THIS WEEK IN THE NFL
FALCONS @ SAINTS
7:25 p.m. Thursday, CBS
Saints have lost six straight in Superdome; Falcons first 5-0 team everwith four fourth-quarter comebacks.
WASHINGTON @ JETS
Noon Sunday, FOX
Washington ‘D’ admirable in OT loss to Atlanta; suspension over, Sheldon Richardson joins loaded D-line.
CARDINALS @ STEELERS
Noon Sunday, FOX
Bruce Arians returns to Pittsburgh with NFL’s No. 1 scoring outfit; Steelers’ pass rush heating up.
CHIEFS @ VIKINGS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Beginning lifewithout J.C., 1-4 Chiefs will be immediately reminded of what franchise RBmeans to offense.
BENGALS @ BILLS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Signaturewin under belt, Bengals demand universal respect; Bills back in win column with rugged ‘D’.
BEARS @ LIONS
Noon Sunday, FOX
Detroit has won four straight in series, but NFC North foes heading in opposite directions.
BRONCOS @ BROWNS
Noon Sunday, CBS
McCown, notManning, hottest QB on field, but can he riddle scorching Denver ‘D,’ without DeMarcusWare for a few weeks?
TEXANS @ JAGUARS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Texans’ ‘D’ a total disaster; Bortles’ career day marred by shoulder injury, another Jags loss.
DOLPHINS @ TITANS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Interim coach Dan Campbell wiping slate clean; Titans’ past two losses have been by a combined three points.
PANTHERS@ SEAHAWKS
3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX
Panthers exit byewith chance to avenge wild-card defeat to desperate Seahawks club withwarts.
CHARGERS @ PACKERS
3:25 Sunday, CBS
Rivers and Rodgers will battle for just second time in daunting challenge for Bolts on short rest.
RAVENS @ 49ERS
3:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS
The Harbaugh bo… oh wait. Two 1-4 clubs in disarray, coming off crushing, last-second losses.
PATRIOTS @ COLTS
7:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC
The footballs will be closely inspected, much like AndrewLuck’s shoulder this week.
GIANTS @ EAGLES
7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN
EliManning pretty good in fourth quarter after all. Kelly offense shows pulse, albeit vs. Saints.
• The Cowboys, Raiders, Rams and Buccaneers are on byeweeks.