THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

SAM FARMER’S NFL RANKINGS WITH COMMENTS

1. Pittsburgh

(9-2) Solid corners let Steelers blitz 24/7.

2. St. Louis

(9-2) Rams are impressive ... when they hang onto the ball.

3. Chicago

(9-2) Bears lead the league in lucky breaks.

4. San Francisco

(9-2) Even J.J. Stokes has started to produce.

5. Oakland

(8-3) Inability to stop the run will hurt Raiders in the playoffs.

6. Green Bay

(8-3) Brett Favre must sit in on Chicago meetings.

7. Miami

(8-3) Dolphins have to get their ground game on track.

8. Philadelphia

(7-4) Pass-happy Eagles have been running more lately.

9. New England

(7-5) Terry Glenn distraction just never ends.

10. Baltimore

(8-4) Here’s a switch: Raven offense is leading the way.

11. New York Jets

(7-4) Let’s see if Curtis Martin can run on Steelers.

12. Cleveland

(6-5) 11 different players have intercepted passes.

13. Tampa Bay

(6-5) Pass rush has come alive in last six games.

14. New Orleans

(6-5) No thank-you notes for Phil Luckett.

15. New York Giants

(5-6) Kerry Collins is taking a pounding--sacked 30 times.

16. Tennessee

(5-6) Eddie George: two touchdowns.

17. Washington

(5-6) Can the Redskins regain their momentum?

18. Seattle

(6-5) Believe it or not, Seahawks aren’t out of playoff race.

19. Arizona

(5-6) WR David Boston, built like a TE, leaves cornerbacks quaking.

20. Denver

(6-6) Banged-up Bronco offense is looking meek.

21. Atlanta

(6-5) Chris Chandler is nursing yet another injury.

22. Minnesota

(4-7) Randy Moss hurts Vikings as much as he helps.

23. Indianapolis

(4-7) Peyton Manning can carry the load by himself.

24. Cincinnati

(4-7) Bengals have scored a combined 33 points in last four.

25. San Diego

(5-7) LaDainian Tomlinson has cooled considerably.

26. Jacksonville

(3-8) Team Turmoil looked respectable in loss to Green Bay.

27. Dallas

(3-8) Alas, can’t schedule Washington every week.

28. Kansas City

(3-8) Keep Holmes and Gonzalez. Cut everyone else.

29. Detroit

(0-11) Oh so close doesn’t cut it.

30. Carolina

(1-11) Panthers have blown five fourth-quarter leads.

31. Buffalo

(1-10) Embarrassing effort against the 49ers.