Last week in parentheses

1. GIANTS (1) Convincing road win at Arizona solidifies top spot.

2. JETS (4) Might be too late to catch the Titans for home-field advantage in the AFC.

3. Titans (2) Took care of business and carved up the defenseless Lions on Thanksgiving.

4. STEELERS (5) NFL's No. 1 defense goes on road to face New England's aerial assault.

5. BUCCANEERS (6) Put 5-0 home record on line against "Air Brees."

6. COWBOYS (10) Dallas is finding its groove heading into December.

7. PANTHERS (3) Another bad week of Football and John Fox might have to push the panic button.

8. COLTS (8) Can't minimize the loss of injured center Jeff Saturday for Peyton Manning and their offense.

9. FALCONS (11) Playoff fever is taking hold in Hot-lanta.

10. PATRIOTS (12) Matt the Magnificent is looking more and more like Tom Terrific.

11. REDSKINS (9) Three of their last four games are on the road, where they are 4-1.

12. RAVENS (15) Their gritty defense should keep them in the playoff hunt until the bitter end.

ON THE CUSP: Eagles, Cardinals (7), Vikings, Saints, Dolphins, Bears, Bills, Broncos.

ROAD KILL? The road doesn't get any easier for our erstwhile 'Aints. Three of their last five games are on the road, beginning with today's crucial showdown at Tampa Bay. The Saints are 1-4 in true road games this season.

BOTTOM 5

28. Bengals (29) I can think of 85 good reasons to get rid of Ocho Cinco.

29. RAMS (28) Once Jim Haslett's team discovers two halves make a whole, he might be on to something in St. Louis.

30. SEAHAWKS (NR) A Big Easy welcome from the Bottom 5 to outgoing Coach Mike Holmgren. Our house is your house.

31. CHIEFS (30) Gift idea for a pesky neighbor: Two tickets to the season finale between K.C. and the Bengals in the Queen City on Dec. 28.

32. Lions (32) Former GM Matt Millen is gone, but he can still be blamed for the current state of pro Football in Detroit.

LET FREEDOM RING! Oakland (31). Raiders get a one week pass from Bottom 5 prison after a 31-10 victory at Denver.

DISHONORABLE MENTION: Has Jacksonville packed it in under Jack Del Rio? Because it sure looks that way.

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Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at ballee-walsh@timespicayune.com or at 504.826.3805.