The biggest question for most football fans regarding the Sunday night match up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots will be whether or not this contest will resemble anything remotely similar to a football game. Obviously this game is on Sunday night so that football fans can witness the Patriots leisurely stroll along their path to legendary status The Patriots may keep Tom Brady out on the field for all four quarters but on the other sideline, the Eagles will be starting A.J. Feeley at quarterback. Donovan McNabb has been ruled out with injuries to his thumb and ankle.
Seattle Seahawks: 6-4 (1st in NFC West) St. Louis Rams: 2-8 (t-4th in NFC West)
Last Game(s):
Seahawks 30, Bears 23 Rams 13, 49ers 9
Why We Care: The Seahawks lead the worst division in football, and if anyone's catching them it won't be St. Louis. That being said, the Rams can still damage the Seahawks' chances at a division title with a loss, meanwhile taking another step towards respectability. Any and all wins, no matter how they come, are being played for morale in 2008 and a victory in particular over Seattle, long the team to beat in the NFC West, will make a statement about Scott Linehan's grip on his team.
New Orleans Saints: 4-6 (t-2nd in NFC South) Carolina Panthers: 4-6 (t-2nd in NFC South)
Last Game(s):
Texans 23, Saints 10 Packers 31, Panthers 17
Why We Care: The Saints and Panthers are increasingly-desperate teams looking to keep pace with the Bucs for the NFC South lead. The Saints, after struggling from 0-4 to 4-4, have lost two straight. The Panthers are on a four-game losing streak and haven't won a game in four tries at home. Both teams need this win to keep their seasons alive.
Why We Care: Perhaps it's not a stretch to say that these two teams could meet again in the playoffs. The Bucs have a two-game lead in the NFC South, and the competition below them is quite dreadful. The Skins, meanwhile, are in the thick of the Wild Card race, and Detroit's loss to Green Bay has opened the door for Joe Gibbs team to jump into #6 seed.
When the Cardinals have the ball: After a strong start, Arizona's running game has begun to resemble more of what is has in years past. Edgerrin James has not had a 100 yard game since week two and is now averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. However, he had one of his better games of the season in week one against the 49ers, and will look to duplicate that this Sunday against a unit that gives up more than 122 rush yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, San Francisco will look to contain James, while putting as much pressure on Kurt Warner as possible. Arizona should expect a ton of different packages and blitzes from the 49ers as they will look to force a turnover or two. With little left to lose, they should be very aggressive.
Why We Care: These may be two small-market teams, but both are fighting for a shot at the playoffs. Jacksonville currently has the inside track toward the #5 seed, but Buffalo is just a game behind the Titans and Browns for that 6th and final playoff spot, and this is exactly the kind of game that will prove whether they're good enough to get that postseason berth.
Why We Care: After laying an egg against the Jets last week, the up-and-down Steelers proved that while they can beat almost anyone, they can also lose to almost anyone. The Dolphins are trying to avoid adding the bookend to their perfect 17-0 1972 season with an 0-16 season.
When the Vikings have the ball: Minnesota's gameplan is a simple one: run, run and run. They have the best ground attack in the entire league and it doesn't matter who they put back there; both Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor get the job done.
However, they have a bit of a challenge this week. The casual fan may not realize this, but the New York Giants have one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, allowing only 91.3 yards per game. And if they have any chance at winning this game, that unit, led by Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield, will have to step-up huge.
When the Chiefs have the ball: Does anyone else feel bad for Brody Croyle? Not because he's making a living playing football or because he's rich, but because he'll be without both Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes in only his third NFL start.
No? Well, you're right there with the Oakland Raiders then, because if there is a group of people who couldn't care less about Croyle, it would most certainly be them. In fact, you should fully expect a heavy pass rush and a series of blitzes all day from Oakland. They'll be looking to take his head off.
Denver Broncos: 5-5 (t-1st in AFC West) Chicago Bears: 4-6 (t-3rd in NFC North) Last Week: Broncos 34, Titans 20 Seahawks 30, Bears 23 When the Broncos have the ball: Jay Cutler had a coming out party against the Titans Monday night and he's got a good chance to continue turning the Broncos season around in Chicago on Sunday. He's getting Javon Walker back at wide receiver to go with Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokely, while the Bears will be missing Nathan Vasher and will still be playing Adam Archuleta. That leaves their secondary overmatched especially if defensive coordinator Bob Babich insists on rushing just four men and dropping seven. Cutler has the arm to make any throw and the smarts to find the seams in the Cover-2. If the Bears do get a rush, he'll make a play on the run. Travis Henry and Selvin Young have both missed practice but whether its one of them or Andre Hall in the lineup they'll find yards against the disappointing Bears front seven.
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
To get you ready for week 12, 
