'07 rankings: Bookend partners

TOP 12

Cole: OK, Miami isn't very good, but what New England did to them was absolutely ridiculous in putting up 42 points in the first half. But enough about the latest exploits of the Patriots, who are playing like they're seriously ticked at the league. Can't imagine why. As ludicrous as this sounds, I'm getting the feeling that the Patriots could go undefeated if they really wanted to this season. Then again, they have to deal with Indianapolis on Nov. 4. … As for the rest of the top of the league, you would have gotten some seriously long odds on a parlay from me that Cleveland and Kansas City would have been in the top 10 of the league. Yeah, the Browns are a pretty big reach at No. 10, it's not like anybody else deserves to be there right now. Seattle needs to figure out if it's going to be good or not after a couple of ugly games preceding the victory over St. Louis. … In all, after the top three, this is about as fluid as it gets.

Robinson: This whole idea that the Patriots can't establish the run is a myth. Come playoff time, the triumvirate of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk will be just fine. And who needs to establish the run when there isn't a secondary in the league that can hold down your passing game? … One Colt who could really, really hurt New England's defense: Dallas Clark. … Seven games into the season, and Terrell Owens is quietly having one of his most superb seasons. Seriously. As welcome as his good behavior has been this season, it almost seems awkward. … With David Garrard limping, that decision to dump Byron Leftwich and his salary looks like a big mistake. And no, I'll never buy that the Jaguars cut Leftwich because his presence would have undermined Garrard. … The Texans and that struggling defense are on the verge of a serious beat down at the hands of the Chargers. … Raise your hand if you agree with Ray Lewis and the rest of the Baltimore fan base when it comes to Brian Billick's mundane offensive play-calling.

MUDDLED MIDDLE

Cole: San Diego is going to creep into the top 12 pretty soon because it has a favorable schedule coming up. … Carolina fans (yeah, the few of you who actually stay for home games) were a bit up in arms about their team being underrated, but it's hard to take any team seriously that has only one legitimate offensive player (wide receiver Steve Smith) and a pair of quarterbacks who are either really bad (David Carr) or really old (Vinny Testaverde). … New Orleans has made a quick rise back to the middle of the pack, but that victory over Atlanta didn't receive any style points. Well, maybe a couple for Reggie Bush on the go-ahead touchdown. Bush showed a lot of determination on a couple of critical plays.

Robinson: Just what the Broncos needed after their biggest win of the season – more drama from Brandon Marshall. Even after teammate Darrent Williams' death, his head still isn't screwed on straight. … At some point, Shaun Alexander has to break out of this funk. Then again, maybe he's showing the typical signs of decline for 30-year old running backs. … Priest Holmes steps back on the field and suddenly people are talking about a running back controversy in Kansas City? Anyone who would take an aging, beat-up Holmes over Larry Johnson needs their head examined. … It can't be a good sign for Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner that after Brian Griese's headset went out Chicago's offense got exponentially better with Griese calling the plays. … Not to insult Kenny Watson, but at full health, Rudi Johnson is hands down the No. 1 running back in Cincinnati.

BOTTOM OF THE PACK

Cole: It's hard to get a feel for whether Denver is a decent team or a team that happens to get something going once in awhile. The issue probably has to do with the fact that the Broncos are really well coached, but not particularly talented. In other words, they can make some things happen when all of Mike Shanahan's calls go right, but they can't sustain anything for an extended time. … As for the bottom of the league, being 0-7 is as miserable as it gets. Or as Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor said after Miami got hammered by New England, “I could be in Iraq.”

Robinson: They might be 2-4, but with the injuries they're dealing with, the Bills coaching staff is doing a hell of a job. And while we're on the subject of the Bills, someone can tell J.P. Losman to start packing his bags. … Considering the injuries suffered by the teams on its schedule, it's conceivable that New Orleans could win its next four games and go into the Nov. 25 tilt at Carolina at 6-4. … The more you watch the Eagles, the more you believe that Donovan McNabb won't be quarterbacking that franchise in 2008. … Ditto for Chad Pennington's tenure with the Jets. … Forget the Patriots – when do we start talking about the odds that Miami or St. Louis will go 0-16?