Game of the week
N.Y. Giants at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m. | 
Endzone
The line: Steelers by 2½
The story: The past two weeks have been less than scintillating for the Giants. There was that blowout in Cleveland, followed by a so-what defeat of San Francisco. Now the temperature goes up on their schedule, with the club on the road four of the next six games. Worse, they don't meet anyone with a losing record until the final game of the season.
In the Steelers, they face a physical and balanced opponent -- a club much like themselves. The problem here will be controlling the edge pass rush, with Pittsburgh's James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley combining for 16 sacks. That could be a problem, especially with the Giants little more than adequate at the tackle positions.
Of course, the Giants can bring the heat, too, but they do it with their front four. Defensive end Justin Tuck is a load and worth double-teaming. Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins have been solid, too. In fact, 18 of the team's 21 sacks have come from the front four, with Tuck and Robbins tied for the team lead with five apiece.
The game might come down to which quarterback you trust more under pressure: Eli Manning or Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben has been outstanding under fire, with his performance in the face of an all-out assault in Jacksonville nothing short of remarkable. Manning is vastly improved from previous years, but he was rattled by Cleveland's pass rush and threw more interceptions that evening (3) than he had all year.
The key: How well the Giants run the ball. No one is better in the NFL. Of course, the Steelers rank second against the run, so take your pick. But if the Giants can back their opponents off the line of scrimmage with Brandon Jacobs -- he averages 5.4 yards per carry -- they can give Manning the relief he will need. Otherwise, it could be a difficult afternoon, even without Troy Polamalu in the lineup.
Something to consider: Roethlisberger is 13-3 against the NFC, with 22 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and a 101.1 passer rating. Including the playoffs, when his rating is 100 or better the Steelers are 29-2.
Three games I'd like to see
Tampa Bay at Dallas, 1 p.m. | Preview | Endzone
The line: Cowboys by 3½
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| Last week was a disaster for Zach Thomas and the Dallas D. (Getty Images) |
This is the first of a two-game litmus test for the Cowboys, and no wonder Wade Phillips will take control of the defense. His career is at stake here, with the Cowboys almost sure to deep-six him if he loses the next two before the Nov. 9 bye.
The key will be how a porous Dallas defense responds to its latest crisis, especially with Jeff Garcia in town. First of all, Garcia has a history of success at Texas Stadium. Second, he doesn't throw interceptions. Third, the Cowboys don't produce interceptions. You can look it up. They have two all season, none by their cornerbacks.
I mention that because the Cowboys secondary is crippled and, frankly, not very good. If Tampa Bay's Earnest Graham can't penetrate the front seven, I have no doubt Garcia exploits openings in the secondary. Make no mistake: Tampa Bay would like to move the pile with Graham, only I don't know that its offensive line can move the Cowboys' front seven.
The Rams' offensive line pushed the Cowboys all over the field, and the Rams' offensive line was supposed to be a problem. Not last weekend it wasn't, and part of that was because linebacker Zach Thomas -- who has played so well this year -- couldn't get off blocks, and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was a non-factor. Dallas needs Ratliff and Thomas to come around and the outside linebackers to pressure and contain Garcia.
Still, I'm not sure it matters, and here's why: If Brad Johnson couldn't solve the Rams' defense, how will he do it against Tampa Bay? The Bucs are second in the league in takeaways and fourth in points allowed.
Something to consider: The Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware not only seeks his 11th straight game with a sack, an NFL record, but he has 13 sacks in his past 10 starts. He also leads the league with nine.
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. | Preview
The line: Eagles by 8½
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| Philly-area boy Matt Ryan won't get preferential treatment. (Getty Images) |
Now let's see them do it here.
Philadelphia is a tough stage for anyone, including Santa Claus. The crowd is hostile. The Eagles can be tough. And Donovan McNabb usually is on. In fact, he's 3-0 against the Falcons at home, completing 67 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception.
But McNabb and the Eagles can't seem to get anything going. Granted, some of that has to do with the absence of running back Brian Westbrook. But since Super Bowl XXXIX the Eagles are a .500 club, looking good one week and mediocre the next. That has been the story this season. They engulfed Pittsburgh one weekend, only to lose the next two to Chicago and Washington.
