NFL Rankings: 49ers chasing Vikings, Raiders climb during bye

The 49ers only blemish is a loss to Minnesota. Maybe it isn't much of a blemish because the Vikings are rolling.

The Raiders climbed four spots, but the No. 2 Atlanta Falcons await them this Sunday.

1(1)Houston Texans (5-0)Swattin' and sackin' J.J.Watt making an early case for NFL defensive player of the year.2(2)Atlanta Falcons (5-0)Matty Ice as hot as theycome now.3 (5)Minnesota Vikings (4-1)Percy Harvin evolving intoelite dual threat.4 (6)49ers (4-1)Scary good when allcylinders firing at once.5 (4)Baltimore Ravens (4-1)If only Justin Tucker wasthe kicker in last year's AFC title tilt.6 (7)Chicago Bears (4-1)Bears defense is Pick-6Central.7 (3)Arizona Cardinals (4-1)Now we'll see how theyrespond to a tough loss.8 (8)New England Patriots (3-2)Tom Brady improves to 9-4vs. Peyton Manning.9 (9)San Diego Chargers (3-2)Norv thought the real refsbeing back meant no more blown calls.10 (10)Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)A.J. Green the fourth WR inNFL history with at least 100 catches in first 20 games.11 (11)Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)Defense has gone two gameswithout a sack for first time since 2008.12 (15)New York Giants (3-2)Gangnam Style? The VictorCruz Salsa Celebration is all the rage in Gotham.13 (19)St. Louis Rams (3-2)Rams are over .500 forfirst time since 2006, or 93 games ago.14 (12)Seattle Seahawks (3-2)The Seahawks are leadingthe NFL in total defense. Seriously.15 (14)Dallas Cowboys (2-2)Bye week nugget -- Cowboyshave won four games since 1996 without scoring a TD.16 (21)Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)Steelers improve to 5-1 infirst game after bye under Mike Tomlin.17 (24)Indianapolis Colts (2-2)With coach Chuck Paganofighting leukemia, emotional Colts band together.18 (13)Green Bay Packers (2-3)Aaron Rodgers firstreigning NFL MVP to lose to two rookie QBs.19 (16)Denver Broncos (2-3)Peyton Manning is 6-10against Bill Belichick's Patriots since 2000, including the playoffs.20 (17)New York Jets (2-3)When will Tim Tebow pointout that Mark Sanchez's QB rating is 66.6?21 (18)Buffalo Bills (2-3)First team to give up atleast 550 yards of offense in consecutive weeks since 1950 Yanks.22 (20)Washington (2-3)RG III is concussed,putting Mike Shanahan's "genius" label to the test again.23 (22)Miami Dolphins (2-3)Brian Hartline is leadingthe NFL in receiving yards. That is all.24 (23)Detroit Lions (1-3)Withthe bye, they've had plenty of time to prep for Ron Mexico, er, MikeVick.25 (29)Raiders (1-3)The art of winning withoutplaying? Raiders sit and pick up 12 a game on entire AFC West.26 (26)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3)And yet, they're in secondplace in the NFC South.27 (28)Carolina Panthers (1-4)Cam Newton has had QBratings under 60.0 in two of last three games.28 (27)Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)From fans cheering MattCassel's injury to horrid start, a mess. Simply a mess.29 (31)New Orleans Saints (1-4)The last time Drew Breesdid not toss a TD ? Try Oct. 4 , 2009.30 (25)Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)What homefield advantage?Jags outscored 95-20 at EverBank Field this season.31 (30)Tennessee Titans (1-4)Hey, didnt you used to beChris Johnson?32 (32)Cleveland Browns (0-5)The Browns have turned theball over in 23 straight games.

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