POWER RANKINGS
Team Ken Murray's comment
1. Green Bay (1) Rumbling toward home-field advantage.
2. San Francisco (5) Run defense will be critical vs. Chargers.
3. New Orleans (4) Deuce McAllister, Joe Horn are major weapons.
4. Denver (2) Missed chance to take control of AFC West.
5. Pittsburgh (6) This isn't like any other Bill Cowher team.
6. New England (10) Offense totaled 819 yards past two weeks.
7. Tampa Bay (8) Another cupcake in a soft schedule.
8. St. Louis (12) What's Marc Bulger worth now?
9. Philadelphia (3) Donovan McNabb passing game has deflated.
10. San Diego (7) Drew Brees' inexperience is showing.
11. Oakland (14) Rod Woodson turned it around, literally.
12. Atlanta (11) Falcons trampled by Steelers for 645 yards.
13. Indianapolis (21) Eagles never sacked Peyton Manning.
14. Kansas City (13) Drew Bledsoe will come to pass and pass again.
15. Miami (9) Ray Lucas is generating one touchdown per game.
16. N.Y. Giants (16) Kicking woes have resurfaced.
17. Buffalo (15) Has three of next four on the road.
18. Ravens (19) It's Jeff Blake's team now.
19. Tennessee (20) Titans returning to their physical side. 20. N.Y. Jets (23) Defense coming off its two best games.
21. Cleveland (22) William Green will get his carries.
22. Jacksonville (27) Won't take Texans lightly this time.
23. Carolina (24) Can't hold up at the end of games.
24. Washington (17) Steve Spurrier is beating himself.
25. Chicago (25) Bears are finding ways to lose now.
26. Seattle (32) Matt Hasselbeck looking better this time.
27. Arizona (18) The bubble has burst.
28. Dallas (28) This is Chad Hutchinson's on-the-job training.
29. Detroit (26) Couldn't handle Packers' offense.
30. Cincinnati (30) What coach would take this job?
31. Minnesota (29) Daunte Culpepper is killing the Vikings.
32. Houston (31) Texans thought offensive line would be a strength.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steelers WR Hines Ward: Tennessee's secondary probably will be preoccupied with Plaxico Burress, which should free up Ward for some big plays.
Bills RB Travis Henry: If the Chiefs drop eight into coverage against Drew Bledsoe, Henry (right) could wind up with some big lanes to run through.
Cardinals QB Jake Plummer: He's 6-3 lifetime against the Eagles, and five wins have come with fourth-quarterback comebacks. Plummer beat the Eagles in Philadelphia last year.
THE HONORS
Game of the week: Patriots at Raiders. The Raiders have been waiting for this for 10 months, but even if they win, they're still not going to the Super Bowl.
Dog of the week: Panthers at Bucs. Defense will dictate, just as it did Oct. 27, when the Bucs won in Carolina, 12-9. The Bucs should win more easily this time.
Upset of the week: Saints over Falcons. Atlanta's defense has hit the skids; the Saints' Aaron Brooks should have his way.