I mean teams that are on a winning streak. What were you thinking of?

This is the time of year when we will be reminded of the 8 or 9 games the Patriots won in a row in 2001 and 2003 on their way to the Super Bowl. Last year, Pittsburgh won its last 4 in the regular season and 4 in a row in the post-season to take the Championship. Well, there are 5 games to go, who's streaking? (get your mind out of the gutter).

Streaking the right way:

AFC
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is on a 4 game winning streak that seems to have been sparked by the firing of Jim Fassel. Think he'll put that on a resume? "Fire me and watch your team win 4 games in a row!". The Ravens have 2 games against Pittsburgh and 1 game against the Bengals remaining. I'm not looking for their streak to continue past this weekend, because...

Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is on a mini-streak (2 in a row). But, they're also starting to look a lot more like the Super Bowl champs. In particular, Willie Parker has been running like crazy. Part of that is due to Ben Rothlisberger getting some of his form back. I think he might have finally recovered from the motorcycle crash, the appendectomy, and the fever. This week's game against the Ravens could be a momemtum builder/killer for both teams. The rematch is in week 16.

San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are on a 4 game winning streak. No surprise. LT is [insert cliche superlative here]. I don't think anyone wants to play them right now. If any team could be on a 10 game winning streak going into the post-season, it could be them. Of course they may have to, because...

Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are also on a mini-streak (2 in a row). But, the win this week against the Broncos was big. It sets them up for the tie-breaker battle at the end of the season. All they have to do is take out the Chargers in week 15. It also may have totally demoralized the Broncos, who may look for a QB change in the near future (but I doubt it, and I don't recommend it).

Miami Dolphins
[heavily knocking on wood] The Dolphins are on a 4 game winning streak, and are looking to stretch it to 5 against a Jacksonville team that has had some key defensive losses to injury. They finished the year on a 6-game winning streak in 2005. Fans and writers in Miami are starting to belive that they could win 9 in a row and end up 10-6. However, this may not be enough to get into the playoffs (it's happened to Miami before). Between KC, San Diego, and Denver, one will probably end with 12 wins, and the others with 11.

NFC

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have won 3 in a row and are looking very dangerous. However, they have a tough schedule left with only Detroit looking like a cupcake. Philadelphia may have lost its sting with McNabb being out, but Andy Reid has surprised some people with back-ups before. 8 in a row to end the season is not only possible, it's likely.

Chicago Bears
Since losing to Miami, the Bears have won 2 in a row. They seem to have regained form with a vengeance. Their remaining schedule it weak. If they can get by New England on the road this weekend, they could finish with a 8 game win streak. However, even losing to the Patriots on the road, I'd still expect them to finish at 14-2. After New England, they don't play another team with a winning record until the first round of the playoffs.

San Franciso 49ers
San Francisco has won 3 in a row. No, I'm not kidding. A lot of it has to do with Frank Gore being number 2 in the league in rushing, and averaging over 5 yards per carry. They are 1 game out of their Division lead. And they beat Seattle in their last match-up. Still, I don't see them running the table. But a respectable 9-7 may get them back on the playoff map in the NFC.