There are plenty of familiar faces dotting the playoff races as the season turns into the final quarter.
But there also are some folks who’ve taken quite the postseason sabbaticals along the way.
The Jaguars (6-5), for example, haven’t won a division title since their 14-2 finish in 1999 — the year their only three losses, including the postseason, were all to the Titans. Jacksonville, at Tennessee today, is tied with the Colts in AFC South.
The Falcons (9-2) have the best record in the NFC and haven’t won their division since 2004, when they finished 11-5. The Chiefs (7-4) and Rams (5-6) haven’t won their respective divisions since 2003, and both are at least tied for the division lead at the moment.
“We’re just trying to be a team that wins year after year and gets the opportunity to play in big games,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said.
Must-see game of the week
Steelers at Ravens 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
The skinny: Welcome to the Old School. This is just the kind of late-season showdown that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell envisioned when he tweaked the schedule to spice up familiar rivalries. The Steelers have been one of the league’s best road teams this season, with a 5-1 mark away from Heinz Field. This is a big opportunity for the Ravens, since a victory would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Steelers. A victory would give the Steelers a split with the Ravens this season but also give them a better division record than Baltimore heading into the last four games.
The difference will be: If Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is more functional than he looked earlier this week limping around the team’s practice with ankle and knee injuries. The Ravens haven’t always been able to consistently pressure opposing passers this season — they’re 26th in sacks — but an immobile Roethlisberger would be a huge target. Roethlisberger is 7-2 in his career starts against the Ravens. If he doesn’t play, the Steelers would put Byron Leftwich in the lineup.
The call: Ravens 21-17
Catch ’em if you can
Redskins at Giants 11 a.m.
These two division rivals will meet twice over the season’s last five weeks. But it is a matchup the Giants have dominated, having won seven of the past eight, including the last four. Mike Shanahan said before the season his defense could be a question mark over the long haul, and he has been proved correct on that count.
The call: Giants 27-20
Jaguars at Titans 11 a.m.
Kerry Collins has said all week he plans to start at QB in this one for the Titans. That would greatly improve their chances of getting the win they need to stay in the division race. The Titans still control their division opportunities, given they have both games against the Colts remaining on the schedule.
The call: Titans 28-24
Raiders at Chargers 2 p.m.
The Chargers have won 13 of the past 14 meetings, including seven of the nine times Norv Turner has faced the Raiders as San Diego’s head coach. San Diego is chugging along, having won four in a row to put itself in the division hunt once again.
The call: Chargers 31-20
Falcons at Bucs 2:15 p.m.
Atlanta may have quietly built one of the most well-rounded teams in the league, and it has the kind of franchise QB everybody wants in Matt Ryan. In his past five starts, the Falcons are 5-0 and he has completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 1,300 yards to go with 10 TDs and only one interception. That’s a closer, and that’s why the Falcons are going to be a tough out.
The call: Falcons 28-14
Saints at Bengals 11 a.m.
Both of these teams have had the we-played-on-Thanksgiving layoff many coaches believe is so beneficial in getting ready for the stretch drive. The Saints have won four in a row since a shaky start.
The call: Saints 26-16
Quick hitters
Bears at Lions 11 a.m.
The Lions are battered on offense, moving down the depth chart at QB with both Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill expected to miss this game. Former Michigan State QB Drew Stanton likely gets the start against a Bears defense that has forced 16 fumbles this season.
The call: Bears 30-10
49ers at Packers 11 a.m.
Only in the NFC West could a team like the 49ers have been outscored by 38 points and still be in the division race, just one game behind the leaders. The Packers need this to stay in the wild-card race.
The call: Packers 24-13
Browns at Dolphins 11 a.m.
How about this for a list? With his 11 rushing TDs, former Broncos RB Peyton Hillis joins Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly as the only backs in Cleveland history to have at least 11 rushing TDs in a season.
The call: Browns 17-16
Bills at Vikings 11 a.m.
The Bills are a two-win, last-place team nobody wants to play. They’ve had five losses by eight points or less.
The call: Vikings 21-20
Rams at Cardinals 2:15 p.m.
The Cardinals are 31st in scoring defense and 29th in scoring. That combination almost always results in a last-place finish.
The call: Rams 24-20
Cowboys at Colts 2:15 p.m., KDVR-31
With so many injuries, the Colts are relying on Peyton Manning’s right arm to carry them even more. He had four picks Sunday.
The call: Colts 31-30
Panthers at Seahawks 2:15 p.m.
The Panthers are last in the league in scoring — at only 12.7 points per game — and they turn the ball over too often to win this one.
The call: Seahawks 24-9
