New England Patriots (6-5) vs. New York Jets (7-3), 1 p.m.
When two of the top three teams in the AFC East face off on Sunday, it will be in December, which means it's the time of year when good AFC East teams start beating each other so badly that when the playoffs come around, they have nothing left.It all starts on Sunday, in what could be a must win for the Tom Brady-led Pats. The Jets are one of the hottest teams in football, and they're doing it the old fashioned way - running the ball and defense. Running back Curtis Martin -originally drafted by the Patriots - is the leading rusher in the NFL this season, and the reason the Jets are third overall in rushing offense.
The Jets defense has improved as well, and is currently the tenth stingiest in the league. New York is coming off a bye week, but has plenty of momentum, as it shut out the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago.
If the Pats are going to win, they will have to control the running game and force quarterback Vinnie Testeverde to beat them. More than likely, he isn't capable.
Denver Broncos (6-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-3), 1 p.m.
The Broncos have been miserable this season, but are somehow 6-5 and in second place in the AFC West. There appears to be no catching the Oakland Raiders, though, so if Denver wants postseason life, it will have to gain it through the wild card. At this point in the season, a 6-6 team doesn't stand too much of a chance, which means that the Broncos need to win this game.The Dolphins are a poor end-of-the season team, and they haven't been playing well lately. They came from behind to beat the last place Buffalo Bills last Sunday, a week after getting blown out by the Jets. Miami is in the midst of a dog fight with the Jets and Pats for the AFC East title. When you're in that situation and the other two teams are playing, you better win a home game against an inconsistent team.
Denver historically plays poorly in Miami - aside from winning the Super Bowl there - and the Broncos are a beat up club. Wide receiver Rod Smith, the only bright light for the Broncos this season, is questionable. The Dolphins are struggling with injuries, too, as cornerback Sam Madison is not at full strength.
Both teams can be really good and really bad. Whichever squad brings its good side to the field should win the game.
St. Louis Rams (8-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), 4:15 p.m.
This is the Falcons' first trip into the "Games to watch" list, but they deserve it. They upset the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago by picking off Brett Favre three times. Last week, running back Bob Christian led the team to a 10-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta has won three in a row and four of five, but they might not have the defense to contain the Rams.Of course, the Rams may not have the discipline to win consistently. Twenty-two turnovers in the last five games are not the numbers of a Super Bowl champion. Kurt Warner needs to find a way to keep the ball long enough for his team to score, something it can do with ease against a team like Atlanta.
The book on the Rams is that they play better on turf. Atlanta's home games are on turf, which would appear to play into the Rams' team speed. Not so fast, though. St. Louis' two losses have both come at home, where they play on turf.
The Rams should win this game. But the Falcons are the perfect team to upset them. Atlanta will play hard the whole game because they want to prove they are among the best in the NFL. St. Louis might overlook the Falcons because, well, they're the Falcons.
