Its Week 13. Do you know where your quarterback is?Whether your team is playoff-bound or out of the running, its always worth taking its temperature at the most important position. How confident is your team about its quarterback situation? Is the starter good enough to win you a title? Is the backup good enough to keep hope alive if the starter gets hurt? How are you set up for next year and beyond?Welcome to our quarterly check of the NFLs QB Confidence Index, where we rank each team based on how confident it is right now in its overall quarterback situation. This is not simply a ranking of starters, though starters (especially those who never miss games) obviously make up the bulk of the formula. Nor is it a pure comparison of quarterbacks accomplishments to date. Its a rating of each team based on the confidence it currently should carry about the position. And its time to get to it.Previous versions: November | October | September1. New England PatriotsQB Confidence Index: 10.0 | November rating: 10.0No reason to change anything here. Tom Brady?is?playing quarterback better than anyone in the league, shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and the 3-1 record the Patriots posted during his suspension shows theyre well positioned if something should happen to him. What happens with backup Jimmy Garoppolo is an interesting offseason story to watch.2. New Orleans SaintsQB Confidence Index: 9.9 | November rating: 9.5Drew Brees is leading the league in passing yards -- something he has done each of the past two seasons and six of the past 10. He turns 38 in January but looks like the same guy he has always been. And the rotating cast of receivers and backs around him works because of the justified confidence his team has in him.3. Atlanta FalconsQB Confidence Index: 9.7 | November rating: 9.3Matt Ryan is one of those guys in the never-misses-a-game category, so the fact of?Matt Schaub as his backup is incidental. Ryan is putting up MVP numbers for a team that allows 27.5 points per game on defense.4. Oakland RaidersQB Confidence Index: 9.6 | November rating: 9.2Derek Carr is still young, but he doesnt look it when the fourth quarter starts -- and his teams confidence in him is growing with every heart-pounding comeback victory. The mark of a quarterback who has made it -- from a confidence-index standpoint -- is the panic Raiders fans felt when Carr left the game Sunday for a few minutes with a hand injury.5. Green Bay PackersQB Confidence Index: 9.5 | November rating: 9.0Aaron Rodgers early-season accuracy struggles are well behind him at this point, and hes coming off two of his best games of the season. Rodgers doesnt appear to be the problem in Green Bay, where scheme issues and the total lack of a running game are proving difficult to overcome.6. Dallas CowboysQB Confidence Index: 9.4 | November rating: 9.2Dak Prescott is a rookie, which makes the confidence his team has in him simply incredible. It also gives you at least a little bit of pause when you project how the rest of the year will go for him. But Prescott has done nothing whatsoever to indicate a drop-off or rookie wall is coming, and whatever you think of Tony Romo, its impossible to argue that hes not the best backup in the league.7. Seattle SeahawksQB Confidence Index: 9.1 | November rating: 8.9A week ago, it looked safe to rocket Russell Wilson and the Seahawks into the top two or three here. But Wilsons two-pick mess in Tampa Bay (and yes, we know all about the offensive line) keeps him at this still-high-but-not-what-hes-used-to spot in the rankings. Seattle has great confidence in Wilson as a player, but from week to week its impossible to be confident in what this offense will deliver.8. Detroit LionsQB Confidence Index: 9.0 | November rating: 8.9Not much has changed since four weeks ago except that Matthew Stafford keeps executing comeback wins. Staffords own confidence in Jim Bob Cooters offense is evident, and the Lions confidence in Stafford is likely to be reflected in a record-breaking quarterback contract extension this coming offseason.9. Pittsburgh SteelersQB Confidence Index: 8.9 | November rating: 8.6Theres always going to be a health question that keeps the Steelers from reaching peak confidence in Ben Roethlisberger. But as long as hes on the field, hes as good as anyone at operating his offense and finding his playmakers.10. WashingtonQB Confidence Index: 8.7 | November rating: 6.2Probably had Kirk Cousins too low on the November list. Since that list was published, he has played three games, completed 72.4 percent of his passes and thrown eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. There will always be doubters, but Cousins is playing his position at an elite level right now.11. San Diego ChargersQB Confidence Index: 8.7 | November rating: 8.8A month ago we wrote, Theres still no one out there doing more with less on a weekly basis than?