NFL Power Rankings
San Diego Chargers
Shawne Merriman returned from suspension and played like he had bottled up four weeks worth of energy -- recording two sacks and forcing two fumbles.
Key Injuries: WR Keenan McCardell (calf), SS Marlon McCree (calf), DT Luis Castillo (ankle).
Indianapolis Colts
Surrendering 219 yards rushing allowed the Titans to storm back from a 14-point deficit, which has to be of concern for the Colts when they'll meet even better teams in the postseason.
Key Injuries: TE Dallas Clark (knee).
New England Patriots
Almost statistically identical with the lousy Lions, the Pats could be facing problems at linebacker if Mike Vrabel's game-ending interception results in any time missed.
Key Injuries: SS Rodney Harrison (shoulder), ILB Junior Seau (arm), LB Mike Vrabel (leg).
Chicago Bears
It's never a good sign when a quarterback has a 10-2 record and is stuck in the midst of a QB controversy (even if coach Lovie Smith won't acknowledge it), but after Grossman's 6-for-19, 34 yard, 3 interception performance against the Vikings, that's where the Bears sit.
Key Injuries: DT Tommie Harris (hamstring).
Baltimore Ravens
Eventually outgained the Bengals, but the yardage was harder to come by early in the game when the Ravens still had a chance. After a blowout win the week before, it was a rather quick fall to earth.
Key Injuries: None.
Seattle Seahawks
K Josh Brown continued to be money in the bank with the game on the line, nailing his fourth game-winning kick of the season, and that's nice to have in your hip pocket heading into what should be close playoff games.
Key Injuries: RT Sean Locklear (ankle), C Robbie Tobeck (hip).
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chief's momentum was halted rather dramatically by Cleveland's backup quarterback, and that's more that a little disconcerting for a defensive unit that seemed to be getting on track.
Key Injuries: None.
Dallas Cowboys
Martin Gramatica finished off the Giants, but the real impact player for the Cowboys was RB Marion Barber, who is blurring the depth chart line between himself and starter Julius Jones.
Key Injuries: None.
Jacksonville Jaguars
College QB Matt Jones, who was battling to keep his starting wide receiver job, came through with a monster game against the Dolphins, picking up a career-high 128 yards.
Key Injuries: SS Donovin Darius (leg), QB Byron Leftwich (ankle).
New Orleans Saints
The highlights were all over Reggie Bush's four touchdowns, which served as a nice complement to Deuce McAllister's 136 yards on the ground.
Key Injuries: WR Marques Colston (ankle), DT Hollis Thomas (suspension).
Cinncinati Bengals
Suddenly the Bengals defense has turned the corner, allowing a paltry 23 points on their current three-game winning streak.
Key Injuries: LT Levi Jones (knee), C Rich Braham (knee), RG Bobbie Williams (appendectomy), CB Deltha O'Neal (shoulder).
Denver Broncos
Jay Cutler endured a tough debut, made better by Brandon Marshall's 71-yard tying touchdown on an eight-yard pattern, so he'll have to learn quickly or the playoffs will fade out of sight quickly.
Key Injuries: FS Nick Ferguson (knee).
New York Jets
A dominating performance at Lambeau Field is always a good thing, even against this version of the Packers. In the process, Cedric Houston may have taken the lead in the running game, rushing for 105 yards and a pair of scores.
Key Injuries: None.
New York Giants
The end result was a loss to Dallas, but there were positives like getting a couple players out of the infirmary and gaining 396 yards on offense.
Key Injuries: DE Michael Strahan (foot), LT Luke Petitgout (fibula).
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeff Garcia silenced the home-crowd boos by throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns and he's given the Eagles a shot in the arm, providing hope that the playoffs are still possible.
Key Injuries: QB Donovan McNabb (knee).
Carolina Panthers
While Jake Delhomme has been part of the problem with the inconsistent Panthers, it's less than ideal for Carolina if they have to put the ball in Chris Weinke's hands.
Key Injuries: CB Ken Lucas (thigh), RB DeShaun Foster (elbow).
Atlanta Falcons
The passing attack remains a non-entity, but the Falcons have their moments when that ground game gets revved up like it did against Washington, when they racked up 256 yards on the ground.
