Talk about taking your time to make a decision.
Just over 12 years ago, the Tennessee Titans had the 16th pick of the 1998 draft. Staring at the risk-reward equation that was a young Marshall University wide receiver named Randy Moss, the Titans took a pass.
Instead, the Titans opted for better character, they said, and almost the same straightaway speed in Kevin Dyson. Dyson, who never went to a Pro Bowl in his career, was involved in the most notable play in Titans’ franchise history when he was stopped roughly a yard short of sending a Super Bowl into overtime.
But Moss has since built a career that will be considered for the Hall of Fame. So, the Titans stared at the risk-reward equation once again and were the only team to put in a waiver claim on the controversial Moss this week.
With half a season to go, the Titans decided it was now-or-never in an AFC race in which seven teams have at least five wins and 10 have records better than .500.
Must-see game of the week
Buccaneers at Falcons 11 a.m.
The skinny: This is a big outing in a tight, three-way NFC South race, the first of two meetings for these division rivals. The Falcons swept last season’s series and have won the last three meetings. If the Falcons are at home and QB Matt Ryan makes the start, they have been money. Ryan is 16-1 in his career starts at the Georgia Dome. He’s almost always looking to Roddy White first, and White has had at least 100 yards receiving in three of his last four games.
The difference will be: If the Buccaneers can play with the lead. To let the Falcons ease into a run-first game where they protect a lead of their own is to ask for trouble. Tampa QB Josh Freeman is a comeback artist with six of his eight career wins having been fourth-quarter comebacks, but that’s no way to do business against the Falcons. Atlanta is third in the league at 32.7 rushing attempts per game, and that’s the tempo the Falcons want.
The call: Falcons 27-21
Catch them if you can
Dolphins at Ravens 11 a.m.
All four of the Miami wins have come on the road this season, and Dolphins QB Chad Henne is 7-3 in road starts in his career. The key will be the Dolphins’ running game. The Ravens don’t give up 100-yard rushing games to backs, but Ricky Williams has two 100-yard games in three career starts against Baltimore.
The call: Ravens 20-17
Chargers at Texans 11 a.m., KCNC-4
These are the kinds of games that make defensive coordinators weep. The Chargers lead the league in total offense at 426.9 yards per game and in passing at 315.3 yards per game. The Texans are eighth in the league in rushing and lead the league in rushing touchdowns. The defense that can force the opposing offense to at least pause once in a while could be the winner.
The call: Chargers 35-31
Giants at Seahawks 2 p.m.
Charlie Whitehurst, above, has waited quite some time to be a starter, but this may not be what he had in mind. Whitehurst will start for the injured Matt Hasselbeck and gets a Giants defense that batters quarterbacks weekly. New York is tied for third in the league in sacks.
The call: Giants 27-13
Chiefs at Raiders 2:15 p.m., KCNC-4
It’s been quite some time since a Raider-Chiefs matchup meant something in the AFC West race, but this one does. The Chiefs have won eight consecutive games against the Raiders. Kansas City also has made the most of close games, having already gone 3-1 this season in games decided by seven points or less. The Raiders are 3-1 at home this season.
The call: Raiders 24-17
Quick hitters
Bears at Bills 11 a.m.
This game is a Bills “home” game in Toronto and the first meeting since 2006.
The call: Bears 24-21
Patriots at Browns 11 a.m.
There may be more drama between the two coaches — former associates who have parted ways — than on the field. The Patriots continue to be one of the league’s most charitable defenses (28th at 384 yards allowed per game), yet they are the only one-loss team left in the NFL.
The call: Patriots 31-16
Saints at Panthers 11 a.m.
The Saints escaped with a two-point win over the Panthers early last month but seem to have righted themselves with a big-time effort against the Steelers this past Sunday night. The Panthers have the league’s worst offense.
The call: Saints 30-10
Jets at Lions 11 a.m.
QB Matt Stafford’s return to the lineup last week helped settle things down for the Lions, but this is a tall order. The Jets make life difficult with their different looks and blitzes.
The call: Jets 27-19
Cardinals at Vikings 11 a.m., KDVR-31
The Vikings have the look of a torn and frayed team after opening the season with Super Bowl aspirations. Coach Brad Childress, in the wake of his criticism of Brett Favre and the release of Randy Moss, would feel the heat with a loss here.
The call: Vikings 28-21
Colts at Eagles 2:15 p.m.
The pass-first mentality of Eagles coach Andy Reid flies in the face of the strategy that works best against Colts QB Peyton Manning.
The call: Colts 31-28
Cowboys at Packers 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
The Cowboys’ shortcomings will be played out plenty in prime time this year since the networks thought they would be in the Super Bowl hunt and scheduled them that way.
The call: Packers 35-20
