Given the teams’ rivalry through the years, the Dallas Cowboys would like nothing better than to deny the Washington Redskins a spot in the NFL playoffs.
Question is, will they try to do it?
Sure, sure, it sounds good and sells a few newspapers, but there’s one problem. The notion of the Cowboys playing the A team and going all out to beat the ‘Skins on Sunday doesn’t make much sense. Why? Because Dallas already has clinched the NFC’s top playoff seed.
A team with its playoff status already determined vs. a team with everything to play for. The scenario will play out in more than one NFL stadium this weekend.
At Giants Stadium, for instance, where the G-Men have the top wild-card spot in their hip pockets. Do they play their starters for four quarters in an attempt to derail New England’s perfect season?
Or at Indianapolis, where the Tennessee Titans can get in with a win. Will Peyton Manning be watching the third and fourth quarters from the sideline?
We go down these roads every year in the final weekend of the season. Fortunately, the have-nots will be gone by Sunday night and we can get on to the real season in January.
Couch Potato Heaven
New England at N.Y. Giants
6 p.m. Saturday, Patriots by 13-1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 17-6 at New England on Oct. 12, 2003.
For those who’ve been vacationing in Baghdad, Pats could seal perfect season with a dubya. Giants fans reportedly selling tix for $1,500-plus. Home sweet home? Jimmy Hoffa has shown more life at the Meadowlands than the G-Men. They’re 3-4 in the shadow of Gotham, 7-1 on the road. NFL Network planning a sit-down interview with Bill Belichick. Can’t wait to hear those hard-hitting questions.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Giants 16
Dallas at Washington
2:15 p.m. Sunday, Redskins by 9
Last meeting: Cowboys won 28-23 at Dallas on Nov. 18.
‘Skins win and they’re in. Not that they’ll do anything in the playoffs, but we repeat: ‘Skins win and they’re in. TEs lead both clubs in catches — Jason Witten 94 for Cowboys, Chris Cooley 61 for ‘Skins. Newest bumper sticker in Big D: “Honk if you’re a Cowboy and weren’t selected to the Pro Bowl team.” They had, count ’em, 11. Todd Collins has been solid — four TD passes, no INTs — since taking over as Wash QB for injured Jason Campbell.
Prediction: Redskins 27, Cowboys 16
Tennessee at Indianapolis
6:15 p.m. Sunday, Titans by 6
Last meeting: Colts won 22-20 at Tennessee on Sept. 16.
Point spread opened at Colts minus-2-1/2, but moved to Titans minus-2-1/2. Other than that, Vegas wise guys certain Colts will play “A” team. Simple stuff, really. Titans win and they’re in the playoffs. Lose and they’re vulnerable. Colts’ Reggie Wayne leads NFL with 1,423 receiving yards. Colts plus-17 in turnovers, Titans plus-1. Tenn DE Kyle Vanden Bosch third in AFC with 12 sacks.
Prediction: Titans 20, Colts 16
Beats Cleaning the Garage
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
2:15 p.m. Sunday, Steelers by 3-1/2
Last meeting: Steelers won 38-7 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 5.
Steelers suddenly a hurtin’ unit. TB Willie Parker gone for the playoffs and LT Marvel Smith could be, too. Ravens, meanwhile, are just plain bad. Which brings us to Brian Billick. Does he stay or does he go? Then there’s Oh-coordinator Rick Neuheisel, who could be headed to UCLA. Still hawkin’ the ball after all these years: Ravens S Ed Reed tied for second in the league with seven INTs.
Prediction: Steelers 16, Ravens 13
Detroit at Green Bay
11 a.m. Sunday, Packers by 4
Last meeting: Packers won 37-26 at Detroit on Nov. 22.
Packers TB Ryan Grant, a pickup at the trade deadline, could reach 1,000-yard mark. He’s at 899. Great news for the two Lions fans out there: Lions won’t lose out. They had lost six straight before beating hapless Chiefs last week. Packers 12-3 — 0-2 vs. Bears, 11-1 vs. everyone else. Brett Favre in W at Detroit: 381 passing yards, three TDs, no picks. Scary thought du jour: Lions tied for NFC lead with 34 takeaways, but are under .500.
Prediction: Packers 31, Lions 21
Jacksonville at Houston
11 a.m. Sunday, Texans by 6-1/2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 37-17 at Jacksonville on Oct. 14.
Jaguars trying not to get anyone hurt. Texans, meanwhile, in search of first .500 season. Jags plus-9 in turnovers, Texans minus-13. Minus-13 with a shot at .500. Moral to the story: Watch out for the Texans next season. Houston has won three of past four homies vs. Jags. Rookie S Reggie Nelson leads Jax with five INTs.
Prediction: Texans 24, Jaguars 17
Carolina at Tampa Bay
11 a.m. Sunday, Panthers by 3
Last meeting: Buccaneers won 20-7 at Carolina on Sept. 30.
Trivia time: Which NFL team has started most QBs this season? Answer: Panthers with four, including starter du jour Matt Moore. Bucs first in NFC with plus-14 turnover ranking. Tampa Bay 5-0 vs. AFC South. Bucs TB Earnest Graham needs 102 yards for 1,000.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 19
San Diego at Oakland
2:15 p.m. Sunday, Chargers by 8-1/2
Last meeting: Chargers won 28-14 at San Diego on Oct. 14.
JaMarcus Russell will make first Not For Long start in this one. The word on his first few mop-up appearances? To quote a Led Zeppelin song, he’s looked dazed and confused. Chargers No. 1 in the league with plus-21 turnover ranking. Raiders minus-8 and counting. Bolts have won eight straight vs. Silver ‘n’ Black.
Prediction: Chargers 17, Raiders 3
New Orleans at Chicago
11 a.m. Sunday, Saints by 2
Last meeting: Bears won 20-17 at Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 6, 2005.
How the mighty have fallen. Game marks a rematch of last year’s NFC title game. Saints need some help, but could sneak into playoffs with a dubya. So much for the sophomore jinx. N’Awlins WR Marques Colston tied for second in NFC with 90 catches. Bears KR would like to personally thank Broncos for helping him make NFC Pro Bowl team.
Prediction: Bears 20, Saints 17
Worth the Electricity
San Francisco at Cleveland
11 a.m. Sunday, Browns by 10
Last meeting: Browns won 13-12 at San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2003.
Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. says team deserves to be in the playoffs over Tennessee. Yo, Junior, that’s why they play these games, to determine who goes to the playoffs. Browns seeking seventh straight home dubya. Niners minus-13 in turnovers. Niners TB Frank Gore went over 1,000-yard mark last week, reaching 1,008. Yeah, you’re right. Big whoop.
Prediction: Browns 27, 49ers 9
Buffalo at Philadelphia
11 a.m. Sunday, Eagles by 7-1/2
Last meeting: Eagles won 23-13 at Buffalo on Sept. 28, 2003.
Donovan McNabb 11-4 in past 15 vs. AFC. Bills DE Aaron Schobel aims for fifth straight game with a sack. Not that game could be high-scoring affair, but Bills allowed 38 points last Sunday & Eagles scored 38. Bills coach Dick Jauron, a Yale man, has yet to figure out how to beat Eagles. He’s 0-4 career vs. Philly.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Bills 13
