Down the stretch they come!

Twelve games down in the regular season. Four to go. It's been an unusual year in the NFL and a look at any top 10 list throughout the season is proof of that. Good teams have had surprising roller-coaster rides. The Giants were at the top of the list early, then they disappeared, and now they are climbing back. The defending champ Steelers stumbled early but then rose up the top 10 list, only to completely disintegrate. And the Pats, riding near the top for most of the year, are drifting downwards. Three teams -- the Colts, Saints, and Vikes -- are the only ones to have stayed off the ride. They will be the ones rewarded the prize of a playoff bye.

1. Indianapolis Colts (12-0): I have had the Colts on top since the season started and even though the Saints are the favorite of many I'll stick with the team led by big brother Manning. They lost Bob Saunders and yet keep winning. Unlike the Pats, the Colts are making the key plays to win close games. They have one weakness -- a poor run defense -- but that is hardly a fatal flaw.

2. New Orleans Saints (12-0): If I was making the ranking right after the Saints whuppin' of the Pats two weeks ago I might have them on top. But they were really lucky to beat the Redskins last week. The Redskins. The 33-30 over a two-win team isn't as convincing as the Monday night party over the Pats. They still have the best offense in the league and since they will be playing all their games in the Dome it really would be a surprise if they aren't in the Super Bowl.

3. Minnesota Vikings (10-2): Brett Favre threw two picks and the Vikings got spanked by the resurgent Cardinals last week. No one would like to say "The Favre late-season fade has begun!" more than me. But I'm not going there. The Vikes are too good a team and they aren't going to need -- or let if they are smart -- Favre throw the ball 45 times again this season. It was one of those games where the team fell behind and had to throw to catch up. They are still 10-2 and the only team in the NFC capable of going into New Orleans and pulling off the upset. As long as Favre doesn't throw the ball 45 times.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-3): Most lists would put the Chargers right here. But I'm never a big Charger believer. Norv Turner and all. The Bengals have been playing consistent -- if not pretty -- football all season. They aren't the hot team, they are the surprise team. And they are still surprising. 6-0 in their division this year. Solid road wins. Their offense is still trying to find its stride, but it's been the defense that has lead the way, having allowed a league best 15 points a game. When is the last time Cincy was going into the playoffs with the league's best D? I believe that would be never.

5. San Diego Chargers (9-3): I'll keep this short. I know they have won seven games in a row. I know Phillip Rivers is putting up points like he's Dan Fouts. I know they have roared past the Broncos to take over the AFC West. I know LaDainian Tomlinson is starting to look like the LT of old. I know all that. I don't care. They are still losing in the first round of the playoffs.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-4): I'll give the Pack the first spot among the five 8-4 teams. They get the nod because of their defense. They rank first in the league in yards-allowed per game. They are tied for second in the league in interceptions. They have a great combination of experience (Charles Woodson, Al Harris) and young talent (A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews) that is not matched by too many other teams. And Aaron Rodgers is having a breakout year with 25 touchdowns and only seven picks.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4): If there was an award for most resilient team of the decade the Eagles would walk away with it. How many times has Donovan McNabb been put out to pasture by the fans and the media in friendly Philly? Lots. And yet he and the Eagles are almost always fighting for the playoffs come December. The fact that they are doing it again without Brian Westbrook, instead turning into a deep passing team thanks mostly to DeSean Jackson, is proof just how good a coach Andy Reid is.

8. New England Patriots (7-5): Hey, I'm a Pats fan. There's no way I'm putting the Cowboys or the Broncos ahead of the Patriots. Even though they've lost three of their last four, the Pats have looked very good at times during those games. They dominated the Colts for most of the game, went toe-to-toe with the Saints for a half, and lead Miami throughout. They lost all three games. They are just a few plays away from being a lot higher in the rankings.

9. Dallas Cowboys (8-4): The 'Boys defense is finally playing like it has the past several years, allowing just more than 15 points a game. But, like the Patriots, they haven't put up too many wins against the better teams. The last month has included wins against Oakland and Washington but losses to the Packers and the Giants. December is here and Tony Romo and Dallas haven't had much success from this point on. I don't expect that to change.

10. Denver Broncos (8-4): They jumped out to a 6-0 start and were the talk of the league. Then they had their bye week and came back looking more like the Browns and proceeded to lose four in a row. You find out more about your team when it is going 0-4 than when it is going 6-0 and the Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels have bounced back with two wins to right the ship. If the playoffs were today the Broncos would be coming to Gillette for a rematch.

Dishonorable mention: The Pittsburgh Steelers. Losses to the Chiefs? Raiders? And Browns? These are the defending champs? Not for much longer. Big Ben has been knocked down so many times he should buy one of those Life Alert devices. Their loss -- at home -- to the Raiders knocked me out of a survivor pool. Just one more reason to hate the Steelers. They've been knocked down and they can't get up.