FTRsports Week 14 Power Rankings

Lineup changes had some impact on our predictions this week especially in Arizona when Kurt Warner returned to the lineup to bring down the red hot Minnesota Vikings while Matt Leinart returned to his rightful spot on the bench. Instead of Larry Johnson rushing for 100+ yards against the Lions, Cedric Benson returned looking back to full strength rushing for 110 yards instead. The Raiders have found the answer to their problem named Jamarcus Russell, by starting Gradkowski for the 3rd straight game, and having him win his second huge game in 3 weeks. Let's check the new rankings.

1. New Orleans Saints- They may have needed another late game score to win against Washington, but they still won. Drew Brees may have the worst haircut in football, but he's still unbeaten. Look for the Saints to rebound this week with a date against the Falcons who are dragging into the game losing 3 of their last 4.

2. Indianapolis Colts- Peyton Manning snapped the Titans win streak as we figured they would this week, and look for them to put Denver back on the loser board this Sunday and win out to go undefeated on the season. With Jacksonville, Buffalo, and the Jets on the menu, Peyton Manning's giant forehead may get even bigger as the Colts surge into the playoffs.

3. Minnesota Vikings- Packers fans were elated as Favre and the Vikings win streak came to an end this week in Arizona as the Cardinals shut down Peterson, and contained Favre. The Vikings meet the Bengals this week in what looks to be a legitimate match up of playoff powers. Even we're not arrogant enough to pick a winner for this game, but many think Favre may be hitting the wall late in the season with errant throws and his mobility becoming an issue as made evident by the 3 sacks Arizona managed this week.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Beating the Lions is like managing a dry hump at prom, but the Bengals will get to showcase their potential on the biggest of stages on Sunday against the Vikings. Whichever team can stop the other's rushing attack will win the game.

5. San Diego Chargers- Considering the Chargers have won 7 straight games, I figured it was finally time to rank them ahead of the Patriots who evidently hate winning football games in cities not named Foxboro. LT still hasn't managed 100 yards in any games this season, but when Cleveland lets your QB throw for 373 yards in a game, you may as well just throw the ball all day. The Chargers cake-walk stretch of games is over now though, and Dallas only loses games to teams with decent rush defenses. San Diego's rush defense is more like Cleveland's offense than the Giants defense, so don't plan on any champagne bottle smashing parties in PB next Sunday night.

6. Arizona Cardinals- By beating the Vikings, the Cardinals have solidified themselves as a playoff threat. They also proved that without Matt Leinart on the field, they're a pretty good football team.

7. Green Bay Packers- At 8-4, including 4 straight wins, the Packers are a surging force in the NFC as they proved Monday night by dismantling the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers has settled in as one of the premier passers in the NFL this season, and is hoping for one more chance against division leading Minnesota in the playoffs. Green Bay should win at least 3 of their final four games to clinch a Wild Card spot.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide- By beating #1 ranked Florida in the SEC Title game, the Tide are the toast of the town in Haterville, USA, population everyone who hates the Tim Tebow love affair. Mark Ingram should now be the runaway favorite for the Heisman, and Texas better hope they can fix whatever is wrong with their squad by January, or they'll be completely humiliated in Pasadena.

For The Record: My beloved Patriots have betrayed me more than enough to drop them off of our rankings this week, and I promise not to pump them up anymore this season until they actually win a big game. Their defense is atrocious, and the coaching has become arrogant and presumptive. Oakland's Tom Cable may hit the people he loves, but at least he's winning big games even with crappy players.