Four years later, they meet again. The last time these teams did this it resulted in one of the best Super Bowls of all time, and quite possibly the best game of the entire last decade. Can the rematch live up to the original?

Probably not. Last time, the Patriots were trying to become the second team in NFL history to go completely undefeated in the regular season and postseason, while the Giants were the scrappy underdogs that just barely squeaked into the playoffs and shocked the world in the Super Bowl. This year, the Giants made another Cinderella run, but they aren’t quite shocking the world the way they did four years ago; they actually won their division, more than a few people noted how hot they were playing down the stretch, and they’ve already beaten the team that tried to go unbeaten this year. Meanwhile, the Patriots were the class of a rather inferior AFC, hardly showing the dominance of four years ago and showing a decided weakness on defense, admittedly like most of the league’s best teams. Both teams needed miscues from their championship game opponents to get here, and we already saw this year’s sports movie. None of the context that went into the game four years ago is there, and that alone will probably keep it from living up to that level.

That the Giants are playing as well as they are does throw in a few storylines of its own, however. Probably one of the bigger ones involves Eli Manning. Four years ago, no one thought he would ever be anywhere near as good as his brother. He’s since become one of the league’s better quarterbacks, but still raised eyebrows in the preseason when he claimed that he should be considered an elite quarterback on par with Tom Brady. While he didn’t put up the gaudy numbers Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, or Brady put up this year, he still managed to silence the critics and prove that he really is that good a quarterback, being named the NFC’s #3 quarterback in the Pro Bowl behind Rodgers and Brees. Now he has a chance to actually double his brother’s Super Bowl count, possibly for all time. And who does he have a chance to beat to do it? Why, Tom Brady, of course.

Brady has already cemented a Hall of Fame resume, but it’s still interesting how another Super Bowl would impact his legacy. For the past few years, we thought that night in Glendale was the last night of the Patriots dynasty, as, while the Patriots remained one of the league’s elite teams, injuries and underperforming teams kept them out of even the conference championship game. It’s been something like seven years since Brady’s last Super Bowl, and at his age it’s fair to wonder how many more seasons he has left in him. Seeing Drew Bledsoe, the man whose injury set the stage for his entire career, handing out the Lamar Hunt Trophy, you had to wonder if it was a fitting bookend to his career. How would one last postscript Super Bowl to tie Joe Montana be seen when we look back on Brady’s storied career?

Throw in the game being played in Indianapolis, home of Eli’s brother and the Patriots’ main rival over the past decade, and it’s easy to see why Peyton Manning’s shadow hangs over the game, and why there are still plenty of storylines for Giants-Patriots II.

NFC Playoff Picture

DIVISION LEADERS	WILD CARD	NOTES
EAST 48-7	510-5	NFC EAST LOSER ELIMINATED; LAST NFC PLAYOFF SPOT TO BE DETERMINED
8-7
SOUTH 312-3	69-6
CLINCHED
WEST 212-3	8-7
CLINCHED
NORTH 114-1
CLINCHED

The NFL Schedule post is the first post of 2012, because it took so long for me to find out for sure what Compass was doing that I just gave up. With no SNF Flex Schedule Watch, the playoff picture moves back to the Schedule post; this is one point in favor of putting the playoff picture on this post full-time.

Week 17 never feels like a regular season week, especially with the double double-header, and the NFL has made it less so in recent years. On the other hand, there are a grand total of three games this weekend with no meaning whatsoever other than draft picks no one cares about because they aren’t the Luck pick, and I’ll show you what’s at stake in every one.

