Captain’s Blog 01/07/08
Current mood: determined
Category: Life

It's the "New Year's Resolution" version of the blog.  2008 is already looking like a milestone-type year in my world.  The big 10-year high school reunion will be happening later this year, and my best friend since 8th grade will be getting married.  Both should provide a little extra motivation for me to get my own life where I'd really like it to be, so here goes:

1) Get in better shape.  It's not like I haven't been working out at all, or that I need to lose 40 pounds, I just need to be more consistent about my routine to get more toned.  It's that damn midsection that's bugging me--at this point, I'm pretty satisfied with everything else.

2) Be smarter with my money.  I've always been good at running a tight budget and making do with what I've got, and by paying off a credit card just a few days ago, I'm already off to a fine start with this goal.  But now I need to find a better or additional source of income so I could maybe get out and enjoy life more.  One of the biggest reasons I stay at home so much is because it's cheap entertainment.  I'm not antisocial, I swear!

3) Step up my search for romance.  I usually don't have much news to report in this area, and for the most part it is because I rarely devote much time or effort to getting out in the dating world.  But after playing plenty of third wheel to the previously mentioned engaged couple, I suddenly feel like I'm being left in the dust.  You know how everyone in your circle of friends starts getting married but there's inevitably one or two single ones lagging behind?  That's me.

4) Be a better human being.  I've never been the type who is remembered for being charitable and selfless.  I'm generally willing to help out when asked, but I rarely go out of my way to reach out to those in need.  Not necessarily something I'm proud to admit, but it's the truth.  Of all the things I have listed here, this may be the hardest one for me to achieve.  I've been working on each of the other three, to some degree, but I've got a long way to go with this one.

One of the things they say in the business world is that you should never sit back and be content with where you are; you should always look for ways to improve.  I believe that's true in just about any area of life.  I might now be in the best physical shape of my life, but I know I can still do much better.  The bills are getting paid and I'm not exactly on the verge of being homeless, but I'm not making enough to really get out there and try many of the things I'd like to try in life.

Anyway, if I were to go 4 for 4 on these goals, that would make for one helluva great 2008.  Even 2 or 3 would be nice.  Wish me luck, and I hope you accomplish your goals too.

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Captain’s Blog 12/27/07
Current mood: jolly
Category: Life

Well, Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa/Happy...ummm, Tuesday to everyone out there.  (That should just about cover everybody.)  And a Happy New Year too!

Not such a happy holiday for my beloved Saints, whose defense looked very good in getting off the field (after allowing the touchdown) on many occasions against the Eagles.  For some strange reason, they're STILL not eliminated from playoff contention, but at this point, they might as well be.  Guess that 0-4 start really was too much to overcome.  Oh well.  Now I'll have to root for...ummm...well...I really don't like any of the teams that are likely to win it this year...so...not the Colts.  The sight of Peyton Manning's mug makes me want to throw things at my television.

More locally, I got the thing I wanted the most for Christmas.  I asked for "something that sucks," and I got it.  Finally, a new vacuum to replace this sad little hand-me-down that belongs in an episode of Antique Roadshow.  That's right, a vacuum was the top item on my list...clearly, I'm getting old.  Also saw the new National Treasure movie with my dad (the only family left out here with me in Vegas).

But it seems the biggest local news over the holiday actually comes from my man Joe.  (He's the dude with me in the picture of the Christmas tree.)  Apparently, he popped the big question on Christmas Eve, so he and his loooooong-time girlfriend are now officially engaged.  I guess this will be my one opportunity in life to play the "best man."  Woohoo!  More on that later, I'm sure.  For now, it's bedtime.  Got another long day of O.T. ahead of me tomorrow!

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Captain’s Blog 12/18/07
Current mood: dorky
Category: Life

Well, since I've bothered to update this MySpace page enough to add some photos, change the design, and so on, I got to thinking maybe I'll make some use of this blog from time to time to share some random thoughts and goings on in the life of one particular accounting nerd.

As the clock has just struck midnight, and there's another long day of cancellation notes ahead of me tomorrow, I'll keep this one brief.  Yeah, I said cancellation notes.  A big chunk of what I get paid to do is reading through customer service notes and determining whether we owe a hotel money on cancelled bookings.  Maybe not the most exciting thing in the world that you could do, but every now and then you get some great ones that make it all worthwhile.  Some good ones lately:

1) A girlfriend called to cancel a reservation because they were pulled over on the way to the hotel and her boyfriend got arrested.  Oops.

2) A customer cancelled when seeing that one of her fellow guests was "wearing a shirt and no pants."  (Apparently Donald Duck was staying at the same hotel...I hope she got his autograph!)

3) A cancellation was made upon the realization that "this was for a basketball team and one bed is not enough."  Truer words were never spoken.

Yes, this is what I do for a living.  And I'm currently working as much O.T. as I can stand because we've fallen behind in the department and, well, who couldn't use a little extra Christmas money?  So off to bed I go, and back to the grind tomorrow.  Merry Christmas to all, and go finish your damn shopping already!  (Oh wait, I gotta do that, too...)

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Final power rankings

12 teams are in, 20 are done.  Some of the eliminated are better than some of the ones that made it, but you already know that.  Here's my take on the regular season:

1) San Diego Chargers (14-2).  For probably the first time in history, the Chargers enter the playoffs as the team to beat.  There's plenty of strength and only a little weakness...but as many teams in recent years have shown, getting home-field advantage in the AFC isn't all it's cracked up to be...  (1)

2) Baltimore Ravens (13-3).  Is this team better than the 2000 Super Bowl champs?  They might be.  The defense looks about as dominant as that one did, but this year's Ravens have a little more offensive potential than the 2000 version.  What's strange is that to some degree, they're still flying a little under the radar.  (2)

3) New England Patriots (12-4).  Many of us wondered if this was the year they finally lost too much talent to be a major threat.  It isn't.  As long as Tom Brady is throwing the football, it doesn't seem to matter much who's on the other end.  Of all the teams who will be playing on Wild Card Weekend, this is the most threatening.  (4)

4) Chicago Bears (13-3).  Have you ever seen a 13-win team with so much angst surrounding them?  Poor quarterback play and a softening defense are plaguing this team at the wrong time, which could lead to an early exit even in the weakened NFC.  On a positive note, their first playoff game will come against another team that has struggled down the stretch.  (3)

5) New Orleans Saints (10-6).  With more overall balance and fewer questions surrounding them than the rest of the field, the Saints seem to have become the favorite to win the NFC.  The Eagles are the only other team coming into the NFC playoffs on a high note, and may present the biggest challenge along the way.  (5)

6) Indianapolis Colts (12-4).  They wouldn't readily admit it, but I'm pretty sure the Colts would have preferred to see Denver win so Indy could host the Jets in the first round.  With Indy's atrocious run defense, Larry Johnson represents the Colts' worst nightmare not named LaDainian Tomlinson.  (6)

7) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6).  Call them this year's version of last year's Redskins.  A 5-6 team left for dead finishes the season with a highly improbable five-game winning streak, and steals the NFC East out from under the Cowboys as a result.  This team is easily the NFC's biggest threat that's playing this weekend.  (7)

8) New York Jets (10-6).  Many are quick to criticize this team's easy schedule.  You know what?  You still have to win the games you play, and the Jets did a good job of that.  And don't forget that one of their ten wins came in Foxboro, so this team won't be scared to play their divisional rival Patriots.  (10)

9) Denver Broncos (9-7).  Here's the first of several teams that missed the playoffs simply by playing in the wrong conference.  Credit Jay Cutler for keeping this team afloat, but it just was not meant to be.  Sadly, there was much worse news yet to come for Denver in the form of Darrent Williams.  (8)

