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Pete Prisco

Power Rankings: Served hot, Manning's Colts tasty side dish

By | CBSSports.com Senior Writer

Updated Nov. 25

It's that time of the year: Turkey-day weekend, a time for filling up the belly, sitting at the table listening to your uncle tell the same stories over and over, and the time of the NFL season when somebody is readying to get hot in time for a playoff run.

Power Rankings: Served hot, Manning's Colts tasty side dish - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy Advice

Who knew that team last season was the New York Giants? Not many.

So somewhere in our CBSSports.com Power Rankings rests a team ready to make a run, waiting to get hot at the right time and carry it into postseason with a chance to do what the Giants did last season, the Colts did in 2006 and the Steelers did three seasons ago.

Who might that team be? How about Indianapolis?

At 7-4, the Colts have virtually no chance to catch the Titans in the AFC South. But they also seem like a lock to make the playoffs.

The schedule says so.

After getting a 51-yard, game-winning field goal from Adam Vinatieri to beat the Chargers on Sunday night, the Colts now embark on a cushy part of the schedule, a chance to get hot as the weather turns cold.

The only game they have left against a team with a winning record is the final week when they play the Titans. By then, the Titans might have clinched the No. 1-seed in the AFC and might not need it, which could lead to resting starters.

The other Colts games are at Cleveland (4-7), home against Cincinnati (1-9-1) and Detroit (0-11), at Jacksonville (4-7) and then home against the Titans (10-1).

They also seem to be getting it together at the right time, especially on offense. After a slow start playing behind a banged-up offensive line, Peyton Manning has heated up.

The defense is also playing better. When they get safety Bob Sanders back healthy, it will be even better.

With Manning, the Colts are capable of making a Wild Card run come playoff time that could put them in the Super Bowl. His brother did it last season for the Giants. So is it his turn?

I think the Colts are ready to roll. Of course that could be because I picked them to go to the Super Bowl.

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Giants1Giants · Trends8
With a young team, an elite quarterback and a coach who knows how to make these playoff runs, they will be a Super factor again.
Packers2Packers · Trends1
They have to do a better job on the defensive side of the ball in 2012. There was a major regress by a lot of defensive players in 2011.
Patriots3Patriots · Trends3
Bad drafting is starting to catch up with this team. It's time to fix that. And one has to ask: Has Tom Brady lost his postseason magic?
49ers449ers · Trends4
Alex Smith is a free agent, but don't expect him to go anywhere. But if the 49ers are going to stay a good team, they have to throw it better.
Ravens5Ravens · Trends5
This is a team getting up in years at some spots, which might mean the window is closing.
Saints6Saints · Trends2
Biggest offseason priority: Getting Drew Brees signed to a long-term deal. You can bet it will happen soon.
Steelers7Steelers · Trends6
They face a lot of uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball. What veterans won't be back? Who shouldn't be?
Texans8Texans · Trends10
If Matt Schaub comes back healthy, this could be the team to beat in the AFC next season. They have a tough decision on Mario Williams in free agency.
Falcons9Falcons · Trends7
They have two new coordinators, and that might be a good thing. Dirk Koetter will bring more down-the-field stuff to the offense.
Bengals10Bengals · Trends11
This is a young team on the rise. As the young players mature, especially Andy Dalton, they will be a Super contender.
Lions11Lions · Trends9
It's all about improving the defense and getting more out of the running game on offense. Cliff Avril is a priority free agent.
Cowboys12Cowboys · Trends13
We think they underachieve every year, but are they really as good as we think?
Broncos13Broncos · Trends12
The entire offseason will be devoted to making Tim Tebow a better passer. Good luck with that.
Eagles14Eagles · Trends14
The Eagles' big splash last year didn't pay any dividends. Now they have to regroup and try and get back to playoff football. If not, Andy Reid could be gone after the 2012 season.
Titans15Titans · Trends15
Jake Locker needs to be the starter in 2012. It's time to move forward.
Jets16Jets · Trends16
How do they fix that broken team? The locker room seems to be a mess. There is a lack of discipline.
Cardinals17Cardinals · Trends17
There is talk they will get into the Manning derby? If that's true, what's that say about Kevin Kolb?
Chargers18Chargers · Trends18
Was keeping Norv Turner the right move? Philip Rivers thinks so. But we know he has to win in 2012.
Raiders19Raiders · Trends19
Dennis Allen takes over the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise. Is Greg Knapp the right guy to lead that talented offense?
Seahawks20Seahawks · Trends20
Who will be the starting quarterback in 2012? Do they make a push for Matt Flynn?
Bears21Bears · Trends21
With Mike Martz out, and Mike Tice in, it appears they will move more to a running offense. Is that a good thing? Matt Forte is a top offseason priority.
Chiefs22Chiefs · Trends22
Romeo Crennel gets his second chance to be a head coach. Better sweep the office for bugs first.
Dolphins23Dolphins · Trends23
I like the hire of Joe Philbin, a bright offensive mind. Now they need to get him a quarterback. Peyton Manning?
Redskins24Redskins · Trends24
Here's another team that is expected to be in the Manning sweepstakes. They have to do something there.
Panthers25Panthers · Trends25
Cam Newton fixed the offense. Now it's time for the defense to be addressed this offseason.
Bills26Bills · Trends26
They are switching to a 4-3 front. That means they have to find some ends to help the pass rush.
Jaguars27Jaguars · Trends27
Mike Mularkey is the new coach, but the key will be how much of new owner Shad Kahn's money they are willing to spend in free agency.
Buccaneers28Buccaneers · Trends28
New coach Greg Schiano's first order of duty has to be to get Josh Freeman playing to his 2010 levels again.
Browns29Browns · Trends29
They have to decide if Colt McCoy is the long-term answer. He didn't look like it in 2011.
Vikings30Vikings · Trends30
They need to get better players around Christian Ponder. He needs weapons, especially with Adrian Peterson coming off a torn ACL.
Colts31Colts · Trends31
The Peyton Manning saga is getting old. The team needs to make a decision soon and move on. New coach Chuck Pagano has a lot of work to do.
Rams32Rams · Trends32
Jeff Fisher takes over a team with a lot of holes. They have to get Sam Bradford some weapons.
 
 
 
 
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