NFL rating game
1. ATLANTA (7-0)
Last week: 1st
They continued their roll coming off the bye week.
2. HOUSTON (6-1)
Last week: 2nd
After bye, they get to play defenseless Bills at home.
3. N.Y. GIANTS (6-2)
Last week: 3rd
They simply have a flair for the late-game dramatics.
4. SAN FRANCISCO (6-2)
Last week: 4th
A rugged defense just keeps getting better.
5. CHICAGO (6-1)
Last week: 5th
Speaking of defense, they aren’t that shabby either.
6. GREEN BAY (5-3)
Last week: 6th
They have slipped by bad teams, but they’ll take it.
7. NEW ENGLAND (5-3)
Last week: 7th
It’s not always pretty, but it was against the Rams.
8. BALTIMORE (5-2)
Last week: 8th
A bye gave them a chance to forget loss to Texans.
9. DENVER (4-3)
Last week: 9th
Coming off bye, they got on roll against the Saints.
10. PITTSBURGH (4-3)
Last week: 10th
It’s only midseason, but game with Giants is huge.
11. MINNESOTA (5-3)
Last week: 11th
After a bad loss to Bucs, they have to get on track.
12. SEATTLE (4-4)
Last week: 13th
They let one get away against Lions and know it.
13. PHILADELPHIA (3-4)
Last week: 12th
Can Team Turmoil get well quick in the Big Easy?
14. MIAMI (4-3)
Last week: 24th
It’s a huge jump, but they should’ve been higher.
15. SAN DIEGO (4-4)
Last week: 16th
That victory over lowly Chiefs was much-needed.
16. DALLAS (3-4)
Last week: 15th
Season will be on line Monday night at Falcons.
THE SECOND HALF
17. Detroit (3-4) Last week: 20th
18. Indianapolis (4-3) Last week: 25th
19. Arizona (4-4) Last week: 14th
20. Cincinnati (3-4) Last week: 18th
21. Washington (3-5) Last week: 17th
22. Tennessee (3-5) Last week: 19th
23. Tampa Bay (3-4) Last week: 24th
24. Oakland (3-4) Last week: 27th
25. N.Y. Jets (3-5) Last week: 21st
26. New Orleans (2-5) Last week: 22nd
27. St. Louis (3-5) Last week: 26th
28. Cleveland (2-6) Last week: 31st
29. Buffalo (3-4) Last week: 28th
30. Carolina (1-6) Last week: 30th
31. Jacksonville (1-6) Last week: 32nd
32. Kansas City (1-7) Last week: 29th
GAME TO WATCH
Pittsburgh (4-3)
at N.Y. Giants (6-2)
3:25 p.m. Sunday, MetLife Stadium (CBS)
Even though the Northeast is trying to rebound from Hurricane Sandy, which is most important, these two have a huge game. The Steelers are playing catch-up to the Ravens, and the Giants are trying to protect their comfortable lead in their division, which should make for a pretty good midseason matchup.
MICK’S PICKS
Broncos (-31/2) over Bengals
Cardinals (+11) over Packers
Colts (+21/2) over Dolphins
Ravens (-31/2) over Browns
Texans (-10) over Bills
Redskins (-31/2) over Panthers
Lions (-4) over Jaguars
Bears (-31/2) over Titans
Seahawks (-41/2) over Vikings
Raiders (-11/2) over Bucs
Giants (-3) over Steelers
Falcons (-4) over Cowboys
Saints (-3) over Eagles
Last week: 7-6-0 (.538)
Season totals: 52-55-3 (.486)
TV SCHEDULE
Sunday’s games
Noon: Broncos at Bengals (CBS)
Noon: Cardinals at Packers (Fox)
3:25 p.m.: Steelers at Giants (CBS)
7:20 p.m.: Cowboys at Falcons (NBC)
Monday’s game
7:30 p.m.: Eagles at Saints (ESPN)
Sheldon Mickles