If all games go according to the point spread, your playoff teams are, according to ESPN’s Playoff Machine: AFC = byes: Patriots and Ravens; Titans @ Texans, Steelers @ Broncos; NFC = byes: Packers and Niners; Falcons @ Saints, Lions @ Giants.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	SIRIUS		Notes
							Away	Home
#26(5-10)	18¾-26¾	#T15(7-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		711	Ron Pitts, Charles Davis	139	92	Aaaaaaand the very first game is one of those meaningless ones as the former Dream Team looks to end on a high note.
#7(10-5)	22¾-18¾	#1(14-1)	Sun 1:00 PM		712	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin	85	104	Well, the Lions have no chance to lock down the 5 against the Packers! …what’s that? They aren’t unbeaten and are resting everybody? Oh.
#14(8-7)	18¼-21¼	#23(5-10)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf	86	136	Jets are fighting for a playoff spot, but the Dolphins are more dangerous than they look.
#22(6-9)	23¼-30¾	#2(12-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	138	125	Yeah, the Saints are playing for a bye, but you know the Fox slate is lame when Buck and Co have the early spot on a doubleheader.
#4(12-3)	23¼-12¼	#32(7-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan	137	117	The Rams should make it easy for the Niners to lock down a first-round bye.
#21(7-8)	19½-21½	#T28(3-12)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa	135	94	Another meaningless game as the Bears just try to finish at .500.
#17(8-7)	20½-18½	#9(10-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker	106	128	The Texans have nothing to play for, but tell me the Titans won’t force a strength-of-victory tiebreaker for the last spot.
#31(2-13)	16¾-20¼	#27(4-11)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein	113	112	It’s the final resolution of the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes!
#25(6-9)	19¾-30¼	#3(12-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		705	Don Criqui, Randy Cross	134	93	The Patriots can lock down the AFC’s #1 seed; anyone want to tell them they don’t deserve it?
#6(11-4)	20-13½	#T28(4-11)	Sun 4:15 PM		716	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots	135	92	The Steelers need a win if they want the division crown and a first-round bye.
#24(6-9)	17-20	#13(8-7)	Sun 4:15 PM		717	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	132	86	For all Tebow’s magic, he needs it to last one more game to get into the playoffs at all.
#5(11-4)	20½-18	#10(9-6)	Sun 4:15 PM		715	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	134	94	The Ravens want to lock down the division, but Dalton and the Bengals can lock down a playoff spot.
#19(7-8)	19-22	#20(7-8)	Sun 4:15 PM		714	Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington	139	112	Our last meaningless game means a second NFC East team will finish at .500 for once!
#30(4-11)	17½-28	#8(9-6)	Sun 4:15 PM		713	Dick Stockton, John Lynch	136	117	With only one playoff spot still to go in the NFC, this is what passes for a Fox feature game: Atlanta maybe playing for the 5.
#18(7-8)	22½-25½	#T15(8-7)	Sun 4:15 PM		718	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	85	93	The Raiders could claim the division – but have an outside shot at the wild card if they don’t.
#12(8-7)	22-26	#11(8-7)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	92	93	Final game of the regular season is the NFC East title game.

