Peek at the Week: Finding juiciest stakes in Dallas

Game of the week

Philadelphia at Dallas, 4:15 p.m. ET

The line: Cowboys by 2½

The story: First place in the NFC East is decided here. Logic tells you the Cowboys should win because they're home, they're starting to roll and, well, because they beat Philadelphia earlier this year. Plus, they have a score to settle from last year. With a chance to make the playoffs, the Cowboys were destroyed 44-6 in the season finale in Philadelphia.

But careful, people. The Eagles are on a six-game tear and beat Dallas two of the past three times on the road. They're also loaded with playmakers, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek the favorite targets of Donovan McNabb. McNabb is 11-7 against the Cowboys and might have his own score to settle with them. It was his failed attempt at a fourth-down sneak earlier this year that was the turning point in the ballgame, but McNabb was the victim of a bad spot -- and the league later admitted it.

But the problem for McNabb and his teammates is not just an opponent eager to exact revenge; it's their own lineup. Center Jamaal Jackson is out for the season, sidelined with torn knee ligaments, which means guard Nick Cole moves over and Max Jean-Gilles takes Cole's spot on the right side. Cole is a center first, a guard second, so he steps into his natural position, but you have to believe there could be trouble with snaps and line calls. There could be trouble with Dallas defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, too. He had two sacks the last time these two teams met.

The obvious problem, though, is slowing down Tony Romo and the Cowboys' passing game. Romo has been Mr. November throughout his career, but he seems determined to prove his season doesn't stop there, and so far, so good. Though the Cowboys endured another non-winning December, don't blame the quarterback. He threw seven touchdown passes, one interception and twice threw for over 300 yards.

Something to consider: Since 2006, the Eagles have the third-best record in December and January. They're 18-5.

Three games I'd like to see

New England at Houston, 1 p.m. ET (CBS) | Preview

The line: Texans by 7½

The story: Do they or don't they? And you know what I'm talking about. Do the Patriots play their starters or don't they? Bill Belichick won't tip his hand, saying "whoever plays, plays," and thanks for nothing, Bill. Neither Tom Brady nor Randy Moss participated in Wednesday's practice, and that might be your first clue. But Brady has been on the injury report lately, and Moss typically is given Wednesdays off so maybe they play, maybe they don't. Brady, who was limited in Thursday's workout, has said he wants to play, but Belichick makes that decision and the smart money has him sitting his quarterback for most of Sunday's game.

That could help the Texans and really, really help their head coach. Three weeks ago Gary Kubiak looked like a coach waiting to get fired, but he's pulled the team to three straight victories and has it on the verge of completing its first winning season. So the Texans probably don't make the playoffs. If they win here they finish 9-7, and that was one of the goals owner Bob McNair mentioned when he talked about Kubiak's future.

Normally, I would say the spread is too big for any game involving the Patriots, except if they pull their starters I don't see how they survive the barrage of Matt Schaub, who aims for his fourth consecutive 100-plus passer rating. Schaub's favorite receiver is Andre Johnson, and, quick now, who on New England can cover him? Miami couldn't do it, and the Dolphins were home and playing for a playoff spot. I don't see the Patriots doing it, either, and if Houston starts as it did a week ago, this one could be over by the third period.

Something to consider: Kubiak is 3-0 in season finales since taking over in 2006 -- and all three games were at Reliant Stadium.

Green Bay at Arizona, 4:15 p.m. ET

The line: Cards by 2½

The story: If you miss this one, no big deal. You might be able to catch these two teams in the same place next weekend. The Packers have won five of the past six in this series, but it's Arizona -- not Green Bay -- that has more to gain here. If Minnesota and Philadelphia lose Sunday, the Cards are alive for the second seed in the NFC playoffs. Yeah, I know it's a long shot, but it's still out there. The Packers, on the other hand, are locked into a road wild-card game, and it could be -- no, should be -- right here.

If that's the case -- and both clubs will know where they stand by kickoff -- the likelihood is that they practice little deception, reserving their best and most unpredictable plays for the following weekend. The two teams met in preseason, so they know each other, and what they know is that this game doesn't mean as much as the next -- which also means we might see both sides empty the bench.

"We're not interested in sitting players or anything like that," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

That sounds good now, but let's see what happens Sunday. The benefit of this game is that it can allow each club two weeks to prepare for the other. The downside is to the fans. You might as well be watching a preseason game. Nevertheless, I'm curious to see how each side goes into this game and, more importantly, how each goes out of it.

