Power Rankings: Finally, it's no brag, just fact

Updated Feb. 6

It finally happened. I got one right.

The Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl, and they were my pick back in August to win the rings. Or course, I thought they'd be playing the Carolina Panthers. Hey, who knew Jake Delhomme would become Jake the Fake again?

Thanks to Dwight Freeney and the Colts, the No. 1 team after the Super Bowl is the same team that led the rankings in August. (AP)

When Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning hoisted the Lombardi Trophy Sunday night, it marked the first time since I came to CBS SportsLine.com that I actually picked the right team to win the Super Bowl before the season.

Not only that, but I won the Expert Picks, and dominated the postseason going 9-2 against the spread.

Big yippy, you say? Hey, after the e-mail abuse I've taken over the years from you guys -- it borders on actually being criminal at times -- I have a right to brag.

So while I'm on a hot streak, I figured it was time for a new set of Power Rankings. These rankings are based mainly on this past season, with an exception or two. For example, the New York Jets made the playoffs, but I don't think they will next season, which is why they are in the 15th spot instead of near the top with most of the other playoff teams.

As has been the case with the post-Super Bowl rankings, the winner opens in the top spot. So the Colts are looking down at the rest of the league. The Bears, the Super losers, are in the fifth spot. Why so low? The AFC is superior to the NFC. There are four teams -- Colts, Patriots, Chargers and Ravens -- who would have defeated the Bears in the Super Bowl.

Bears fans don't choke on your deep-dish pie when reading that. I really believe it. And it's not just because Rex Grossman threw popups Sunday night.

The AFC will be tough again in 2007, with several elite teams. Are there any in the NFC?

The offseason will help us decide that. Who will make the right moves? What will the new coaches do? All of that will help crystallize the teams as we head to the 2007 kickoff.

In the next six months, I will do a several more Power Rankings. After the free-agency period settles down, I do a batch and then another after the draft. That will be followed by a set before training camp and then one more before the start of the regular season, shortly before I make my 2007 Super Bowl pick.

I can tell you this: It won't be the Colts. Not that I don't think they're capable. It's just too damned hard to repeat.

They were good to me this year, making me look like I actually know what I'm doing, so it will be hard not to pick them again.

But I want to be right? I was this year, you know.

Have you heard?

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They make it interesting, but they still find a way. The amazing thing is that they are winning yet not healthy. That's what a good quarterback does for a team.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	Can anybody stop that offense? If they get to play their playoff games inside the Superdome, it's hard not imagining them in the Super Bowl.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	If the playoffs go through their dome, they will be tough to beat. They seem to be getting better -- if that's possible.
	4	Cowboys · Trends	5
	The offense woke up against the Raiders, which is a good sign moving forward. But it will be December the next time they play and we know how they fade in that month.
	5	Bengals · Trends	6
	It wasn't pretty against the Browns, but they went to 8-3. The one concern I have is they aren't passing it that well right now. That has to get better down the stretch.
	6	Chargers · Trends	7
	Momentum seems to be building for this team. As the defense improves, so will their Super chances. We know they can score.
	7	Patriots · Trends	4
	They got ambushed in New Orleans. That defense has not played well when facing good passing teams. Where's the pass rush?
	8	Eagles · Trends	9
	They struggled some against the Redskins and now must go on the road at Atlanta. That won't be easy.
	9	Broncos · Trends	12
	That was a season-saving victory against the Giants. But be careful this week against the Chiefs. They've owned the Broncos in December at Arrowhead.
	10	Packers · Trends	14
	They are starting to have a playoff look about them. The key will be how that offensive line holds up.
	11	Cardinals · Trends	8
	The division race tightened up with that loss to the Titans, and now they have a huge game with the Vikings. They have to be careful of San Francisco creeping back into it.
	12	Steelers · Trends	10
	The questioning of Ben Roethlisberger sitting out by teammates is not a good sign. They shouldn't do that. It could cause problems.
	13	Giants · Trends	11
	This is a team in big trouble. If Eli Manning can't play at close to 100 percent the rest of the way, they can forget the playoffs. Even with them, they could miss out.
	14	Falcons · Trends	15
	Matt Ryan won't play this week, which means Chris Redman will have their playoff hopes on his right arm against the Eagles. Can he play as well as he did last week, now that they know he's coming?
	15	Ravens · Trends	17
	They had a huge victory last week over the Steelers, but now have to go to Green Bay to face the Packers. That will be tough.
	16	Jaguars · Trends	13
	As long as they don't go to the West Coast again, they will be fine. They scored three points in two games there. Ouch.
	17	Titans · Trends	19
	Watch out. They're coming fast. If they can beat the Colts this week, the schedule the rest of the way is favorable.
	18	Dolphins · Trends	16
	Did they blow their playoff chances at Buffalo? If they did, that halfback pass on their opening drive of the game could be the reason why.
	19	Texans · Trends	18
	When they learn to beat the Colts, then we'll take their playoff chances seriously. If they lose at Jacksonville this week, it could be the end of the Gary Kubiak era.
	20	Jets · Trends	20
	They're still alive, but barely. They still don't look close to being the team that jumped to a 3-0 start.
	21	49ers · Trends	23
	Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars.
	22	Bills · Trends	24
	The team is playing better under Perry Fewell. But he probably has no chance to keep the job.
	23	Seahawks · Trends	25
	It's too bad they don't play the Rams every week. If they did, they might make the playoffs. Justin Forsett looks like the real deal.
	24	Panthers · Trends	21
	It's time to make a change at quarterback. Find out what Matt Moore can do. What do they have to lose?
	25	Bears · Trends	22
	Paging Bill Cowher. Paging Bill Cowher. Is there any doubt they will make a coaching change now?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	That San Diego game was a reminder of how far this team needs to go. They are a long way away from competing.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	They're still playing hard, but it doesn't matter. Jim Zorn is still gone after the season.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	At some point they have to get a quarterback. There is talent going to waste on this roster.
	29	Lions · Trends	29
	They have some offensive talent. Now they have to fix that defense. Teams do what they want. Green Bay wasn't even challenged.
	30	Rams · Trends	30
	Will they win again? It doesn't look good. Now comes the big decision: Which quarterback do they take in next spring's draft?
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	31
	Who will Raheem Morris fire this week? Is it another loss, another firing? It's time the blame goes to the man at the top.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	It has to be hard to watch this team, especially for Browns fans. The question now is whether Eric Mangini makes it for a second season.