Packers third in AP Pro32 rankings

NEW YORK (AP) - The Denver Broncos strengthened their grip on the top spot in the AP Pro32 NFL power rankings after extending their winning streak to 10 games.

The AFC West champion Broncos (12-3) received nine first-place votes and 381 points in balloting Wednesday by The Associated Press' panel of 12 media members who regularly cover the league.

The NFC South champion Atlanta Falcons (13-2) moved up two places to second with one first-place vote and 363 points. Last week, the Broncos were first by three points over San Francisco, which dropped to sixth after its loss to Seattle.

The Seahawks are fifth and the 49ers sixth. Each received a first-place vote. Green Bay is third and New England fourth in the second-to-last rankings.

Kansas City is 32nd and last.

Comments on the Green Bay Packers by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

GREEN BAY PACKERS (3)

Chris Berman (ESPN, 3) - Like Santa, Aaron Rodgers ready to deliver.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 6) - Last season they faded late. This season, they could be peaking.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 4)

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 3) - Mike McCarthy has done a terrific job keeping this train rolling winning nine of their last 10 without some key players on both sides of the ball.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 6) - Pack assured of No. 3 seed in the playoffs, but they get the No. 2 - and a bye - with a win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 4) - Ever so quietly, Aaron Rodgers has put himself in position to win back-to-back NFL passing titles. He takes an efficiency rating of 106.2 into the finale. The last QB to win back-to-back was Peyton Manning in 2005-06.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 3) - Suddenly, the Packers have a new legion of Cheeseheads: Bears' fans who want them to beat Minnesota.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 3) - Don't sleep on the Packers, especially if they nail down a first-round bye.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 6) - The Packers are very dangerous right now and getting healthy at the right time. Aaron Rodgers and his receiving weapons are too much to handle if the line can protect him.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 2)

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 6) - A 55-7 rout of Tennessee was impressive, but think just how good the Packers could be when wide receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring) and strong safety Charles Woodson (collarbone) are back for the playoffs.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 2) - If they can deny Adrian Peterson and the Vikings from making the playoffs, they will make a major statement about where they could be headed.