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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 20, 2009

NFL rankings: Colts, Chargers, Vikings 1-2-3


By Jerry McDonald
McClatchy-Tribune News Services

1. INDIANAPOLIS (14-0)

And then there was one . . .

2. SAN DIEGO (10-3)

Trendy pick if you're not partial to Colts, Saints.

3. MINNESOTA (11-2)

Peterson 100 yards shy of 1,300 for third straight year.

4. NEW ORLEANS (13-1)

Had been showing signs of slippage.

5. GREEN BAY (9-4)

Wounded Steelers will be gunning for Rodgers.

6. PHILADELPHIA (9-4)

Look to take away Gore, make Smith beat them.

7. DALLAS (9-5)

'Boys put stop to December swoon to stay in playoff race.

8. DENVER (8-5)

Won't forget last year's 31-10 loss to Raiders in Denver.

9. NEW ENGLAND (8-5)

Moss could come to life with T.O. on other side.

10. CINCINNATI (9-4)

Need to save face after Minnesota debacle.

11. ARIZONA (8-5)

Hasn't won back-to-back division titles since '74-75.

12. MIAMI (7-6)

They're Cowboys in reverse: 6-0 under Sparano in December.

13. BALTIMORE (7-6)

Seven straight wins vs. NFC teams at home.

14. N.Y. JETS (7-6)

If they make playoffs, QB position will be a problem.

15. N.Y. GIANTS (7-6)

Wild card could be on line vs. Redskins.

16. TENNESSEE (6-7)

Vince Young 4-1 at home, completing 69.7 percent of passes.

17. JACKSONVILLE (7-7)

Who'd a thunk it? Reggie Bush in shadow of Jones-Drew.

18. ATLANTA (6-7)

Last time vs. Jets on road, Vinny Testaverde was QB.

19. HOUSTON (6-7)

Schaub flying under Manning-Brees-Favre radar.

20. 49ERS (6-7)

Must pressure McNabb like Raiders did.

21. PITTSBURGH (6-7)

Only hot defender now is LaMarr Woodley.

22. BUFFALO (5-8)

Gunning for 13th straight loss vs. Patriots.

23. SEATTLE (5-8)

Prospective GMs will watch this closely.

24. CHICAGO (5-8)

Four of five Hester TDs vs. AFC are 70-plus yds.

25. CAROLINA (5-8)

Steve Smith's '09 slump corresponds with that of team.

26. WASHINGTON (4-9)

Bruce Allen is the new G.M., by George.

27. RAIDERS (4-9)

If Frye goes down, is it Losman next week?

28. KANSAS CITY (3-10)

If not for JaMarcus, Cassel would be division's big bust.

29. CLEVELAND (2-11)

Chiefs, Raiders up next — three straight wins?

30. TAMPA BAY (1-12)

Morris will get another year — and not much more.

31. ST. LOUIS (1-12)

Boller 1-0 vs. Houston — hey, it's something.

32. DETROIT (2-11)

Likely to finish 2-14 — not much progress