TODAY’S LINEUP

azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman offers a rundown of today’s NFL schedule: Bengals (8-6) at Steelers (7-7) Time/TV: 11 a.m./Ch. 5. Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. Key players/story lines: It’s a mustwin for the Steelers, who control their destiny. Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati 24-17 in Week 7 and since 2008 has a 10-3 record in the second meeting of a season against division opponents. The Bengals have won five of their past six games and aim for their fourth straight road win. Cincinnati WR A.J. Green needs 233 receiving yards to top Chad Johnson’s single-season club record (1,440 in 2007). The Steelers are a surprising minus-11 in takeaways/giveaways. Line: Steelers -3½. Saints (6-8) at Cowboys (8-6) Time/TV: 11 a.m./Ch. 10. Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa. Key players/story lines: The Cowboys have won three straight to pull into a three-way tie for first in the NFC East and need this one before closing the regular season at Washington. The Saints are actually mathematically still alive for a playoff spot, but they’ll have to win their last two games and then hope eight other scenarios play out. Dallas WR Dez Bryant, playing with a bad finger injury, aims for his seventh consecutive game with a touchdown catch. Saints QB Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards (4,335) and touchdowns (36). Line: Cowboys -2½. 49ers (10-3-1) at Seahawks (9-5) Time/TV: 6:20 p.m./Ch. 12. Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya. Key players/story lines: San Francisco will clinch the NFC West and a firstround bye with a win coupled with a loss by Green Bay at Tennessee. Seattle has the inside track on a wild-card spot but can also claim the No. 2 seed by winning out and the 49ers losing next week to the Cardinals and Green Bay losing one of its final two. The 49ers have won the past four meetings and have allowed the fewest points (214) in the league. They rank second in total defense (293 yards per game). Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson is 6-0 at home, where he has thrown for 1,083 yards with 12 touchdowns and one interception. Line: Pick’em. Packers (10-4) at Titans (5-9) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Packers -121⁄ Mac’s take: Green Bay is getting healthy again at the perfect time and should enter the postseason on a roll. Vikings (8-6) at Texans (12-2) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Texans -8. Mac’s take: Adrian Peterson needs 294 more rushing yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record (2,105), but the yards might be tough to come by in this one. Patriots (10-4) at Jaguars (2-12) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Patriots -141⁄ Mac’s take: Don’t expect the Patriots to take it easy on the Jaguars. Redskins (8-6) at Eagles (4-10) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Redskins -61⁄ Mac’s take: Washington QB Robert Griffin III is expected to start after sitting out last week’s win. Colts (9-5) at Chiefs (2-12) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Colts -7. Mac’s take: Indianapolis can clinch a playoff berth with a win or with a loss by the Steelers. Rams (6-7-1) at Buccaneers (6-8) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Buccaneers -3. Mac’s take: A good matchup between two teams that are putting it back together the right way. Bills (5-9) at Dolphins (6-8) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Dolphins -41⁄ Mac’s take: Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller leads the NFL with an average of 6.5 yards per carry. Why isn’t he running the ball 30 times a game? Chargers (5-9) at Jets (6-8) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Jets -2. Mac’s take: Both coaches are on the hot seat, their offenses are a mess, and major changes are just days away. Raiders (4-10) at Panthers (5-9) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Panthers -9. Mac’s take: Carolina waited too long to start playing with passion, and it probably will cost head coach Ron Rivera his job. Browns (5-9) at Broncos (11-3) Time: 2:05 p.m. Line: Broncos -121⁄ Mac’s take: Denver should roll to its 10th straight win. The Broncos have beaten the Browns in each of the past nine meetings. Giants (8-6) at Ravens (9-5) Time: 2:25 p.m. Line: Giants -21⁄ Mac’s take: The Ravens will clinch the AFC North with a win, but the Giants are in must-win mode and know how to win these kinds of games.