STORYLINES
1. Giants-Eagles » Over reaction is the rule in the NFL, so after the Giants dominated nemesis Seattle, 41-7, two weeks ago, many declared them the beast of the NFC. A week later, when the Giants lost to the sputtering Cowboys, and the Eagles flashed to a spectacular 59-28 Monday night win at the Redskins, Philadelphia assumed the role. Sunday night New York (6-3) travels to Philadelphia (6-3) for a prime-time NFC East showdown. Can the Giants’ quarterback-swallowing defense get after the Eagles’ dynamic Michael Vick? This is round one in the back-loaded division schedule. The teams play again in the Meadowlands on Dec. 19. – Kevin Dunleavy
2. Favre’s last game vs. Packers? » This might be Brett Favre’s last game against his former franchise — though with Favre it’s easy to quote Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” But this could be his most important game against the Packers, who are currently 6-3 and sit in a good spot to make the playoffs. The Vikings (3-6), conversely, are not. At this point Minnesota is in “must-win” mode for the remainder of the season — just for a shot at the playoffs. Can Favre rally the Vikes to get a big division win at home against the franchise he twice led to a Super Bowl — or will it be a marker of the coming of the end for No. 4 against a franchise he knows all too well? – Leon Saffelle
3. Which NFC team gets left out? » We might need to raise the win limit for teams hoping to reach the NFC playoffs. Seattle sits at 5-4 and probably takes the NFC West with only three more victories. But heading into play this weekend, seven teams in the conference’s other three divisions already have at least six wins — three in the NFC South. So someone is likely headed home with a 10-6 record. And it’s not impossible we’ll see a repeat of 2008 in the AFC when New England won 11 games, lost a tiebreak with Miami for the AFC East title and actually missed the postseason all together. That scenario came about with San Diego (8-8) winning the AFC West’s automatic berth. Sound familiar? – Brian McNally
GAME OF THE WEEK
Colts at Patriots, Sunday, 4:15 p.m., CBS
This is the 12th time in the past 10 years that the Colts and Patriots will play one another; as usual the game carries significance. The Colts are 6-3. The Patriots are 7-2, so home field advantage in the playoffs is at stake. It’s also another chance to debate which quarterback you’d rather have: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning; Brady’s rings or Manning’s passing prowess? Brady is 6-5 in this matchup, though Manning has won four of the last five games vs. New England. – John Keim
UPSET SPECIAL
Raiders over Steelers
Time to be bold. Hines Ward (concussion) is expected to be back in the lineup for the 6-3 Steelers, who looked lost without him last week in a 39-26 loss to the Patriots. The 5-4 Raiders, coming off a bye week, have won three straight. But this simply comes down to the run game. Darren McFadden and the Raiders are second in the NFL, averaging 162.2 yards a game. The Steelers, meanwhile, haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. That changes this week in Pittsburgh. – James Irwin
PLAYER TO WATCH
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
If the Chargers had a better record, Rivers would be dominating the discussion for potential league MVP. He’s completing 65.3 percent of his passes; averaging a staggering 8.9 yards per pass attempt and has thrown 19 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. Add it up and it equals a 102.9 passer rating. San Diego, which could get to .500 with a win vs. Denver, remains a contender because of Rivers. In eight career starts vs. Denver, Rivers has thrown 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions, completing 68.5 percent of his throws. – John Keim
FANTASY WATCH
Five to start
1. QB Jon Kitna » The Kitna-Dez Bryant connection is becoming a real threat. After torching the Giants, the Cowboys get to face the Lions this week.
2. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis » In the Brady vs. Manning matchup, it may be Green-Ellis that steals the show vs. the Colts’ fourth-worst run defense.
3. RB Fred Jackson » After two close losses, the Bills finally won a game last week behind Jackson’s 170 total yards and two touchdowns.
4. WR Santonio Holmes » The last two weeks, Holmes has 190 receiving yards and the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime in Week 10.
5. WR Dwayne Bowe » No one has more touchdown catches than Bowe this season. He has scored at least once in five straight games.
Five to sit
1. QB Matt Schaub » The Texans have lost three straight games and Schaub will face Darrelle Revis and the Jets’ pass defense this week.
2. RB Knowshon Moreno » Coming off a season-high 106 rushing yards last week, Moreno faces the Chargers’ fourth-best run defense.
3. RB Thomas Jones » The Chiefs are going more with Jamaal Charles as Jones had just four carries last week compared to 14 by Charles.
4. WR Santana Moss » After a fast start to the season, Moss has averaged just 56 yards and has only one touchdown over the last four games.
5. WR Mike Wallace » The Steelers will host the Raiders and their second-best passing defense on Sunday at Heinz Field.
– Jeffrey Tomik
EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS
— Craig Stouffer
| No. Team » Comment » Last week 1. Falcons (7-2) » Nothing better than a mini-bye after Thursday night win » 2 2. Patriots (7-2) » In slo-mo, animated Brady makes for a great shampoo ad » 6 3. Jets (7-2) » Ready to break the habit of stinking at home » 4 4. Steelers (6-3) » They’re struggling against teams with winning records » 3 5. Eagles (6-3) » Ironic: Vick looked like Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII » 9 6. Ravens (6-3) » Just what the doctor ordered, a visit to Carolina » 5 7. Colts (6-3) » Hostile takeover at TE: Tamme also has his MBA » 7 8. Giants (6-3) » Weekend of Vick after losing sole possession of division lead » 1 9. Packers (6-3) » Current winning streak began during last game vs. Vikings » 8 10. Saints (6-3) » Hmm, what could Bush & Carroll talk about at midfield? » 10 11. Raiders (5-4) » Officially replaced Chiefs and Bucs as league Cinderella » 13 12. Bears (7-3) » All Cutler has to do is not lose games, D can do the rest » 21 13. Buccaneers (6-3) » Like Vick, Blount turning into another redemption story » 15 14. Titans (5-4) » Haven’t played at LP Field, and haven’t won, since Oct. 24 » 11 15. Dolphins (5-5) » At this rate, even Thigpen won’t finish season in one piece » 12 16. Chargers (4-5) » Coming off bye to face team that’s allowed 112 pts in 3 weeks » 16 17. Chiefs (5-4) » Went from a close loss to getting blown out. Panic time » 14 18. Browns (3-6) » NFL’s most deceiving record. Overlook at your own peril » 18 19. Jaguars (5-4) » Will need another Hail Mary to make the playoffs » 23 20. Texans (4-5) » Probably won’t face a sub-.500 team until after Christmas » 17 21. Seahawks (5-4) » Good when they’re on, stink up the place when they’re not » 25 22. Vikings (3-6) » At the point where Rice’s return could be too little too late » 20 23. Redskins (4-5) » They’re bloody, beaten and very bad, but alive » 19 24. Cowboys (2-7) » Can’t give thanks for only 3 days to prepare for Saints » 30 25. 49ers (3-6) » The race for a losing-record playoff berth is back on » 28 26. Broncos (3-6) » The most erratic team in the AFC West » 29 27. Rams (4-5) » Troy Smith (2007) drafted 173 spots later than Bradford (2010) » 22 28. Lions (2-7) » Only win in their last four was against the Redskins » 24 29. Cardinals (3-6) » Fair? 28th-ranked rush D vs. Chiefs’ 1st-ranked rush O » 26 30. Bills (1-8) » Finally getting a ‘W’ won’t prevent another long, cold winter » 32 31. Bengals (2-7) » Cinci vs. Buffalo pretty much explains how relevant T.O. is » 27 32. Panthers (1-8) » Brian St. Pierre is a poor man’s Todd Collins » 31 |
