POWER RANKINGS
Team Ken Murray's comment
1. Green Bay (3) Packers appear invincible at Lambeau again.
2. Denver (2) In driver's seat in AFC West.
3. Philadelphia (1) Notched ugly win coming off short week.
4. New Orleans (5) Dale Carter bolsters lame defense.
5. San Francisco (7) Jeff Garcia was brilliant against Raiders.
6. Pittsburgh (8) Steelers could run away with weak division now.
7. San Diego (4) Can the Chargers regroup in St. Louis?
8. Tampa Bay (9) Keyshawn Johnson finally had his big day.
9. Miami (6) Ricky Williams needs to carry the Dolphins now.
10. New England (12) Grounded at last, Tom Brady got back on track.
11. Atlanta (13) Michael Vick's a magician.
12. St. Louis (17) It's Marshall Faulk's team again.
13. Kansas City (14) If only the Chiefs could play defense.
14. Oakland (11) Couldn't get 49ers' offense off the field.
15. Buffalo (10) Give that round to Bill Belichick.
16. N.Y. Giants (20) Jim Fassel's got a lot to lose.
17. Washington (19) No worries about 'Skins running it up this year.
18. Arizona (16) David Boston has been playing hurt.
19. Ravens (18) So close and yet so far.
20. Tennessee (28) Eddie George has new life in his old legs.
21. Indianapolis (15) Peyton Manning's shaky under this load.
22. Cleveland (21) One step forward, two steps back.
23. N.Y. Jets (31) OK, which Jets team is it?
24. Carolina (24) Quarterback will be a major offseason priority.
25. Chicago (25) Quarterback should have been Bears' top priority.
26. Detroit (27) Marty Mornhinweg has lost the posse for now.
27. Jacksonville (22) It's time for the inevitable Fred Taylor injury.
28. Dallas (23) This could take awhile.
29. Minnesota (30) No. 2 in offense, No. 30 in defense.
30. Cincinnati (32) One and done?
31. Houston (29) First shot at the old Oilers.
32. Seattle (26) The quarterback guru is firing blanks.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Panthers DE Julius Peppers: Carolina's precocious pass rusher (right) could force Saints QB Aaron Brooks into some hasty decisions.
Raiders LB Bill Romanowski: The former leader of the Broncos' defense will face his old teammates in prime time.
Eagles FS Brian Dawkins: He says the $50,000 fine for hitting Ike Hilliard has affected the way he plays. That's good news for Colts WR Marvin Harrison.
THE HONORS
Game of the week: Raiders at Broncos. Mike Shanahan has a chance to deliver a potential knockout blow on his favorite whipping boy, Al Davis.
Dog of the week: Colts at Eagles. Peyton Manning will have a tough time keeping the Colts in this game against the Eagles' blitzing defense.
Upset of the week: Chiefs over 49ers. Chiefs are coming off a bye and 49ers off an emotional overtime win in Oakland.