Manning and the Colts willed their win to the top.
While both games were in question until the final minute, both the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts still exited Week 10 with unblemished records, and deserve to sit atop the rankings.
Both teams will continue to get hard battles in their quest to go 16-0 for the rest of the season, but until another team knocks them off the top, that is where they will remain.
For the rest of the teams and where they rank, read on:
1. Indianapolis Colts (9-0)
The Colts proved they are quite possible the most resilient team in the NFL, overcoming a 17-point deficit late in the game to eek past the New England Patriots in the final seconds.
2. New Orleans Saints (9-0)
Narrowly escaping with a win overly the lowly Rams drops New Orleans out of their top spot. They have a target on their backs and are clearly struggling in their attempt to remain perfect.
3. Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
Brett Favre played mistake-free football and shredded the Detroit Lions secondary, as the Vikings put the Detroit Lions away in the fourth quarter and kept pace with the New Orleans Saints.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (7-2)
Is there any doubt that this team is for real after sweeping the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season series? Now they just have to hope Cedric Benson’s injury isn’t long-term.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
Getting swept by the Cincinnati Bengals both hurts their chance at winning the division, and also puts them on the fence of the playoffs.
6. New England Patriots (6-3)
The Patriots were one or two decisions away from a big win over the Indianapolis Colts, but some questionable play-calling set Peyton Manning up and lost them the game.
7. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)
A sweep over the Seattle Seahawks puts the Cardinals in the driver seat for the division, and only a strong run by the San Francisco 49ers late in the season can stop them from reaching the playoffs for the second straight season.
8. Denver Broncos (6-3)
What was formerly a very solid Broncos team is suddenly looking at next week’s division battle with the San Diego Chargers as a game that could potentially have them missing the post-season.
9. San Diego Chargers (6-3)
Don’t look now, but it’s starting to look like LaDainian Tomlinson has something left to prove, and this Chargers team is suddenly the team to beat in the AFC West.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-3)
Just when we thought we had an elite Cowboys team on our hands, they go and get dominated by the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys and their formerly strong NFC East division are losing credibility every week.
11. Baltimore Ravens (5-4)
It wasn’t flashy, but the defense delivered a dominant performance and a shut-out. They still have flaws, but there’s plenty of room for optimism going forward.
12. Houston Texans (5-4)
They needed a week off to re-evaluate what they want to accomplish this season, and exactly how they’re going to do it. A match-up on Monday night against the surging Tennessee Titans won’t make things any easier.
13. Atlanta Falcons (5-4)
Matt Ryan is not playing good football right now, and a Falcons team that many thought was on the rise is clearly struggling to play efficient, balance football. Losing Michael Turner sure didn’t help their cause on Sunday.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
The Eagles continue their inconsistent ways, yet still have a shot at their division with the other NFC East teams performing below expectations. Adding injury to insult, another concussion could have just stolen Brian Westbrook for the remainder of the season.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
They’re playing hard and starting to look more complete on offense. It may not be pretty, but two straight wins and a better showing from their defense still has this team in the hunt for a wild card spot.
16. Green Bay Packers (5-4)
That was a big win and great performance by their much-criticized defense. The division is out of the question, but if they keep this up, they surely have a shot at the playoffs.
17. New York Jets (4-5)
Once the 3-0 darlings of the AFC East, the Jets are now struggling every week to play .500 football. Regardless of what people may have thought in the beginning of the season, this is right where this football team should be. Does anyone doubt how much the loss of Kris Jenkins in the middle hurts them?
18. New York Giants (5-4)
The week off should have been used to rest Eli Manning, while the coaching staff better have re-committed itself to the running game. A fifth straight loss would kill their season.
19. Miami Dolphins (4-5)
Dan Carpenter is the hero in Miami this week. Just when you think Miami is going to go all 2007 on you again, they pull one out against the Buccaneers and keep their small playoff hopes alive.
20. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
The defense everyone was ranting and raving about earlier in the season finally showed up again. From here on out, it’s all about staying balanced and consistent. They need to beat the Green Bay Packers next week to really get this thing going again.
21. Carolina Panthers (4-5)
The wild card race is starting to get rather crowded, but with solid defense and a strong devotion to the ground game, this Carolina team is starting to be one that should be somewhat feared.
22. Tennessee Titans (3-6)
Since Vince Young has taken over, Jeff Fisher has put a strong emphasis on playing controlled football and pounding the ball with Chris Johnson. Three straight wins says this team is competitive again, and an intense match with the Houston Texans could show if they really have what it takes to make an improbable comeback.
23. Chicago Bears (4-5)
They still have playoff hopes with another match with Green Bay and several NFC opponents, but they need to answer a lot of questions within their offense to be serious about a strong run.
24. Seattle Seahawks (3-6)
A win against Minnesota next week could still save their hopes for the playoffs, but if Seattle is being honest with themselves, they simply aren’t ready to compete with the big teams in the NFC quite yet.
25. Buffalo Bills (3-6)
The Bills haven’t fired a head coach in the middle of a season in over 20 years. One has to think that’s a trend worth changing.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (2-7)
It was only the Oakland Raiders, but Kansas City is still starting to look like a more complete football team, and could see some steady progress on both sides of the ball as the season goes on.
27. Washington Redskins (3-6)
That was a big win against what many view to be a good Denver Broncos team. Regardless of your opinion of either team, Jim Zorn’s job is safe for another week.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8)
Raheem Morris has this team playing some good football. Even thought it took seven straight losses to get here, it sure is looking like he may be the guy for the job, after all.
29. St. Louis Rams (1-8)
The Rams played the New Orleans Saints about as hard as they could have hoped for, and barely missed out on an upset of epic proportions. When you’re 1-8, that’s a pretty nice moral victory to hang your hat on.
30. Oakland Raiders (2-7)
Have heart, Raiders fans. The benching of Jamarcus Russell is the first of many good decisions that are yet to come.
31. Detroit Lions (1-8)
They hung with the Minnesota Vikings for three quarters, but needed two Adrian Peterson turnovers inside the 20 to do so. This team really still is as bad as their record indicates.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-7)
The switch to Brady Quinn got the Browns zero points. There’s nowhere but up from here, right?
