Before we get to the final rankings of this four-part series, here are the links for the rest of the week:

Monday, QBs; Tuesday, RBs; Wednesday, WRs.

On to the rankings, and just to throw you off (and because the other way was getting tiresome), these will not appear in reverse order to build the considerable drama ...

TIGHT ENDS
1. Dallas Clark, Colts
2. Antonio Gates, Chargers
3. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings
4. Jason Witten, Cowboys
5. Jermichael Finley, Packers
6. Jeremy Shockey, Saints
7. Brent Celek, Eagles
8. Todd Heap, Ravens
9. Benjamin Watson, Patriots
10. Dustin Keller, Jets

Quick slants: Clark became the second tight end in history to record 100 catches. ... Gates had more yards (1,157 to 1,106), but two fewer touchdowns (eight, to Clark's 10) and 21 fewer catches (79) than his Indy counterpart. Deciding between the two is as simple as whether you think the Colts or Chargers will advance to the Super Bowl. ... Shiancoe has scored 11 times and has 11 receptions for 134 yards and two TDs in his last two games. ... Witten finished six catches shy of 100 but scored only twice. ... Finley has four TDs and 28 receptions in his last five games, and Shockey did nothing in his final three contests after catching 48 passes in the first 13. ... Celek (76 catches for 971 yards and eight TDs) would be ranked in the top four if there wasn't a good possibility his team will be one-and-done. ... Heap has four TDs in his last three games, and Keller zero in his last seven.

KICKERS
1. Nate Kaeding, Chargers
2. Ryan Longwell, Vikings
3. Garrett Hartley, Saints
4. Matt Stover, Colts
5. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
6. Mason Crosby, Packers
7. Shaun Suisham, Cowboys
8. Jay Feely, Jets
9. Neil Rackers, Cardinals
10. David Akers, Eagles

Quick slants: Kaeding scored 146 points and made 32 of 35 field goals in the regular season. ... Longwell has 132 points and has missed only two of 28 field-goal attempts. ... Hartley has scored 37 points in five games after taking over for John Carney. ... Stover has replaced Adam Vinatieri, who has been bothered by a knee injury, as Indy's kicker. ... Gostkowski (125 points, 26 of 31 field goals) is the best of the teams seeded third or lower. ... Crosby (129, 27-for-36) isn't far behind. ... Akers (139 points, 32-for-37 field goals) would be ranked much higher if it wasn't for Philly's sixth seed.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
1. Vikings
2. Chargers
3. Colts
4. Cowboys
5. Saints
6. Packers
7. Patriots
8. Jets
9. Bengals
10. Ravens

Quick slants: Following are the rankings for each team's defense among the league's 32 clubs: Vikings -- No. 19 pass, No. 2 run; Chargers -- 11 pass, 20 run; Colts -- 14 pass, 24 run; Cowboys -- 20 pass, 4 run; Saints -- 26 pass, 21 run; Packers -- 5 pass, 1 run; Patriots -- 12 pass, 13 run; Jets -- 1 pass, 8 run; Bengals -- 6 pass, 7 run; Ravens -- tied for No. 8 pass, No. 5 run.