Cincinnati sneaks up as other top teams struggle

I'm not going to mention possible playoff scenarios because I don't like to use foreign words. Besides, tomorrow's column will deal, not with scenar ... uh, possibilities ... but with faits accompli. Things done. How it's gonna be, what's gonna happen, on the road to the postseason, which, as has been repeated many times, goes through Yonkers.

The rankings are getting serious now, since there are only a few more weeks to go, so if you see something that you don't think is correct, please send a carefully worded e-mail not to the old Doc, but specifically to Andrew ... got that, Andrew. Acting in your behalf, as a court solicitor, he will try to effect a future reconsideration.

NFL Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 Indianapolis Colts (13-0) Here's what I didn't like about the Colts last Sunday: The way they played patty-cake on defense and invited the Jaguars back into the game. Here's what I liked: A minute and 40 to go, Jags have just called their second timeout. Colts have third and seven on their own 23. A stop here, a timeout, a punt into the wind by Hunter Smith, a domer who's kicking outdoors, and Jacksonville's in business. They're gonna drive down and score against this lobotomized defense, get the deuce and win in OT. And end all questions about "should I or shouldn't I" play my regulars down the stretch? Peyton rolls left, feels pressure, scrambles, can't set his feet. How many times have you seen QB's in similar difficulties heave one out of bounds to avoid the off-balance pick? But the ball comes out of his hand on a line, into the hands of Dallas Clark, 12 yards downfield. Game's over. Streak continues. 2 2 Seattle Seahawks (11-2) I don't like to brag in print. I never do it (do, I, Linda? Answer me ... don't walk away). But do you remember who I said was my favorite player in the draft? I'll give you time to search out the past columns. OK, Lofa Tatupu, that's who. He's in line for Defensive Rookie of The Year. He's been invited to address the UN, to meet with the British Royal Family. He'll be the first Seahawk rookie to lead the team in tackles since, fill in the blank, ________ in 1977. You'll never guess. Answer is listed below. Ah hell, I'll end the suspense. It was Terry Beeson, linebacker and general man about town. 3 6 Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) It's not that their three-point win over Cleveland was so wonderful, it's just that there was a clearing in the forest ahead of them. Bears lost, Jags lost ... yeah, I know, Jacksonville had beaten them, but I can't lift the Jags two places after a loss, can I? Giants don't deserve the spot after the Eagles game. Enter Bengals (wasn't there a movie by that name?) 4 4 New York Giants (9-4) I hope you appreciate the fact that I'm treating you to some real inside stuff on my selection modus operandi. Defense gets them the ball against the Eagles, Eli gives it back three straight times, late in the game. The fact that it didn't prove fatal is the only thing keeping New York up here -- plus the idea they beat the ... 5 7 Denver Broncos (10-3) Fans at Invesco at Mile High thundered their approval after the inspirational victory over Baltimore. Owner Pat Bowlen said it reminded him of the old, raucous days at the original Mile High Stadium. Yo, Pat. You don't remember the '60s, and the old raucous days of Bears Stadium, when 18,000 fans would make so much noise they'd sound like 21,000? 6 11 Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) OK, I think this Jerome Bettis quote, after he ran for 101 in the mud and snow, is pretty funny even if I don't completely understand it. And I'm gonna bounce it off the Flaming Redhead to see if she agrees. In the locker room Hines Ward told Bettis he was a mudder. "Hey," Bettis said. "My mudder's a mudder, so that makes me a mudder." You what, Linda? You think that maybe your brother was right when he told you people from New York were too goofy to live with? 7 5 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) I just don't know. Do I really have them placed correctly? For three quarters they looked like the Katzenjammer Kids against Indy. Then they came storming back like men on a mission. I hope I'm correct now, because subsequent forays against the Niners, Texans and Titans won't prove much, unless, ssshhh, they happen to lose one. 8 3 Chicago Bears (9-4) What's with all the Rex Grossman talk? I mean his resume shows three TDs, four picks and a 71.1 rating. And that's for the last two years. Kyle Orton struggles at times, but geez, let's not go into a panic mode quite yet. How about if they lose to the Falcons at home, says Coach TJ, the diehard Bears fan. Yeah, OK, then it'll be time to panic. 9 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) Up they come, riding the Cadillac, chauffeured by the lad with the snow white hair. Chris Simms has faced quite a bit, in his 25 years, but not the snows of Foxboro, which await on Saturday. 10 8 Carolina Panthers (9-4) Do I have a right to feel that my preseason Super Bowl winner is toying with me? I pick 'em to beat the Bears, they lose. Pick them to lose to Atlanta, they win. Pick 'em to keep it going at home, against the Bucs, they lose. "Why'd you pick them to lose to Atlanta?" the Redhead asks. Because I'm Dumb Dumb, Hop O'My Thumb, that's why.