What If Sports plummets our ranking to 17th (-9)

Fox Sports keeps us in 5th (nc):  While it didn't start out that way, Peyton Manning probably wrapped up the league's MVP award when he led Indy to its 6th fourth-quarter comeback win against Jacksonville last week. Getting to the Super Bowl will be tough, but Peyton's little brother pulled the trick just last season in winning three road games before reaching the big game.

ProFootball Weekly also keeps us 5th (nc):  Peyton Manning making his MVP march.  That's Right.  That's Right.

NFL.com ranks us 5th (+1):  Here's another MVP vote for Peyton Manning.  Anyone else noticing a trend?

ESPN ranks us 5th (nc): The Colts are waiting to see whether they're going to Denver or San Diego on wild-card weekend.

Peter King @ SI ranks us 6th (+2):  I agree with Adam Schefter: I'd be surprised to see Marvin Harrison back on the Colts in 2009. That would leave $6.4 million in dead money on the Colt cap, but not as hurtful as the $9 million salary for a player who you can't count on anymore.  I don't understand this comment...but I want to back-hand him anyway.  PETER KING = DUMBASS.

Associated Content ranks us 3rd (+2):  The Colts are the hottest team in football, and won their 8th straight game on Sunday, clinching them a wild card spot in the playoffs. Peyton Manning will pass 4,000 yards and continue his impressive season as the Colts look like a tough opponent in the AFC Playoffs.

Sporting News drops us to 5th (-1):  The Colts have made it eight straight victories, with their last loss coming to Tennessee, their Week 17 opponent. What they most need is time to heal, and it's not worth extending to nine with both teams locked into their seeds.  What?!  Don't they have any faith in Sorgi??

Yahoo Sports ranks us 5th (+1):  How excruciatingly exhibition-like will their game with the Titans be on Sunday – and aren’t you at least semi-interested in that impending Jim Sorgi-Vince Young duel?  Seriously.  

CHFF ranks us 3rd (+1):  Last week: The Colts came from behind to beat Jacksonville, 31-24, and clinch a playoff spot behind a great performance from Peyton Manning (29 of 34, 364 yards, 3 TDs, 0 picks, 140.7 passer rating).  Cold, Hard Football Facts: Manning completed his first 17 passes, and his completion percentage of 85.3 was officially the best of his career (official records require a minimum of 20 attempts).  Week 17 matchup: vs. Tennessee. Who wants to take bets on whether Jim Sorgi has a better game than Vince Young?

Pete Prisco keeps us in 5th (nc):  The way Peyton Manning is playing they will be a real threat come playoff time. He might be the MVP. The defense does have to play better.

Sportsnet keeps us in 2nd (nc):  There is no athlete better at making a funny commercial than Peyton Manning. To top it off, Manning is a reporter's dream to interview. For a guy who is so personable, it is amazing to see him transform into some kind of quarterbacking cyborg during a football game. Manning completed his first 17 passes and ended up a sizzling 29 of 34 for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the Colts win over the Jags. The Colts have now won eight straight games and have clinched their seventh straight trip to the playoffs. When he is on his game, Manning is practically unstoppable. I was howling when the NFL Network's Chris Collingsworth called out the Colts offence in their futile attempt to run the ball. Collingsworth is right, when a stud like Manning is at the top of his game, let the dude throw the ball until his arm falls off.  Umm, no.  Not. Acceptable.