10) Kansas City Chiefs (9-7).  They needed a Week 17 miracle to make the playoffs, and they got one.  Everyone above them that had to lose did, so the Chiefs are in...and now they get the perfect matchup for their power-running game in the form of the Colts.  Be afraid, Indy, be very afraid.  (15)

11) Seattle Seahawks (9-7).  Finally, a win for Seattle just in time for the playoffs.  Yes, it was only the Bucs...but it was a convincing win on the road, and these guys need some kind of momentum heading into the playoffs.  That win alone gives them a leg up on the struggling Cowboys this Saturday.  (13)

12) Dallas Cowboys (9-7).  From a team that many thought were the NFC's best a month ago to a team that backs in with a Wild Card and heads to Seattle.  Tony Romo isn't looking nearly as good now that teams are forcing him to hang around in the pocket, but the secondary is presenting an even bigger problem.  (9)

13) Cincinnati Bengals (8-8).  What a way to miss the postseason.  Failed by the normally-reliable kicking game late for two straight games.  A .500 record is hugely disappointing for a team that some felt could go to the Super Bowl before the season began.  (11)

14) Tennessee Titans (8-8).  It took this team too long to get started, but once they did, they were nearly unstoppable.  Unfortunately, they couldn't keep the streak going for just one more game, and it cost them a Wild Card.  They will head into next season as one of everyone's favorite "dark horse" teams.  (12)

15) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8).  After impressive wins against the Cowboys and Steelers to begin the season, you got the feeling this team could have done so much more.  But inconsistencies in the passing game caused this team to struggle mightily on the road, and in the AFC...it just wasn't enough.  (14)

16) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8).  In the second half of the season, we saw a Steelers team that played more like what was expected of them...except when they played the Ravens.  They did have the satisfaction of taking the division-rival Bengals down with them, which would be a good way to send out Bill Cowher if he decides to retire.  (17)

17) St. Louis Rams (8-8).  This was probably the most threatening team among the mess of 7-8 playoff hopefuls in the NFC.  Unfortunately, tiebreakers did not work in their favor, and they will watch from home.  During the offseason, the defense will remain the primary area of focus for improvement.  (18)

18) New York Giants (8-8).  Tiki Barber simply refused to go out with a whimper despite the rest of the team collapsing around him.  His career day in his last regular-season game literally carried this broken team into the playoffs, and they've landed in one of those anything-goes division rivalry games in the first round.  (19)

19) Green Bay Packers (8-8).  There were very few outside of the Packers organization and fanbase who felt this team was capable of eight wins this year.  Based on this team's surprising performance, you would have to believe that Brett Favre would be leaning more toward coming back next year.  (21)

20) Buffalo Bills (7-9).  With a pretty good defense and an emerging J.P. Losman to Lee Evans connection developing in the second half of the season, there is potential for this to be another "dark horse" team next year.  It will be interesting to see what this team does in the offseason to fill some holes.  (16)

21) Carolina Panthers (8-8).  I don't think there's much to be excited about from the Panthers' starters beating the Saints' JV squad by 10 points.  Small consolation for a preseason Super Bowl pick that could be considered the biggest disappoint in the NFL this year.  (23)

22) San Francisco 49ers (7-9).  With the significant struggles he faced last year, Alex Smith faced plenty of doubt from critics that wondered if he could cut it in the NFL.  This year, he improved significantly and proved that such criticism was premature and unfair.  It certainly helps when the guy behind you emerges as the NFC's leading rusher in his first year as the starter.  (24)

23)  Atlanta Falcons (7-9).  This team had many jumping on their bandwagon early after trampling two divisional rivals with big-time rushing numbers.  Then they were manhandled in the Superdome, and never really recovered.  The passing game continues to be erratic at best, and now a new coach will have to come in and attempt to fix it.  (20)

24) Miami Dolphins (6-10).  Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas played like they were several years younger all season long.  There weren't many bright spots for this team beyond that.  Daunte Culpepper was brought back from his injury too soon, and now even Coach Nick Saban may bolt for Alabama.  Stay tuned.  (22)

25) Arizona Cardinals (5-11).  The Dennis Green era is over in the desert, but this team actually did a good job of stockpiling some talent over the course of his three seasons.  One more good offseason could fix the offensive line and patch a few other holes, and it will simply be up to the new coach to instill a winning attitude in a losing franchise.  (25)

26) Washington Redskins (5-11).  This obviously wasn't the season the Redskins had in mind, but the first-half disaster did allow this team to get a good look at Jason Campbell.  He appears to be a keeper, and he'll have a strong running game behind him.  So which free agents will Dan Snyder go out and buy this time?  (26)

27) Minnesota Vikings (6-10).  A solid 4-2 start quickly fell apart for this team as its offense never found a way to consistently put points on the board.  Realistically, that was the big question about this team heading into the season, not the defense, so you could say the Vikings did pretty much what they were expected to do.  (27)

28) Houston Texans (6-10).  Six wins isn't very exciting, but it sure beats the two they had last year.  This team still has plenty of personnel improvement ahead of them if they intend to become a playoff team, and it appears that the quarterback position could be included among the priorities.  (28)

29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12).  I couldn't help but think last year's division title was a fluke and that they would be snapped back to reality this season.  That was one preseason prediction I got right.  All across the board, this team is a mess in terms of aging or underachieving personnel, and Jon Gruden will be among those feeling the heat.  (29)

30) Cleveland Browns (4-12).  It's obvious that this team needs a lot of work, but it has to be very disappointing that they really didn't make any significant strides in the right direction this year.  Romeo Crennel has a very difficult task of trying to do a lot with a little, and he is apparently not a miracle worker.  (30)

31) Detroit Lions (3-13).  Now the Lions win a game.  They put forth an impressive performance on offense to outshoot the Cowboys for a very rare road win, but many of the fans are undoubtedly disappointed that they've given away the #1 draft pick.  Is the Matt Millen era over yet?  (32)

32) Oakland Raiders (2-14).  They began the season in the basement, and returned to the basement right at the very end.  One of the worst offenses in recent history now has a chance to take Brady Quinn or whoever else they want, but the problems run much deeper than just a quarterback.  (31)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 16

Only one week remains, but the playoff picture is still muddled with plenty of hopefuls trying to sneak in.  Which of those 7-8 NFC teams will make it?  Do any of them pose a threat to winning a couple in the playoffs???