Something to consider: Aaron Rodgers has a 102.4 passer rating and can join Bart Starr as the only Green Bay passer to finish with a rating of 100 or better for a season. Rodgers' backup, Matt Flynn, has thrown only 14 passes in two seasons.

Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets, 8:20 p.m. ET

The line: Jets by 9½

The story: Your first clue to this game is that line. There is no way the Jets are favored by 9½ points if Cincinnati plays its starters four quarters. Marvin Lewis said he intends to play them, which is great, but he doesn't say for how long. A week ago, Jim Caldwell played his starters, too, before sitting them down in the third quarter, and the result was a late Christmas for the grateful Jets. The same thing could happen here, and I'd be shocked if the same thing doesn't.

Remember, the last time the Bengals were in this position was 2005, and Lewis pulled quarterback Carson Palmer after one quarter in Kansas City. The result was a 37-3 demolition by the Chiefs, but the Bengals didn't care. They had the playoffs ahead, and the Chiefs did not. So they sat their impact players.

I say that happens again, and I'm not alone. Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards must think they sit their starters, too, otherwise he wouldn't be running around guaranteeing a victory.

There's one thing that Edwards should know, however: Nothing is sure with the Jets. Long-suffering Jets fans expect the worst, and often their expectations are realized. A year ago, they were in this position against Miami, except that both teams had something to gain -- like one playoff spot. The Jets fizzled at home, their head coach was fired and fans were not surprised.

No one will get fired here. But the Jets have their first chance since 2006 to reach the playoffs, and that makes nervous natives restless. Will they blow another one? The Bengals might not let them, and let's hear it for coasting. Jets officials must be thinking the same thing. They've banned the sale of alcohol at the stadium. Smart move, guys.

Something to consider: The Jets are 10-2 vs. Cincinnati at home.

Crummy game of the week

Chicago at Detroit, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Bears by 2½

The story: Two bad teams. One bad game. The Bears rank 24th in offense; the Lions 25th. The Bears rank 21st in points allowed; the Lions are dead last. The Bears are minus-8 in the giveaway/takeaway department; the Lions minus-16. OK, OK, we get it. These guys stink, with eight wins between them, and let's hear it for the end of the season.

Of course, nobody should be more grateful for the end than Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. He leads the league in interceptions and bad decisions, and the bleeding stops after Sunday. But nobody made a poorer decision than the Bears, the guys who convinced themselves that Cutler could take them to the playoffs. Playoffs? Playoffs? Cutler hasn't been through a winning season since high school.

Fortunately for him, he may have a soft landing to another hard ride. Not only does he play one of the league's worst teams, the Lions will operate with a backup quarterback. It's either Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper, and you tell me if either makes a difference. It doesn't.

Happy New Year, Detroit. It can only get better.

Something to consider: Chicago scored seven points in the fourth period of its last seven games. The Bears' lone touchdown was in Monday's defeat of Minnesota, and it followed a Danieal Manning kickoff return to the Vikings 21.

Upset of the week

Oakland (+10½) over Baltimore, 4:15 p.m. ET (CBS) | Preview

The story: Hey, it's the last week of the season, so why not step out on a limb? Do I think this happens? No, I don't. Do I think it could? Yes. Granted, the Raiders basically stink and should mail this one in ... but that's what we said last year when they went across country for the season finale and played a Tampa team that needed a victory to get into the playoffs. Final score: Oakland 31, Bucs 24.

It didn't make sense, and an Oakland win here doesn't either ... except the Raiders have been 3-3 their last six games, have beaten Philadelphia and Cincinnati at home and face an opponent that lost five of its last six road games. The one victory? A lackluster 16-0 defeat of Cleveland.

If Baltimore wins here it's because it runs all over these guys, which can happen. The Raiders allow an average of 150 yards rushing per game, and if that happens again it's hasta la vista, baby. Look, what do I have to miss here? After picking lifeless Washington the past two weeks, virtually anything looks good to me, so why not?

Something to consider: Oakland's defensive line is responsible for 26 of the team's 33 sacks this season.

