<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD class=bg0 colSpan=3>POWER RANKINGS</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=middle><TD>Current</TD><TD>Team</TD><TD>Previous</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD align=middle>Pittsburgh Steelers</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The No. 1 seed secured, the Steelers will rest bodies this week at Buffalo. They are the team to beat in the AFC.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>2</TD><TD align=middle>New England Patriots</TD><TD align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They bounced back in a big way, which is why they are so good. They know what it takes to win at this time of the year.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>3</TD><TD align=middle>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>That wasn't the Eagles we saw on Monday night, but rather some weak imitation. That's why they only fall to the three spot.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>4</TD><TD align=middle>Indianapolis Colts</TD><TD align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Peyton Manning has the touchdown record, but he wants so much more, as in a ring.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>5</TD><TD align=middle>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They showed against the Colts that they are for real. Don't just think they're one and done in the playoffs.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>6</TD><TD align=middle>Atlanta Falcons</TD><TD align=middle>6</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>No Michael Vick means big problems. But, really, what are they playing for anyway.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD align=middle>Green Bay Packers</TD><TD align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>That was a big-time win on the road at Minnesota after a tough loss against the Jaguars.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>8</TD><TD align=middle>New York Jets</TD><TD align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They need better play from their quarterback come playoff time to make a real push.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>9</TD><TD align=middle>Denver Broncos</TD><TD align=middle>12</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>If they win, they're in. Sounds simple against a Colts team that will be playing for nothing.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>10</TD><TD align=middle>Buffalo Bills</TD><TD align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They've really become quite the story, but it still might not be enough unless the Jets or Broncos lose.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>11</TD><TD align=middle>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Is this the worst division champ in football? It sure looks that way.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>12</TD><TD align=middle>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Did we ever think we'd see the once-mighty defense pushed around like it was in Pittsburgh?</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>13</TD><TD align=middle>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Say hello to the Gag-uars. They had their playoff fate in their hands and choked it away.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>14</TD><TD align=middle>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They're probably still in the playoffs, but do they really feel good about the way they're playing?</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>15</TD><TD align=middle>Carolina Panthers</TD><TD align=middle>15</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The turnaround can be complete if they beat the Saints this week at home and get into the playoffs.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>16</TD><TD align=middle>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD align=middle>16</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>A month ago, the coach was out, the team was floundering and nobody cared. Now they're one victory (and some help) away from a playoff berth.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>17</TD><TD align=middle>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD align=middle>19</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They got a big break playing a watered-down Eagles team, which is why they're still alive in the playoff hunt. It's not like they dominated them either.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>18</TD><TD align=middle>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD align=middle>21</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They still can get to .500, but once again another season without playoffs for the Bengals.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>19</TD><TD align=middle>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD align=middle>20</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They're still a lot of fun to watch, but now they have to spend the next six months fixing that defense.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>20</TD><TD align=middle>Houston Texans</TD><TD align=middle>17</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They've made the Jaguars their whipping boys. It's been a nice third season for Dom Capers and his staff.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>21</TD><TD align=middle>Detroit Lions</TD><TD align=middle>23</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>There is so much to be excited about for next year, mostly the running of Kevin Jones.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>22</TD><TD align=middle>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD align=middle>27</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Do they own the Redskins or what? But it's time to play one of the young quarterbacks.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>23</TD><TD align=middle>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</TD><TD align=middle>18</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Is this team unraveling late in the season? Players are speaking their minds about the coach, which isn't a good sign.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>24</TD><TD align=middle>New York Giants</TD><TD align=middle>22</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Boy, was their start a mirage or what? Eli Manning hasn't won yet -- but he's still going to be a good one.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>25</TD><TD align=middle>Washington Redskins</TD><TD align=middle>24</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Love the defense, but how the heck did they let the Cowboys hit a fourth-down play on them for the winning score.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>26</TD><TD align=middle>Chicago Bears</TD><TD align=middle>29</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>It's hard to gauge this team this season because they played without Rex Grossman. But they did fight on defense.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>27</TD><TD align=middle>Tennessee Titans</TD><TD align=middle>28</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>How much more can a team take injury-wise? You'd think they'd want the season over, but the offseason won't be easy, either.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>28</TD><TD align=middle>Arizona Cardinals</TD><TD align=middle>25</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They've made strides in Dennis Green's first season, but pulling Josh McCown was a terrible move when he did it.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>29</TD><TD align=middle>Oakland Raiders</TD><TD align=middle>26</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They may not be winning games, but they are scoring points. The passing game has come alive with Kerry Collins.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>30</TD><TD align=middle>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD align=middle>30</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Nick Saban has a lot of work on his hands to fix the offense. The defense isn't so bad.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>31</TD><TD align=middle>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD align=middle>31</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Whoever takes over gets a long list of things that need fixing. At least they played hard for Terry Robiskie on Sunday night.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>32</TD><TD align=middle>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD align=middle>32</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>One more week and then it's over. Oh, for the glory days.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