Short-yardage offense can be a problem, with the Eagles unable to get 1 yard to beat the Bears, but look for the Eagles to run more effectively here. Opposing backs average 4.4 yards a carry against the Falcons, and Atlanta's defense is 27th in third-down efficiency. I know the Eagles prefer to pass the ball downfield, but at least the opportunities should be there.
The key for Atlanta, of course, is keeping its composure. Given the locale, that won't be easy, especially with a rookie quarterback. I saw Ben Roethlisberger sacked eight times here, but Ryan hasn't been sacked eight times all year. He's remarkably poised and accurate, but he's also in a quarterback's graveyard -- Philadelphia -- and good luck. Since 1999 the Eagles are 8-3 against rookie quarterbacks.
Something to consider: Under Andy Reid, Philadelphia is 9-0 after byes.
Arizona at Carolina, 1 p.m. | Preview
The line: Panthers by 4½
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| Julius Peppers is back to running down quarterbacks. (Getty Images) |
Carolina just destroyed New Orleans, is sound on both sides of the ball and looks like a legitimate division threat. With a defeat of the Panthers -- especially in Charlotte -- Arizona signals the league that its run on Comedy Central is over.
That won't be easy. Carolina hasn't lost at home, and the Cardinals can't win in the Eastern time zone ... even when they spend a week there. Anquan Boldin might be back for Arizona, and the Cardinals could use him. The Panthers rank second in pass defense and just shut down the Saints' mighty passing attack.
I know it's not exactly a revelation, but here's a suggestion for Russ Grimm, the Cards' offensive line coach: Double up on defensive end Julius Peppers with a tight end or back. The guy looks like himself again, with four sacks in his past five games
Something to consider: Larry Fitzgerald should draw most of the Panthers' attention. In three games against them he has 22 catches for 325 yards and two touchdowns.
Why Mondays shouldn't get you down
Indianapolis at Tennessee, 8:30 p.m. | Preview
The line: Titans by 3½
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| Indy can't afford another bad Peyton Manning outing. (Getty Images) |
For some reason I keep thinking this might come down to Peyton Manning vs. the Titans' pass defense. Basically, he can't continue to throw interceptions. Otherwise, he -- and the Colts -- are dead meat. Manning looked great against Baltimore two weeks ago, and he is 4-1 in his past five starts in Nashville. But it's hard to get over that dismal performance a week ago. I just wonder what impact it could have on him and his teammates for this game.
The problem is that Tennessee thrives on turnovers, with its 14 tied for third best in the league. Included are 10 interceptions, and here's a suggestion, Peyton: Beware of cornerback Cortland Finnegan. He is tied for the league high with four.
Of course, there's another story here, too, and it has been told all season. It's the Colts' run defense against the next 100-yard back waiting to happen. Ryan Grant didn't have a touchdown or 100-yard game until facing the Colts last weekend. I think you know what transpired.
But that's the problem with Indianapolis when it plays without Bob Sanders. Opposing backs slice, dice and splice the Colts for 4.4 yards a carry and 154 yards per game. Now they face an unbeaten club that just shredded Kansas City for 332 yards on the ground, and just how would you expect the Titans to attack them? I'm with you.
Something to consider: Give Titans quarterback Kerry Collins credit. He's not making silly mistakes. But give his offensive line credit, too. It hasn't allowed a sack the past four games and has allowed only two all season.
Upset of the week
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| Jeff Garcia won't give the Cowboys any easy chances. (Getty Images) |
But I don't see how they match up with Tampa Bay, especially with Jeff Garcia not turning the ball over. If Earnest Graham can't run on the Cowboys, I know Garcia can pass.
What I don't know is if the Cowboys' Brad Johnson can do much of anything at this stage of his career. I mean, how is he going to get the ball downfield? He can't.
But Johnson is not the problem with this team. A subpar offensive line, a disappointing pass rush and a shoddy secondary are. So how do you solve all that in one week? That's why I like the Bucs.
Crummy game of the week
Seattle at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m. | Preview | Endzone
The line: 49ers by 4½
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| Could Mike Holmgren be coaching vs. his future employer? (Getty Images) |
Of course, Mike Singletary might have something to say about that. He takes over as the 49ers' interim coach with nine games to prove he belongs. But who's kidding whom? Singletary is a great guy and was a great player, but he hasn't been in this position before, and he didn't even have a week to prepare for his first game.