Games within the games

Cincinnati WR Chad Ochocinco vs. N.Y. Jets CB Darrelle Revis: Ochocinco predictably started the week by calling out the Jets' star cornerback and challenging him to cover him, saying that he's "coming to the Big Apple to give NY what they've never seen, an escaped inmate gone wild on Revis island." Yeah, sure, Chad. This guy shut down Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Reggie Wayne and Randy Moss twice. "Darrelle Revis couldn't cover me in a brown paper bag on a corner of a Manhattan street inside a phone booth," Ochocinco said. "It's impossible." We'll see.

N.Y. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora vs. defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan: It's clear the two aren't on the same page, and look for that page to turn after Sunday -- with Sheridan the likely casualty. Umenyiora made it clear this week he wants to stay with the Giants, but said "this situation cannot continue the way it is." I think we know what he means.

San Diego coach Norv Turner vs. Washington owner Daniel Snyder: Turner still hasn't forgotten how he was dismissed in the middle of the 2000 season when the Redskins were 7-6, and that's not good for this week's opponent. The last time he faced them here, he was the Bolts' offensive coordinator, and San Diego won a 30-3 beatdown.

Philadelphia WR DeSean Jackson vs. Dallas CB Michael Jenkins: It was Jenkins who this week downplayed the impact Jackson could have on the game, saying, "I guess he runs past a lot of guys, and it's not going to happen this week. It's not going to happen, period." Maybe, but Jackson has eight touchdowns of 50 or more yards. Of course, he also had just two catches against Dallas earlier this season, too.

San Francisco WR Isaac Bruce vs. St. Louis history: Coach Mike Singletary is doing the right thing by making Bruce active for this one. It's almost surely his last game as a pro, and it's in a stadium where he starred for years with the Rams and "The Greatest Show on Turf." Bruce was the team's first Pro Bowl performer after it moved to St. Louis and the receiver who produced the game-winning TD catch in the club's Super Bowl XXXIV victory. He's also a fan favorite and a guy in the right place at the right time. "I'm always excited to go back to St. Louis," he said.

Five guys I'd like to be

Tennessee RB Chris Johnson: He can break 2,000 yards rushing, and he can break Eric Dickerson's single-season record. Plus, he gets to do it against Seattle, the league's 25th-ranked defense.

Poll Who will win the NFC East? 39% Cowboys   61% Eagles   Total Votes: 10136

Chicago RB Matt Forte: He aims for his third consecutive game against Detroit with 120 or more yards rushing.

New Orleans LB Jonathan Vilma: He has 25 tackles in his past two games against Carolina.

N.Y. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora: In his past two games against Minnesota, he has four sacks and a forced fumble.

Dallas DT Jay Ratliff: He has four sacks in his past four games against Philadelphia, including two the last time these two met, but now he goes against a backup center.

Numbers, numbers, numbers

1: Touchdown passes needed by Brett Favre to reach 30 for the ninth time in his career.
8: Consecutive Tennessee victories against NFC opponents.
11: Consecutive road wins for Indianapolis.
12: Yards needed for Drew Brees to become first quarterback in NFL history with four consecutive 4,400-yard passing seasons.
128: Yards Chris Johnson needs to reach 2,000.
135.1: Aaron Rodgers' third-down passer rating.
153: Yards passing Peyton Manning needs to surpass his franchise high of 4,557.
194: Yards passing Eli Manning needs to set the Giants' single-season record.
1994: Last time Cleveland won four in a row.
5-0: Jacksonville's record in Cleveland.

Sunday's weather watch

• Buffalo: Snow shower and wind, high of 19
• Charlotte: Mostly sunny and windy, high of 38
• Cleveland: Snow showers and wind, high of 23
• Dallas: Partly cloudy, high of 50
• Detroit: Dome
• Houston: Mostly sunny, high of 57
• Miami: Mostly cloudy, high of 64
• Minneapolis: Dome
• East Rutherford, N.J.: Snow showers, wind, high of 30
• St. Louis: Dome
• Tampa: Mostly sunny, high of 56
• Phoenix: Mostly sunny, high of 70
• Denver: Sunny, high of 40
• Oakland: Mostly cloudy, high of 60
• San Diego: Partly cloudy, high of 71
• Seattle: Cloudy, high of 51

Where we will be

•  Pete Prisco will be in Dallas to cast his vote of confidence in Wade Phillips.

• I'll be at Giants Stadium to turn out the lights.

•  Mike Freeman will be in Miami to offer parting gifts to the Pittsburgh Steelers.