NFL Passion Week #11: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

When the Denver Broncos and New York Jets face off on Thursday, another week of NFL action will be upon us. Both teams are one game out of first place in their divisions and could be in big trouble if they fall back another game. Another competitive game upon us. When Sunday rolls around, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff chances get no easier when they roll into Lambeau Field to face the Packers. Green Bay's division counterparts the red hot Chicago Bears get the downward spiraling San Diego Chargers. The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Baltimore for a date with the Ravens just one week after their close loss to the Steelers. The loser of that game slips back to third place in the AFC North. The Cowboys attempt to continue their stride and hope they can get some help from the Eagles when they face the Giants on Sunday night. The games aren't quite as personal this week, but they are just as important. Here is a preview of all of this week's action, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

New York Jets (5-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5) 8:20 PM ET 5:20 PM PT NFL Network

No matter who plays the first game of the week always sets the tone nicely for Sunday. The Raiders/Chargers game did a perfect job of that last week, and who better to put exclusively in front of fans faces to judge on Thursday Night than the Jets and the Broncos. Both Tm Tebow and Mark Sanchez have some impressing to do and many people will be watching. Here's someones chance to shine, or falter.

Jets 17 Broncos 10

Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

No questions asked the hottest item on tap on Sunday as the Bengals get the second straight test of their impressive season. They didn't pass on the scoreboard, but as far as effort and fight they passed against the Steelers. Maybe they can get an A and put down the Ravens. If the Seahawks did it, why can't they? I mean, the Bengals put down the Seahawks. Ravens lose again.

Bengals 21 Ravens 17

Oakland Raiders (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-7) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

This game will be closer than many think. The Vikings may be 2-7 and got clobbered by the Packers last week, but have you seen what division they play in? The Raiders have it much easier than Minnesota does in the mediocre AFC West. Let's see who wins, Adrian Peterson or Darren McFadden? Or more importantly, Carson Palmer or Jared Allen and the Vikings pass rush?

Raiders 20 Vikings 17

Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT Fox

The Panthers will make up for the beating they took from the Titans last week with a competitive performance against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are in a good spot right now, but must be careful down the stretch. They will fight off the Panthers and get the win.

Panthers 21 Lions 31

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-7) 4:05 ET 1:05 PT Fox

This game features two teams that have had less than great seasons but have had huge wins in recent weeks. Seattle used an excellent display of team football to bring down the mighty Baltimore Ravens last week, that's why I think they will lose this game. That's how these things usually go in the NFC West. Outside of San Francisco of course.

Tennessee Titans (5-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-4) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT CBS

The Falcons suffered a heartbreaking, very overly talked about loss to the New Orleans Saints last week. The Titans now have a chance to sneak up on the Texans in the AFC South with Matt Schaub out of commission.I think the Falcons will be able to handle things in regulation this time around. Atlanta may be 5-4, but they are better than that. the Titans are a true 5-4 team.

Titans 13 Falcons 20

San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (6-3) 4:15 ET 1:15 PT CBS

The Bears are firing on all cylinders while the Chargers are starting to fall off the NFL map all together. After five weeks San Diego was 4-1 and Chicago was 2-3. The Chargers haven't won since and the Bears haven't lost. Funny how fast things can turn around. Philip Rivers must take care of the football this week or his team will find their backs against the wall. The Bears just have to keep doing what they're doing. They are starting to look awfully complete.

Chargers 24 Bears 38

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at New York Giants (6-3) 8:30 PM ET 5:20 PT NBC

I'd love to say the eagles will win this game, but i'm not a ridiculous person. I highly doubt Vick plays in this one, and I think the dream is dead. The Eagles look more like the 2004 U.S. basketball team than the Dream Team, just saying. But as in every division game, there will be a fight involved.

Eagles 23 Giants 31

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-6)

This may be our biggest who cares game of the day featuring two teams that aren't very good and are in no type of playoff contention. Yippee.

Jaguars 17 Browns 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)

If the Bucs thought they had it bad last week against the Texans, wait until they step on the champs turf. The Packers have been making lunchmeat of their opponents this season, and Tampa Bay is next on the menu. NFC South contenders I think not. Just really good in division play.

Packers 38 Buccaneers 14

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Washington Redskins (3-6) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT Fox

The Cowboys have already beaten the Redskins once this season, and that's when Washngton was actually playing good football. They will do it again Sunday, and it will be much easier. Then the Redskins season implosion will be complete and the Cowboys will officially be on their first run of the season

Cowboys 31 Redskins 10

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) at San Francisco 49ers (8-1) 4:05 ET 1:05 PT Fox

The 49ers are already running away with this division, and they have only played one division game. They won it of course. I'm curious to see if anyone in the NFC West competes with San Francisco

Cardinals 13 49ers 28

Miami Dolphins (2-7) at Buffalo Bills (5-4) 1:00 ET 10:00 PT CBS

The Dolphins are finally starting to play some good football and the Bills have played terrible the last two weeks, It's as if these two teams did a talent flip flop. Buffalo needs to win or potentially watch their once promising season tank. I like the Dolphins swagger as of late.

Dolphins 27 Bills 24

Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3) 8:30 PM ET 5:30 PT ESPN

The Pats already easy schedule got even easier when Matt Cassel went down, marking another catastrophically painful injury to the Chiefs playoff hopes. It's a bummer we don't get to see Matt face off against his former team Monday Night, it might have turned out to be a good game. Now it will simply be a Patriots rout.

Chiefs 13 Patriots 31