Feb. 6, 2008

From the start of the season through the conference championship games, the Patriots stayed at No. 1 in the rankings — until the Giants spoiled their perfect season. Meanwhile, the amazing playoff run by the Super Bowlchampion Giants vaulted them from No. 9 when the playoffs started to the top spot at season’s end.

1. New York Giants
Eli Manning comes of age, as upstart Giants pull off arguably the biggest Super Bowl upset ever.

2. New England Patriots
Almost — but not quite — perfect. Can this Super Bowl loser defy recent history and come back strong? Stay tuned.

3. Green Bay Packers
No way Brett Favre retires with an interception as his last throw.

4. San Diego Chargers
Norv Turner isn’t as confused as he looks sometimes — what happened to the “Marty” chants?

5. Indianapolis Colts
Signing or putting franchise tag on Dallas Clark has to be top offseason priority.

6. Dallas Cowboys
I don’t blame T.O.; it’s perfectly normal to cry over a millionaire, Jessica Simpson-dating QB.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Maybe the most underrated and underappreciated team of 2007 — just ask the Patriots.

8. Seattle Seahawks
Lambeau Field: Where Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks’ dreams go to die.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger was dark-horse candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.

10. Tennessee Titans
Vince Young must recover from sophomore slump if team wants to sniff postseason again.

11. Cleveland Browns
After Joe Gibbs retired, Romeo Crennel became oldest head coach in the league.

12. Washington Redskins
So much for the head-coach job getting passed down to Gregg Williams.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jon Gruden’s contract extension means at least a few more years of sideline grimacing in Tampa.

14. Philadelphia Eagles
Let the Donovan McNabb bidding war — or at least rumors about it — begin.

15. Minnesota Vikings
Brad Childress ought to spend offseason in film room with Tarvaris Jackson.

16. Houston Texans
If they weren’t in such a great division, the Texans could be headed for the playoffs next season.

17. Arizona Cardinals
Solid start to the Whisenhunt era, though Larry Fitzgerald trade talk could overshadow it.

18. Buffalo Bills
Kevin Everett continues to inspire the Bills and anyone else who follows his story.

19. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans' whirlwind 2006, ’07 seasons set stage for next year's trip to London to play the Chargers.

20. Chicago Bears
Is Rex Grossman going to be Lovie Smith's quarterback in 2008?

21. Denver Broncos
Defense has to improve if the Broncos want back in the playoff conversation.

22. Carolina Panthers
Anemic offense is relying on Jake Delhomme's comeback from Tommy John surgery.

23. Cincinnati Bengals
Chad Johnson is talking trade, but Bengals apparently are not.

24. Detroit Lions
Detroit's collapse in the second half of the season was hard to watch.

25. Baltimore Ravens
Figuring out what to do at quarterback is the first task facing new head coach John Harbaugh.

26. San Francisco 49ers
Mad scientist Mike Martz has tough challenge ahead as he takes over offense.

27. New York Jets
“Mangenius” didn't live up to billing in second year at the helm.

28. Kansas City Chiefs
A healthy Larry Johnson and a rebuilt offensive line are vital for next season.

29. Oakland Raiders
Watching Lane Kiffin and Al Davis duke it out is more fun than watching the Raiders play.

30. St. Louis Rams
Injuries to Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson derailed high hopes for ’07.

31. Atlanta Falcons
Little-known Mike Smith gives the Falcons fresh start after tumultuous stretch.

32. Miami Dolphins
“Big Tuna” has a lot of big problems as he takes over personnel management for the lowly Fins.