6-4): Browns lead the NFL with 25 interceptions.

6. Green Bay (7-3): Well-rested Packers needed time after Detroit scare.

7. San Francisco (8-2): The 49ers are coming together; their stadium is falling apart.

8. Miami (7-3): Not only can Jay Fiedler run and pass, he can rebound.

9. Philadelphia (7-4): Ghastly one week, good another.

10. New England (6-5): Fun to see how far Tom Brady can carry Patriots.

11. Washington (5-5): Will the Sports Illustrated cover jinx derail the Redskins?

12. Baltimore (7-4): In Elvis we trust? That’s a week-to-week proposition.

13. New York Jets (7-3): In last 15 seasons, Jets are 18-41 in post-November games.

14. Tampa Bay (5-5): Imagine if Buccaneers could put together an entire season.

15. Atlanta (6-4): This should go over big in family section: Vick will wait awhile.

16. Denver (6-5): Bad news for Broncos: Rod Smith nursing two sprained ankles.

17. New York Giants (5-6): No more guarantees from Jim Fassel.

18. New Orleans (5-5): Losing William Roaf really hurts the Saints.

19. Tennessee (4-6): Titans haven’t beaten a team with a winning record all season.

20. Minnesota (4-6): Put simply, Vikings have lots of talent and no heart.

21. Seattle (5-5): This much is clear: Matt Hasselbeck is no Tom Brady.

22. Arizona (4-6): If only Jake Plummer could play every quarter the way he does the fourth.

23. Indianapolis (4-6): This isn’t the way to get a new stadium in Indy.

24. San Diego (5-6): Four consecutive losses ... and counting.

25. Cincinnati (4-6): Ohio pecking order is clearly established.

26. Kansas City (3-8): Trying to finish the season as quickly as possible.

27. Jacksonville (3-7): Tom Coughlin wants to rebuild. First, he needs a wrecking ball.

28. Dallas (2-8): They always play the Redskins tough, at least.

29. Buffalo (1-9): Alex Van Pelt looking better than Rob Johnson.

30. Detroit (0-10): Good news! The Lions are now allowed to practice on their own field.

31. Carolina (1-10): The best Panther player is a punter. Figures.