Carrucci: Bills #10

[nick in* england]

(Dec. 21, 2004) -- Finally, there is a shakeup at the top of our weekly team rankings.

 

Thanks to their inexcusable loss to the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots have fallen from second to fourth place. The Philadelphia Eagles weren't all that impressive in Week 15, either, but they did manage to beat the Dallas Cowboys and move into the spot formerly occupied by the defending Super Bowl champs. Although the Eagles have secured home-field advantage through the playoffs, Terrell Owens' injury raises serious doubts about how far they will be able to advance.

 

Meanwhile, as Peyton Manning closes in on Dan Marino's single-season record for touchdown passes, the Indianapolis Colts show they are a worthy postseason contender -- worthy enough to move into the top three.

 

And the Buffalo Bills, playing better than a number of teams in the playoff hunt, make it onto the list at No. 10.

 

This is how the top 12 looks from here after Week 15:

 

1. Pittsburgh (13-1; unchanged): The Steelers gained a little extra breathing room in the battle for home-field advantage through the playoffs, but they face a difficult challenge vs. the Ravens.

 

2. Philadelphia (13-1; 3): No T.O. No Super Bowl?

 

 

Dwight Freeney leads an improved Colts defense.   

3. Indianapolis (11-3; 4): The Colts defense is showing significant improvement at the absolute right time.

 

4. New England (12-2; 2): Was that really the Patriots who did a fourth-quarter meltdown vs. the Dolphins?

 

5. San Diego (11-3; unchanged): The Chargers shouldn't count on pitching another shutout … or avoiding a place on the wrong side of the record Peyton Manning is about to break.

 

6. Atlanta (11-3; unchanged): Michael Vick is the best running back playing quarterback in the NFL.

 

7. New York Jets (10-4; unchanged): Chad Pennington played like a man with something to prove. And now he has to do it all over again.

 

8. Jacksonville (8-6; 12): Beating the Packers on the Frozen Tundra speaks volumes about the toughness that Jack Del Rio has instilled in this team.

 

9. Baltimore (8-6; unchanged): Until the Ravens start trusting Kyle Boller to make some plays downfield, their playoff hopes are a pipe dream.

 

10. Buffalo (8-6; unranked): As dominant as the Bills have performed, especially on defense and special teams, it would be a crime for them to miss the playoffs.

 

11. Minnesota (8-6; unchanged): Although the Vikings did get a lucky break in Detroit, they deserve some credit for rediscovering their long-lost offense.

 

12. Green Bay (8-6; 8): After squandering an opportunity at home, the Packers need to regroup in a hurry.