Had trouble finding consistent numbers for Rams-Steelers, and no wonder, with a new record low MXS for St. Louis that could be as low as 10¼.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#7(10-4)	23-17	#32(1-13)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	Now that the Colts have won, can they keep it up? Not against the division champs on a short week.
#23(5-9)	19½-29	#2(11-3)	Sat 1:00 PM		705	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	USA	125	92	Division? Check. First-round bye and #1 seed? Still some work to do, but the Fins will help.
#27(4-10)	16¼-23¾	#20(7-7)	Sat 1:00 PM		707	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		127	117	Tennessee is trying to keep hope alive for a playoff berth and hopes a win over a division foe will help.
#29(4-10)	20¼-27¾	#24(5-9)	Sat 1:00 PM		711	Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington		136	112	Cam Newton’s escapades have resulted in wins recently – and passing the Bucs for third in the division.
#28(4-10)	12¾-25¾	#5(10-4)	Sat 1:00 PM		706	Spero Dedes, Rich Gannon		106	93	Surely the Ravens won’t look nearly as bad playing the Browns?
#T17(7-7)	18-22½	#13(8-6)	Sat 1:00 PM		712	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin		139	113	Two teams trying to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs.
#30(2-12)	18¾-25¼	#25(5-9)	Sat 1:00 PM		710	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan		128	134	Adrian Peterson says he’s playing for fantasy owners, so people who win their titles because of him, send him a thank-you card.
#10(8-6)	22¼-19¼	#26(5-9)	Sat 1:00 PM		704	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	CMP	91	104	The Broncos look to lock down the division against a team in freefall.
#31(2-12)	11-25	#6(10-4)	Sat 1:00 PM		713	Dick Stockton, John Lynch		138	85	Rams still very much alive in the Luck Sweepstakes, and an angry Steelers team should help.
#T17(7-7)	20-22	#22(6-8)	Sat 1:00 PM		708	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots		94	137	Fresh off their upset of the Pack, can the Chiefs keep their slim division hopes alive against one of their foes for the crown?
#15(7-7)	21½-24½	#12(8-6)	Sat 1:00 PM		709	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa	WW1	132	86	Battle of New York will determine whether Giants-Cowboys is a division title game on Sunday night.
#14(7-7)	24¾-27¼	#9(9-5)	Sat 4:05 PM		714	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf	WW1	86	135	Lions look to lock down a playoff spot, while the Bolts look to keep their slim hopes alive.
#19(6-8)	24¼-26¼	#11(8-6)	Sat 4:15 PM		715	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	CMP	92	93	Eagles look to keep their not-as-slim-as-you-think playoff hopes alive against the division leaders.
#4(11-3)	20¼-17¾	#16(7-7)	Sat 4:15 PM		716	Ron Pitts, Charles Davis	USA	85	94	Can the Hawks’ magical comeback continue against the class of the division?
#21(7-7)	15¾-28¾	#1(13-1)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	The Pack either seek to bounce back and lock down the #1 seed, or start resting starters, against a division rival.
#8(9-5)	23¼-29¾	#3(11-3)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	Game of the week sees Falcons trying to steal division from Saints.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#25(4-9)	14¼-27¾	#9(8-5)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	"You’re down by 20 in the fantasy semis!" "MJD was the only starter on either one of our teams that played Thursday night."
#13(7-6)	27-20	#28(4-9)	Sat 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	It’s almost incredible how bad the Bucs have gotten, and the Cowboys need a bounce-back.
#15(7-6)	23¼-16¾	#31(2-11)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf		91	138	Most of America will see this game. Not the most inspiring first game of a doubleheader in the world.
#24(4-9)	19½-26	#6(10-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Ron Pitts, Charles Davis		136	113	TJ Yates should continue to manage the game admirably against the porous Panther defense.
#19(6-7)	16¼-19¾	#16(7-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan	CMP	139	93	Might the Seahawks prove they’re legitimate playoff contenders with a win over the Bears?
#27(4-9)	19¾-26¼	#12(7-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	USA	134	94	If the Skins can pull off the upset, it’ll be very unlikely the Giants-Cowboys rematch won’t be for the division.
#14(7-6)	23¾-17¼	#32(0-13)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts		112	128	The Titans got an early Christmas present for their hopes to keep up in the wild card.
#22(4-9)	20½-20½	#23(5-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		705	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots		85	104	Can the Dolphins’ hard charge finally pull them out of the cellar over the freefalling Bills?
#3(10-3)	28¾-22¼	#30(2-11)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Dick Stockton, John Lynch	WW1	92	106	AP might be coming back! Too bad it’ll be against one of the best teams in the league.
#1(13-0)	30-16	#26(5-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		711	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa		86	137	Will it matter who the Chiefs put out at quarterback against the Packers?
#11(8-5)	24½-23½	#17(7-6)	Sun 4:05 PM		712	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin	CMP	135	92	Two teams desperately seeking to make it in the playoffs.
#29(4-9)	15¼-21¾	#20(6-7)	Sun 4:15 PM		713	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		91	93	The Hawks have gotten more attention for their attempt to make the playoffs, but the Cards have done the same and should continue.
#5(10-3)	19½-26½	#8(8-5)	Sun 4:15 PM		714	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	WW1	86	94	Tom Brady and Tim Tebow square off in the game at the heart of last week’s network tug-of-war.
#10(8-5)	20½-23½	#21(5-8)	Sun 4:15 PM		715	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	USA	85	132	The Jets have become a clear #2 in the division and solid playoff contender, so why are they dogs to the not-so-Dream Team?
#2(10-3)	23½-21	#18(6-7)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	Actually a tighter spread than the game NBC actually wanted, but the Bolts face a major obstacle to playoff contention.
#4(10-3)	18¼-21¼	#7(10-3)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	The Monday Night slump ends in a big way with a showdown between two teams fighting for first-round byes.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#28(4-8)	12½-26½	#4(9-3)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	Not a good sign when your struggling team goes Ravens-Steelers back-to-back.
#26(4-8)	19¼-18¼	#30(3-9)	Sun 1:00 PM		712	Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington		136	117	Can you believe the Bucs were playoff contenders not that long ago?
#24(5-7)	13¾-22¾	#11(7-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	CMP	137	93	Can Kyle Orton repeat his Soldier Field magic at the Met?
#7(9-3)	17½-20½	#15(7-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	USA	86	104	The Texans seem to be doing okay with T.J. Yates. Will that continue against the Bengals?
#6(9-3)	28-20	#27(4-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf		91	134	Will getting scared by the worst team in the league cause the Patriots to play with fire against the Skins?
#T9(7-5)	25¼-22¾	#25(4-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Ron Pitts, Jim Mora		112	125	Hey, Cam Newton has a winning streak! But can it continue against a potential playoff team?
#23(4-8)	21-24	#18(4-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		711	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan		132	113	Two teams going in very opposite directions.
#5(9-3)	26-22½	#14(7-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		713	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	WW1	94	128	The Titans are scratching and clawing for a playoff spot… good luck getting it against the Saints.
