The first week of the NFL postseason is fun for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is we get a one-week break from whatever team the national media has decided to shove down our throats as the Super Bowl favorite.

This year, that team happens to be our own New England Patriots. Throw in New England’s pursuit of a perfect season and the weekly controversies that have followed this team throughout the season, and even the most ardent Patriot fan might have to admit that we’ve been oversaturated by Patriots coverage.

So today, let us focus on the teams chasing New England. It seems like all of them spent at least one week atop the “Who’s going to finally knock off the Patriots” list. Five of them (Dallas, Indianapolis, New York, Pittsburgh and San Diego) have already had a shot at New England and failed, but several of those teams remain dangerous potential obstacles to a fourth Lombardi Trophy.

Just for the heck of it, I’m going to rank them in reverse order of just how much Patriot fans should worry about them ruining what could be the greatest season we’ll ever experience:

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If Tampa Bay is the only thing standing between the Patriots and their date with destiny in Glendale, Ariz., it will be the most anticlimactic ending to a perfect season in sports history. The Bucs have done a nice job with an aging quarterback (Jeff Garcia), wide receiver (Joey Galloway) and defense, but they’ve been the least publicized division winner for a reason. Basically, this season has stalled an inevitable rebuilding project.

10. Tennessee Titans

Make no mistake, the Titans will give San Diego a tough game. Anyone with the misfortune of running into them during this postseason is going to emerge battered and bruised. But Vince Young is too inconsistent, and there is absolutely no way they can score with the Patriots or Colts.

9. New York Giants

If Eli Manning can continue to play like he did last Saturday night against New England, the Giants have a shot at pulling off a couple of upsets. The problem is, you can’t count on Eli Manning playing well from one quarter to the next, let alone one game to the next. And his supporting cast is too beat up to pick up the slack.

8. Washington Redskins

The Redskins were arguably the best team in the NFC in December (4-1) and certainly have momentum on their side. Todd Collins has stabilized the offense, if not given them more firepower. They’ve been able to get away with playing ball control with Clinton Portis because the defense has been so stout (14 ppg in the last five games). But that won’t be enough to carry them past Seattle in Seattle, or Green Bay or Dallas, for that matter. A nice feel good story, but they don’t have the weapons to get very far.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Too beat up. Next.

6. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is perhaps the single most enigmatic team in the tournament. They cruised through a cushy schedule even though they essentially reinvented themselves when it became clear Sean Alexander is just a shell of his former self. Matt Hasselbeck responded with an excellent second half and now Maurice Morris has stepped up to give them some semblance of a running game. They’ve been there before, which makes them dangerous in the NFC, but it’s tough to get excited over a team that hasn’t really been tested, yet.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

I’ve stated before that I’m not buying the J-ville hype, and I’m still not. They’re a solid all-around team, no doubt. But I think you can throw on their secondary, and if you contain their running game or get them in a hole early, then you force David Garrard into making the plays he hasn’t had to make most of the year. Their inexperience and Jack Del Rio’s, shall we say, questionable decisions in big spots put them at a disadvantage.

4. San Diego Chargers

Speaking of coaching putting a team at a disadvantage, that’s Norv Turner’s modus operandi. Still, the Chargers have the talent and the hunger to pull off some upsets. A second-round win over Indianapolis would not shock a lot of people. At some point, though, either Indy or New England is going to make Philip Rivers beat them, and I just don’t see it happening.

3. Dallas Cowboys

I’m picking the Cowboys to win the NFC, but I actually think Green Bay would be a bigger threat to the Pats in Glendale, as I’ll explain later. Tony Romo has played like Marge Simpson’s lover lately, not Jessica Simpson’s. Terrell Owens’ health is a factor, although the Cowboys are otherwise healthy.

2. Green Bay Packers

Swarming pass rush – check. Physical corners to rough up Randy Moss and Co. – check. Devil-may-care QB not afraid to get into a shootout with Tom Brady – check. The overwhelming support of a nation desperate to destroy the dreaded Patriots – check. They would give the Patriots a better game than anyone without a horseshoe on their helmets. The problem is, they probably lost their ticket to Arizona when they failed to secure home field advantage.

1. Indianapolis Colts

They got the gorilla off their backs when they beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship last year, and they’re probably still mad that they didn’t finish them off in their November sequel. They have the speed to cause Tom Brady problems downfield, but the loss of Dwight Freeney compromises the pass rush that would normally force him into quick decisions. Offensively, Manning can expose New England’s questionable pass coverage and Joseph Addai can slash them on the ground. But I’m convinced Marvin Harrison will continue to be a non-factor, whether he actually finally plays or not. No Freeney + no Harrison = no back-to-back championships for Indy.