We've got you covered this afternoon for a full slate of NFL games including big time rivalries like the Browns and Ravens. If that's not your cup of tea, try out the "Suck for Luck" participants reacquainting after their race to the bottom from a year ago. Or just try coffee.
Denver at Cincinnati (CBS): Weirdly, the Denver Mannings are playing an early afternoon game and Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will not be calling it. That's because CBS will be showing the New York Rodney Dangerfields and the Pittsburgh Smash You In The Mouths later today. Nevertheless, this game will be played and the elder Manning will just have to deal with it. Peyton, according to everyone, has the Broncos surging and Marvin Lewis is taking a glass half-full approach to his feral bunch:
"I thought we were very, very good at stinking up October and we need to do a cleanse," Lewis said. "We have an opportunity to fix a lot of the things that are ailing us right now, and that's what we've got to do."
Baltimore at Cleveland (CBS): The Columbus-Dispatch is also hopping aboard the optimism express and I will just leave this here, unadorned, because subtlety is king of comedy:
The Browns are feeling good about themselves after grinding out a 7-6 win over Chargers last week, and they were in their first game against the Ravens until the final seconds of the 23-16 loss on Sept. 27. Bottom line, however: The Ravens have beaten the Browns nine straight times.
Arizona at Green Bay (FOX): John Skelton was baptized on the frozen tundra. As an infant his arm speed created the necessary friction to heat, and eventually melt, the tundra making baptism possible. He will return to claim what is rightfully his: a 5-4 record and a surging Arizona Cardinals team.
Chicago at Tennessee (FOX): The Bears are 6-1, but it's a suspicious 6-1. No one ever likes Chicago's offense even though Brandon Marshall already has more receptions than any Bears receiver did last year. The hate might be due in part to the Chicago defense since it has found the endzone six times this year-quite the juxtaposition. It might also be because "blah blah Jay Cutler sullen face blah blah Brandon Marshall personality disorder blah everyone is immature blah-bity blah."
Miami at Indianapolis (CBS): The Sun-Sentinel reminds that these two franchises were locked in a heated death match for the services of Andrew Luck just one year ago. You remember the sing-songy "Suck for Luck" deal last year, don't you? Well, despite the joys of rhyming, Andrew Luck was not a fan. In fact, he was downright not keen on it.
"I wasn't too fond of that idea when someone brought it to my attention," Luck says as he prepares to face the Dolphins for the first time. "I didn't think it was that neat."
Carolina at Washington (CBS): Here's an easy game to write up. Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III are similar, but also different. They both won the Heisman. Cam Newton had a good first year in the league. Robert Griffin III is having a good first year in the league. Cam Newton smiles a lot (until recently-so immature!). Robert Griffin III smiles a lot. Cam Newton does the Superman thing. Robert Griffin III wears Superman socks. Cam Newton is tall and athletic. Robert Griffin III is tall and athletic, but not as tall. They have similar abilities. They have different abilities. Cam Newton has won a Super Bowl-oh wait, no. No he has not, but Robert Griffin III wants to win a Super Bowl.
"I'd rather be compared to an Aaron Rodgers or a guy like that, someone who's won Super Bowls," Griffin says. "You want to go out there and win. That's our biggest goal. That's what this game is all about. It's not about me versus Cam Newton. It's about us getting the win, getting to 4-5 before we go to our bye week."
Detroit at Jacksonville (FOX): After much speculation, Calvin Johnson will be active this afternoon. Will the Lions bother playing him much against the Jaguars? Will the Lionas have to play him much against the Jaguars? That may be more problematic for Detroit than an injured Calvin Johnson. As for those Jaguars, the head coach is…cautiously optimistic?
"If we continue to progress in certain things that we're doing, that we know we're capable of doing, I think wins will come with it," coach Mike Mularkey said.
Buffalo at Houston (CBS): Mario Williams sure is salty in the months since thinking a move to Buffalo would be a good idea. Houston looking like the best team in the AFC is just more salt in the wound.
"I didn't want to enter free agency in the first place, but it was a one-way door given to me by the GM to leave Houston," Williams told KRIV-TV in Houston, referring to general manager Rick Smith. "I want the fans there to know entering free agency was not my decision."
Williams is coming off surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist and after getting into the weight room this week expects to play.
What You're Watching
CBS 1:00 P.M.
FOX 1:00 P.M.
Maps, as always, thanks to our friends at The506.