Week 9 is the NFL’s midway point. By the end of this week’s games, each team will have played at least half of their regular season. It’s at this point that teams start to separate themselves. Some teams take their place as Super Bowl contenders, while others sit tight as division cellar dwellers.
The AFC seems likely to come down to a New England-Denver late January playoff matchup. The NFC is a little more wide open. Carolina is the lone undefeated team, but Green Bay, Arizona, Seattle and Minnesota linger as championship competition.
The Panthers-Packers matchup will go a long way in seeing who the cream of the crop is in the NFC.
Washington at New England, 11 a.m. The NFL gave the Patriots an extra bye week here. New England is 4-0 at home, Washington is 0-3 on the road.
Tennessee at New Orleans, 11 a.m. The Titans were the second team to fire their head coach mid-season. Marcus Mariota’s return could be just what Tennessee needs against a Saints defense that gave up 49 points last week.
Miami at Buffalo, 11 a.m. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is expected to return against a Dolphins defense that lost its best pass rusher, Cameron Wake, to a season-ending injury.
St. Louis at Minnesota, 11 a.m. There has been much well-deserved praise for the Broncos’ defense, but the Vikings have given up only 10 more points this season.
Jacksonsville at New York Jets, 11 a.m. Neither Ryan Fitzpatrick nor Geno Smith are capable of being a consistent starting QB, but the Jets biggest concern should be a leaky defense that has given up at least 30 points in their past two games.
Oakland at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m., KCNC-4. Derek Carr vs. Ben Roethlisberger should be a solid QB battle. Roethlisberger is trying to regain his preinjury rhythm. Carr is having an impressive sophomore year.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay, 2:05 p.m. Calling the Giants’ defense terrible wouldn’t be accurate. Horrific is a better word. It has given up 315 yards passing per game.
Atlanta at San Francisco, 2:05. The 49ers benched Colin Kaepernick for Blaine Gabbert in an attempt to challenge Detroit for the most in-season team dysfunction.
Philadelphia at Dallas, 6:30, KUSA-9. The Cowboys are on a 5-game losing streak. By the time Tony Romo returns, he may not have a season to save. The Eagles quietly have one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Chicago at San Diego, 6:30, Monday, ESPN. San Diego’s Phillip Rivers might be having the best season ever for a QB on a 2-6 team, but he just lost his favorite weapon, Keenan Allen, for the season. The Chargers still don’t have a defense.
Game of the week
Green Bay at Carolina, 11 a.m., KDVR-31.
The Panthers have knocked off three playoff contenders in their past three games, but their toughest challenge yet awaits. Aaron Rodgers will have a lot to prove after throwing for only 77 yards at Denver last week. A Panthers victory and the nation will have to recognize them as the class of the NFC.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
