Two Powerful clashes up next

    As the New Orleans Saints steam toward the game with the most potential to upend their perfect season -- Monday, Nov. 30 at home vs. New England -- eyes turn this week to two top-10 power ranking clashes: No. 6 Cincinnati at No. 4 Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon, and No. 5 New England at No. 2 Indianapolis on Sunday night.

    In any event, the upper-crust of the NFL has pretty much shaken out by this, the halfway point of the season. Here's one take on where the power rests:

1. (Last week 1) New Orleans Saints (8-0): With all the talk of Drew Brees, don't forget running back Pierre Thomas has five TDs and averages 5.5 yards per carry, fourth among backs with at least 80 carries.

2. (2) Indianapolis Colts (8-0): An enviable combination -- tight end Dallas Clark with 60 receptions (second in league), WR Reggie Wayne with 59. And three-fourths of Wayne's catches have gone for first downs. That's a valuable guy.

3. (3) Minnesota Vikings (7-1): Believe it or not, Brett Favre leads the league in lowest interception percentage (1.15).

4. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): Now that the Steelers can run (115 per game), beating them got a lot harder.

5. (5) New England Patriots (6-2): They're in at least the top 18 of every offensive category but one -- 26th in red-zone scoring percentage. And you have to believe they'll get the straightened out.

6. (7) Cincinnati Bengals (6-2): Well-balanced Bengals have a rushing TD and a passing TD in six of their eight games.

7. (4) Denver Broncos (6-2): Bad news: Two straight losses start to raise eyebrows. Good news: A get-well trip this week to Washington.

8. (8) Dallas Cowboys (6-2): NFC East leaders have not allowed more than 308 yards or 21 points the last four games.

9. (9) Atlanta Falcons (5-3): Among all legit conference contenders, Falcons give up the most yards per game (369.9).

10. (Not ranked) Houston Texans (5-4): U.Va.'s Matt Schaub leads league in passing TDs (17) and yards (2,653).

Dropped out: Philadelphia Eagles (5-3).

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