#32(0-12)	12½-28½	#2(9-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		106	85	The Colts showed signs of life against the Patriots, but the Ravens defense won’t be any easier.
#29(2-10)	20¾-28¾	#12(7-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin		138	92	Maybe the Vikings won’t solve the Lions’ penalty problem, but they will make it matter less.
#16(7-5)	16¼-19¾	#8(7-5)	Sun 4:05 PM		715	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa	CMP	135	93	Tebowmania is reaching a fever pitch, but will it continue against a hungry Bears defense?
#3(10-2)	21¾-17¾	#21(5-7)	Sun 4:05 PM		714	Dick Stockton, John Lynch	USA	92	139	The Cardinals might be a long shot for the playoffs, but it’ll be difficult getting past the Niners.
#22(5-7)	20¼-27¼	#20(5-7)	Sun 4:15 PM		716	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots	WW1	91	85	The Chargers are going on their late-season charge, while the Bills’ season is entering a tailspin.
#13(7-5)	20½-31½	#1(12-0)	Sun 4:15 PM		705	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms		94	86	Good luck defending your division lead against the Tebow onslaught playing the Packers.
#17(6-6)	22¾-26¼	#T9(7-5)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	First of two for NFC East supremacy.
#31(2-10)	17½-22	#19(5-7)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	Rematch of last year’s NFC West title game with substantially less importance this time around.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#18(4-7)	23¼-20¼	#22(4-7)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	Betcha you didn’t realize these two teams were this close.
#14(6-5)	20½-17½	#25(4-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts		91	106	The Jets hope to continue building their playoff case against an iffy Skins team.
#24(4-7)	15¼-22¼	#10(7-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		705	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots	CMP	135	94	Welcome to Kansas City, Kyle Orton! Say hello to the Bears defense.
#13(7-4)	18-24½	#6(8-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	WW1	113	86	The two current AFC Wild Card teams face off not only for their spots, but divisional positioning as well.
#9(7-4)	20¼-17¾	#7(8-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		712	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa		134	92	The Texans try desperately to find a quarterback that can stay standing against a Falcons team fighting for the playoffs.
#15(6-5)	18-19½	#T29(2-9)	Sun 1:00 PM		713	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin		112	125	A rare network swap means it’ll be Fox (and Church of Tebow pastor Brennaman) bringing you Tebow’s latest heroics.
#27(3-8)	22-25	#20(4-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		711	Ron Pitts, Jim Mora		136	117	The Bucs’ season is going into a tailspin. Might gorging on the Panthers defense help?
#32(0-11)	14-34	#4(8-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		710?	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	USA	132	93	Hey, remember when this was the NFL’s greatest rivalry? Then Manning went down and NBC flexed out a month in advance.
#17(6-5)	21-22½	#19(5-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein		137	128	Two teams with distant playoff hopes slug it out… again.
#11(7-4)	20-23	#23(3-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf		139	85	It took a last-minute FG for the ‘Boys to finish the Dolphins at home. Should the Raiders be scared heading into SunLife?
#2(8-3)	22¼-15¾	#28(4-7)	Sun 4:05 PM		708	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		104	112	Hey fantasy nerds, Peyton Hillis is back! Just in time for the end of the fantasy regular season, against the Ravens D.
#1(11-0)	29½-23	#16(6-5)	Sun 4:15 PM		715	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	WW1	94	86	Could the Pack go 16-0? The Giants probably represent their biggest obstacle left.
#8(7-4)	25-20½	#26(4-7)	Sun 4:15 PM		714	Dick Stockton, John Lynch	CMP	93	128	Maybe that Sunday Night showdown won’t be for the division lead after all, with this big an opportunity for the Boys.
#31(2-9)	12¼-25¾	#3(9-2)	Sun 4:15 PM		716	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan	USA	138	92	The woeful Rams should be just what the doctor ordered for a Niners team looking to bounce back from the Ravens loss.
#12(7-4)	22¼-31¼	#5(8-3)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	No Suh, but still a spotlight game between two teams fighting for the playoffs.
#21(4-7)	21-18	#T29(3-8)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	Because if it comes down to Mo Jo-Drew or Vincent Jackson for a fantasy playoff spot, you want everyone to watch.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#1(10-0)	31¼-24¾	#9(7-3)	Thu 12:30 PM			Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	WW1	92	86	They’re not undefeated, but whoda thought the Lions wouldn’t be putting people to sleep Thanksgiving…
#23(3-7)	18¾-25¾	#10(6-4)	Thu 4:15 PM			Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	WW1	92	86	…or that their game would be more attractive than the Cowboys’ (or that the Lions might be better than the Cowboys)?
#2(9-1)	18¼-21¾	#5(7-3)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	86	And whoda thought the Harbaugh Bowl would include one of the two best teams in the league… and it’s not the Ravens?
#19(5-5)	16¾-25¼	#15(5-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		705	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	CMP	134	86	Two teams trying to keep pace in the wild card and divisional races.
#T27(2-8)	17½-27	#11(6-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin	USA	112	93	Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, and others put up the fantasy stats!
#30(2-8)	24-21	#32(0-10)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan		91	104	The Colts need two wins to tie only three teams, so this is what passes for a Luck Sweepstakes clash: two teams who don’t need QBs.
#20(4-6)	20-23	#18(5-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Dick Stockton, John Lynch	WW1	136	92	Two teams with distant playoff hopes slug it out.
#29(3-7)	18¾-21¾	#31(2-8)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington		117	138	Got Larry Fitzgerald or Steven Jackson in fantasy? This is the game for you!
#25(4-6)	15-22½	#13(6-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		113	85	The Browns should be just what the doctor ordered for the Bengals to recover from the Ravens loss.
#7(7-3)	20½-17	#T27(3-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots		128	137	Matt Leinart starts his run at the helm against a Jags defense that’s become fantasy stars recently.
#26(3-7)	16½-20½	#22(4-6)	Sun 4:05 PM		712	Ron Pitts, Jim Mora		94	139	The Hawks hope to continue gorging on iffy teams to climb back into playoff contention.
#8(7-3)	18½-23	#15(6-4)	Sun 4:05 PM		711	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa	CMP	135	86	Caleb Hanie starts his run at the helm against a hungry Raiders defense.
#6(7-3)	26¾-23¾	#17(4-6)	Sun 4:15 PM		713	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf	WW1	93	132	Could Vince Young bring the Eagles up to his own “dream team” rhetoric? Good luck against the Pats.
#16(5-5)	17¾-24¼	#21(4-6)	Sun 4:15 PM		714	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	USA	85	92	A month ago, whoda thunk the Broncos would be a better team, in the standings and the rankings, than the Chargers?
#3(7-3)	25¼-14¾	#24(4-6)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	Welcome to Kansas City, Kyle Orton! Say hello to the Steelers defense.
#12(6-4)	22-29	#4(7-3)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	The best non-Thanksgiving game of the weekend has two of the league’s best quarterbacks fighting for playoff position.

