by Adam Schein

Peyton Manning and the Colts are just one of eight AFC teams with winning records, but Indianapolis is on the move. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

Last week I felt compelled to write about Manning's brilliance and the heart of the Colts. This week I feel compelled to write about Indy clicking at the right time. And you can now officially throw the Colts quarterback into a very fluid MVP conversation. He's No. 2 on my current list, behind Kurt Warner.

The Colts' playoff lives were hanging by a thread after losing to the Titans. Manning proceeded to carry Indy on his back for three consecutive games against the hated Pats, a comeback win in Pittsburgh, and Sunday against Houston. Manning's tossed for three touchdowns without a pick in these three needed wins. Look, I do not care what Manning is doing for your fantasy team. If someone else was playing quarterback, Indy would've lost those games, plus road wins earlier in the season against Minnesota and Houston where the Colts were grossly outplayed until Manning stepped up late.

And some interesting things happened in the course of the win on Sunday for Indy.

Joseph Addai joined the party with his first 100-yard game of the season (think about that nugget when discussing Manning's MVP credentials). According to Tony Dungy when we chatted on Monday, Addai's success was one reason Manning and Marvin Harrison finally were in sync for the first time this year.

Dwight Freeney had two key sacks and spooked Sage Rosenfels into a game-saving pick at the end. Dungy says an injured Bob Sanders will return on Sunday.

And the Colts, now at 6-4, have the spiraling Chargers on Sunday night. Revenge will most certainly be on the mind of Indy after losing twice to San Diego last year, including a heart-breaker in the playoffs.

Manning and the Colts could be peaking at the right time.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb didn't know the NFL rule for regular-season OT games. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

2. McNabb should know the rules

I am a Donovan McNabb guy. I always have been.

However, it was flat-out embarrassing and totally unacceptable that he didn't know that an NFL game ends in a tie if nobody scores after the first AND ONLY 15-minute overtime session.

That's not on the Philly staff. That's on the quarterback.

3. Tie goes to the players

Whenever there is controversy, you have the ensuing hyperbole. I hate ties. It's the absolute worst.

But let's not overreact.

You have a tie in the NFL every six years or so. You don't switch to the college rules or keep playing until someone scores. You have to consider the health of the players. Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh played in this one and told us Monday morning, he doesn't think a player's body could take any more. And factor in that the Bengals have to play this Thursday night. The competition committee doesn't need to take a look at it. It's a bad result. But it is what it is.

4. Giants or Titans?

Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants dominated the Ravens on Sunday. ( / Getty Images)

I've been saying all year that you have to respect undefeated Titans as the best team in the NFL. And Tennessee has been incredible the last two weeks a with road win against the Bears and a double-digit, come-from-behind win in Jacksonville.

But now you have to give the Giants the nod as the best team in the NFL. It's not disrespecting the Titans. It's an intelligent reaction to the Giants embarrassing the Ravens run defense to the tune of over 200 yards rushing. The Ravens hadn't yielded 100 yards on the ground in 16 games. And the Giants' offensive line and all three running backs pummeled them. Plus, you had the Giants stoning the Baltimore running attack. The Giants are 9-1 and the defending champs. That's not knocking Tennessee at all. I do think these clubs are on a great crash course to meet in the Super Bowl.

5. Good call, Jerry

I'm with Jerry Jones. I think Dallas is making a legit run to the playoffs and will be 8-4 in a blink of an eye.

Wait until Romo gets in flow. The offense will be explosive. And how special was Barber punishing the Skins on Sunday night?

6. For now, Jets look good

As you read this, the Jets are the second-best team in the AFC.

I'm as shocked as you are. But we have to give credit and respect. Look, this might change in a week or two. Welcome to the NFL in 2008. But right now, the Jets are the second-best team in the conference.

Obviously I believe the Colts' upside is gigantic. When Pittsburgh gets solid offensive line and solid quarterback play, Mike Tomlin's outfit obviously is in the conversation, too.

But Brett Favre was simply sensational, efficient and ultra-clutch in the win against the Pats. That was a defining win for the Jets against their rival. The Jets can run the ball with AFC rushing leader Thomas Jones. And they can stop the run with current defensive player of the year frontrunner Kris Jenkins. The Jets' play on special teams with Leon Washington and Wallace Wright is outstanding.

The Jets can absolutely hang with the Titans this weekend and an upset special is possible.

NFL Week 17

Week 17 action

Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box


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Analysis

• Marvez: Mangini should blame Favre
• Whitlock: It's all about character

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Video

• NFL on Fox: Scariest playoff team?
• NFL on Fox: NFC playoff preview

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Photos

• NFL Week 17 snapshots
• NFL cheerleaders
• Worst teams ever
• NFL year in photos

7. Dolphins are no joke

I think it is unbelievable what the Dolphins have done the last two weeks. Sure, the games against terrible clubs in Seattle and Oakland proved to be closer than anticipated. But Miami was ultra-clutch at home down the stretch in both. Tony Sparano, Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Dan Henning have changed the culture. The Dolphins expect to win. Chad Pennington is the perfect leader for this team and he made big plays on the game winning drive against Oakland right after Miami gave up a 92-yard punt return. Ronnie Brown, Joey Porter and the offensive line have all played great.

Miami, a one-win joke last year, has six wins on the season.

Don't overlook the Pats getting revenge this week, especially after New England fell to the Jets, but do the math on the Dolphins schedule the rest of the way. With games against St. Louis, Kansas City and San Fran left on the slate, Miami will win a minimum of nine games. A playoff berth will be determined in the division games against the Pats and on the road in Buffalo and New York. It's amazing that the Fish have a very realistic chance to make the playoffs.

8. NFC North

My opinion hasn't wavered once since opening day. The Packers are winning the division.

What a terrible loss for the Vikings, blowing a lead in Tampa. Sure the Bucs are a solid, well-coached outfit, but when you are winning in the fourth quarter, you have to seal the deal. Minnesota choked this one away. The Vikes fumbled a kickoff that led to the game-winning field goal. The quarterback play held the Vikes back again. The opening-day starter for next year is currently not on the roster.

Green Bay's offensive line was great against Chicago and allowed Ryan Grant to rumble for 145 yards in a 37-3 rout of the overmatched Bears. Aaron Rodgers will keep it going next week against the Saints.

It's truly unbearable (pun intended) how hapless the Chicago defense has been. They have to beat the Rams on Sunday, right?

9. About the Steelers/Chargers call

The fact that the final play was even reviewed disturbed me. I don't have any idea what anyone thought was illegal about the play.

The NFL has to understand that this controversy took over TV and radio talk shows, Internet message boards, and water-cooler conversations everywhere. Talking the touchdown away changed who won and lost with the spread. The NFL doesn't want to acknowledge that there's gambling on football. I get it. But don't pretend it doesn't exist or help the popularity of the league. The league should've instantly ruled that the touchdown stood, citing playoff tie-breaking procedures. This way you never had to address gambling and point spreads. It beats conversation the next day about credibility issues.