THE FINE FIFTEEN

This week's top 15 teams in the NFL:

1. Indianapolis (7-0). On his bye week, Peyton Manning went to Knoxville, where Tennessee retired his number on Saturday, then on to New Jersey for little brother Eli's Sunday showdown with Washington. He was chuckling wryly when he said this to me in midweek: "What would a bye week be like for me without two football games?"

2. Pittsburgh (4-2). And on the Sabbath, Jerome Bettis rested those valuable pins for the duel with the Ravens.

3. Denver (6-2). I just noticed the Denver-Dallas Thanksgiving Day game. Am I right in thinking this is going to be the best Thanksgiving Day game since the Triplets roamed Texas Stadium?

4. San Diego (4-4). I mean, how good is Antonio Gates?

5. New York Giants (5-2). I am reminded what was said by Wellington Mara at the annual NFL meeting following the death of beloved Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney. Mara said The Chief was probably looking down, chomping on a cigar, so happy with what the game has become. Ditto Giants 36, Washington 0 with Mara. Ditto.

6. New England (4-3). One thing I hate about how the networks do football was illustrated last night. Instead of immediately showing a replay of Tedy Bruschi's first play back -- the play we've been waiting for months to see and thought we might never see, and, remarkably, a play on which Bruschi made a tackle -- we saw the graphic of the Bills' starting defense. Pfffft. There goes the moment. The air went right out of the balloon. It's not just ESPN. I think every network would have done that. Doesn't anyone ever argue with the director and say: Hey, this is a big moment right here. Save the intros for the second series?

7. Seattle (5-2). On their bye Sunday, the Seahawks gave thanks for that Bledsoe gift a week ago.

8. Dallas (5-3). Marion Barber III's pretty darned good for a fourth-round draft pick.

9. Atlanta (5-2). On his bye week, Michael Vick attached a lot of electrodes to his hamstrings and calves and ankles and said: "Hang in there for three more months! Hang in there!"

10. Carolina (5-2). Steve Smith's averaging 114 receiving yards a game.

11. Philadelphia (4-3). I can just hear Angelo Cataldi on WIP: "Philadelphia!" he will howl. "It is officially time to be worried about this team!" And everyone from Jeff Lurie on down, whether they admit it or not, will agree.

12. Washington (4-3). You're kidding. Either those were impostors in the burgundy and white at Giants Stadium or the Giants are the '66 Packers.

13. Cincinnati (6-2). Sorry. Hanging on against the Pack didn't prove much to me.

14. Tampa Bay (5-2). Wow. That is one pathetic offense.

15. (tie) Kansas City (4-3). Not a bad run-defense game in San Diego.

15. (tie) Jacksonville (4-3). Next five games all are against losing teams.