NFC Playoff Picture

DIVISION LEADERS	WILD CARD	WAITING IN THE WINGS (4-5)
EAST 46-3	56-3
5-4
SOUTH 37-3	66-3
5-4
WEST 28-1	5-4
2 tied at 3-6	5-4
NORTH 19-0
2 tied at 6-3

To help me see where I’d rather have the playoff picture chart, I’m reposting it on this post this week. Last four byes this week: three really good teams… and the Colts.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#T13(5-4)	22¾-16¼	#20(4-5)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	Jets try to bounce back from getting embarrassed in primetime.
#27(2-7)	20¼-27¼	#10(6-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Dick Stockton, John Lynch		113	91	Suh and the Lions defense try to get back on track against Newton and the Panthers.
#19(4-5)	17¼-31¼	#1(9-0)	Sun 1:00 PM		711	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	USA	136	86	Bucs may need to score the huge upset in the Battle of Bays to stay in playoff contention.
#12(5-4)	24½-17	#28(3-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa	CMP	93	134	Cowboys hope to take advantage of their struggling rivals to keep pace in the playoff race.
#11(6-3)	16¾-23¾	#7(6-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf	WW1	112	92	Big showdown for a share of the AFC North lead and the top wild-card spot.
#15(5-4)	23-22	#25(2-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots		85	117	Mystified at Raiders being only a one-point favorite over a bad Vikings team.
#16(5-4)	20½-22½	#29(2-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon		137	94	Don’t get too excited Fins fans – you’re still closer to Luck than the playoffs, but the Bills are reeling.
#26(3-6)	16¾-17¾	#31(3-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker		104	132	The Jags defense is starting to make noise for fantasy teams, and the Browns offense should oblige.
#23(3-6)	18-21	#30(2-7)	Sun 4:05 PM		712	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan		106	138	The Rams want to recover something from their season, but the Hawks got an even huger win.
#24(3-6)	15¾-25¼	#2(8-1)	Sun 4:05 PM		713	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin	CMP	139	92	The Niners continue their march to dominate the NFC West.
#17(5-4)	19-25	#T13(5-4)	Sun 4:15 PM		705	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	WW1	85	93	Interconference showdown between two teams fighting for a playoff spot.
#18(4-5)	20¾-24¼	#8(6-3)	Sun 4:15 PM		714	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms	USA	86	94	Two name teams fighting for the playoffs but going in different directions.
#21(3-6)	21½-25½	#9(6-3)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	If the Dream Team couldn’t beat the lowly Cardinals, what could they possibly do against the Giants?
#22(4-5)	15¾-30¾	#5(6-3)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	The Chiefs have started looking horrible again, and the Patriots will be no help.

