Playoff talk starts heating up around this time. The Panthers have already clinched the division. New England, Denver, Cincinnati and Arizona all have a chance to clinch at least a playoff berth this week as well. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing as well as anybody in football right now and his team is one to watch if they make the playoffs. The Bengals are riding a great season, but their schedule gets tough in December before they hope to get the playoff monkey off their back. Out east, LeSean McCoy has stole headlines with his comments toward Eagles coach Chip Kelly. The sideline interaction and/or what McCoy does might be more entertaining to watch than the game itself.
San Francisco at Cleveland, 11 a.m. Johnny Manziel gets another chance to start, but it’ll be better for the Browns’ draft slot if he loses at this point.
Detroit at St. Louis, 11 a.m. The Lions lack of a run game cost them a playoff spot. The Rams lack of a passing game cost them one. If only they could put their teams together.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 11 a.m. The Buccaneers have realistic playoff hopes in Jameis Winston’s rookie year. They’ll count on the NFL’s No. 2 leading rusher, Doug Martin, to lead them there.
Tennessee at New York Jets, 11 a.m. Marcus Mariota put on a show with his legs and arm against the Jaguars’ defense. He’ll face a much tougher test in New York.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 11 a.m. Seems like all of the Colts’ quarterbacks are injured, but it’s a game they need with Houston breathing down their necks for the AFC South crown.
Buffalo at Philadelphia, 11 a.m. All the talk is about running backs with McCoy returning to Philly to play against a coach who didn’t want him and DeMarco Murray complaining about his lack of touches, but it’ll be the better QB that decides the winner in this one.
San Diego at Kansas City, 11 a.m. The Chiefs have won six straight and look in no mood to stop this week. Scary team to play come playoff time.
Washington at Chicago, 11 a.m. Washington did everything in their power to lose Monday night against Dallas, but they still control their own destiny to win the terrible NFC East.
Atlanta at Carolina, 11 a.m., KDVR-31. The 1972 Miami Dolphins might want to get a little nervous. Cam Newton and the Panthers are playing undefeated, playing well and having fun.
Seattle at Baltimore, 11 a.m. Russell Wilson has thrown for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last three games.
Dallas at Green Bay, 2:25 p.m. The Cowboys are holding on to a smaller sliver of hope. The Packers are just trying to right the ship and get back their old ways.
New England at Houston, 6:30 p.m., KUSA-9. The Patriots hadn’t lost two straight games in three years. Well, they haven’t lost three straight since 2002. Defensive end J.J. Watt is on a mission to make that happen.
New York Giants at Miami, 6:30 p.m., Monday, ESPN. The Giants have lost three straight games in their best attempt to give away a division that has been given to them time and time again.
Game of the week
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.
These two division rivals get after each other in a battle of two teams with Super Bowl dreams, but questions to answer. The Steelers are scoring points a record pace, but have a leaky defense that has cost them a few games. The Bengals have a strong defense, but there’s some games where Andy Dalton and the offense just don’t bring it especially in primetime.
