The Steelers have the league's best defense, and the Colts have scored at least 31 points in four of their last six games. Those are the top two teams right now, and it would be fascinating to see them hook up again in the AFC playoffs.
The Panthers and Giants will sort out who emerges at the team to beat in the NFC this weekend, while the Titans have a chance to show their two-game slide isn't a signal of a four-alarm fire that will consume their great start.
On to the rankings...
1. Pittsburgh (11-3): The defense gives them a chance to win every week. (Last week: 3)
2. Indianapolis (11-4): No team is hotter than Indy, but the slow start means they'll have to win on the road in the postseason. (Last week: 5)
3. Carolina (11-3): A win today and the Panthers can avoid a cold-weather playoff game, which is huge. (Last week: 4)
4. Tennessee (12-2): Bad time to hit a slump. (Last week : 1)
5. N.Y. Giants (11-3): Eli Manning only has one TD pass in his last two games. (Last week: 2)
6. Minnesota (9-5): Good defense and a strong running game win games this time of the year, and the Vikings have half of that. (Last week: NR)
7. Baltimore (9-5): The Ravens need to try to forget the call at the end of the Steelers' loss and regroup for a playoff push. (Last week: 6)
8. Miami (9-5): Chad Pennington has thrown for nearly 200 more yards than Brett Favre. (Last week: 10)
9. Dallas (9-5): Can an entire football team be bipolar? (Last week: NR)
10. Atlanta (9-5) If the Falcons make the playoffs, you could make a strong case for Michael Turner as MVP. (Last week: NR)
Dropped out: Denver (7), Arizona (8), Tampa Bay (9).
-- John Dudley