1) San Diego Chargers (13-2).  The Chargers came awfully close to ruining home-field advantage for themselves.  Baltimore could taste it...but then Vincent Jackson beat Seattle's secondary and saved the day.  This team just finds ways to win, period.  (1)

2) Baltimore Ravens (12-3).  In case it wasn't already obvious enough that there is a changing of the guard in the AFC North, the Ravens drove home the point by outscoring the Steelers 58-7 in their two meetings.  It doesn't get much more dominant than that.  (2)

3) Chicago Bears (13-2).  ...and speaking of teams that just find ways to win, the Bears do it again.  Even in a rather meaningless game that could be treated like the preseason, the Bears still pulled one out.  But the defense is becoming a new cause for skepticism.  (3)

4) New England Patriots (11-4).  Considering the route this team will have to take to get through the AFC playoffs, their ability to win on the road should serve them well.  Beating a Jaguars team that plays well at home qualifies as a very impressive win.  (5)

5) New Orleans Saints (10-5).  Well, we already know the offense has the weapons to score big points.  But how about the defense?  That's five straight opponents who couldn't reach 20 points against them...and the Giants didn't run a single play in Saints' territory.  (6)

6) Indianapolis Colts (11-4).  We all know the Colts' run defense is bad...and now they're even allowing 150 yards to Ron Dayne.  What's more alarming is that this time even a solid performance by Peyton Manning and the offense couldn't save them.  (4)

7) Philadelphia Eagles (9-6).  The schedule was brutal.  Three straight road games against their division rivals.  Their record through it all?  3-0, capped off with a commanding 23-7 win over the Cowboys.  These guys officially have the label of "team you don't want to see in the playoffs."  (9)

8) Denver Broncos (9-6).  The defense may have had some trouble containing Rudi Johnson, but Broncos fans have to like the offense they're already getting from Jay Cutler.  That's four starts now...with two touchdown passes thrown in each game.  (12)

9) Dallas Cowboys (9-6).  Just a few weeks ago, they were the darlings of the NFC.  After getting blown out in their last two home games, things aren't looking so Super now.  They'll be taking the Wild Card route now unless Philly loses on Sunday.  (7)

10) New York Jets (9-6).  Those who watched the Monday night game may have come away unimpressed with the Jets, but they got the job done.  And that's how it's been all year.  They just scrap and fight and find ways to get the "W."  (13)

11) Cincinnati Bengals (8-7).  As I saw the botched extra point I couldn't help but think of the Saints' infamous version of the Cal-Stanford lateral play a couple years ago that was then blown by missing a tying extra point.  In both cases, it appears to be the deathblow to a team's playoff hopes.  (8)

12) Tennessee Titans (8-7).  Any chance we could move this team over to the NFC and have them take the last Wild Card spot?  It's a real shame that they'll probably be watching the playoffs at home while some scuffling 7-8 team sneaks into the postseason.  (14)

13) Seattle Seahawks (8-7).  You know things just aren't right when you blow a big win by committing the cardinal sin of getting beaten deep with under a minute to go.  The three game losing streak these guys are on is the very definition of "backing into the playoffs."  (10)

14) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7).  The Jaguars have been great at home all year long, but they sure picked a bad time to end that trend.  Maurice Jones-Drew is quickly becoming a star, but his perfomance couldn't overcome the defense's subpar effort.  (11)

15) Kansas City Chiefs (8-7).  This team seems to have lost their entire sense of explosiveness on offense.  Larry Johnson is a superstar, but there doesn't seem to be much else.  Fortunately, they didn't need much against the mistake-prone Raiders.  (19)

16) Buffalo Bills (7-8).  It's not everyday I move a team up after a loss, but I like what I'm seeing with these guys despite the outcome against Tennessee.  The offense is getting better, and Bills fans have to feel good about next year's chances to make a move in the AFC East.  (18).

17) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8).  The Steelers made a nice attempt in the second half of the season to salvage the year and sneak into the playoffs, but the Ravens single-handedly killed them with two beatdowns during that stretch.  Apparently Pittsburgh just can't compete with a team like that now.  (17)

18) St. Louis Rams (7-8).  The Greatest Show on Turf made an encore appearance, for one day at least.  Marc Bulger was just about perfect and Steven Jackson demonstrated once again why he made it to the Pro Bowl.  If there is a threatening 7-8 NFC team that could do some damage in the playoffs, it just might be these guys.  (22)

19) New York Giants (7-8).  I'm starting the view the Giants in a different light.  I no longer think of them as a good team going through a rough stretch.  Instead, it seems more like they're a bad team that got hot for a month or so.  That outing against the Saints was just wretched.  (15)

20) Atlanta Falcons (7-8).  This team really lacks killer instinct.  A broken Panthers team fresh off two blowout losses at home comes into your house...and holds you to three points for a win?  Way to play like a Wild Card contender.  (16)

21) Green Bay Packers (7-8).  The Packers have had some downright ugly performances this season, but give them credit for hanging tough and keeping themselves in the wide-open race for that last playoff spot.  Winning in Soldier Field will be awfully tough, but they might get to play a half against the JV squad to have a chance.  (23)

22) Miami Dolphins (6-9).  Jason Taylor and the Dolphins' defense played well once again...at least until the very end when Leon Washington killed them on one crucial play.  There just wasn't enough offense, which is to be expected of a third-string quarterback in his first career start.  (20)

23) Carolina Panthers (7-8).  It sure wasn't pretty, but the Panthers didn't intend for it to be pretty.  They game-planned to keep the ball out of Chris Weinke's hands, and it worked as they found a solid running game they never knew they had.  But can they win in the Superdome to keep hope alive?  (26)

24) San Francisco 49ers (6-9).  A disappointing defensive effort could not be overcome, and the 49ers failed to capitalize on Seattle's third straight loss to stay in the hunt for the NFC West.  But why did Frank Gore only get 11 carries in such a critical game?  (21)

25) Arizona Cardinals (5-10).  Once again, the Cardinals ride an impressive performance on offense to a victory.  Hey, it doesn't mean much for this season, but going 4-2 in their last six games gives them plenty to build on for next year...when it might finally come together for this franchise.  (27)

26) Washington Redskins (5-10).  Supposedly there will be no controversy next year as to who gets the starting running back job.  Clinton Portis will be the guy.  No offense to Portis, but hasn't Ladell Betts done more than enough this year to at least make it a battle?  (24)

27) Minnesota Vikings (6-9).  Tarvaris Jackson certainly understands the difference between preseason and regular season now.  A night game in Green Bay in December isn't the most ideal condition for your first NFL start, but in that division, it's something he'll need to get used to fast.  (25)

28) Houston Texans (5-10).  Congratulations to Houston for finally beating the Colts.  They also accomplished something no other team has done this season--beating the Colts in a shootout where Peyton Manning played a solid game.  (30)

29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11).  The Greatest Show on Turf wasn't the only thing from a few years ago resurrected last weekend.  The old Bucs defense that wreaked so much havoc on the way to a title was back for one day.  Of course, it was against the Browns.  (29)

30) Cleveland Browns (4-11).  OK, maybe Charlie Frye's starting job is safe...when he gets back healthy next year, that is.  Tossing four interceptions is not the way to build on a couple of decent starts for Derek Anderson.  (28)

31) Oakland Raiders (2-13).  The defense limits the passing game and keeps the score down; the offense turns the ball over five times, gets sacked four times, and loses the game.  Just another day at the office for the Raiders.  (31)

32) Detroit Lions (2-13).  What were the Lions thinking?  Are they forgetting that the #1 draft pick is right in their hands?  They very nearly blew it and gave Raiders fans something to be excited about, but fortunately Detroit snatched defeat from the jaws of victory just in time.  (32)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 15

The rankings are pretty redundant by the end of the season--you pretty much know by now who's in, who's close, and who's long gone.  But I've done them every week, so I'll keep going until the season is over...

