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