Cohen's NFL Power Rankings

Happy Thanksgiving, America! Even though it is not great times in America this year, the day still offers an opportunity to get touch with old friends and family and begin to experience the good in life once again.

As for the NFL, we have finally hit the playoff rush. The race is heading toward the stretch, and it will be interesting to witness who finishes ahead of the rest in order to qualify for division titles and wild card berths.

1) New York Giants (10-1): With Tennessee's loss to the Jets Sunday, the Giants stand alone as the best team in football. I have said it all season; there are no weaknesses on this Giants squad. They have depth at every position, whether at running back, the defensive line, or wide receiver, the Giants can and do it all. It doesn't look like anyone can stop them in the NFC, but time will only tell. The Giants can clinch a playoff berth with a win against Washington yet will need to sweep this three game stretch in the division in order to clinch that.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): Sorry, Jet fans, your team is good, but I am still not convinced that the Steelers are a weaker team. Pittsburgh has had its troubles all season. Their offense does not score anymore, putting tremendous pressure on the defense to pick up the slack. So far they have been up to the task; can it continue with a four game stretch against the Patriots, Ravens, Titans, and Cowboys? We shall see.

3) N.Y. Jets (8-3): The Jets are rockin' and rollin' right now. Brett and the Jets destroyed the once invincible Tennessee Titans in Tennessee, exposing the Titans as sheep in wolf's clothing. The Jets have a very easy schedule ahead which could allow them to run the table and finish at 13-3. If that happens, the Jets will be a lock for the number two seed, and if Tennessee should slip up in their final two games against Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, then the Jets will have home-field throughout, based on tie-breakers. The key for the Jets is to remain focused and win out before any of this can happen.

4) Tenneessee Titans (10-1): A debilitating loss to the Jets exposed the Titans as frauds. We knew that they had a bunch of no-names at wide receiver and they sure did back that up with a million dropped passes on Sunday. Oh, and that great Titans defense? Yeah, they gave up 192 yards on the ground to the Jets. Nonetheless, best be wary future Titan opponents, losses like that allow a team to refocus and get back on track real fast.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3): The Bucs are an impressive and strange lot. They find themselves trailing the winless Lions 17-0 on Sunday, but come from behind to win 38-20. Big win for a team that plays better in Raymound James Stadium than on the road. Even with age, the Buccaneer defense is still one of the best, yielding only 176 yards a game through the air, and a total of 180 points this season. Quarterback Jeff Garcia has been solid, completing 69.8 percent of his passes this season. Even though they are not eating up the chunks of yards they did earlier in the year, Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham have combined for 1,129 yards this season.

6) Atlanta Falcons (7-4): The Falcons continue to amaze and dazzle. A blowout victory over the first place Panthers was quite impressive. Running back Michael Turner is making a case for the league MVP award after rushing for four touchdowns against the vaunted Panther defense. The Dirty Birds travel to San Diego, and if they come away with another big west coast victory, then this team is a serious playoff contender.

7) Indianapolis Colts (7-4): Peyton and Co. are alive and well. On Sunday, it was just another typical Colts victory. Peyton Manning leads a game winning drive in the final minute; Marvin Harrison has a huge catch on fourth and one, and Adam Vinatieri, kicks the game winning field goal. Same old, same old. The Colts are red hot and are the best story going right now after a sluggish 3-4 start.

8) New England Patriots (7-4): Not much to say other than Matt Cassel has been brilliant lately. The man has thrown for 815 yards and six touchdowns in the last two weeks. Any more questions that he can't drive Tom Brady's Chevy? Didn't think so. Talk about a walk year; Cassel is making an argument for a big time contract from somebody in 2009. Look for the Pats to win out and make it to the postseason party at 12-4.

9) Dallas Cowboys (7-4): The Cowboys are back in town. Tony Romo's 341 yard and three touchdown effort was exactly what Jerry Jones ordered. Even Terrell Owens can't complain after recording a 213 yard effort with one touchdown. By the way, he didn't need 20 catches to get to 200 yards! If the Boys keep it up, there is no reason why they should not make it to January.

10) Carolina Panthers (8-3): Are the Panthers beginning to fall apart? Seems that way after a bad loss to Atlanta on Sunday. The Panthers defense gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter alone to Atlanta, which is inexcusable. The schedule does not get any easier for the Panthers. They play in Green Bay this week, Tampa Bay and Denver at home, and conclude the season with a two game road trip to Giants Stadium and to New Orleans. Can you say 10-6 or 9-7?

Honorable Mentions:

11) Arizona Cardinals (7-4)

12) Washington Redskins (7-4)

13) Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

14) Minnesota Vikings (6-5)

15) Miami Dolphins (6-5)