The New England Patriots in week 5 and the San Diego Chargers in week 6 -- it's official: the Denver Broncos are for real. QB Kyle Orton has found a new career in the Mile High City and 33-year-old Head Coach Josh McDaniels has Denver playing with his youthful enthusiasm. In the NFC, the New Orleans Saints gave the New York Giants a "Big Easy" beat down, and the Minnesota Vikings continue to sizzle in their comfortable Minneapolis confines. But were these week 6 performances enough to shake up my rankings? Take a look and enjoy the image of the week courtesy of boston.com -- "White Christmas" came early in Foxboro, Mass.:

1) Indianapolis Colts -- QB Peyton Manning and Co. are refreshed coming off their bye week (good luck, St. Louis).

2) NY Giants -- Surprised to still see the G-Men in the top two? Don't be. One loss to a high-powered offense indoors does not merit a significant drop in the rankings.

3) New Orleans Saints -- The best offense in the NFL; defense will have its hands full at Miami this week.

4) New England Patriots -- Snow conditions...no problem. QB Tom Brady looked like his old self in week 6, and expect him to continue this week against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

5) Pittsburgh Steelers -- Despite some injuries and hiccups, the Steelers are 4-2 entering this week's showdown with the Vikings. And watch out wide receivers: SS Troy Polamalu is ready to go.

6) Minnesota Vikings -- Grandpa and the Vikes remain undefeated, but is it me or does it seem like they play home every week? Well that changes this week when Minnesota travels to Pittsburgh.

7) Baltimore Ravens -- Easily the best 3-3 team in the NFL, and Baltimore easily could be 6-0. QB Joe Flacco and fellow backfield mate Ray Rice are becoming household fantasy football names. Expect the Ravens to end their 3-game skid this week against the upstart Broncos.

8) Denver Broncos -- Are the Ravens next on Denver's list?

9) Philadelphia Eagles -- Leave it to the Eagles to lay an egg in Oakland...yes, Oakland; perfect timing as Philadelphia embarks on the thick of its schedule.

10) Atlanta Falcons -- Atlanta is quietly going about its business. But can the Falcons win a notable road game (i.e., at Dallas this week)?

11) Cincinnati Bengals -- The "Cardiac Cats" lost one of their lives courtesy of the Houston Texans. Will the Bengals rebound this week against the Chicago Bears and avoid their past regular-season slumps?

12) Chicago Bears -- Chicago is one of six or seven teams who can be placed here. Hard to get a feel for the Bears, but a week 7 win at Cincinnati will go a long way.

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/10/19/14__1255986423_1015-1.jpg

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