1) San Diego Chargers (12-2).  Even as a Saints fan, I would have to vote for LT as the MVP.  You can't annihilate the touchdown record like that and not receive an MVP award.  I'd be OK with a Co-MVP between him and Brees, though.  (1)

2) Baltimore Ravens (11-3).  Surprisingly enough, they actually had some trouble putting away the Browns both times this year, but they did win.  If anyone is going to keep San Diego out of the Super Bowl, these guys seem to be the most likely candidate.  (2)

3) Chicago Bears (12-2).  There's been a whole lot of tension around this team ever since the come-from-behind win in Arizona.  First it was all about Grossman.  Now he's had a couple good games, but the defense is struggling.  But they still keep winning...  (3)

4) Indianapolis Colts (11-3).  As much as we all talk about the awful run defense, the key to beating Indy is to hold Peyton Manning and the offense down.  Cincinnati couldn't.  Almost everyone has run on the Colts, but only the teams with strong defensive games have actually beaten Indianapolis this season.  (5)

5) New England Patriots (10-4).  When you're struggling with turnovers, facing the Texans at home is a great way to cure your ills.  They haven't locked up the division just yet though, and they have two tough road games to close out the season.  (8)

6) New Orleans Saints (9-5).  Obviously, it didn't happen the ideal way, but the Saints have officially punched their ticket to the playoffs by taking the NFC South.  If they can win in Giants Stadium on Sunday, they should still end up getting that all-important first-round bye.  (4)

7) Dallas Cowboys (9-5).  You had to think the Cowboys would bounce back strong after the ugly loss to the Saints, and they did.  Their chance at stealing back that first-round bye remains reasonable, but the Eagles are closing in fast with an eye on the division.  (7)

8) Cincinnati Bengals (8-6).  After winning four straight, the Bengals came out surprisingly flat in Indy and have put their playoff lives back in jeopardy.  They should be fine if they can rebound against Denver, but that's easier said than done.  (6)

9) Philadelphia Eagles (8-6).  What a big-time win in New York.  Not only do they take the lead in the Wild Card race, but now a division crown awaits them if they can win their last two.  Jeff Garcia's comeback has become one of the best stories of the year.  (13)

10) Seattle Seahawks (8-6).  The prospects of a first-round bye have become very dim now, but they still have to secure the NFC West before that even becomes a concern.  They should make it to the playoffs, but they'll be an early exit if they don't improve fast.  (9)

11) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6).  Yet again, we are reminded why the Jaguars are in the fight of their lives just to sneak into the playoffs.  If they could bring any of their home game energy with them on the road, they'd be a serious Super Bowl threat.  (10)

12) Denver Broncos (8-6).  Normally, beating the Cardinals wouldn't be a big deal.  But the Cards had been playing well, and the Broncos were slipping out of the playoff race.  They should be able to get a Wild Card if they can find a way to beat the Bengals on Sunday.  (14)

13) New York Jets (8-6).  After the Bills gave them a wake-up call, the Jets responded nicely with a dominating win in the Metrodome to keep their playoff prospects strong.  Winning in Miami won't be easy, so they can't afford a letdown after that kind of performance.  (16)

14) Tennessee Titans (7-7).  Are you sure these guys were 0-5?  They've become a real tough out that just finds ways to win, and there's still a chance that they'll get to the playoffs.  The defensive effort against Jacksonville was huge.  (18)

15) New York Giants (7-7).  Here they are again, with their backs up against the wall.  They still hold a Wild Card at the moment, but now they get a Saints team that should be refocused after a poor effort.  For them, the playoffs start now.  (11)

16) Atlanta Falcons (7-7).  It's hard to imagine Michael Vick actually throwing four touchdown passes and the Falcons losing the game anyway.  But their defense just isn't good enough to take this team very far.  They should be able to rebound against a reeling Panthers team on Sunday though.  (12)

18) Buffalo Bills (7-7).  Considering how this team looked back in October, it's hard to believe they're still fighting for a Wild Card.  But after dominating the Dolphins in every phase of the game, here they are.  J.P. Losman is stepping up big time.  (20)

19) Kansas City Chiefs (7-7).  This team has understandably devoted several offseasons to improving what was a horrendous defense.  They've gotten that defense to a respectable level, but Tony Gonzalez needs some help.  Isn't it about time they look into a playmaking wideout or two?  (15)

20) Miami Dolphins (6-8).  OK, now it's over.  They tried to make the most improbable of playoff runs, but after getting completely shut down in Buffalo, they are now officially in the "spoiler" role for their last two games.  The first opportunity comes against the division-rival Jets on Christmas Day.  (17)

21) San Francisco 49ers (6-8).  Safe to say there weren't too many who saw a sweep of the Seahawks coming.  Playoff hopes are still slim, but a win like that in Seattle is huge for the development of this young team.  Watch out for Alex Smith next season.  (23)

23) Green Bay Packers (6-8).  A sloppy win is better than a loss.  Their game against the Lions wasn't pretty, but they did enough to get the job done, and now they're still hanging around in the playoff race.  A win over Minnesota would keep hope alive.  (25)

24) Washington Redskins (5-9).  Another young quarterback to keep an eye on next season is Jason Campbell, whose efficient performance helped score the Redskins a big upset over the Saints.  Ladell Betts continues to impress behind him.  (26)

25) Minnesota Vikings (6-8).  Surely the NFC is in pretty sad shape when a team like this is still clinging to some hopes of the postseason.  We may have seen Brad Johnson's last career start on Sunday, as Tarvaris Jackson prepares to take over.  (22)

26) Carolina Panthers (6-8).  They were decent for a while, but this team apparently has the golf bags out and ready to go.  Yes, Chris Weinke was starting in place of Jake Delhomme, but a 37-3 loss at home is pitiful no matter how you look at it.  (21)

27) Arizona Cardinals (4-10).  They've been playing out the string for a long time now, but at least there's still some fight in this team.  Whoever takes over as head coach next year will inherit a lot of talent and may just be coming in at the perfect time for a turnaround.  (27)

28) Cleveland Browns (4-10).  Charlie Frye's hold on the starting quarterback position is looking more and more tenuous with each Derek Anderson start we see.  He kept his team in the game against a fierce Ravens' defense on the road, which isn't easy to do.  (29)

29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-11).  Even though they ultimately fell short of the major upset, that was a very impressive comeback led by Tim Rattay against what is supposed to be one of the league's elite defenses.  Apparently they can put up some points.  (30)

30) Houston Texans (4-10).  Facing an angry Pats team coming off an embarrassing loss, you had to expect something like that would happen.  This team is still a long way from being truly competitive.  (28)

31) Oakland Raiders (2-12).  When one of the league's weaker defensive teams shuts you out in your own house, isn't that pretty much rock bottom?  Just when you thought it really couldn't get any uglier, the Raiders found a way.  (31)

32) Detroit Lions (2-12).  The Lions just keep on going toe-to-toe with the Raiders in the Brady Quinn sweepstakes.  I believe the strength of schedule tiebreaker would favor Detroit.  At least they could win something this year.  (32)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 14

A team that's hot in December is generally more likely to go far in the playoffs.  Right now, that's good news for teams like the Saints, Chargers, Bengals, and Jaguars.  Not so good for the likes of the Colts or the Patriots.  Here's how I see things now:

1) San Diego Chargers (11-2).  This is one of the few weeks all year when picking the top team is pretty easy.  As dominant as the Bears looked over the first month of the season, that's about how San Diego is looking now.  They can be beaten, but there seems to be no glaring weakness to point to and say, "We'll beat them that way."  (1)

2) Baltimore Ravens (10-3).  This defense is special.  You're not likely to score too many points against them, so the key to beating the Ravens is to protect the football and take advantage of every scoring opportunity you get.  The Chiefs were unable to do that in the first half, and it came back to haunt them.  (4)

3) Chicago Bears (11-2).  I believe the term "X-factor" has become trite and overused, but right now I don't think anyone defines it better than Devin Hester.  Six returns for touchdowns...and there's still three more games to play.  But just as Rex Grossman finally had a good game, the defense struggled to stop the Rams.  (3)

4) New Orleans Saints (9-4).  No, I'm not going to anoint the Saints as the best team in the NFC yet, though there is certainly a solid argument for it.  In their last three games, they have blown out two possible playoff teams on the road, outscored the three by a combined total of 107-40, and have not turned the ball over once.  That's impressive stuff.  (8)