[Philip] Rivers, whose team gives away leads the way a grandmother gives away $5 bills. The Chargers are 2-1 since then, and the one loss was all on Rivers, who threw an incomprehensible four interceptions in the fourth quarter against Miami. That surely didnt shake the Chargers overall confidence in Rivers, but it kept him from rising higher, for sure.12. New York GiantsQB Confidence Index: 8.3 | November rating: 7.9The Giants confidence in Eli Manning has two very strong pillars -- the fact he never misses a game, and the fact they know he can deliver a championship. But hes not playing all that great this season, and that has to make them wonder. Mannings November completion percentage was 60.1, and while the Giants went 4-0, the schedule is about to toughen up. Manning needs to find another gear.13. Carolina PanthersQB Confidence Index: 8.3 | November rating: 8.1Cam Newton made it to Feb. 7 last season before his first bad mood. This season hasnt gone as smoothly -- by any stretch -- and Newtons numbers reflect that. But the Panthers remain confident hes their guy, and their mission this offseason will be to beef up his protection so he can get back to his MVP ways.14. Baltimore RavensQB Confidence Index: 7.6 | November rating: 7.6There has been no reason to change Baltimores ranking here. The Ravens are 3-1 since our last ranking, losing only in Dallas, and Joe Flacco is doing just what Joe Flacco usually does. Nothing that pops your eyes out, nothing that gets the Ravens beaten -- just enough big plays to keep the run game humming.15. Tennessee TitansQB Confidence Index: 7.3 | November rating: 5.6Marcus Mariota has thrown 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions in four games since the last time we did this, and in two of those games he has had a Total QBR over 95 (out of 100). Whether the Titans can cash in this opportunity and make playoffs or not, they?have to feel confident that Mariota is their guy moving into next year and beyond.16. Kansas City ChiefsQB Confidence Index: 7.2 | November rating: 5.8This is the correction zone of this months edition, as we had been underrating Alex Smith as well. His numbers arent pretty, but he delivers what the Chiefs ask of him, and theyve won 19 of their past 23 games. They also have Nick Foles behind him as backup, and Foles has played well in relief twice this season.17. Arizona CardinalsQB Confidence Index: 7.1 | November rating: 7.9Carson Palmer has 15 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions on the season -- five of each in the three games he has played since our last update. Arizonas offense hasnt worked this season, and Palmers level of blame for that can be debated. But this was as confident a team as any in the league when the season started, and now it has reason to question almost everything.18. Minnesota VikingsQB Confidence Index: 7.1 | November rating: 7.1Sam Bradford completed a stunning 77.9 percent of his passes in four November games. Problem is, the Vikings won only one of them. Hes delivering what has been asked of him, and it has to feel ridiculous that he had to change offensive coordinators -- again -- midseason. But when you throw an interception like the one he threw at the end of the Thanksgiving game against the Lions, how much confidence can you expect your team to have in you??19. Cincinnati BengalsQB Confidence Index: 7.0 | November rating: 8.5Which team has been more disappointing this season than the Bengals? They havent beaten anyone but the Browns since September, and Andy Dalton seems to be regressing -- especially now that A.J.Green?is hurt. Dalton completed 55 percent of his passes in three November games, only one of which saw him post a?Total QBR higher than 30.20. Indianapolis ColtsQB Confidence Index: 6.9 | November rating: 7.8As has been the case since last season, the Colts only reason to lack confidence in Andrew Luck is they cant trust themselves to keep him healthy. It might seem unfair to downgrade Luck for that, but with Scott Tolzien as the only backup, this feels like a situation that could fall apart with the next awkward hit.21. Tampa Bay BuccaneersQB Confidence Index: 6.7 | November rating: 5.6Confident probably isnt the right word -- yet -- to describe the way the Buccaneers should feel about Jameis Winston. It always feels as if the next inexplicably bad interception lurks right around the corner. But in between those, Winston is making big plays, and he has a winners toughness that makes you feel hes going to keep you in every single game -- even if its a bit ugly from time to time.22. Buffalo BillsQB Confidence Index: 6.5 | November rating: 5.0The Bills continue to profess confidence in Tyrod Taylor at every turn, even as the wider world struggles to accept him as a legitimate NFL starter. If Buffalo can keep Sammy Watkins healthy the rest of the way, perhaps that will give Taylor a chance to dazzle some of his doubters. But hes 12th in Total QBR, so hes doing something right.23. Philadelphia EaglesQB Confidence Index: 6.4 | November rating: 7.9A rookie correction is perfectly understandable, and Carson Wentz has had one. He has shown enough to give the Eagles confidence that hell be the guy going forward, and their ability to assemble a better group of receivers and linemen around him will determine his future. Its also important to mention Chase Daniel here as one of the leagues most known-quantity backups.24. Denver BroncosQB Confidence Index: 6.2 | November rating: 5.0Trevor Siemian is no sure thing, but he looked like a capable playmaker down the stretch in a tough loss to Kansas City last week. As long as he doesnt turn it over, the Broncos are fine with Siemian until first-round pick?Paxton Lynch is ready.25. Miami DolphinsQB Confidence Index: 6.0 | November rating: 4.2The Dolphins season has turned around in a huge way, mainly because of what it has found in the run game with Jay Ajayi and the offensive line. Ryan Tannehill is averaging just 217 passing yards per game during the Dolphins six-game win streak, but he has also thrown just one interception during that span.26. San Francisco 49ersQB Confidence Index: 5.1 | November rating: 2.5The story of Colin Kaepernick never seems to be about how hes playing anymore, but with eight touchdown passes and two interceptions in his past four games, he has played better than expected and could be positioning himself as an interesting offseason option for QB-starved teams -- including the one hes on now.27. Los Angeles