The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin

Recently, more than a few people have asked why AFC teams are so  much better than their NFC counterparts. For the most part, I told them that the AFC, as a whole, isn't that much better. After receiving many suspicious, and sometimes dirty, looks, I explained that the difference is at the very top. You'll see in the rankings below that seven of the top 10 are from the AFC. But, when I looked at the head-to-head record, I noticed that the conferences are as even as they could be: 20-20.

1. New England Patriots (9-0) - Bill Belichick spent the bye week throwing darts at a picture of Don Shula.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) - The most improved player in the NFL this year is Ben Roethlisberger.

3. Dallas Cowboys (8-1) - ease up, Cowboy fans, I just don't think they could beat Pittsburgh on a neutral field.

4. Indianapolis Colts (7-2) - Dwight Freeney's injury could open up the AFC South division.

5. Green Bay Packers (8-1) - if Ryan Grant runs like that for the rest of the year, nobody's going to beat the Pack.

6. San Diego Chargers (5-4) - they are finding some weird ways to win football games this year.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) - holding the fourth-ranked rushing team to 62 yards without Marcus Stroud was stout.

8. Tennessee Titans (6-3) - Vince Young's lack of improvement is crippling this team.

9. New York Giants (6-3) - so much for "taking the next step" - huh, Eli?

10. Cleveland Browns (5-4) - they impressed me more in their loss to Pittsburgh than in a couple of their wins.

11.Detroit Lions (6-3)  - the Lions' incompetent road play very well may keep this team out of the playoffs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (5-4) - is it possible that they are better without Shaun Alexander?

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) - the overhaul of the sixth-ranked Tampa defense sure didn't take long, did it?

14. Washington Redskins (5-4) - you just can't give up 20 points in the fourth quarter and expect to win.

15. New Orleans Saints (4-5) - Mr. Payton, maybe you should have taken an impact defensive player in the draft.

16. Buffalo Bills (5-4) - if it weren't for Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch would be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) - no offense to Priest Holmes, but if Larry Johnson is done for the year, so are the Chiefs

18. Denver Broncos (4-5) - could Selvin Young be the next undrafted running back that becomes a star in Denver?

19. Houston Texans (4-5) - let's see what this team can do with a healthy Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) - Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb really, really needed that win last week.

21. Baltimore Ravens (4-5) - I disagree, Steve McNair, you really do look old and ineffective.

22. Carolina Panthers (4-5) - even Steve Smith looks average with this quarterback situation.

23. Chicago Bears (4-5) - yep, Bears' fans, after all that, you're back to where you started. Good luck, Rex.

24. Arizona Cardinals (4-5) - this has to be the most inconsistent, frustrating team in the NFL.

25. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) - how do I know the Ravens' season is over? The Bengals beat them twice.

26. Minnesota Vikings (3-6) - there goes Adrian Peterson's quest for the rookie rushing record.

27. Atlanta Falcons (3-6) - I'll say this much, they haven't given up.

28. Oakland Raiders (2-7) - I would hate to be the General Manager for Oakland. I mean, where would you start?

29. San Francisco 49ers (2-7) - Alex Smith is proving in his third season that he is simply not the answer.

30. New York Jets (1-8) - you've got another seven games to prove something, Kellen Clemens.

31. St. Louis Rams (1-8) - now that everyone's healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see them win a few more.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-9) - see Jets above, insert John Beck.

Make sure to catch Jimmy Neil every Friday from 12:30 to 2:00 PM, Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 4:30, only on 1560 AM or www.1560thegame.com