The Fine Fifteen

1. Pittsburgh (14-5). Headed to Super Bowl XL. Let me tell you something: people will be talking for years about what a great feat these Steelers accomplished, beating, in order, the third, first and second seeds, all on the road, to get to the Big One.

2. Seattle (15-3). This was the first time I looked at the Seahawks and said: That's a Super Bowl winner. Matt Hasselbeck continues to impress.

3. Indianapolis (14-3). If I were a Colt, I'd be more upset that Mike Vanderjagt went on David Letterman and hee-heed and kicked a 46-yard field goal out of Dave's hold than I would be about Manning questioning the protection, or lack thereof, against Pittsburgh.

4. New England (11-7). Rest, Bill Belichick. Rest.

5. Denver (14-4). I had the good fortune of sitting in on the Broncos' team meeting on Saturday night. They needed Jake Plummer to play very well to win. Shanahan knew it. Kubiak knew it. Plummer knew it. There was a lot on his shoulders. And he turned the ball over three times. Not good.

6. Carolina (13-6). Ever see a more tired-looking team in a championship game?

7. Chicago (11-6). Tough luck, Ron Rivera. Get that job next year.

8. Washington (11-7). I'd strongly advise some deal-making with LaVar Arrington. He's a key cog to an issue-forcing defense.

9. Tampa Bay (11-6). I have never met Rod Marinelli.

10. Jacksonville (12-5). Washington has two coordinators who make more money than the Jags' head coach.

11. New York Giants (11-6). Just a hunch, but I bet the Giants would take Ben Roethlisberger, Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding instead of Eli Manning right now.

12. Cincinnati (11-6). Buy that Cincinnati house now, Jon Kitna.

13. Dallas (9-7). Speaking of real estate, could Chris Palmer be condo-shopping in Las Colinas sometime soon? I think so.

14. San Diego (9-7). Philip Rivers. Pete Best.

15. Minnesota (9-7). I heard Daunte Culpepper's agent wants a new contract for his guy, but that's got to be wrong. I mean, I must have heard that the night I did the 11 shots of Jack Daniel's. That's what's called agent suicide.