The point of this story? Timing is everything. Case in point: Derek Anderson. Last year's Pro Bowler has had a horrific 2008 season, which lost him his starting job to Brady Quinn. Lo and behold, Quinn is now out with a broken finger, and the Browns are not in the playoff hunt, so Anderson finds himself with five relatively low-pressure games to prove to Cleveland or some other team that he can be a starter again. Last week, it looked like the glue factory for Horse Balls. Now, he's got another shot. Time to make it count, you fantasy-football-season-costing-son-of-a-b****.

Elsewhere:

• Reflection Time: In the marquee 1:00 match-up, the Skins host the Giants, and they are desperate for a win to keep pace in the crowded NFC Wild Card race. Problem is, New York looks scary good at the moment, so Washington is going to need every extra ounce of motivation they can muster to pull this one out. On that note, today just happens to be the day the Redskins will induct fallen teammate Sean Taylor into their Ring of Fame. You'll recall Taylor was shot and killed back in 2007 when intruders invaded his Florida home. Kind of makes the Giants' own recent problems with gun violence look even more ridiculously moronic in comparison.

• Timezones: Fun little gambling factoid - no team that has travelled from the Pacific Time Zone to the Eastern Time Zone has won a game this year (they are 0-14). So things aren't looking too good for San Francisco, who visit Buffalo today in a must-win for the Bills. Next week, Buffalo will have their own international travel issues, as they cross the border to play in Toronto. I don't know if you have ever tried to adjust to the Canadian time zone, but I've lived here my whole life, and I still don't know what the hell's going on.

• Better Times Ahead: Specifically, 4:15, when the first-place Broncos visit the first-place Jets, and the first-place Steelers visit the wild-card hopeful Pats. Remember: if you ain't first, you're...a wild-card-hopeful at best.

Now it's TIME for injury news and late scratches: Brandon Jacobs, Clinton Portis, Kellen Winslow, Stephen Jackson and Reggie Bush are all IN (although Bush could be limited). Ahmad Bradshaw, London Fletcher and Arnaz Battle are all OUT. Matthew Berry is all THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS.

Viewing Maps: Here's CBS' early games map (tough break on the Baltimore/Cincy game, most of Kentucky). And Fox's (tough break on the no games, Utah).

Enjoy, we'll be back with the updates.

Trend points to Bills victory over 49ers [ESPN]

• Daunte has come out of a very short retirement, and agreed to a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions. Though the Lions aren't confirming anything at this point, the contract should be signed tomorrow. This will surely turn around their season.

• When the division-leading Bills (5-2) host the Jets today, they will be without the services of three of their starters: Receiver Josh Reed (ankle and Achilles' tendon), defensive end Aaron Schobel (foot ligament and bone) and right guard Brad Butler (knee) are all out of action.

• Jets linebacker David Harris, the team's leader in tackles, will not play against the Bills due to a strained groin.

• See ya, Kabeer: The Packers released defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who is the franchise's all-time sacks leader. Kabeer took things pretty well, saying his time as a Packer was a "blessing that is beyond words."

• Steven Jackson went into cyberspace to announce that he will, in fact, play today. Jackson wil be playing despite a thing injury that held him out of last week's tussle with the Patriots.

San Diego at New Orleans: This is the game of the week only because it takes place across the pond in London; this is technically a "home game" for the Saints. Watch for Drew Brees' Mole to glow in the London fog as it grows angrier and angrier once it realizes that he's playing against his former team. It will then make it a point to steal Philip Rivers' girl.

Tampa Bay at Dallas: Many folks out there are considering this a "must win" for the Cowboys, which means we can all keep an extra eye on the Cowboys training staff as they try to hide sharp objects from Terrell Owens.

NY Giants at Pittsburgh: The Battle of the 5-and-1s should be a defensive struggle, if only because I'm starting both Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger on my fantasy teams.

Seattle at San Francisco: And you thought the Pacific Northwest couldn't be a more depressing place to live. Let's see if this morning's earthquakes knock any sense into either of these teams.

