This Week in the NFL

• Published: Nov 30, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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THE RATING GAME

1. N.Y. GIANTS (10-1)

Last week: 1st

Despite injuries, they’re looking better and better each week.

2. TENNESSEE (11-1)

Last week: 2nd

They weren’t going to finish the season undefeated anyway.

3. N.Y. JETS (8-3)

Last week: 6th

Blowing away the Titans gives them even more confidence.

4. PITTSBURGH (8-3)

Last week: 4th

Today’s game at the Patriots will be major test for this team.

5. TAMPA BAY (8-3)

Last week: 5th

They’ve looked rather mediocre against some real bad teams.

6. INDIANAPOLIS (7-4)

Last Week: 8th

Once down and out, they have won four consecutive games.

7. DALLAS (8-4)

Last week: 10th

They face a tough schedule in the final month of the season.

8. CAROLINA (8-3)

Last week: 3rd

Had a five-game winning streak snapped by feisty Falcons.

9. NEW ENGLAND (7-4)

Last week: 11th

They keep hanging around; now they face tough Steelers.

10. WASHINGTON (7-4)

Last week: 9th

They’re wobbling after scare from a bad Seahawks team.

11. BALTIMORE (7-4)

Last week: 13th

That was an impressive blowout of the Eagles last week.

12. ATLANTA (7-4)

Last week: 15th

OK, they proved that they belong by trouncing Panthers.

13. ARIZONA (7-5)

Last week: 7th

Bullies of NFC West are 3-5 outside their comfort zone.

14. MIAMI (6-5)

Last week: 12th

Loss to the Patriots looked bad, but they’re hanging in.

15. CHICAGO (6-5)

Last week: 18th

Bounced back from bad loss to Packers to rip the Rams.

16. NEW ORLEANS (6-5)

Last week: 19th

Can they build on that complete win over Green Bay?

THE SECOND HALF

17. Philadelphia (6-5-1) Last week: 16th

18. Minnesota (6-5) Last week: 20th

19. Buffalo (6-5) Last week: 21st

20. Denver (6-5) Last week: 14th

21. Green Bay (5-6) Last week: 17th

22. Houston (4-7) Last week: 26th

23. San Diego (4-7) Last week: 24th

24. Cleveland (4-7) Last week: 22nd

25. Jacksonville (4-7) Last week: 23rd

26. Oakland (3-8) Last week: 31st

27. San Francisco (3-8) Last week: 25th

28. St. Louis (2-9) Last week: 27th

29. Seattle (2-10) Last week: 28th

30. Cincinnati (1-9-1) Last week: 29th

31. Kansas City (1-10) Last week: 30th

32. Detroit (0-12) Last week: 32nd

GAME TO WATCH

New Orleans (6-5) at Tampa Bay (8-3)

Noon today, Raymond James Stadium (Fox)

With three wins in their last four games, the Saints are suddenly fighting for their postseason lives considering they were lagging way behind in the NFC playoff picture three weeks ago. They can make more strides today with the first of two straight games with teams ahead of them in the NFC South race. But the important matchup with the Bucs, who are tied for the division lead with Carolina, won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination.

MICK’S PICKS

Saints (+3  1/2) over Bucs

Jets (-7  1/2) over Broncos

Bills (-7) over 49ers

Packers (-3) over Panthers

Giants (-3  1/2) over Redskins

Rams (+8) over Dolphins

Ravens (-7) over Bengals

Colts (-5) over Browns

Falcons (+5) over Chargers

Steelers (+1) over Patriots

Raiders (-3) over Chiefs

Vikings (-3) over Bears

Texans (-3) over Jaguars

Last week: 7-8-0 (.467)

Season totals: 80-87-5 (.480)

TV SCHEDULE

Today

Noon: Saints at Bucs (Fox)

Noon: Colts at Browns (CBS)

3:15 p.m.: Steelers at Patriots (CBS)

7:15 p.m.: Bears at Vikings (NBC)

Monday’s Game

7:30 p.m.: Jaguars at Texans (ESPN)

Compiled by Sheldon Mickles