5) Indianapolis Colts (10-3).  At this point, it seems safe to predict that the first team the Colts meet in the playoffs who runs the ball well is going to end their season.  The Jaguars came close to having three different running backs rush for over 100 yards against them in the same game.  The numbers speak for themselves.  (2)

6) Cincinnati Bengals (8-5).  This team sure picked a great time to get hot, and now they're in the driver's seat to pick up a Wild Card.  The fact that they turned the ball over four times to the Raiders raises some cause for concern, but they still won the game with ease and clearly have what it takes to bring down the Colts next weekend.  (9)

7) Dallas Cowboys (8-5).  The Cowboys may have played an awful game Sunday night against the Saints, but they're still in good shape to win the NFC East and make a deep playoff run.  However, teams have plenty of game film to prove that Tony Romo suddenly becomes ordinary when he is contained in the pocket.  (5)

8) New England Patriots (9-4).  In sharp contrast to the Saints, the last three games for New England have been loaded with mistakes.  Since when does a Bill Belichick team turn the ball over 11 times in three games?  They may be about ready to clinch the AFC East, but they might not be going much farther than that.  (6)

9) Seattle Seahawks (8-5).  Yes, the NFC West may be a foregone conclusion, but the Seahawks blew a golden opportunity to position themselves for a first-round bye in a loss to the Cardinals.  They probably have a better chance than the Cowboys at stealing it, but they'll most likely have to run the table.  (7)

10) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5).  I'm a little wary of bumping this team up too high.  Their last two games were awfully good, and they may be peaking at the right time, but the real test for them may actually be against a red-hot Titans team this weekend.  Jacksonville won't be punching a ticket to the playoffs unless they can gut out a tough one on the road.  (12)

11) New York Giants (7-6).  Maybe the Giants got lucky to catch a Panthers team at a time when Jake Delhomme was unable to play, but I'm inclined to believe Big Blue would have won that game anyway.  Carolina's defense needed to do a much better job of slowing down Eli Manning.  Now can they make it two in row against the resurgent Eagles?  (14)

12) Atlanta Falcons (7-6).  You might have thought they were dead, but all of a sudden, this team is right back in the thick of the Wild Card race.  A win over Dallas would push them ahead of whoever loses the Eagles-Giants game, so let's just see if they can keep it rolling a little longer.  (15)

13) Philadelphia Eagles (7-6).  After dominating the Redskins early, the Eagles were shut down in the second half and nearly blew the game.  But they didn't, and now they control their own destiny as far as making the playoffs...and maybe even stealing the division.  Jeff Garcia continues to impress, with 7 TD's and no picks in three starts.  (16)

14) Denver Broncos (7-6).  This team is in a freefall, and it would be completely unfair and inaccurate to pin it on Jay Cutler.  In their latest loss, it was the inability for Denver's defense to contain the Chargers that lost them the game.  On the bright side, the Broncos only have one winning opponent left...and running the table could sneak them into the playoffs.  (10)

15) Kansas City Chiefs (7-6).  When you go into the locker room trailing 6-0, you should still be liking your chances to come back and win.  The problem is, the Chiefs turned the ball over three times in the first half and blew some good opportunities to score, which came back to haunt them.  Now they find themselves in the same spot as Denver last week--a must-win game in San Diego.  (11)

16) New York Jets (7-6).  With six games against losing teams to end the season, everything set up nicely for the Jets.  You would figure they would lose one of them somewhere, but they could probably manage a Wild Card with a 10-6 record.  Well, that was their slip-up...there's no margin for error now.  (13)

18) Tennessee Titans (6-7).  During the offseason, we'll be subjected to all sorts of predictions on which non-playoff teams are "darkhorse" candidates to make it next year.  Expect to hear this team mentioned a lot in those kind of discussions.  Vince Young is a bona fide playmaker and winner, and it hasn't taken long for that to translate to the pro level.  (19)

19) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7).  Just like the Dolphins and Titans, the Steelers are a team that was left for dead but has somehow kept themselves barely breathing in the playoff race.  Easy wins over the Bucs and Browns have left them a game short of .500, and if they win out...who knows???  (20)

20) Buffalo Bills (6-7).  Left for Dead, Part 4.  There seems to be a running theme here with teams that have gotten hot a little too late.  Yes, they probably waited too long to get going, but after this Sunday, they may end up having the satisfaction in helping to bring the in-state rival Jets down with them.  (21)

21) Carolina Panthers (6-7).  This team has been treading water all season, but the loss to the Giants may have just sunk them for good.  They're now a game behind the Falcons, Giants, and Eagles for a Wild Card...and they've lost to all three.  Tiebreakers should do them in, but the way they're playing right now, tiebreakers probably won't be necessary.  (17)

22) Minnesota Vikings (6-7).  Thanks to a handy break in the schedule with Arizona and Detroit, the Vikings continue to hang around somehow.  But for them, the playoffs have already begun...and now they'll be hosting a desperate Jets team in the exact same situation.  If they intend to steal a Wild Card, now's the time to play like a playoff team.  (24)

23) San Francisco 49ers (5-8).  The playoffs were a nice thought, but a loss at home to the Packers will end that dream.  Frank Gore had yet another solid performance, but the reality is this team still needs more pieces in place to be competing for the postseason.  Next year?  Maybe.  (22)

24) St. Louis Rams (5-8).  The Rams were able to move the ball with surprising ease on the vaunted Bears defense for most of the game.  Unfortunately, their own defense was just as leaky, and the special teams had no answer for Devin Hester.  If this team is planning on getting back to the postseason, their defense still needs a lot of work in the offseason.  (23)

25) Green Bay Packers (5-8).  At times, this team has looked downright pitiful this year.  Then there are games like Sunday's win in San Francisco.  In a game the Niners had to have, the Packers took advantage of a weak secondary and jumped out to an early lead to control the game.  (27)

26) Washington Redskins (4-9).  Jason Campbell's last two starts haven't been quite as good as his first two, particularly with an interception that was returned for a touchdown.  Ladell Betts, however, has been very effective running the football in Clinton Portis's absence.  There could be some pieces to work with for next year.  (25)

27) Arizona Cardinals (4-9).  As Matt Leinart continues to develop, we're starting to see the potential for the Cardinals to be taken more seriously in 2007.  With 3 wins in his last four starts, Leinart is getting this team to finally score some points and even open up running room for Edgerrin James.  Next year might be when this team finally does break through.  (30)

28) Houston Texans (4-9).  The Texans were able to limit Vince Young's scrambling for most of the game.  Then they called an all-out blitz in overtime, and he ran right through it for a game-winner.  And just in case all the Reggie Bush talk wasn't enough, Vince Young is another pick Houston could have made that may come back to haunt them.  (28)

29) Cleveland Browns (4-9).  On the heels of an impressive upset of the Chiefs, the Browns were brought back to reality as they were nearly shut out in Pittsburgh.  Derek Anderson's performance in his first career start could have been a lot better or a lot worse.  But the 18 team rushing yards is just awful.  (26)

30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-10).  As I said last week, this team might not win another game this season.  If that's the case, maybe they can sneak in and get the #1 draft pick when it's all said and done.  But if they did, would they take Brady Quinn or continue to develop Bruce Gradkowski?  (29)

31) Oakland Raiders (2-11).  The Raiders actually caused four turnovers against the Bengals, yet they still only managed 10 points in a lopsided loss.  This team may end up with the top draft pick and could grab Brady Quinn, but they're still going to need major improvement on the line in front of him.  (31)