Last-Minute Injury Updates:
• Steven Jackson is apparently "out" now. Antonio Pittman should be getting the carries.
• Anquan Boldin is back, everybody!
• My ears are out of commission after that horrible "Saved by Zero" song in the Toyota commercials.
• Joey Galloway is back for the Bucs.
• Jeremy Shockey is ALSO back. And he doesn't have any water pills weighing him down!
• Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan are both out for the Patriots, meaning their running back will be whoever Bill Belichick picks out of the stands.
• Brian Westbrook is back in action for the Eagles, for a few downs at least.
• Shawn Springs will not be picking off Dan Orlovsky today from his place on the Redskins bench.

NFL Distribution Maps: The lone CBS map is a potpourri of bold gorgeous colors. Print it out and get high, man! Meanwhile, the two Fox maps are gaudy eyesores, the first forcing us to watch Brad Johnson captain the broken-down ship of the Cowboys, and the second letting us see if Usi Uminyora little bottles of 5-Hour Energy wear out, a product that honestly doesn't seem like the healthiest thing to be taking before a football game.

Have fun, kids.

"We're glad to have him back," said Jauron, who spoke before McCargo. "John's happy, I think. And we're happy, so here we go."

Water under the bridge, then. The AFC East leading Bills are coming off a bye week and trying to bounce back from their first loss of the season against a resurrected Kurt Warner. Meanwhile, the Chargers need a win to keep pace with the AFC West division-leading Broncos, who have a cupcake match-up on Monday night.

And speaking of uncomfortable situations...:

&#8226 ...not only do the Chiefs have a disgruntled Tony Gonzalez on their hands, but they are also playing host to the undefeated Titans. Throw in the fact that Kansas City will be playing without running back Larry Johnson, and this has all the makings of the game that will eliminate you from your suicide pool

&#8226 And in a huge NFC North battle, the Vikings travel to Soldier Field to face the Bears. Chicago is coming off a tough loss to the no-longer-a-laughingstock Falcons, while Minny won a squeaker last week against the still-very-much-a-laughingstock Lions. The two teams are stuck in a three-way tie with the Pack for the division lead. That means it's Orton v. Frerotte, with a whole lot on the line. Elsewhere, up is down, fall is spring, Tony Romo isn't starting, Steve Harvey was the story of the ALCS and, frankly, I'm scared.

Just a friendly remembery: send your tips the way of marcelmutoni@gmail.com and gourmetspud@gmail.com. Do it now! While there's still time!

DT McCargo back with Bills after failing physical [The Associated Press]

It's our division, the one our Buzzsaw was shipped to so they didn't have to travel to New Jersey, Texas and Pennsylvania every year. And we've (obviously) never won it. Someday ...

To the predictions, dawg.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Seattle, St. Louis, Arizona, San Francisco.
• Bill Simmons, ESPN: St. Louis, Seattle, Arizona, San Francisco.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco.
• Matt Pitzer, USA Today Sports Weekly: Seattle, San Francisco, Arizona, St. Louis.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco.
• Deadspin: Seattle, Arizona, San Francisco, St. Louis. Bill Simmons thinks the Rams are the surprise team this year ... and we think this is they year they FINALLY clean house in the offseason. We think San Francisco will be next year's trendy pick to win the division. We also think we know nothing.

If anyone thinks the Buzzsaw is going to the Super Bowl, now's the time to tell us. Go to it.

People are saying that this division is so stacked that it's a pity someone has to finish last. We say think it's a pity someone has to finish first.

Mull on that.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Philadelphia, Dallas, NY Giants, Washington.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Dallas, NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Washington, NY Giants, Dallas, Philadelphia.
• Bill Simmons, ESPN: Philadelphia, Dallas, NY Giants, Washington.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Philadelphia, Washington, NY Giants, Dallas.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Dallas, Philadelphia, NY Giants, Washington.
• Matt Pitzer, USA Today Sports Weekly: Dallas, Washington, NY Giants, Philadelphia.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Dallas, NY Giants, Washington, Philadelphia.
• Deadspin: Washington, Dallas, Philadelphia, NY Giants. Honestly, the preseason doesn't matter. Sheesh. By the way, we predict a very crappy year for New Yorkers who don't have DirectTV.

