'07 rankings: Stumbling Steelers

TOP 12

Cole: The reality of the Top 12 is it’s the big No. 1 and three other teams that have distinguished themselves. … There are some upset Colts fans out there, thinking it’s unfair their team was dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 after the narrow loss to San Diego. Sorry, that’s the way it goes. You can’t suffer that many injuries and expect the team won’t fall a bit. Plus, Dallas and Green Bay are starting to distinguish themselves with consistent play. … Pittsburgh has the best chance to break into that top group, but after struggling at home against Cleveland and then losing to the Jets in overtime (allowing a game-tying drive at the end of the game by Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens to boot), you have to wonder if the Steelers know yet how to be great this season. … San Diego and Tennessee managed to stay in the top 12 … despite losing. That says a lot about the league as a whole.

Robinson: Lost in all the buzz about another prolific day on offense for the Patriots: Linebacker Adalius Thomas finally looked like an All Pro again with his 2 ½ sacks against the Buffalo Bills. … Indianapolis won't need Marvin Harrison back this week against Atlanta. But if he isn't in the lineup in two weeks against Jacksonville, the Colts could start losing their grip on the AFC's No. 2 seed. … For all the Cowboys' fans bellyaching about sitting at No. 4: if Dallas beats Green Bay in two weeks, they'll jump the Packers and Indianapolis. … The Steelers' penchant for giving away games is concerning. If they play against New England like they did against the Jets, they'll lose by 30. … Tampa's Joey Galloway is celebrating his 36th birthday this week, and looks as fast as he did at 26. … It's going to be a long time before Shawne Merriman lives down getting blown up by a 5-foot-7 running back.

MUDDLED MIDDLE

Cole: Mediocrity, thy name is Detroit. OK, that was a cheap shot and really unfair considering that the Lions are still a legit playoff contender in the NFL Junior Circuit (AKA the NFC). The fact that Lions fans can even discuss the playoffs this late in the season is pretty sweet for them. But after getting ripped for several weeks by those fans for not ranking them higher, it’s nice to see that the Lions are returning to form and justifying the fact that I refused to overrate them. … New Orleans can’t seem to figure out if it wants to be a contender or pretender. It’s time to make a decision.

Robinson: If the Lions are over .500 at the end of the season, they will be fortunate. … Shaun Alexander can take his time coming back from his various injuries. Maurice Morris fits far better now that Seattle is shifting into a pass-heavy scheme. … Who needs Travis Henry? The Broncos' running game has stabilized with Selvin Young and Andre Hall. … Anyone who saw Andre Johnson against New Orleans can see he's the game-changing element Houston has been missing. If they can stay healthy, the Texans have a lot to build on for next season. … The loss to St. Louis hurt, but the defeat against Houston likely iced New Orleans' shot at winning the NFC South.

BOTTOM OF THE PACK

Cole: How bad are things in Miami? The return of Ricky Williams could actually be part of a road to recovery for the Dolphins. Yeah, that defines desperation. That said, the Dolphins really need Williams to take his latest return to the league seriously. If Williams is good, that could give the Dolphins an answer if Ronnie Brown doesn’t quickly return from his knee injury next season and thus prevent the Dolphins from having to take Arkansas running back Darren McFadden in the NFL draft in April (yeah, McFadden is coming out this year). It could also give the Dolphins a chance to trade the No. 1 overall pick they'll likely land. Who might want the pick? Try New England, which will have San Francisco’s first-round pick.

Robinson: Chester Taylor's 202 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns against Oakland confirm it: Minnesota has the two best running backs in the NFC North. … The inexplicable coaching call of the week? The Bears watched Cedric Benson go off in the first quarter against Seattle, and then practically ignored him the rest of the game. … Welcome back, Julius Peppers. You just notched your first sack in the last month. Now explain to the Panthers why they should make you the highest paid defensive player in the NFL this offseason. … A last-minute candidate for defensive rookie of the year? It has to be Jets linebacker David Harris, who has 52 tackles and two sacks in his last three games. … Has there been a more disappointing pass rusher this season than Oakland's Derrick Burgess?