There was a time, as a New England Patriots assistant coach, when Josh McDaniels believed he could cover his eyes when the season’s schedule came out and know at least one of the team’s nondivisional opponents.
“The Colts,” McDaniels said. “It seemed like every year the schedule would come out, and every year the Colts would be on there. And then we’d see them in the playoffs too. I felt like they were in our division.”
Sure, there was a time when the Colts and Patriots were AFC East rivals, but when the league realigned its divisions in 2002, the Patriots stayed in the East while the Colts went to the South.
Yet today the Colts (6-3) and Patriots (7-2) will face each other in a regular-season game for the eighth consecutive season — the longest current streak for nondivision foes since 2002.
They’ve also played three additional playoff games in that span. And in those 10 games, the two teams are 5-5.
Must-see game of the week
Raiders at Steelers 11 a.m., KCNC-4
The skinny: The Raiders won just five games last season, but one was in Pittsburgh when Bruce Gradkowski threw an 11-yard scoring pass with nine seconds left in the game. This time the Raiders, who trace their recent upswing to that 2009 game, return as a first-place team looking to stay there. Jason Campbell will get the start at quarterback for Oakland. He replaced Gradkowski in early October when Gradkowski suffered a sprained right shoulder, and Campbell has started the last four games, in which the Raiders are 3-1.
The difference will be: Whether the Raiders rebound from what was a sloppy, penalty-marred win over the Chiefs before their bye week. If they have any intention of keeping the division lead, their days of double-digit penalty games must be over. The Steelers looked fairly wobbly, especially on defense, in their loss to New England last weekend, and they’ll need to be wary here. The Raiders have gained at least 500 yards in two of their last three games.
The call: Raiders 24-23
Catch ’em if you can
Packers at Vikings 11 a.m., KDVR-31
Green Bay is coming off a bye, while Vikings coach Brad Childress is trying not to say bye-bye. Childress is certainly overseeing the NFL’s version of “Days of Our Lives” and on the hottest of seats. Fact is, the Vikings just don’t play soundly. They’re last in the league in turnover margin — minus-11 — and QB Brett Favre leads all NFL starters with 16 interceptions.
The call: Packers 30-20
Seahawks at Saints 2 p.m.
The Seahawks have been outscored by 33 points this season, they have a starting quarterback with a passer rating of 75.3, their leading rusher hasn’t topped 400 yards and their leading receiver was out of football last year. Yet Pete Carroll has that collection of players in first place in the NFC West.
The call: Saints 31-17
Colts at Patriots 2:15 p.m., KCNC-4
Including playoffs, the Colts have won five of the last six games between these teams. But this is a quality November meeting for these playoff veterans to see where they stand. Neither team has a top-tier running game, and neither defense is playing at a championship level. So it’s all about the quarterbacks, and Indy’s Peyton Manning is 5-1 in his last six against New England with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
The call: Colts 31-30
Giants at Eagles 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
A quality prime-time matchup between the league’s top defense in the Giants and a resurgent quarterback in the Eagles’ Michael Vick. The Giants get to the quarterback — 24 sacks this season — and are tied for the league lead in forced fumbles, while Vick has yet to throw an interception.
The call: Eagles 27-23
Quick hitters
Ravens at Panthers 11 a.m.
The Ravens are coming off a hard loss to the Falcons, so they’ll be in a foul mood. The Panthers turn over the ball too often.
The call: Ravens 28-6
Bills at Bengals 11 a.m.
These teams are struggling. Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing well enough for a road win.
The call: Bengals 24-21
Lions at Cowboys 11 a.m.
Battle of backup QBs: Shaun Hill will start for the injured Matthew Stafford for the Lions, and Jon Kitna will go for the Cowboys.
The call: Cowboys 26-16
Browns at Jaguars 11 a.m.
The Jaguars have been outscored by an alarming 54 points this season, yet they are above .500 and in the AFC South race. When Jacksonville QB David Garrard is on, the Jaguars can beat anybody.
The call: Browns 20-17
Cardinals at Chiefs 11 a.m.
The Chiefs’ 3-0 start is a faded memory at this point. The Cardinals are one of just three teams in the league who are allowing at least 400 yards a game.
The call: Chiefs 28-21
Texans at Jets 11 a.m.
Houston QB Matt Schaub spent a night in a hospital last week dealing with bursitis in his right knee but is expected to play.
The call: Jets 27-20
Redskins at Titans 11 a.m.
This is one of those games. Either Titans QB Vince Young will be The Guy or he won’t, but the Titans can’t coddle him anymore.
The call: Titans 24-17
Falcons at Rams 2 p.m.
The Falcons are tough, physical and play their best when things are tight — they have four fourth-quarter comeback wins.
The call: Falcons 23-21
Buccaneers at 49ers 2 p.m.
The Buccaneers are in a division race despite having been outscored this season by 18 points over their nine games.
The call: 49ers 17-14
