SIMERS’ RANKINGS

TOP 5

1. St. Louis

Rams have beaten five teams with combined record of 8-21; 11 remaining opponents have combined mark of 24-36.

2. Miami

Damon Huard did not impress former Patriot linebacker Steve DeOssie, who told Boston’s WBZ-TV, “This kid is not a very good NFL quarterback.”

3. Jacksonville

Mark Brunell, projected as one of the game’s best quarterbacks, has thrown three touchdown passes for the league’s 19th-ranked passing attack.

4. Washington

The Redskins are 8-2 in their last 10 games--both losses to Dallas.

5. Tennessee

Despite Neil O’Donnell’s standout work, Coach Jeff Fisher said Steve McNair will start when he’s pronounced ready again.

BOTTOM 5

27. Atlanta

Since joining Atlanta, Chris Chandler has missed seven of 38 games, and left 10 others early.

28. New York Jets

Will Bill Parcells retire? “I haven’t thought beyond this year. . . . I’m not even buying green bananas right now, OK?”

29. New Orleans

Since starting 3-0 last season, the Saints have gone 4-14 under Mike Ditka.

30. Cincinnati

Bengals are 18-29 under Coach Bruce Coslet, who went 26-38 previously in charge of the Jets.

31. Cleveland

Jacksonville went 0-4 before winning its first year; Carolina went 0-5.