1. Indianapolis Colts (1) – A home game against the Jets on Sunday, and a trip to Buffalo for a date with the Bills is all that stands between Peyton Manning and perfection. I see no scenario in which the Colts botch this, and now that they’re the only remaining undefeated, I would think there’s slightly more incentive to go the distance.
2. New Orleans Saints (2) – I saw some push the Saints down a couple spots after they came up short against the Cowboys on Saturday night, but there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re still the second-best team in football. You must give them credit though; down 24-3, and to end the game 50 yards from a tie against Dallas’ best performance of the year.
3. San Diego Chargers (4) – Fine, I’ll admit it; I was tempted to leapfrog the Bolts over the Halos. What a hot team. Their Christmas night affair with the Titans is a fascinating one, as two of the hottest teams in the league face off. While Tennessee has everything to play for, the Chargers have all but locked up the AFC’s second seed.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (5) – How about this combo platter to end the season: vs Denver, at Dallas. The Iggles haven’t lost in their last five games and – in case you forgot – they were in the NFC championship game last year. I know I usually forget that.
5. Minnesota Vikings (3) – You know what usually cures wayward teams who have lost two of three and look entirely mortal? A night game against Jay “Mr. Interceptable” Cutler and the Chicago Bears. Hey, look at that! The Vikings are in Soldier Field on Monday night! To quote the creepy oracle in “The Matrix”, they’ll feel right as rain in no time.
6. Dallas Cowboys (not ranked) – Big bump up from the abyss, but that’s what happens when you knock off an undefeated team in week 14. I guess that whole December issue is solved, eh?
7. Arizona Cardinals (9) – The question has become, which was more impressive, the Cardinals beating the Lions by one score, the Titans beating the Dolphins by one score, or the Patriots beating the Bills by one score? Hard to say.
8. Tennessee Titans (8) – I said it above, but the season is very much on the line for the Titans on Christmas. Beat the Chargers, and you have a pulse (especially with Denver and Baltimore, the two teams ahead of them in the wild card chase, both having tough games in Pennsylvania this weekend). Lose and it’s over.
9. Green Bay Packers (7) – They hung 36 on the Steelers. Very impressive. But the alleged Number 1 defense in football coughed up 503 passing yards to a team that has no threat of a running game? One and done is how I see the Green Bay playoff experience.
10. New England Patriots (10) – No bump for beating the hapless, coach-less, quarterback-less, talent-less Buffalo Bills. Sorry, Bradychick.