1. New Orleans Saints (2) – I’ve been flip-flopping the Saints and Colts in the top spot. This week, after beating down the remarkably human-looking Patriots, the Saints receive the honor.
2. Indianapolis Colts (1) – A lot of folks thought that Houston outing was going to be Indy’s downfall. I’m not one of them. They may stumble after home field advantage is locked up in a couple weeks, but these Colts are coasting.
3. Minnesota Vikings (3) – That wasn’t very nice, Purple. Leave my poor Bears alone!
4. San Diego Chargers (5) – I keep thinking that the Bolts could be dangerous in the AFC playoffs. Then I remember: Norvelous will always, ALWAYS find a way to botch it.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (not ranked) – I’m trying to figure out how it is that the Bungalows tumbled off of my list last week, but they did. And I was wrong. And they promptly went out and beat the mighty Brownies. With a two game advantage on the corpse-like Steelers and the back-and-forth Ravens, the Bengals are going to have a home playoff game, and maybe a bye. I’m very interested to see what they can do in the playoffs.
6. Dallas Cowboys (7) – It took a turkey-like Raiders team to put the ‘Boys back in the end zone after a few weeks of avoiding it. This may be the most difficult team in the NFL to get a read on right now. You have to like the talent, but something seems amiss.
7. Arizona Cardinals (6) – Losing to one of the hottest teams in the NFL isn’t that big a deal. Losing Kurt Warner for any extended period of time, however, is.
8. Baltimore Ravens (not ranked) – What a game on Sunday night, and a statement win against the defending champs.
9. Tennessee Titans (10) – What a remarkable rebound the Music City men have created. This week, however, they must face the music in Indianapolis. The magic – and their playoff aspirations – will end, I fear. But you have to love the effort.
10: New England Patriots (4) – On the other hand, what kind of effort was that in the Superdome on Monday, Hoodie? Many may fear the Brady-Belichick mystique, but if you put them in different uniforms and changed their names, would anybody really fear this team? Those five 2nd quarter touchdowns against Tennessee seem like ages ago.