Lots of varied opinions there. Let's see yours.

Well, no matter what happens with the NFC South, we will always know they have the most adventurous cheerleaders. Nothing to turn up one's nose at.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans.
• Bill Simmons, ESPN: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans.
• Matt Pitzer, USA Today Sports Weekly: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, New Orleans.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
• Deadspin: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans. No, no, really, this is the year Ron Mexico steps up. Totally.

Who's got the fever for the flavor of prognostication? Go for it! Over the top!

We do the riverdance, a manly dance, through the NFC North, land of paternity suits, custody issues, nude assistant coaches, Brett Favre and, of course, sex boats.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Minnesota, Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay.
• Bill Simmons, ESPN: Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit, Green Bay.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit, Green Bay.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay.
• Matt Pitzer, USA Today Sports Weekly: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit, Green Bay.
• Deadspin: Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay, Detroit. This has to be the worst division in football. Ugh.

Have you been impregnated by Brian Urlacher? If so, let us know in the comments, if you can.

This is the AFC West. This is not like the AFC North. You might have noticed this earlier. This is where they play in different time zones than the one in which we live. Whew. All irrefutable facts.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Denver, San Diego, Oakland, Kansas City.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Oakland.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland.
• Deadspin: San Diego, Kansas City, Denver, Oakland. We think this is the year where it finally falls apart for the Broncos. Which is what they cut for cutting Ron Dayne.

Maybe we're just angry about Jake Plummer still. Your thoughts? Give 'em in the comments, if you have the intenstinal fortitude generally considered necessary for such endeavors.

This might be our favorite division in football. Big Ben's bashed up face/appendix combo, Joey Porter, the Bengals cavalcade of feloniousness, Ray Lewis and sex tapes and murder raps ... oh, and the Browns too. What do the kids think?

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland.
• Deadspin: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore. We're going to stay out of the whole "should you be a Browns or Ravens fan?" discussion today. We've caused enough problems.

If you can sneak away from your Chris Henry/four teenage girls sandwich, we encourage you to drop your predictions in the comments.

Personally, we think the AFC East would be a lot more fun to make predictions for if Troy Brown had to play quarterback for the Patriots every game. Oh, and is Culpepper organizing the rookie party for the Dolphins this year?

Predictions!

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: New England, Miami, NY Jets, Buffalo.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: New England, Miami, Buffalo, NY Jets.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Miami, New England, Buffalo, NY Jets.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: New England, Miami, Buffalo, NY Jets.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Miami, New England, Buffalo, NY Jets.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: New England, Miami, NY Jets, Buffalo.
• Deadspin: New England, Miami, Buffalo, NY Jets. We would not be the least bit surprised if the Jets won one game this year, and it's because the other team mistakenly pounces on Chad Pennington's severed arm in the endzone, thinking it's the ball.

Let's hear 'em in the comments, folks.

Because the season starts, oh, tomorrow, we figured it was probably time to start laying out some of the predictions for you, division by division. So here's a quick roundup of predictions from around the series of tubes we call the Internet.

• Robert Weintraub, Slate: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston.
• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston.
• Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston.
• Aaron Schatz, FootballOutsiders and Fox Sports: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston.
• AJ Daulerio, Deadspin Cultural Oddsmaker: Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Houston.
• Michael David Smith, Football Outsiders: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Houston.
• Deadspin: Indianapolis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Houston. Kind of a have a goofy feeling about Tennessee this year, and, honestly, we've never quite understood how Jacksonville got an NFL franchise anyway.

Your predictions and thoughts are requested — nay, begged for — in the comments.