Key Injuries: CB Jason Webster (groin), CB Jimmy Williams (ankle).
Pittsburg Steelers
Put the pressure on Tampa Bay's rookie QB and, five sacks and four turnovers later, it was easy pickings even without Ward and Polamalu. Can they still finish strong with three divisional opponents up in the final four weeks?
Key Injuries: WR Hines Ward (knee), SS Troy Polamalu (knee).
Minnesota Vikings
You have to be awfully creative to lose a game when surrendering just 107 total yards, especially when running the ball for 192 yards, but the Vikings found a way thanks to Brad Johnson's four interceptions and another return for touchdown against.
Key Injuries: RG Artis Hicks (ankle), RT Marcus Johnson (ankle).
St. Louis Rams
It's hard to blame QB Marc Bulger for questioning the Rams' commitment. Losing by two touchdowns, at home, to Arizona brings out that kind of helpless feeling.
Key Injuries: LT Orlando Pace (triceps).
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins won't be running the table to finish the year, and that comes as a result of the running game -- without Ronnie Brown -- only mustering 68 yards against Jacksonville.
Key Injuries: LG Jeno James (knee), RB Ronnie Brown (hand).
Buffalo Bills
Losing by just three to San Diego is a credit to the Bills, though Willis McGahee's 26 yards on 16 carries revealed just how much help they need on the offensive line.
Key Injuries: None.
San Francisco 49ers
Couldn't generate enough offensively against New Orleans and, with three Alex Smith interceptions setting up the Saints, the Niners were left grasping for air every time Reggie Bush got into the open field.
Key Injuries: CB Shawntae Spencer (ankle).
Tennessee Titans
There is a certain smoke-and-mirrors feel to the Titans these days as they somehow held the Colts to only 17 points despite allowing a whopping 451 yards, but the way Vince Young rallies the troops, there could be more of those comebacks on the horizon.
Key Injuries: DE Antwan Odom (knee), DE Travis LaBoy (concussion).
Washington Redskins
Ladell Betts is proving that he could be a starter, running for 259 yards in two games since Clinton Portis' season ended.
Key Injuries: None.
Green bay Packers
Being down 31-0 at the half to a just decent Jets team makes it abundantly clear how far away the Packers are from being competitive.
Key Injuries: RT Mark Tauscher (groin).
Cleveland Browns
Derek Anderson, who showed great athletic ability at Oregon State, came in for and injured Charlie Frye and showed some real guts in his first extended NFL action. It still could make for a tough test too soon if he is forced to go against Pittsburgh Thursday.
Key Injuries: CB Leigh Bodden (ankle), QB Charlie Frye (wrist).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The swoon of Michael Clayton continues. After suffering through a sophomore slump last year, his third season ended with a knee injury, making it a second straight disappointing year after such promise was shown in his rookie campaign.
Key Injuries: TE Alex Smith (ankle), DE Simeon Rice (shouler), DT Ellis Wyms (ankle), WR Michael Clayton (knee).
Houston Texans
With minus-5 net passing yards against the Raiders, the Texans pulled a magic act to beat the Raiders. Since the Raiders beat the Steelers earlier in the year with 98 total yards of offense, they're just about even on the "shoulda won" front.
Key Injuries: CB Lewis Sanders (hand).
Arizona Cardinals
Matt Leinart played the role of game manager while Edgerrin James finally got the running game going, picking up 115 yards against St. Louis. Maybe it's the start of something for the future...maybe not. We'll see.
Key Injuries: None.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders D is pulling its weight, and Warren Sapp might actually be on the underrated list right now after years of being atop the overrateds.
Key Injuries: RB LaMont Jordan (knee), LT Robert Gallery (elbow), RG Barry Sims (abdomen).
Detroit Lions
Took the ball from the Patriots three times, but handed it over five times, to ensure another defeat.
Key Injuries: DT Shaun Rogers (knee), DT Shaun Cody (toe).
Note: Power Rankings are produced using a formula that takes into account a compilation of invidual player grades. Grades take into account statistical production, big games and level of competition. The grades also take into account which players are in the lineup to replace those who are out due to injury and are intended to reflect which team would win a game on a neutral field.
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