By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD colSpan=11>Power Rankings</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 id=special align=left><TD colSpan=2>Current</TD><TD>Team</TD><TD>Previous</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>1</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Colts ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The Colts have two tough games coming up in the next 10 days, starting Sunday at home against Denver and then at Jacksonville on Dec. 17. If they can get through those two unscathed, 16-0 is possible.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>2</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Saints ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>It was a close call at Washington, which should get the Saints re-focused as they head to the final four games. The defense can't play that way in the playoffs.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Vikings ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The way Brett Favre played at Arizona has to be a concern. There will be a lot of eyes watching to see if he bounces back this week.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Bengals ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>5</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They essentially clinched the AFC North when the Steelers lost this week. The Bengals are pretty much playing for playoff position now.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>5</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Chargers ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>6</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The Chargers have a tough one this week at Dallas, which should give them a chance to show again they are elite team. The defense has to tighten up.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>6</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Eagles ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>8</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Getting back DeSean Jackson this week will be key against the Giants, who have had trouble against the pass.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>7</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Cowboys ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Was that loss to the Giants the beginning of the Dallas December swoon? We'll know it is if the Cowboys lose to San Diego on Sunday.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>8</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Cardinals ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>11</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They served notice to the rest of the NFL not to forget about them by beating the Vikings the way they did. The defense was impressive.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Broncos ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>9</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They broke a trend by winning at Kansas City in December, and it looks like they're back on track. But that's a big one this week at Indy.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>10</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Packers ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They seem to be getting it right at the right time. The defense has really made strides the past month.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>11</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Patriots ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>7</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>The defense can't stop anybody. Tom Brady and the passing game might need to put up 40 each week. Suddenly, they're in a division race.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>12</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Giants ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>13</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>That was a season-saving victory against the Cowboys and now they have a chance to get the Eagles at home.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>13</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Jaguars ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>16</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>If they can win two of the next three, starting Sunday against the Dolphins, they could be a playoff team. Anyone pick that? Didn't think so.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>14</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Steelers ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>12</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They've lost four consecutive games, which has them in real danger of not making the postseason. The good news is the schedule is favorable down the stretch.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>15</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Falcons ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>14</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>This banged-up team is in real danger of missing the playoffs. They've just been hit by too many injuries on the offensive side. And here come the Saints.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>16</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Ravens ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>15</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>At 6-6, they can't afford too many more losses. They just don't look like a dominant team this season.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>17</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Dolphins ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>18</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They have a pseudo-playoff game this week against the Jaguars. They must win it to have a real chance at the postseason.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>18</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Jets ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>20</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>They kept their playoff hopes alive last week against the Bills. But now the concern is Mark Sanchez and his knee.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>19</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Titans ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>17</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>Their winning streak was ended by the Colts, but they aren't dead yet. The schedule is favorable down the stretch.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=rank vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg2 align=middle rowSpan=2>
</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>20</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>
Texans ? Trends</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle>19</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=txt vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=3>It looks like another non-playoff season for the Texans. Now Bob McNair has to decide what to do with Gary Kubiak</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>