NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

1. New Orleans Saints (11-0)

The Saints get the bump because of their dominant performance against the Patriots, a team the Colts needed a late comeback miracle to beat.

Drew Brees is unconscious. These receivers are unstoppable. And how good did Mike McKenzie look back in a Saints jersey?

New Orleans and Indianapolis both remain on their course to perfection, and have both done it so far by beating the New England Patriots. For the first time in NFL history, two teams have made it to 11-0.

This quest for perfection, for both of these teams, is getting very exciting. Could it happen?

2. Indianapolis Colts  (11-0)

I’m not sure how long this team can spot their opponents 17 points and continue to win, but somehow, they just keep on winning.

After allowing Houston to score the first 17 points of the game, Peyton once again rallied with a 28-7 fourth quarter to beat the Houston Texans in Houston.

With Jacksonville losing as well, the Colts are the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff spot, as they have clinched the AFC South Title in just 11 games.

Big game coming this week though: Vince Young, who is 5-0 since taking over the starting duties in Tennessee, will be coming to town this weekend.

Just a side note: the Colts’ magic number to clinch home field advantage in the AFC is two.

[Editor's Note: The picture to the right is none other than Colts head coach Jim Caldwell back during his college days at Iowa. With him is former Iowa co-captain Jim Hilgenberg. Photo credit: The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.]

3. Minnesota Vikings (10-1)

How special is Brett Favre?

Favre went 32-48 for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s desimation of the reeling Chicago Bears.

The only team in the NFC that can even compete with Minnesota is New Orleans.

The Vikings have a great offense, a stout defense, and thanks to Brett Favre, the most heart in the entire NFL.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3)

This was a huge weekend for Cincy.

Yes, they beat the Browns…No big surprise there.

But, with Pittsburgh losing to Baltimore, Cincy took a two game lead over the Steelers and the Ravens, and the Bengals have swept through their entire division schedule.

Oh, and I almost forgot…Larry Johnson had his first hundred yard game of the season.

As long as Palmer can stay healthy, this team can go deep into the playoffs.

5. San Diego Chargers (8-3)

San Diego continues their late season surge with a dominating win over Kansas City, who had previously upset the Steelers, 43-14.

As Jerod accurately said last week, Philip Rivers is one of the best QBs in the NFL.

Rivers had over 300 yards and two touchdowns.

More good news for the Bolts: LaDanian Tomlinson has begun to find the end zone, as he had two touchdowns this week.

6. New England Patriots (7-4)

For the record Jerod, I am still ranking the Bengals better than the Pats, because should they play tomorrow, I would pick the Bengals.

That being said, Brady and Co. were dominated by the Saints on Monday Night Football, so badly that Brady was pulled with 5 minutes left to go in the game.

Did I hear the announcer right? The Pats are 1-4 on the road? Ouch.

[Editor's note: And their one "road" win came in the game against Tampa Bay in London. They Patriots are 0-4 in true road games.]

7. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

I am not going to sing the Cowboys’ praises for their 24-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders, but they are now 8-3 and have a one game lead over the Eagles.

Here’s the bad news for Dallas: as I have been saying all along, December has been brutal to the Cowboys, and to their dismay, their next four games are going to be in that very month.

I could be wrong, but history has proven that Tony Romo and Wade Phillips just can’t win in December.

8. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)

After a disappointing loss in the final seconds of week 12 against Tennessee, the  Cardinals must maintain focus as Brett Favre and the 10-1 Vikings come to town this week.

The good news for Arizona is that they are in a horrible division, and the Cards have a two game lead on the trailing 49ers.

9. Green Bay Packers (7-4)

As Minnesota continues to win, the Packers are coming closer to the realization that they must rely of a Wildcard berth for their playoff hopes to stay alive.

They were impressive in their 34-12 Thanksgiving romp over the lifeless Detroit Lions, but this week brings a very important game with playoff lives in the balance.

Green Bay hosts Baltimore on Monday Night Football in what may be a must-win situation for both teams.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)

Now we start with the teams that should consider themselves lucky to make it to the top 15.

Yes Philly won, but it was only by three points against the Washington Redskins, who seem as if they are recently trying their best to play NFC East spoilers.

Philly is only one game behind Dallas for the division lead, but they can not forget about the Giants, who are only one game back of the Eagles.

11. Denver Broncos (7-4)

Finally, Denver gets off the schneid.

After losing four straight, Denver put a giant turkey-size pounding on the New York Giants, a much needed win for the Broncos.

The bad news? They are still one game back of the San Diego Chargers, who are playing out of their collective minds now.

12.Tennessee Titans (5-6)

Only one stat matters to this point: Tennessee is 5-0 since Vince Young’s return to this team.

Everyone seems to want to crown Adrian Peterson the best running back in the league, but what about Chris Johnson? Johnson had yet another huge game with over 150 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee’s come-from-behind win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here’s the crazy thought of the day: Tennessee can still make the playoffs.

True, they will likely need to win out, but five weeks ago, at 0-6, none of us would have even fathomed that my previous statement would even be uttered out of anyone’s mouth.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

First, a disappointing loss in overtime to Kansas City, then another disappointing loss in overtime to Baltimore.

Take into consideration that the Steelers were without starting QB Big Ben, but back-up Dennis Dixon actually played well up until his interception in overtime that lead to Baltimore’s winning field goal.

The Steelers now find themselves two games behind Cincy in the AFC North, and practically on the playoff bubble.

14. New York Giants (6-5)

What is wrong with the Giants? What is wrong with Eli? When did Brandon Jacobs go soft?

The Giants have seemingly collapsed since the first quarter of the season, and now are in danger of not even making the playoffs.

This week, the G-Men host Dallas in what is a crucial must-win game for the Giants as they are two game back of Dallas in the NFC East.

15. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

Well, the Ravens did beat the Steelers in overtime last week, but they did so against a 3^rd string quarterback.

The Ravens find themselves in a similar position to the Steelers, two game back of the Bengals, fighting for their playoff lives.

Just Missed the Cut – Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans

---------------