32) Detroit Lions (2-11).  If Detroit's goal is to finish with the #1 pick, then this season might end up being a success.  If you're looking for the Lions to get rid of Matt Millen, then this season might be considered a success.  If you were hoping the Lions would show any signs of life this year...I guess you're out of luck.  (32)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 13

Just about every division leader now has a stranglehold on their division, but there's a whole lot to be sorted out with seeding and Wild Cards.  Here's how I think it all stands now:

1) San Diego Chargers (10-2).  There are three teams with 10 wins, so you could really argue for any of them.  I'll take San Diego now because they're playing the best football out of all the contenders at the moment.  Six straight wins, four of them without Shawne Merriman?  And don't forget the insane season LT's having.  (3)

2) Indianapolis Colts (10-2).  Tennessee ran all over the Colts in Indianapolis and nearly pulled a big upset.  This time, they ran well again and finished the job.  We already know their poor run defense is going to cause major issues for this team in the playoffs, but it just might cost them home-field advantage before they get there.  (1)

3) Chicago Bears (10-2).  In light of Tony Romo's success in Dallas, there are many who are calling for Rex Grossman's head again, which really puts Lovie Smith in an interesting situation.  As he repeatedly stated in his press conference, they are still winning games despite his play.  But how long can that keep up?  (2)

4) Baltimore Ravens (9-3).  In a game between the Bengals and Ravens, you wouldn't expect Cincinnati to be the team with the more dominating defense, but that's how it played out on Thursday.  They still don't have much to worry about as far as clinching the AFC North, but the loss may end up costing them a bye.  (4)

5) Dallas Cowboys (8-4).  Surely you didn't think they were going to walk into Giants Stadium and just trample the home team, did you?  The game was far too important for that to happen.  But they did win, and Tony Romo is now 5-1 as a starter.  Now comes an enormous game with the Saints in terms of playoff positioning.  (6)

6) New England Patriots (9-3).  You know, for all the talk about Rex Grossman's recent play for the Bears, it seems as though the Patriots are sliding under the radar.  As a team, they turned the ball over 8 times in two games, allowing a safety as well.  And both games were at home.  That needs to get cleaned up fast.  (5)

7) Seattle Seahawks (8-4).  The Rams and Niners may have kept things interesting for a while, but there really is no doubt who the best team is in the NFC West.  After pulling out a tough one in Denver despite struggling on offense for most of the game, these guys can set their sights on a first-round bye now.  (7)

8) New Orleans Saints (8-4).  With Marques Colston out and Joe Horn leaving after one early catch, the Saints used the opportunity to rediscover the two-back terror that they unleashed early in the season.  Reggie Bush stole the headlines with his stellar four-touchdown performance, but Deuce McAllister's 26 carries for 136 yards were just as important.  (9)

9) Cincinnati Bengals (7-5).  Playoff teams usually separate themselves from the rest by showing an ability to win in a variety of ways.  For the Bengals, the potent offense was kept in check most of the game by the Ravens' defense and bad weather.  But a dominating defensive effort for the second straight week made up, and now they have the look of a team that will play in January.  (11)

10) Denver Broncos (7-5).  We saw great things from Jay Cutler in the preseason, but that was the preseason.  In his NFL debut, he did some good things to help his team win, but also made some costly mistakes that would be expected of someone in his situation.  A couple of lost fumbles by his teammates didn't help. Now this team needs a win in San Diego to keep hopes high. (8)

11) Kansas City Chiefs (7-5).  After battling back all that way and getting in prime position to win a Wild Card, the Chiefs remind us why it's hard to take them seriously as a team that could go far.  With games against the Ravens and Chargers on deck, you simply can't lose in Cleveland with 3 other teams breathing down your neck for a playoff spot.  (10)

12) Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5).  Well, it's about time the Jaguars won a critical game on the road.  If they could simulate the feeling of being backed up against the wall every week, maybe they'd make the Super Bowl.  As it stands, they probably need to win at least 3 out of 4 brutal games to finish the season if they want to punch a ticket to the playoffs.  (12)

13) New York Jets (7-5).  OK, how many of you out there thought the best team in New York this year would be the Jets?  Yeah, me neither.  But here they are, right on the borderline of getting a Wild Card with four losing opponents left.  Their annihilation of the Packers proved that this team is ready to make the December run for the postseason.  (14)

14) New York Giants (6-6).  So much for the Giants winning the NFC East.  It sounded great a month ago, but that was before they lost four straight and got dumped to the fringes of playoff contention.  Now they head to Carolina to play the equally-desperate Panthers in what could end up being a playoff elimination game.  (13)

15) Atlanta Falcons (6-6).  It's always an encouraging sign to see a team respond with a good fight and a win when their season depends on it.  After a demoralizing loss to the Saints last week, the Falcons evidently realized their shot at a Wild Card in the NFC is still very good, and they took it to the Redskins in a must-win game.  (18)

16) Philadelphia Eagles (6-6).  ...and speaking of teams rising up from the ashes, suddenly the Eagles are holding a Wild Card with a month to go.  You can thank the excellent play of Jeff Garcia, who has actually thrown five touchdown passes and no picks in two starts.  But now they must get past a scheduling nightmare of three straight road games against their divisional rivals.  (19)

17) Carolina Panthers (6-6).  Personally, I don't have anything against the play call of throwing one up for Keyshawn Johnson in the end zone at the end of the game.  You go for the win on the road, and that play works if Jake Delhomme throws a better pass.  But he didn't, and they lost...and their chances of taking the NFC South have become very slim.  (15)

18) Miami Dolphins (5-7).  It's been a nice run over the past month or so, but the Dolphins had to be snapped back to the reality that the playoffs just aren't in the cards for them this season.  It's just too late.  However, they will have a lot to say about the fates of some other playoff contenders down the stretch.  (16)

19) Tennessee Titans (5-7).  Considering the way these guys are looking right now, it's hard to believe they started the season 0-5.  Vince Young is obviously going to need more time in the NFL to polish up has passing, but he's already demonstrating that he is a playmaker.  And that kick from Rob Bironas was just sick.  (24)

20) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7).  At least they can dominate the Bucs at home.  That was the kind of game we expected the Steelers to play more of this season.  As they host the Browns in a quick turnaround from their first meeting, the Steelers have a good opportunity to build enough momentum to get back to .500 by the end of the year.  (22)

21) Buffalo Bills (5-7).  The Bills showed plenty of poise in coming back from a 17-0 deficit to give the Chargers a good run for their money.  That same situation a month earlier would have probably resulted in the Bills being blown out of the stadium.  Their rematch with the Wild Card-hopeful Jets should be interesting.  (21)

22) San Francisco 49ers (5-7).  Frank Gore has carried this team on his back all year, but the Saints held him in check.  Clearly this team was overmatched, and they still need to learn how to stay in ballgames on the road.  However, with a couple home games left against losing teams, the Niners could still end up near .500 by the end.  (20)

23) St. Louis Rams (5-7).  That was just a pitiful performance at home for a team that is supposed to be fighting for a playoff spot.  The Cardinals are an awful road team, but it sure didn't look that way on Sunday.  One of the toughest things to figure out about the Rams is how they can keep wasting consistently strong outings from Stephen Jackson.  (17)

24) Minnesota Vikings (5-7).  ...and on the subject of teams that started hot and faded away, here are the Vikings.  Here's a team who held Rex Grossman to some truly wretched numbers and yet still found a way to lose by 10 points, thanks to the awful play from their own quarterback.  Any chance we could get a look at Tarvaris Jackson in the last month of the season?  (23)