Bye:

And with that, we are now in the second half of the NFL season, with some teams crossing the border last week.

What is the Median Expected Score?

Away	MXS	Home	Time (ET)	TV	DTV	Announcers	NTR	SIRIUS		Notes
								Away	Home
#19(4-4)	20½-27½	#16(4-4)	Thu 8:20 PM			Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan	WW1	92	93	Showdown for divisional supremacy kicks off the Thursday Night schedule.
#28(2-6)	16¼-30¼	#17(3-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		710	Dick Stockton, John Lynch, Jennifer Hale		137	85	After the loss to the Bears, can the Eagles get back on track, or are the Cards too desperate for respect?
#26(2-6)	20¼-17¼	#32(0-9)	Sun 1:00 PM		708	Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein		106	112	More bad news: Colts are now the last winless team. Can they get off the schnide against the Jags?
#24(3-5)	19¼-22¼	#20(4-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		709	Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker	CMP	113	94	The Chiefs just got embarrassed by the Dolphins, and now they have Tim Tebow to deal with.
#6(6-3)	22¼-19¼	#9(6-2)	Sun 1:00 PM		707	Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts	USA	91	82	The AFC North has been dominant, but the Bengals aren’t getting respect; will that change if they beat Pittsburgh?
#14(5-3)	21¼-26¾	#15(4-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		704	Jim Nantz, Phil Simms		86	132	Interconference showdown between two teams fighting for a playoff spot.
#5(6-3)	25-25	#T12(5-3)	Sun 1:00 PM		712	Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa		92	134	Showdown for divisional supremacy one of the highlights of the early games.
#31(1-7)	17¼-20¾	#27(3-5)	Sun 1:00 PM		714	Ron Pitts, Jim Mora		138	128	People haven’t noticed the Browns aren’t that bad, or that the Rams are.
#25(3-5)	17-20½	#30(1-7)	Sun 1:00 PM		713	Chris Myers, Tim Ryan		135	104	Can the high from the Dolphins’ first win continue into a home clash with the Redskins?
#21(4-4)	21¼-24¾	#T22(2-6)	Sun 1:00 PM		705	Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots		80	93	Looking at the power rankings and line, you’d never guess the Titans had two more wins.
#8(6-3)	24¼-21¼	#18(4-4)	Sun 1:00 PM		706	Marv Albert, Rich Gannon	WW1	117	136	The Texans spent nearly a decade without making the playoffs. Now they could get a first-round bye.
#3(6-2)	23¾-17¼	#29(2-6)	Sun 4:05 PM		715	Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf	USA	113	93	Will the homes of the Fox early games really want to see the hapless Seahawks get crushed by the Ravens?
#7(6-2)	21¼-23¾	#T12(5-3)	Sun 4:15 PM		711	Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin	CMP	94	92	Da Bears would be in the playoffs right now, and revenge against the Lions would make all Cutler’s sacks worthwhile.
#4(6-2)	19½-23	#2(7-1)	Sun 4:15 PM		716	Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver	WW1	85	86	The Niners have a chance to prove their bona fides against Eli and Co. in front of a nearly national audience.
#10(5-3)	22¾-24¼	#11(5-3)	Sun 8:20 PM			Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya	WW1	92	93	Showdown for divisional supremacy starts the NBC flex schedule.
#T22(2-6)	18¾-32¼	#1(8-0)	Mon 8:30 PM			Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber	WW1	92	93	The Packers get a primetime showcase for their dominance against a hated rival.