NFL Rankings - Week 17

1 - San Diego Chargers (last week 1)

2 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 3)

3 - New England Patriots (last week 5)

4 - Chicago Bears (last week 4)

5 - New Orleans Saints (last week 6)

6 - Philadelphia Eagles (last week 7)

7 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 2)

8 - Seattle Seahawks (last week 8)

9 - New York Jets (last week 9)

10 - Kansas City Chiefs (last week unranked)


Honorable mentions:
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants


Other sports notes:

* I hope we haven't seen the last of Brett Favre...

* I hope we haven't seen the last of Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh, though we probably have...

* The Ford family must be insane to retain Matt Millen, who has been a disaster as a GM, and has made the Lions the laughingstock of the NFL...

* The Colts won't make it very far in the playoffs with that dreadful defense, which is a real shame for Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Tony Dungy...

* Watch out for the Patriots, who could surprise everyone by making it back to the Super Bowl...

* After Dallas dumps T.O. in the offseason, other teams would be wise to steer clear of this talented but extremely destructive receiver...

* I think Bill Cowher will land in Carolina in 2008, but, given recent events in Miami, don't be surprised if the Dolphins strongly pursue him next January...

* I really hope the Pittsburgh Penguins figure out a way to survive in Pittsburgh, though my hunch is they'll soon be gone...

* Andy Reid, Jeff Garcia, and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles deserve great respect for what they've accomplished this season, given the injury to star Donovan McNabb.


Nick Saban & Alabama:

I don't like Coach Saban's dishonesty, and I think he's ruined any future he might have had in the NFL; he'll never be trusted with another top job.

But, Alabama is one of the few college jobs which is "on par" with an NFL job, in terms of prominence and prestige. Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and maybe a few other positions are NFL-level positions for head coaches, and Coach Saban is actually making a lateral move in many ways.

Much is being said about the fact that he also is a great recruiter and can motivate college-age players more effectively than professionals. I can't blame him for taking the money and security of Alabama. But I wish he'd been more upfront with his players, the media, and, especially, Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, who surely deserved better.