Power Rankings: Fast forward to Nov. 4, Patriots-Colts

Updated Oct. 23

JACKSONVILE, Fla. -- A short while after the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 29-7 on Monday night, the talk in the Colts' locker room wasn't about what they had just done but rather what they can do in two weeks.

Forget their dominant performance against the Jaguars and forget their game this week with the Carolina Panthers. All anybody cares about is this:

Bob Sanders makes all the difference for Indy's defense. (Getty Images)

Did you know the Super Bowl is in November this year? When those two teams meet in two weeks, the hype will be over the top. It's already almost there.

That's because we have a two-team league right now. If you lined the Colts and New England Patriots, the two remaining unbeaten teams, up against any of the other 30 teams on a neutral field, they both would be at least a touchdown favorite.

That's not to take anything away from the nice start by the Green Bay Packers or the five-game winning streak by the New York Giants or the revitalization of the San Diego Chargers, but our eyes don't deceive us. None of those teams right now is in the same league with the big two.

What's even more significant is how easily they're both going about their business. The Patriots are on pace to break the single-season scoring record, while Tom Brady has 27 touchdown passes and two interceptions.

The Colts have won all three division road games after losing all three last season, and have a hammerlock on the AFC South, which might be the best division in football. They are also winning with good defense, and you know the offense can crank it up when needed.

Can Nov. 4 get here soon enough?

When the season started, we thought the Colts and Patriots and San Diego Chargers were clearly the three best teams, which is why they were atop the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. Two, the Colts and Patriots, have lived up to it. Seven weeks in, we know they're the two best, while San Diego has struggled some.

The Colts are a better team than they were in 2006 when they won the Super Bowl. The Patriots are significantly better than they were when they lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game, blowing a 21-3 lead.

"We know what they're doing, but we can't worry about that," Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson said after Monday night's game. "Let's not forget that's just one game and we have one before that."

Do they have to play it? Do the Patriots have to play the Redskins?

Get on with the November Super Bowl. We can hardly wait. Our network, which airs the game, will have mega-ratings for that one.

Nothing else matters in the NFL right now but two words. Colts and Patriots.

Here are the Power Rankings through Week 7:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Saints · Trends	4
	What is hidden about the Saints is that there are a lot of good, young players on their roster. I can't imagine them taking a big step back.
	2	Colts · Trends	1
	Let's not forget they get Anthony Gonzalez back next year, which will make the offense better. They are the team to beat in the AFC again.
	3	Vikings · Trends	5
	After blowing a chance to win the NFC title game in regulation, it must have killed the Vikings to see the Saints win the Super Bowl. Now Minnesota has to play the waiting game with Brett Favre.
	4	Chargers · Trends	2
	They have a lot of contracts that come up, and they will have to make some tough decisions. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but they have to get over the hump at some point. Losing to the Jets was a big upset.
	5	Cowboys · Trends	3
	Wade Phillips comes back for another year, and he has to get this team past the first round of the playoffs again. Tony Romo is in the same situation.
	6	Eagles · Trends	6
	Can we stop the Donovan McNabb trade talk? He will be back, and he should be back. Will Brian Westbrook?
	7	Jets · Trends	11
	The next step will be letting Mark Sanchez do more. They have to throw it better in 2010. And they will.
	8	Packers · Trends	7
	Aaron Rodgers showed he's a star in the making this season. That will make Green Bay a Super threat in 2010.
	9	Bengals · Trends	8
	They made big strides to win the division, but they have to improve the passing game. That means getting speed help outside.
	10	Ravens · Trends	12
	It's time for Joe Flacco and that passing game to take a big step forward. You have to get big chunks of yardage to win in this league.
	11	Patriots · Trends	10
	Tom Brady will be a year removed from his knee injury, which means he will be better. The key for the Patriots will be improving their pass rush.
	12	Cardinals · Trends	9
	Matt Leinart takes over for the retired Kurt Warner. There are a lot of questions about the former Heisman winner, but the Cardinals staff believes in him. Do his teammates?
	13	Broncos · Trends	13
	What do they do with Brandon Marshall? Is he back? Is he traded? They need him, that's for sure.
	14	Steelers · Trends	14
	The concerns with this team are on both lines. They have to play better there. Isn't that the Steelers way?
	15	Texans · Trends	15
	They had a winning season, but it's time to make the playoffs. They do have an explosive passing game, which gives them a good chance.
	16	Falcons · Trends	16
	They played the Saints tough twice with a lot of injuries. That has to give them hope heading into next season. They have to work on fixing that defense.
	17	Giants · Trends	20
	There is some talk that Tom Coughlin could be in trouble if he doesn't win next season. I don't buy it. But they do have to improve the defense.
	18	Titans · Trends	17
	Vince Young played well when he took over. Now he has to show he can do it again.
	19	Dolphins · Trends	18
	I think this is a team to watch in 2010. Chad Henne will give the Dolphins a better chance to get to a Super Bowl. He does need a receiver.
	20	49ers · Trends	19
	The Niners have talent, but they have to throw it better to be a playoff team. I think Alex Smith just might be the answer. The offensive line needs fixing.
	21	Jaguars · Trends	21
	Jack Del Rio got another year, which some question. Does his quarterback get the same?
	22	Panthers · Trends	22
	They have to decide who plays quarterback. Is it Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme? It should be Moore. What to do with Julius Peppers?
	23	Redskins · Trends	23
	Mike Shanahan has to decide if Jason Campbell is his quarterback of choice. I bet he decides that he is. Hiring Jim Haslett was a good move for the defense.
	24	Bears · Trends	24
	Lovie Smith has one year to show that he can turn this team around. Hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator is a great move.
	25	Seahawks · Trends	25
	Pete Carroll has a long way to go to turn this team around. First decision is if Matt Hasselbeck is the right guy at quarterback.
	26	Bills · Trends	26
	Is Chan Gailey the right choice? Let's put it this way: His hiring was a surprise. He does know offense.
	27	Chiefs · Trends	28
	You can bet the first priority is trying to improve that offensive line. Matt Cassel took a beating.
	28	Browns · Trends	27
	Eric Mangini gets another year, and he probably earned it late. Can Mike Holmgren turn this team around? He has a lot of work to do.
	29	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	Raheem Morris gets another year and his team should be better just because Josh Freeman will be better. Hey, they did beat the Saints late in the season.
	30	Raiders · Trends	29
	Tom Cable is back. Is that a good thing? Who knows? If they don't fix the quarterback position, does it matter?
	31	Lions · Trends	31
	It's all about improving the defense. They need pass-rush help in the worst way. They are another year away from competing -- at least.
	32	Rams · Trends	32
	They have a huge decision at the top of the draft: Do they take a quarterback or do they solve that by acquiring Michael Vick? We'll see.