25) Washington Redskins (4-8).  After two solid starts to begin his career, it seems Jason Campbell was brought back to reality against the Falcons.  He did, however, throw a nice deep ball to Santana Moss for a touchdown.  And for another bright spot, it seems the Redskins may have one of the best backup running backs in the league in Ladell Betts.  (25)

26) Cleveland Browns (4-8).  You had to think the Browns would show up and play a decent game after their embarrassing loss to the Bengals last week.  What you wouldn't have thought was that their backup quarterback would lead the team to a comeback victory over the Chiefs in his first significant NFL action.  That's a great way to begin a career.  (28)

27) Green Bay Packers (4-8).  By my count, that's the third time this season the Packers have been absolutely humiliated at home by a playoff contender.  Sure, the Jets are a good team in need of a win for their playoff hopes, but a 31-0 lead at halftime?  Just when it seemed like they were making some progress, they take several big steps backward.  (26)

28) Houston Texans (4-8).  Well, that's not the first time the Texans have won a road game in ugly fashion with no offensive production.  Remember Pittsburgh a couple years ago?  Two picks returned for scores as the offense mustered up absolutely nothing?  If you're keeping score at home, that was 32 passing yards for the Texans...while Reggie Bush covered 74 yards in one catch.  (29)

29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-9).  Is it over yet?  What...four more games???  The sad reality of it all is that the rest of the schedule is still brutal just like everything to this point.  There is a great chance this team won't win again this season, and there will have to be some big-time changes made in the offseason.  (27)

30) Arizona Cardinals (3-9).  Look out folks, they won a road game.  Who cares if it came against the equally cold Rams?  For one sweet day, these guys dominated a struggling team and had the look of that "playoff sleeper" people had them pegged to be at the beginning of the seaon.  So I'll just let them enjoy their success by leaving it at that.  (31)

31) Oakland Raiders (2-10).  Maybe the Raiders should audition some of their defenders to play both ways.  It couldn't be much worse than the offensive output the Raiders are getting now.  Exactly how do you turn the ball over five times at home...to the Texans???  As we've seen many times this year, the defense had to play great football just to keep the team from being blown out.  (30)

32) Detroit Lions (2-10).  If the Lions could have put forth that kind of effort on Thanksgiving, the nation would have actually had a decent game to watch, even if it was between a couple of losing teams.  Detroit certainly exposed some weaknesses in New England's game that need to be addressed, but I doubt they'll take much comfort in just coming close to a big upset.  (32)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 12

For probably the first time all season, the top spot is wide open.  I believe you could make a strong case for any one of four teams to be #1 right now--the Colts, Bears, Chargers, and Ravens.  Here's my opinion:

1) Indianapolis Colts (10-1).  This team's run defense obviously isn't a big deal right now.  They let Brian Westbrook run for 124 yards on just 20 carries against them, but the Colts still won easily.  In the playoffs, it will be a big problem.  A good running team like San Diego or Kansas City could make life miserable for the Colts...but there's another month before that becomes an issue.  (2)

2) Chicago Bears (9-2).  I find it amazing how quickly people want to write off this team.  In September, there were many who argued the Eagles were the best team in the NFC.  In October, it was the Giants.  Now it's the Cowboys.  Aren't we forgetting the team who's had the best record from wire to wire?  The turnovers are getting to be a concern, but the Bears should still coast to home-field advantage.  (1)

3) San Diego Chargers (9-2).  The Chargers just played one of those games that critics love.  They struggled to beat the Raiders in a game that was supposed to be easy.  You know what?  They won.  That's really all that matters.  And in case you hadn't noticed, Oakland's defense is surprisingly good and they've played all 3 of their divisional rivals hard lately.  But now San Diego has firm control of the AFC West.  (4)

4) Baltimore Ravens (9-2).  Well, it doesn't get much more dominant than that.  A 27-0 embarrassment of the champs, officially sticking the fork in them.  This defense looks an awful lot like the one that got them a championship in 2000.  The offense isn't exactly fearsome, but on this team, it's good enough.  They certainly have the formula to win it all.  (5)

5) New England Patriots (8-3).  So they can beat a good team after all.  With five turnovers, it sure wasn't pretty, but Asante Samuel's three picks saved the day for the Patriots.  They haven't quite wrapped up the AFC East just yet, but the rest of their schedule is very favorable.  A first-round bye is still a strong possibility if they can take care of business.  (6)

6) Dallas Cowboys (7-4).  The Cowboys looked very beatable against Tampa Bay...for about five minutes.  After giving up an opening-drive touchdown, Dallas proceeded to thoroughly dominate the Bucs for the rest of the game.  Tony Romo shredded the Tampa Bay defense like it wasn't even there.  Clearly this is the hottest team in the NFC, but the perspective would change drastically if they lose to the slumping Giants this weekend.  (7)

7) Seattle Seahawks (7-4).  When your quarterback turns the ball over four times in the first half and you go to the locker room down by just two points, you're probably going to win.  Sure enough, Matt Hasselbeck got much sharper in the second half, and Shaun Alexander ran for 200 yards to put away the Packers.  Welcome back guys.  (8)

8) Denver Broncos (7-4).  Mike Shanahan is no stranger to stirring things up in Denver, and here's the latest decision.  After dropping two in a row and undoubtedly hearing his fill of grumblings about the play of Jake Plummer all season long, Shanahan decided now was the time to pull the trigger.  Some agree with the move, some don't.  But a similar switch seemed to work out OK for Tony Romo and the Cowboys...  (4)

9) New Orleans Saints (7-4).  See what happens when you don't turn the ball over?  The big-play, quick-strike vertical passing attack was at it again in Atlanta, whose secondary didn't offer much resistance.  The Saints' defense gave up some big runs to Michael Vick, but they stopped the Falcons when it counted to maintain control of the game.  Clearly they are the favorites to win the NFC South now.  (11)

10) Kansas City Chiefs (7-4).  These guys were supposed to be dead when Trent Green suffered his concussion on Opening Day.  But here they are, holding a Wild Card spot hoping to make a run at the AFC West title.  Seems Larry Johnson is, in fact, the real deal...just in case you were thinking his success was attributed only to his offensive line.  But the defense is the real story...it's finally among the top half of the league.  (13)

11) Cincinnati Bengals (6-5).  Yeah, it's official: that offense is back to its old self.  They've been lighting it up for three straight games, just in time for their huge rematch with the Ravens.  Carson Palmer seems to be doing just fine in his recovery from the knee injury, but perhaps the most impressive aspect of the last two games has been the play of the defense.  They've forced nine turnovers and given up just 16 points.  (14)

12) Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5).  A favorable schedule doesn't mean much when you can't take advantage of what's given to you.  The Colts are the only winning team Jacksonville has played on the road this year, yet the Jags are a miserable 1-4 away from home.  Since these guys seem to save their best performances for some of their better opponents, they should play well against the streaking Dolphins...but wait, it's on the road.  (9)

13) New York Giants (6-5).  When you blow a game the way the Giants just did, the last place you want to spend a week dealing with the media and fans is New York.  For a team that was already on a two-game skid and faces the red-hot Cowboys this weekend, that's a tough mountain to climb.  But don't give up hope yet--a win over Dallas would put them right back in control of the NFC East.  (10)

14) New York Jets (6-5).  These guys are 6-5 too, but their story is one of triumph, not disappointment.  Unless you are an optimistic die-hard Jets fan, you probably thought these guys would be lucky to win six games all season.  Count me among that group.  But here they are, sitting in pretty good position to make a December run at a Wild Card.  The schedule is favorable, but they have to take care of their own business.  (17)

