<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>They have to be concerned some that Ben Roethlisberger has tailed off a bit. He has to play better come playoff time.</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>2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They are 27-1 in their past 28 games. Wow. The beat goes on.</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>3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The tough victory over the Redskins on Sunday night could be something that will help come playoff time, a reminder that things aren't always easy.</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>So Peyton Manning is human. If 298 yards and two scores is that. The defense is playing better, too.</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>One more victory and they are the AFC West champs. That's a heck of a climb for this young team.</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>7</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The NFC South champions still don't have a lot of believers. At least they looked more dominant against the Raiders.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD align=middle>New York Jets</TD><TD align=middle>6</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The defense played a heck of a game against the Steelers, but the offense isn't clicking, particularly in the passing game.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>8</TD><TD align=middle>Green Bay Packers</TD><TD align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They control their own destiny to a division title. But do they really look like they're clicking?</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>9</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>If they had lost to the Dolphins at home, Jake Plummer would have had many one-fingered salutes coming back at him.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>10</TD><TD align=middle>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>If Kyle Boller can continue to play like he did against the Giants, watch out playoff time -- if they get there.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>11</TD><TD align=middle>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The opening round of the playoffs comes Sunday against the Packers. If they win their final three, they'll probably get in.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>12</TD><TD align=middle>Buffalo Bills</TD><TD align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>It's hard to believe this is the same team that opened 1-4. The defense is playing well and the offense is coming alive.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>13</TD><TD align=middle>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD align=middle>15</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Was that a job-saving victory for Mike Holmgren at Minnesota? They now lead the division by one game, but the final three won't be easy.</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>10</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Is this their typical late-season collapse? Will a Randy Moss reverse pass, a terrible call, cost this staff their jobs?</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>17</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>What a special turnaround they are having, but their season is on the line at Atlanta on Saturday night.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>16</TD><TD align=middle>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD align=middle>12</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Would it shock anybody to see this team lose their final three? What a bad season for Mike Martz and his team.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>17</TD><TD align=middle>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD align=middle>16</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They showed well against the Super Bowl champs, but this team is a year away.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>18</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>If they win their final three games, including one against Carolina at home, they still might be a playoff team.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>19</TD><TD align=middle>New York Giants</TD><TD align=middle>19</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Tom Coughlin, about that quarterback change. Eli Manning is struggling in a big way, but he has to stay as the starter.</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>20</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Toughing out games against good teams isn't enough anymore. They better be a playoff team next year.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>21</TD><TD align=middle>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD align=middle>24</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>It's really a shame to see all that offensive firepower sitting at home in the playoffs. Maybe now it will force the team to make changes on that defense --- personnel changes.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>22</TD><TD align=middle>Detroit Lions</TD><TD align=middle>21</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The showing by Kevin Jones in recent weeks bodes well for the future. Joey Harrington? That's another story.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>23</TD><TD align=middle>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD align=middle>29</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>At least they showed something in winning against the Cowboys on the road.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>24</TD><TD align=middle>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD align=middle>22</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Way to nut it up with a chance for the playoffs on the line, Cowboys. No wonder Bill Parcells is seething.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>25</TD><TD align=middle>Tennessee Titans</TD><TD align=middle>26</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They've had too many injuries that have crippled this team. We're not used to seeing Titans teams give up so many points.</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>23</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>OK now, the furor over Chad Hutchinson can die down now. As they say, you are what you are.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>27</TD><TD align=middle>Washington Redskins</TD><TD align=middle>25</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>If only the offense could do something. The defense is fighting every week and playing well.</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>27</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Dennis Green knows what he's doing. Arizona fans should keep saying that to yourselves as you get through the final three weeks.</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>28</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Just when it looked like they'd fight to the end, they packed their bags in Atlanta. Will that change the rest of the way? We'll find out.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>30</TD><TD align=middle>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD align=middle>30</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>So much for fighting for the interim coach. What a mess this team is for whoever takes over.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>31</TD><TD align=middle>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD align=middle>31</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>At least they're still fighting under interim coach Jim Bates. It hasn't gotten ugly.</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>They won for the second time against the Cardinals, but it's not enough to move them out of the cellar.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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