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NFL Rankings

Final: Manning, Colts Win Big One

The knock on Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts had been that they were unable to win the big games.  But both put those criticisms to rest with a playoff run that culminated in a 29-17 win over Chicago in the Super Bowl.  The Colts put together a stretch that saw them win as underdogs in Baltimore and finally knock off their nemesis, New England, with a thrilling second-half comeback.  They carried that momentum into the Super Bowl and dominated the Bears after spotting them a 14-6 lead. The win catapulted the Colts to the No. 1 ranking in the final Index for the season with New England finishing at No. 2.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for the 2006-07 season.

* Through Games Played on February 4

Week 17: AFC Dominates Season Rankings

With the completion of the regular season, the AFC occupies the top four slots and eight of the top 10. The Ravens finish with the top rating in the final regular season Index with New England right behind at No. 2.  Philadelphia is the highest-rated NFC team at No. 5 overall.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on December 31

Week 16: Ravens Say "Bye" To Steelers

Baltimore positioned itself for a first-week bye in the playoffs and also said farewell to the Steelers postseason hopes as the Ravens pummeled the defending champs (31-7) in Pittsburgh.  The win marked Baltimore's first win in Pittsburgh since 2001 and completed the first season sweep ever for Baltimore in the rivalry.  The victory also pushed the Ravens to No. 1 in this week's Index.   Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on December 25

Week 15: Bills Getting Charged

While Buffalo's playoff hopes are slim, that's not deterring Dick Jauron's team from finishing with a flourish.  The Bills made it four wins in their last five games with a 21-0 victory over Miami on Sunday.  QB J.P. Losman continued his strong turnaround with three TD passes in blustery conditions and is now the AFC's fifth-rated quarterback (88.5).  The stretch run moves the Bills up to No. 2 in this week's Index.   Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on December 18

Week 14: Jags Have The Edge

Jacksonville put on a running display against the Indianapolis defense with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew combining for 297 yards and three TDs on just 24 carries in a 44-17 rout of the Colts.  Jacksonville's 375 rushing yards was tied for the second most since the 1970 merger and helped the Jags take over the top spot in this week's Index.  For the Colts it was their second straight loss and dropped them all the way to No. 12.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on December 11

Week 13: Bengals Getting Defensive

Cincinnati is known for its offense, but it was the Bengals' defense that allowed Baltimore to cross midfield only once in the first three quarters en route to a 13-7 win.  Combined with their shutout of Cleveland two weeks ago, the Bengal defense set a team record by going seven straight quarters without allowing a point and pushed Cincinnati to No. 4 in this week's Index.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on December 4

Week 12: Sloppy Pats Bury Bears

New England committed five turnovers, but survived against the Bears with a 17-13 win that moved the Patriots back to No. 1 in this week's Index.  The New England defense, which came into the game ranked just behind Chicago in points allowed, forced four turnovers including three Rex Grossman interceptions as the Bears dropped to No. 2.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on November 27

Week 11: Cowboys Hand Colts First Loss

Tony Romo got his first start for the Cowboys at Texas Stadium and it was a memorable one as he led Dallas to a 21-14 win over Indianapolis that ended the Colts perfect season.  Romo went 10-of-11 in the second half and led the Cowboys to two fourth-quarter TDs to secure the win.  The loss drops the Colts to No. 6 in this week's Index, while the Cowboys move up to No. 5.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on November 20

Week 10: Chargers Storm Back To No. 2

San Diego overcame a 21-point halftime deficit with a 42-point second half to pull out a 49-41 win over Cincinnati.  LaDanian Tomlinson tied a career-high with four TDs and Philip Rivers threw for three TDs as the Chargers matched their biggest comeback in franchise history.  The victory moves San Diego up to No. 2 in this week's Index.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on November 13

Week 9: Dolphins Sink Bears...Again

Just as they did in 1985, the Dolphins ended the Bears' dream of a perfect season and kept the 1972 Miami team as the only one to accomplish the feat.  Ronnie Brown rushed for a career-high 157 yards and the Miami defense forced four fumbles and three Rex Grossman INTs to complete the 31-13 win.  The loss dropped the Bears to No. 5 in this week's Index.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on November 6

Week 8: Familiar Face Back At No. 1

The New England Patriots may have relinquished their seat as the top team in the NFL last season, but they haven't gone away.  In front of a Monday night national audience, the Patriots put on a show reminiscent of the Super Bowl teams as they beat up Minnesota in the Metrodome (31-7).  New England's defense had four sacks and four INTs, while Tom Brady was in vintage form with 372 yards passing and four TDs to four different receivers.  The win pushed the Pats to No. 1 in this week's Index just ahead of Chicago, which easily defeated No. 32 San Francisco (41-10).  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on October 30

Week 7: New York Takes Giant Step

The Giants culminated back-to-back road wins with a 36-22 win over Dallas on Monday night that saw New York's defense force the Cowboys into six sacks, four INTs and the benching of QB Drew Bledsoe.  The victory also boosted the Giants to No. 2 in this week's Index just behind idle Chicago.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on October 23

Week 6: Bears Survive Desert Storm

Chicago hardly looked like the team that many have predicted will go undefeated this season as the Bears needed two defensive TDs and a missed FG by Arizona before beating the Cardinals (24-23) on Monday night.  The win kept Chicago's perfect season alive but knocked the Bears from No. 1 in the Index as San Diego regained the top spot with a 48-19 win over San Francisco. The Giants move up to No. 3 after a comeback win in Atlanta (27-14).  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.

* Through Games Played on October 16

Week 5: Philly Enjoying T.O. Freedom

In a game that had been circled on the schedule since pre-season, the return of Terrell Owens to Philadelphia proved to be a happier affair for the Eagles as they defeated Dallas (38-24).  The win capped a solid 4-1 start for Philadelphia, which is trying to bounce back from a disastrous 2005 that was marked more by Owens' problems off the field.  Able to focus more on football now, the Eagles have moved up to No. 3 in the Dunkel Index behind only Chicago and San Diego.  Here are the complete NFL rankings* for this week.