15) Carolina Panthers (6-5).  These guys are playing just well enough to make sure you don't forget about them.  They certainly don't have the look of a contender, which they demonstrated by losing in Washington.  If the defense weren't playing well, these guys would probably be completely out of contention by now.  As it stands, they could still take the NFC South...if the offense ever wakes up.  (12)

16) Miami Dolphins (5-6).  It was only a month ago that I correctly picked the Packers to beat the Dolphins in Miami, stating that both teams were struggling but at least the Packers had a pulse.  Hmmm, turns out the Dolphins do too...they just waited a really long time to show it.  Could they still make the playoffs?  Doubtful...but a winning record has become a real possibility again.  (20)

17) St. Louis Rams (5-6).  Once again, these guys struggled with the 49ers.  This time the struggle was expected, as the Niners came into the game as one of the hotter teams in the league.  The Rams...just the opposite.  In a game that became a battle of the backs, Steven Jackson's dominance as a runner and a receiver was the difference.  The defense had no answer for Frank Gore, but their critical third-and-one stop on Michael Robinson ultimately won them the game.  (21)

18) Atlanta Falcons (5-6).  Michael Vick is almost guaranteed to break one or two big runs when he plays the Saints.  With 166 yards on just 12 carries, he certainly did it again in a big way.  But the bigger numbers?  9-24 for 84 yards passing.  13 points.  A fourth straight loss.  His receivers are to blame for a lot of that.  I would say the season is over for the Falcons now, but they are fortunate enough to play in the NFC...where just about anyone still has a chance.  (15)

19) Philadelphia Eagles (5-6).  So much for the Eagles' reputation as a good defensive team loaded with sound tacklers.  That was a pitiful display against Joseph Addai and the Colts.  It's understandable that the team would be disheartened by the loss of their star quarterback and the realization that their season was probably shot.  But Donovan McNabb doesn't play defense.  Don't pin this one on Jeff Garcia--his performance was solid.  (16)

20) San Francisco 49ers (5-6).  Frank Gore has almost single-handedly kept this team in contention, but his strong performance in St. Louis wasn't enough this time.  This team is still in position to make a run for a Wild Card (as strange as that sounds), but the rest of the road is a tough one.  With trips to New Orleans, Seattle, and Denver still ahead, the Niners really needed the win in St. Louis to keep hopes high.  (19)

21) Buffalo Bills (5-6).  Hey, what's this?  J.P. Losman led his team on a game-winning last-minute drive again?  Maybe we shouldn't be giving up on this guy after all.  There have been plenty of people out there who want to give him a quick hook, but he's starting to reward the Bills organization for their patience with him.  There's a long way to go, but he and the team are finally moving in the right direction now.  (23)

22) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7).  Does it get any lower than that?  The Steelers' hopes at a playoff run were slim at best, but they did still have a chance.  They sure didn't play like it.  Now it's over for sure, and a bunch of questions remain.  Was Roethlisberger brought back too soon?  Will Bill Cowher come back next year?  We don't know.  All we know is that this team will not be defending their title in the playoffs.  (18)

23) Minnesota Vikings (5-6).  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Vikings are yet another team who can be thankful that they play in the NFC.  They wouldn't even be relevant in terms of playoff discussions in the AFC, but where they are...hope springs eternal.  If they can pull off an upset of the Bears in Soldier Field this week, the outlook for this team gets a whole lot better in a hurry.  (24)

24) Tennessee Titans (4-7).  The Vince Young/Travis Henry combo is 4-4.  Had they avoided the Kerry Collins experiment and played these guys from the beginning, this team might actually be in the running for a Wild Card right now.  At any rate, they're coming along nicely, and that enormous comeback against the Giants should work wonders for the development of this young team.  (25)

25) Washington Redskins (4-7).  Speaking of young quarterbacks making their mark, how about the play of Jason Campbell in his first two NFL starts?  Four touchdown passes against just one interception, and a victory over the Panthers?  Two games isn't much to go on, but so far it is evident why the Redskins traded up to get this guy with a first-round pick.  Let's see how he plays the rest of the year.  (26)

26) Green Bay Packers (4-7).  The Packers had an opportunity to put up a huge lead against the Seahawks courtesy of Matt Hasselbeck's four first-half turnovers.  They went into the locker room with a 14-12 lead, which wasn't enough.  This team certainly hasn't been as bad as many thought they would be this season, but there is still a lot of work to be done.  (22)

27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8).  Monte Kiffin is one of the league's better defensive coordinators, but he no longer has the personnel he needs to make it work well.  These guys were dominated through the air and on the ground by the Cowboys, and the offense doesn't have nearly enough firepower to keep up.  While Jon Gruden's reputation as a coach is still strong, the current regime's player evaluation seems to be lacking.  (27)

28) Cleveland Browns (3-8).  It hasn't been what you would call a good season for the Browns, but they've generally done a good job of staying competitive and at least keeping most of their games close.  Then there was Sunday.  You might expect the Bengals to move the ball at will on them with the way that offense is playing now.  But committing five turnovers and getting shut out against a subpar defense?  That's unacceptable.  (28)

29) Houston Texans (3-8).  The road woes continue for this team, as they were manhandled by a hungry Jets squad still in contention for the playoffs.  David Carr is continuing to develop, but I'm pretty sure 54 pass attempts wasn't in Gary Kubiak's game plan.  But that's what happens when your running back gets eight carries for 11 yards.  (29)

30) Oakland Raiders (2-9).  This might be the only time I've ever moved a team up after a loss.  But after giving the Chargers all they could handle, that makes three straight games in which the Raiders nearly upset one of their far superior AFC West rivals.  The offense?  Unsightly.  The worst in the league.  The defense?  Surprisingly good.  It's really come a long way in a short period of time.  There's no question which side of the ball needs to be addressed in the offseason.  (32)

31) Arizona Cardinals (2-9).  It's been another disappointing season for the Cardinals, but at least they showed signs of life in their loss to Minnesota.  In the offseason, they'll need to finish building their offensive line, and they'll have to show a serious commitment to winning by hiring one of the top-tier coaching names available...like the Bengals did with Marvin Lewis.  If they do those things, there could still be hope for this franchise.  (30)

32) Detroit Lions (2-9).  Joey Harrington seemed to have a message for the Lions in the Thanksgiving demolition of his old team:  "It's not me, it's you."  Suddenly, Harrington isn't looking so bad as he leads his Dolphins to a four-game winning streak.  The Lions, on the other hand?  Lifeless.  Waiting for the offseason.  I see the talent here, but I don't see the desire to win.  (31)

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NFL Power Rankings--Week 11

With Thanksgiving Day football, guess I better take care of the rankings, the picks, and my fantasy football team tonight...so I'll keep these shorter this week.

1) Chicago Bears (9-1).  Back on top after shutting out the Jets in New York.  I always felt this was the best team in the league, and I still do.  The Colts just had the top spot until they finally lost.  (2)

2) Indianapolis Colts (9-1).  After playing all those tight games, one of them finally went the other way.  But that's what happens when you turn it over four times.  They should bounce back against a depleted Eagles team this weekend.  (1)

3) San Diego Chargers (8-2).  I guess that settles the debate...for now at least.  Needless to say, the Chargers now have a huge advantage in the AFC West, considering there is still a rematch to be played in San Diego.  (3)

4) Denver Broncos (7-3).  I'm sure leaving Denver here will cause some uproar from Ravens fans, but I don't think the Broncos should be penalized much for losing by a touchdown to the Chargers, who some think is the best tea