NFL Power Rankings
Brady, Patriots move up the board. But is their D ready for the postseason? National Football Post
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Every Tuesday, the National Football Post brings you our weekly power rankings: a breakdown of how we stack up the league.
Week 17 (previous rankings included)
Peyton ManningAPWould the Colts still be undefeated if Peyton Manning wasn't pulled from the game?
1. (1) Indianapolis Colts: 14-1
It is hard for us to move our top team when Peyton Manning isnt playing in the fourth quarter.
2. (3) San Diego Chargers: 12-3
If Philip Rivers isnt now in your top three for MVP finalists, then you didnt see him light up the Titans on Christmas night in Nashville.
3. (2) New Orleans Saints: 13-2
Trouble in the Big Easy? The Saints have dropped two straight, but still hold the No.1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
4. (4) Philadelphia Eagles: 11-4
Donovan McNabb and the Eagles are rolling does it continue in a clash for the NFC title and possibly a No.2 seed in the NFC when they travel to Dallas?
5. (5) Dallas Cowboys: 10-5
Tony Romo can put the December woes to bed for good with a win over Philly this Sunday, but he needs Miles Austin to continue to produce.
6. (7) Green Bay Packers: 10-5
The Packers clinched a playoff spot on Sunday and will be a tough matchup in January because of their ball-hawking defense.
7. (9) New England Patriots: 10-5
The Patriots and Tom Brady look like they are gearing up for a postseason run, but do they have the defense to do it?
8. (6) Minnesota Vikings: 11-4
Dont look now, but the Vikings have dropped three of their last four games. Maybe the rift between Favre and Childress goes deeper than we think.
9. (8) Cincinnati Bengals: 10-5
The Bengals werent impressive at home in a win over the Chiefs, but with their style of play, they rarely are.
10. (11) Arizona Cardinals: 10-5
The Cards are laying in the weeds out west, and still will be a tough matchup if they protect the ball in January with Warner and company.
11. Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
The Ravens gave away a game to Pittsburgh on Sunday, but they are still in the dance with a win over the Raiders this Sunday.
12. (15) Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7
The late season push by Roethlisberger and the Steelers has moved them up, but they still need help to get in.
13. (18) Houston Texans: 8-7
Quietly, the Texans have won three straight and sit on the edge of the playoffs and probably saved Gary Kubiaks job in doing it.
14. (21) NY Jets: 8-7
How did the Jets end up here? A chance to get in the playoffs with a win over Cincy who might rest some players. Sound familiar?
15. (12) Tennessee Titans: 7-8
That looked like the Vince Young that was benched on Friday night against the Bolts.
Josh McDanielsAPWhat happened to Denver after its 6-0 start?
16. (16) Denver Broncos: 8-7
That 6-0 start by Josh McDaniels team seems like years ago for the Broncos.
17. (14) Miami Dolphins: 7-8
The Dolphins lost their own personal playoffs the last two weeks against Tennessee and Houston.
18. (19) Carolina Panthers: 7-8
It has to make you wonder where this team would be if Matt Moore was the starter on opening day.
19. (20) Atlanta Falcons: 8-7
Matt Ryan makes this team a competitor, and his injury is the only reason they arent playing for a playoff spot this Sunday.
20. (13) NY Giants: 8-7
How bad was that on Sunday in the Meadowlands? This team has some issues to fix on defense.
21. (17) Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-8
The schedule finally exposed a Jags team that was a fraud.
22. (22) San Francisco 49ers: 7-8
A win this weekend and Mike Singletarys team finishes at 8-8 with a lot to look forward to in 2010.
Jay CutlerAPJay Cutler finally gave Bears fans a performance they expected all season long.
23. (25) Chicago Bears: 6-9
Who was that playing QB for the Bears last night? Cutler wins over the Soldier Field crowd with four TD passes and an upset over Minnesota.
24. (27) Cleveland Browns: 4-11
Give the Browns and Mangini some credit they have won three straight with a combo of Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson at QB.
25. (23) Oakland Raiders: 5-10
The Raiders have reached double-digit losses again. When will it ever stop?
26. (29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-12
Two straight road wins have Raheem Morris looking pretty good heading into the offseason unless Bill Cowher wants to coach again.
27. (24) Washington Redskins: 4-11
To say that the Skins have shut it down would be an understatement. A big mess for Mike Shanahan to clean up?
28. (26) Buffalo Bills: 5-10
The Bills look lifeless right now, and there is no answer at QB still.
Matt HasselbeckAPThe end may be near for Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle.
29. (28) Seattle Seahawks: 5-10
It might be time to start preparing for the future at QB in Seattle.
30. (30) Kansas City Chiefs: 3-12
Expect an active offseason from Scott Pioli and the Chiefs.
31. (31) Detroit Lions: 2-13
They keep playing, but then again, the Lions keep losing. Is there hope?
32. (32) St. Louis Rams: 1-14
With the first selection of the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select