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One more week left in this season and there are four divisions (AFC East, AFC West, NFC South and NFC Central) that are still undecided. And with that, there are also several teams that will end this weekend as either divisional champs or early vacationers. And let's not forget about the Lions, who are one defeat away from the ultimate imperfection.

1. Tennessee Titans- record: 13-2 (rank last week (4): defeated Steelers, 31-14)

Without Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch, the Titans' defense was still impressive thanks to rookie fill-in Jason Jones.

2. Indianapolis Colts- record: 11-4 (rank last week (2): defeated Jags, 31-24)

Another nail-biter against an inferior opponent. I know next week's game against the Titans is meaningless, but history teaches us that the Colts should play their regulars.

3. New York Giants- record: 12-3 (rank last week (6): defeated Panthers, 34-28OT)

Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward showed the Panthers the REAL smash and dash!

4. Carolina Panthers- record: 11-4 (rank last week (1): lost to Giants, 28-34OT)

There is no shame in having the number two seed. This team is my NFC Champion pick.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 11-4 (rank last week (3): lost to Titans, 14-31)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Steelers' offensive line will be their downfall.

6. New England Patriots- record: 10-5 (rank last week (6): defeated Cardinals, 47-7)

With the Patriot fans tossing up snow in the air after every Patriot score, there was probably nothing left in the stands for the snow crew to shovel. 

7. Miami Dolphins- record 10-5 (rank last week (9): defeated Chiefs, 38-31)

The Dolphins are this season's 'worse to first' team. All they have to do is beat the Jets (please beat the Jets) and they will be divisional champs.

8. Atlanta Falcons- record 10-5 (rank last week (10): defeated Vikings, 24-17)

The Falcons' did not look very impressive, but when the opponent fumbles six times and loses four of them, it's kind of hard not to win.

9. Baltimore Ravens- record: 10-5 (rank last week (11): defeated Cowboys, 33-24)

The game against the Cowboys, in Texas Stadium, was definitely a statement game. If the Ravens make the playoffs, they could be dangerous.

10. Minnesota Vikings- record: 9-6 (rank last week (7): lost to Falcons, 17-24)

Take about fumbling the game away!

11. Dallas Cowboys- record: 9-6 (rank last week (5): lost to Ravens, 24-33)

When you give up a 77 yard run to Willis McGhee and an 82 yard run to Le'Ron McClain, your run defense has major issues.

12. Chicago Bears- record: 9-6 (rank last week (14): defeated Packers, 20-17 OT)

Second straight overtime victory has the Bears one win away from the divisional title (with a Vikings' lost). Beware: the Texans are not an easy win.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 9-6 (rank last week (12): lost to Chargers, 24-41)

Will this team EVER go to the playoffs in consecutive seasons under Gruden?

14. New Orleans Saints- record: 8-7 (rank last week (18): defeated Lions, 42-7)

Sean Payton DID say there was no way they would lose to the Lions. Now they have a chance to spoil the Panthers' hopes for a first round bye.

15. San Diego Chargers- record: 7-8 (rank last week (20): defeated Bucs, 41-21)

Easily the most intriguing match up this weekend: Chargers at home against the Broncos. Revenge, sweet revenge.

16. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 8-6-1 (rank last week (15): lost to Redskins, 3-10)

Football is a game of inches. Better awareness by the receiver on the last play of regulation could have kept the Eagles in playoff contention.

17. Denver Broncos- record: 8-7 (rank last week (17): lost to Bills, 23-30)

Shanahan's free passes have to be up by now, right?

18. San Francisco 49ers- record 6-9 (rank last week (22): defeated Rams, 17-16)

Maybe old-school coaching still works.

19. New York Jets- record: 9-6 (rank last week (13): lost to Seahawks, 3-13)

There are bad loses, and then there's a loss against the Seahawks. And no excuses about cross country travel. It did not affect the Patriots, Redskins and Eagles, and only one of those teams can still make the playoffs.

20. Houston Texans- record 7-8 (rank last week (19): lost to Raiders, 16-27)

Maybe they were spent from beating the Titans last week. I think they will finish the season at .500, personally.

21. Washington Redskins- record: 8-7 (rank last week (24): defeated Eagles, 10-3)

An inspirational win, no doubt in honor of a Redskins' legend.

22. Arizona Cardinals- record: 8-7 (rank last week (16): lost to Patriots, 7-47)

If this is how they are going to play in the snow, they better pray for dome matchups in the playoffs.

23. Seattle Seahawks- record: 4-11 (rank last week (23): defeated Jets, 13-3)

At least they played like they are interested.

24. Buffalo Bills- record: 7-8 (rank last week (26): defeated Broncos, 30-23)

The Bills can play spoiler this weekend versus the Patriots.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 5-10 (rank last week (21): lost to Colts, 24-31)

The Jags played the Colts' close, as usual, but made too many mistakes in the fourth quarter.

26. Green Bay Packers- record: 5-10 (rank last week (27): lost to Bears, 17-20OT)

It has been a long two months in Packer land. It will be a LONGER off-season if they lose this weekend.

27. Cincinnati Bengals- record 3-11-1 (rank last week (28): defeated Browns, 14-0)

Well, at least the Bengals can say they pitched a shutout this season.

28. Oakland Raiders- record: 4-11 (rank last week (31): defeated Texans, 27-16)

Solid performance by JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders' offense overall. I doubt they will repeat this effort against a desperate Bucs' team, but I've been wrong before.

29. Kansas City Chiefs- record 2-13 (rank last week (30): lost to Dolphins, 31-38)

This was the Chiefs' seventh loss of the year by 7 points or less. Somebody teach these guys how to finish!

30. Cleveland Browns- record: 4-11 (rank last week (25): lost to Bengals, 0-14)

Why do they have injured players fighting??? Is that part of rehab or something?

31. St. Louis Rams- record: 2-13 (rank last week (29): lost to 49ers, 16-17)

Same ol' same.

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-15 (rank last week (32): lost to Saints, 7-42)

How fitting that the Lions will probably make history this weekend as the only 0-16 team in a stadium that is full of history.

Five notes from week Seventeen:

1. There has been a lot of talk about what is wrong with the Pro Bowl voting system for the umpteenth year. On the one hand, I have to agree that there is something wrong when the NFL touchdown leader (Philip Rivers) is snubbed in favor of the NFL interception leader (Brett Farve). Ironically, it could be Rivers' team that make the playoffs and Farve's team that is left out. That would be poetic justice

2. How good is the Titans' defense? Their best two defenders (Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch) missed their game versus the Steelers and they still managed to compile the following stats: 5 sacks, 2 ints and 5 forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries. If defense really does win championships, this team has to be the favorite right now.

3. The Vikings let a perfect opportunity to clinch their division slip out of their hands, like they did with the ball numerous times. There is no need to lay blame because nearly everyone on offense carried the pigskin like a loaf of Wonder Bread. And the player who fumbled the most is the main reason the Vikings are even this far, so he receives a pass from me. But, sad to announce, he is officially off my short list of MVP candidates. But he is still the best running back in the NFL right now.

4. It has long been said that Bill Belichick's system is designed to insert players when needed, especially for injury purposes, and it has been most successful to date. Actually, it may prove to be too successful since, to the dismay of the legion of Tom Brady worshippers, even the quarterback position is expendable.

5. To everyone, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, etc...