RamsQB Confidence Index: 4.9 | November rating: 2.0Yeah, Jared Goff showed enough in his second start to make you think he deserved to be the No. 1 overall pick. Hes a project with a long way to go, but the arm talent is obvious. There seems to be some dispute about the level of confidence the team should have in the group of coaches charged with developing Goff, but the young man has the ability and can look the part.28. Jacksonville JaguarsQB Confidence Index: 4.0 | November rating: 3.5Blake Bortles regression is one of the bizarre stories of the NFL season, and the third-year quarterback is likely to cost Gus Bradley his job as coach. Bortles is under contract through next year, and the team holds a fifth-year option for 2018 if it chooses. But his future prospects rest in the hands of whoever comes in to coach the team, lead the offense and develop a quarterback who has lost his way.29. Houston TexansQB Confidence Index: 3.1 | November rating: 3.9Its not getting any prettier with Brock Osweiler, who has more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (12) this season. The Texans are 6-5, and a weak AFC South has bought them time. But if Osweiler is going to deliver the kind of steady quarterback play for which theyre paying him, the time to start is now.30. New York JetsQB Confidence Index: 3.0 | November rating: 2.7If the Jets keep running Ryan Fitzpatrick out there, they can be confident at least that theyre starting the guy who gives them the best chance to win of anyone on the roster. But with only Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg under contract for next year, theres no way for the Jets to have any confidence about their QB situation moving forward. They are a total mystery.31. Chicago BearsQB Confidence Index: 0.9 | November rating: 5.0At one point, it looked as if the Bears had an adequate Jay Cutler backed up by an adequate Brian Hoyer, and plenty of teams had worse situations. But both of those guys are hurt, Matt Barkley is starting, and this is another team that has no idea where it goes at quarterback?in 2017 and beyond.32. Cleveland BrownsQB Confidence Index: 0.5 | November rating: 0.8Robert Griffin III might get another look before this season is over. You decide whether thats a good thing or not. 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There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel said he had a good discussion Wednesday with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association Executive Director Don Fehr about the worlds top hockey players participating in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.No hitting, and no elbows, Fasel joked in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.Bettman described the meeting as constructive and candid.Still lots of issues, Bettman wrote in an email to the AP.Fasel said his job is to raise funds for the players transportation and insurance. The International Olympic Committee does not want to cover those costs as it has the previous five Olympics. Fasel hopes to persuade the IOC to financially support the NHLs participation.It is the only league that shuts down to participate in the Winter or Summer Olympics, Fasel said.Bettman and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly declined to comment on a Sportsnet report indicating the league has offered to sign off on allowing players to go for gold in South Korea in exchange for the union not opting out of the collective bargaining agreement in September 2019, which would in effect extend the deal for three years.There have been some suggestions that could be construed that that discussion would be worth having, Fehr told reporters in New York. Obviously, we discuss that with players. We have begun that process, but were a long way from done.Bettman has said a decision would need to be made by early January at the latest, giving the league time to create its 2017-18 schedule with or without a two-plus week break for the Olympics.Fasel isnt in a rush.We can wait longer because we want to do all we can to keep best-on-best hockey in the Olympics, Fasel said.NHL andd NHLPA officials recently visited the Olympic site in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and have deemed it suitable for international competition.ddddddddddddWhether the worlds best hockey players go to South Korea in about 15 months is up to the league and union, though Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has said he will go even if there isnt an agreement.The IOC spent about $14 million to cover travel and insurance costs for NHL players for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Fasel has said the bill would be about $10 million for the next Olympics because it wont be necessary to charter planes to South Korea as it was to get players to Sochi.The NHL hasnt sounded eager about going to South Korea, but does appear very interested in tapping into Chinas huge market in 2022.When the IOC awarded the Beijing Games, it certainly created a bigger opportunity than we thought existed potentially before, Daly said in September. But it is also possible that you dont go to one Olympics and you do go to the other. I dont think anybody has ruled that out as a possibility.Fasel has been trying to persuade national Olympic committees and hockey federations to donate funds to keep the games best players on the biggest stage in sports. He acknowledged the IIHF could possibly use some of the $40 million it gets from the IOC every four years and make cuts from its development programs for boys and girls.Its not going to be easy to get this done, but thats my job, Fasel said.---Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage ' ' '