The coaches are the story here because their teams stink. Both clubs rank in the bottom quarter of league rankings in offense and defense, and neither has won since Sept. 21. San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan will be going dressed as a piñata at this year's Halloween party. The 49ers quarterback has been sacked a league-high 29 times. Look out for Patrick Kerney. He has 11 sacks in his past seven games against NFC West opponents.
Something to consider: It's no secret Seattle has been ravaged by injuries to its wide receivers. But the club has 15 players with at least one reception, tying the Seahawks with New Orleans for first in that department.
Games within the games
Ryan vs. Ryan. It's Rex vs. Rob in the Battle of Buddy's Boys in Baltimore. Talk about Killer Bs. Dad plans to be there, but whom is he backing?
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| Drew Brees can't deny playing the Chargers is special. (Getty Images) |
Drew Brees vs. Philip Rivers. San Diego let Brees walk in 2006 because it valued Rivers more and, frankly because it didn't trust Brees' damaged shoulder. Now both are among the league's leading quarterbacks, only it's Brees who has something to prove in his first start against his former team. "I'd be lying if I told you it was just another game," he said this week. Attaboy, Drew.
Brad Johnson vs. Jon Gruden. It's Johnson's first start against the Bucs since leaving his former club after the 2004 season, and I guarantee he knows how to attack the Tampa Bay defense.
Dick LeBeau vs. Steve Spagnuolo. Two of the game's best defensive coordinators will decide Sunday's biggest game. LeBeau is the old; Spagnuolo is the new. Both create pressure with the pass rush -- LeBeau with his outside linebackers, Spagnuolo with his front four -- but only one will walk away happy Sunday.
Five guys I want to be this weekend
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| LaMarr Woodley has picked up a sack in four straight games. (Getty Images) |
2. Seattle linebacker Julian Peterson. He aims for his fourth straight game with a sack against his former team, and I like his chances. Opponents have sacked the 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan 29 times this season.
3. Buffalo coach Dick Jauron. He aims for the team's fourth straight defeat of Miami in October.
4. Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley. The man is hot, hot, hot, with at least one sack in each of his past four games and 6½ in all over that period.
5. Washington running back Clinton Portis. He works on a string of four consecutive 100-yard games against the league's 31st-ranked run defense. Uh-oh. When Portis rushes for 100 yards, his teams are 31-10.
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| Jason Campbell is the lone starting QB without a pick. (Getty Images) |
Just a hunch
Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell will run his string of games without an interception to eight.
Look no farther than the schedule. Uh-huh, it's Detroit, with the Lions having one interception all season.
Plus, they're 31st against the run, so Campbell won't have to take unnecessary chances. He can just give the ball to Clinton Portis, and enjoy the view.
Meaningful numbers
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| Albert Haynesworth and the Titans are stingy right out of the gate. (Getty Images) |
The Titans rarely let anyone get the jump on them because of a defense that hasn't allowed a first-quarter touchdown in the past 10 games. Impressive, huh?
Try this: In four of six games this year they haven't allowed a first-quarter point, and they have surrendered only nine first-quarter points in 10 games since Week 14 of 2007.
Sunday's weather watch
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• Baltimore: Sunny, high of 61.
• Charlotte: Sunny, high of 67.
• Dallas: Sunny, high of 82.
• Detroit: (Dome).
• Miami: Thundershowers, high of 80.
• Foxborough, Mass.: Partly cloudy, wind, high of 60.
• East Rutherford, N.J.: Sunny, high of 61.
• London, England: Light rain, high winds, high of 60.
• Philadelphia: Sunny, high of 62.
• Jacksonville: Partly cloudy, high of 75.
• Pittsburgh: Partly cloudy, high of 54.
• San Francisco: Sunny, high of 76.
Where we will be
• Pete will be in Dallas to offer Wade Phillips a blindfold.
• I'll be in Nashville to cast an early vote for Kerry Collins as Comeback Player of the Year.
• Gregg Doyel will be in Pittsburgh to plant pansies at Heinz Field.
