THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

SAM FARMER’S NFL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

*--* Rk Team (Rec.) Comment (last week’s rank) 1 PHILADELPHIA (12-3) Eagles have won 13 consecutive NFC games. (1) 2 OAKLAND (10-5) Raiders proved last Sunday they can run when necessary. (5) 3 GREEN BAY (12-3) Marques Anderson is an INT return for a touchdown away from rookie record. (2) 4 PITTSBURGH (9-5-1) Here’s a first: Cowher gave his players Wednesday off for Christmas. (12) 5 TAMPA BAY (11-4) Rob Johnson should get a chance to show what he can do. (3) 6 MIAMI (9-6) New England’s bitter cold. Could this be a rerun of the Buffalo whiteout? (4) 7 TENNESSEE (10-5) The Titans boast a plus-18 sack differential. (8) 8 SAN FRANCISCO (10-5) It’s 49ers and Rams, but will anyone be watching? (10) 9 ATLANTA (9-5-1) Falcons are looking horrible in the red zone. (11) 10 N.Y. JETS (8-7) Unbelievable: Jet injury report Wednesday listed zero players. (15) 11 DENVER (8-7) With the way he’s been playing, Griese has no reason to sulk. (7) 12 N.Y. GIANTS (9-6) Giants have averaged 34.2 points in last four games. (18) 13 NEW ORLEANS (9-6) Losses to Minnesota then Cincinnati? Saints are gagging. (9) 14 NEW ENGLAND (8-7) Weather should weigh heavily in Patriots’ favor Sunday. (13) 15 INDIANAPOLIS (9-6) Where is the killer instinct, Colts? (6) 16 KANSAS CITY (8-7) Without Priest Holmes, this is a vastly different offense. (16) 17 BUFFALO (7-8) Bledsoe is going through a typical late-season swoon. (17) 18 SEATTLE (6-9) Matt Hasselbeck is looking for his fourth 300-yard passing game in last six. (20) 19 SAN DIEGO (8-7) Looks as if Chargers will have time to help with Super Bowl decorations. (14) 20 MINNESOTA (5-10) It’s official: Mike Tice is back for next season. (27) 21 BALTIMORE (7-8) Even if Ravens miss the playoffs, Billick is a coach-of-the-year candidate. (19) 22 CLEVELAND (8-7) Tim Couch is at his best when Browns are trailing. (22) 23 JACKSONVILLE (6-9) Wide receiver Jimmy Smith has disappeared of late. (23) 24 WASHINGTON (6-9) The Redskins are 0-5 in the NFC East. (26) 25 CAROLINA (6-9) Panthers are ready to take another look at Randy Fasani. (24) 26 ST. LOUIS (6-9) A glimmer of good news: Marc Bulger’s back injury won’t require surgery. (21) 27 DETROIT (3-12) Mike McMahon could be auditioning for his future with the Lions. (28) 28 ARIZONA (5-10) The burning question: Should the Cardinals keep Jake Plummer? (30) 29 CHICAGO (4-11) Bears will be happy to bid adieu to Champaign. (29) 30 DALLAS (5-10) Emmitt won’t be around to see if Parcells can make a difference. (25) 31 CINCINNATI (2-13) By beating Saints, Bengals took a break in their pursuit of No. 1 pick. (32) 32 HOUSTON (4-11) Texans are looking greener by the week. (31)

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