Broncos, Chiefs matchup a weekend highlight
Only three games pit winning teams against each other
The rematch has lost some of its lustre with Kansas City dropping its last two games and Denver’s collapse in New England after beating the Chiefs.
Still, the AFC West showdown is far better than many other matchups this holiday week, and there remains plenty on the line.
Only three games involve two teams with winning marks: Denver (9-2) at Kansas City (9-2); Arizona (7-4) at Philadelphia (6-5); and the Monday nighter, with New Orleans (9-2) at Seattle (101), a matchup of the top two teams in the AP Pro32 and in the NFC.
Also Sunday, it’s New England at Houston, Cincinnati at San Diego, Tennessee at Indianapolis, Tampa Bay at Carolina, Chicago at Minnesota, St. Louis at San Francisco, Miami at the New York Jets, the New York Giants at Washington, Jacksonville at Cleveland, and Atlanta versus Buffalo at Toronto.
The holiday week begins Thursday with Green Bay (55-1) at Detroit (6-5) and Oakland (4-7) at Dallas (6-5) in the traditional games. The night game has the AFC North rivalry of Pittsburgh (5-6) at Baltimore (5-6).
NEW ORLEANS (9-2) AT SEATTLE (10-1), MONDAY NIGHT
If this one is as memorable as their last meeting, in a 2010 divisional playoff game when the Seahawks, a 7-9 NFC West winner, knocked off the Saints, then it will be special. The league surely is hoping so by scheduling it for prime time.
Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter remains a must-see highlight. He’s been a beast again this year, needing 75 yards to reach 1,000 for the fifth time in career.
Seattle has won a franchisebest 13 straight at home, and no one relishes visiting CenturyLink Field in the postseason.
Nor does anyone really want to go to New Orleans, where the Saints are perfect in 2013. A Saints win will put them in prime position for NFC home-field advantage.
ARIZONA (7-4) AT PHILADELPHIA (6-5)
Two first-year coaches — Arizona’s Bruce Arians won NFL Coach of the Year as an interim in Indianapolis filling in last year for Chuck Pagano, who was battling leukemia — with teams on the rise.
The Cardinals have won four straight and haven’t won five in a row since 1977. Carson Palmer has had two consecutive big games, and Larry Fitzgerald tends to toy with the Philadelphia secondary. F
Eagles have won three in a row. The offence under Chip Kelly has already set a franchise record with nine games of 400 total yards. The defence has held opponents to 21 points or less in each of the last seven games.
NEW ENGLAND (8-3) AT HOUSTON (2-9)
It’s a December game, which means the Patriots are more dangerous than ever. They’ve won 15 of their last 16 in the month, and they are getting healthier on offence, if not on defence.
Houston has lost a franchise-nine in a row and is in contention for the
top overall draft pick.
CINCINNATI (7-4) AT SAN DIEGO (5-6)
With the Broncos, Chiefs and Colts stumbling lately, the Bengals suddenly are in the mix for a first-round bye if they can surge to the AFC North title.
San Diego plays four of its final five games at home, which would seem to give the Chargers an edge in that race. But they are only 2-2 at Qualcomm Stadium.
TENNESSEE (5-6) AT INDIANAPOLIS (7-4)
The Titans have never won in Lucas Oil Stadium (0-5). A first victory there would make it a race again in the AFC South. Indy, though, has gone 26 consecutive games without back-to-back losses.
TAMPA BAY (3-8) AT CAROLINA (8-3)
Two streaking teams, with the Panthers establishing themselves as a title threat with seven straight wins. Tampa Bay lost its first eight and now has won three in a row.
Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon is the first in NFL history to throw a TD pass in each of his first eight games.
Carolina’s Cam Newton in the last five games against Tampa Bay has a 106.6 passer rating and five touchdowns rushing.
The Bears have alternated wins and losses in each of the last seven weeks, and that should mean a victory in their last trip to the Metrodome before it is demolished.
Maybe the spotlight belongs on the kick returners: NFL career record setter Devin Hester for Chicago, rookie Cordarrelle Patterson for the Vikes.
ST. LOUIS (5-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO (7-4)
The Rams are seeking their first three-game winning streak of 2013 and have no fear of the 49ers after beating and tying them last year, when San Francisco went to the Super Bowl.
Don’t expect such longrange antics against a Niners defence that ranks sixth overall and is as physical as any.
Receiver Michael Crabtree is expected to make his season debut for San Francisco following May surgery on a torn right Achilles tendon. MIAMI (5-6) AT NEW YORK JETS (5-6)
Hard to believe one of these teams will be solidly in wildcard contention after they meet at the Meadowlands. New York’s wins and losses in alternating weeks ended with a defeat at Baltimore last Sunday.
Miami is the only team to score less than 28 points in every game. It hopes to get back centre Mike Pouncey, who missed two games with a stomach ailment. NEW YORK GIANTS (4-7) AT WASHINGTON (3-8)
The NFL didn’t flex this game away from prime time, perhaps hoping one of these NFC East weaklings would have made a turnaround. The Giants were doing so with four consecutive victories following an 0-6 start, but they fell at home to Dallas last weekend.
The Redskins have lost three straight and clinched a 10th non-winning record in 13 years. Washington is 0-4 in night games this season. JACKSONVILLE (2-9) AT CLEVELAND (4-7)
Just when the Browns seemed to have a shot at a run to the post-season, they’ve dropped two straight within the AFC North. They’re back to Brandon Weeden at quarterback with Jason Campbell having a concussion. His best target, Josh Gordon, set a team record with 237 yards receiving last week and tied a team mark with 14 catches. ATLANTA (2-9) VS. BUFFALO (4-7), AT TORONTO
Falcons are in strong contention to start off the draft next spring, a shocking collapse. Atlanta was the first NFC team eliminated from the playoff picture.
Buffalo is 1-4 in regular season in games at the Rogers Centre. Led by DE Mario Williams’ 11 sacks, Buffalo is tied with New Orleans for the NFL lead with 37.