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The Fine Fifteen

Terrell Owens arrives in Jacksonville as the center of the media storm. AP

1. New England (16-2). Bill Belichick was a matador last night, the way he avoided questions in Jacksonville about things like dynasties and the breakup of his coaching staff.

2. Philadelphia (15-3). Just to make this official, Terrell Owens won't risk the rest of his career by playing Sunday. Broken bones heal, people. Even bones that break twice.

3. Pittsburgh (16-2). Lay off Bill Cowher. Please. It's absurd to rip the guy for coaching calls that aren't even slam-dunk wrong, particularly after the truly great job he did this year.

4. Atlanta (12-6). I like how Jim Mora reacted to the NFC Championship loss. Angry. Unaccepting. For a kid coach, he always seems to set the right tone with his team.

5. Indianapolis (13-5). Word is Peyton Manning's not really eager to show his face in Jacksonville this week, but he will.

6. New York Jets (11-7). Herman Edwards mellows out in California. Decompress, Herm.

7. San Diego (12-5). Under the radar just flew a very interesting contract: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's three-year, $1.875 million deal to remain Marty Schottenheimer's play-caller.

8. St. Louis (9-9). I am tired of the Turley-Martz story.

9. Green Bay (10-7). I plan to start a pool in Jacksonville today: the number of months Jim Bates holds the defensive coordinator job with the Pack. I say 23.

10. Minnesota (9-9). Buy some woolens, Donovin Darius. I have a good feeling about you making a lot of money in the great north woods, and soon.

11. Denver (10-7). I'm hoping Jake Plummer shaves soon.

12. Baltimore (9-7). I hear Jim Fassel got a million a year to run the offense.

13. New Orleans (8-8). Jim Haslett didn't fight Mike McCarthy's departure to the 49ers, folks.

14. Carolina (7-9). I might think of placing a friendly phone call to Dan Henning about what worked in the passing game 12 months ago if I were Andy Reid.

15. Buffalo (9-7). Go with Losman.

Quote of the Week

"You're always going to find one jerk out of the bunch, like Vanderjerk.''

--Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, on the comments from Eagle receiver Freddie Mitchell that he didn't know the names of the Pats' cornerbacks, only their number, and that he would "have something'' for the hard-hitting Harrison during Super Bowl XXXIX.

STAT OF THE WEEK

New England and Philadelphia both allowed 260 points this year.

AGGRAVATING/ENJOYABLE TRAVEL NOTE OF THE WEEK

There is an epidemic of tiny, no-leg-room planes in use east of the Mississippi, and not only in and out of the Tallahassees of the world. Used to be you'd fly almost anywhere on 737s or other big airboats, but this year I've flown regional things as far as Minneapolis and, today, 831 miles to Jacksonville. I'm guessing 40 of my 75ish segments on airplanes this season have been flown on the sardine cans. I guess it's still better than driving.