Atlanta Falcons (3-6) at Carolina Panthers (3-6-1)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte – TV: FOC

*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin

*Keys to the game: Give the Falcons’ embattled coaching staff this much – it recognizes Atlanta’s biggest shortcomings and does what it can to minimize the damage.

Offensively, that meant using tight end Levine Toilolo as a blocker on all 28 running plays at Tampa Bay last week, according to Pro Football Focus, and bringing reserve offensive lineman Gabe Carimi in on 14 plays in the “jumbo” package. The goal? Minimize the potential damage behind a makeshift offensive line by avoiding long third downs at all costs. The Panthers allow 4.6 yards per carry, so expect more of the same in an effort to set up QB Matt Ryan to attack the league’s 23rd-ranked pass defense off play-action.

On defense, the Falcons are ranked last in the NFL, allowing an average of 280.8 passing yards per game. So last week the game plan was to rush the passer and allow plenty of short gains while avoiding backbreaking big completions and trying to lock down in the red zone. The big question in Carolina is whether QB Cam Newton is regressing or playing through injuries. Coach Ron Rivera insists Newton is fine, but the trademark athleticism simply isn’t there, Newton is making consistently poor decisions downfield and rarely has receivers running free. Carolina has to get its ground game (3.6 yards per carry) untracked to alleviate some of the pressure.

*Matchup to watch – Ryan vs. Panthers S Thomas DeCoud: DeCoud started 78 of 80 games over five seasons, but Atlanta let the former third-round pick go last offseason due to poor tackling. He’s not starting in Carolina, where the defense has taken a massive step back. That’s certainly not all the fault of DeCoud, who Ryan acknowledged knows the Falcons’ offense extremely well and that Atlanta will have to make some adjustments.

*Player spotlight – DE Kroy Biermann: Coach Mike Smith said Biermann is coming off his best game of the season at Tampa, where he recorded 1.5 sacks, three QB hits and was effective in setting the edge in run defense.

*Fast facts: Falcons WR Roddy White needs 74 yards receiving to eclipse the 10,000-yard mark for his career. … Half of Newtons eight INTs have come in the second quarter.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

If the season ended today, the Falcons would hold the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft, followed by Carolina at No. 11. As it stands, both teams are one game behind division-leading New Orleans. Carolina is coming apart at the seams, but the Falcons are traditionally awful on the road – last week’s ugly win at Division II Tampa Bay notwithstanding.

*Our pick: Panthers 23-21

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn

*Keys to the game: QB Drew Brees earned some of the blame for last week’s overtime loss. He didn’t see the field or pressure well, especially in the game’s critical moments. Brees has avoided consecutive clunkers since joining the Saints, and is 11-1 in his past 12 games at home.

RB Pierre Thomas could be back to spell Mark Ingram, but the bulk of the carries will go to Ingram, averaging 130.7 rushing yards in the past three games. Allowing 143 yards per game, the Bengals rank 31st in the league in run defense.

Grinding good yardage on the ground puts the middle of every defense in a bind. Teams already focus plenty of attention on TE Jimmy Graham’s route tree, but now that he’s off the injury report, Graham requires a heavy shade from a safety over the top or he’s capable of annihilating man coverage.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton could be the second option in this one, what with his performance against the Browns and the Saints’ sorry run defense, exposed repeatedly by the 49ers last week. However, Dalton’s outside matchups are tilted heavily in the Bengals’ favor, especially if Saints CB Keenan Lewis’ swollen knee prevents him from playing.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals LB Emmanuel Lamur vs. Graham: A no-name to some, Lamur has faced a Who’s Who of NFL tight ends in his first year as starter. Lamur will get help — and will probably need it against Graham, who leads all NFL tight ends with 56 receptions.

*Player spotlight – Bengals WR A.J. Green: Six catches for 67 yards in two games since returning from a three-game absence to deal with a toe injury, Green is essential to pulling Dalton out of his recent funk.

*Fast facts: Dalton has two touchdowns and six interceptions in the past four games. … Brees has 37 TD passes in his past 12 home games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Bengals rookie RB Jeremy Hill, a former LSU star, could thrill friends and family in a “home” game for him. The Saints are built to win in multiple ways, and deal the reeling Bengals another setback.

*Our pick: Saints 30-21

Denver Broncos (7-2) at St. Louis Rams (3-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell

*Keys to the game: C.J. Anderson, a second-year back from Cal, became the latest Broncos skill position player to seemingly step from behind the curtain to claim a starring role (Julius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman, et al). Anderson had 163 yards from scrimmage and a 51-yard touchdown reception last week and could see the bulk of the carries behind QB Peyton Manning with Hillman (foot, out) and Montee Ball (groin, questionable) not ready to carry the load.

Manning threw two more interceptions last week and his offensive line can be shaken. That pushes Anderson into a critical role considering the potency of the pass rush from the Rams.

Denver leads the league in rushing yardage allowed per game (67.0), yardage per carry (3.2) and percentage of carries to result in a first down (14.3).

QB Shaun Hill is back in the starting lineup for the Rams, unseating Austin Davis. A high-percentage passing game built to limit mistakes is a detriment if the Rams find themselves facing a large deficit.

St. Louis has its own issues on the offensive line, and no sure thing at running back or wide receiver to bail Hill out if Denver stockpiles points. The Rams are averaging less than 12 points per game in the past three games.

*Matchup to watch – Manning vs. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams: S Mark Barron was a designated blitzer at Arizona, when the Rams had 17 pressures and three sacks after getting QB Colin Kaepernick eight times in Week 9. Manning and Williams, longtime coordinator of the Titans when Manning played for the Colts, is not afraid to gamble — or lose trying — to get to the quarterback.

*Player spotlight – Rams LB Alec Ogletree: Rookie Aaron Donald’s rapid improvement overshadows the spike in Ogletree’s performance. He intercepted Carson Palmer in the red zone last week and will share the assignment of Thomas, who has 12 TD receptions.

*Fast facts: The Rams had one sack in 142 pass plays during their first five games. St. Louis has one sack every 9.69 pass plays in the last four games. … The Broncos did not allow a rushing first down at Oakland last week.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

In rides Hill, but for the Rams journeyman quarterback to lead a stunning upset, he might need a miracle. The Broncos have superior talent to dictate matchups even St. Louis’ stout pass rush can’t slow down.

*Our pick: Broncos 35-17

Houston Texans (4-6) at Cleveland Browns (6-3)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein

*Keys to the game: It starts – and maybe ends – for the Texans with the health of RB Arian Foster. Nursing a groin injury, Foster is expected to play, and Houston needs him shouldering his typical workload with QB Ryan Mallett making his first NFL start. Everyone knows Mallett has a rocket for an arm. What we haven’t seen is if he knows how to read defenses, hit defenders in stride and avoid turnovers. Houston wants to mitigate that risk factor as much as possible, and enters having run the ball on 50.5 percent of its plays this season.

The only team with a higher percentage? The Browns, at 50.9. Cleveland sports a backfield trio of former Foster backup Ben Tate and rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. The Browns ran it 52 times in their victory last week at Cincinnati, the team’s most since 1987. Cleveland does want to establish the run early. Not only is Texans DL J.J. Watt steamrolling quarterbacks on his way to Defensive Player of the Year honors, but Whitney Mercilus has 4.0 sacks and top pick Jadeveon Clowney will return in a pass-rushing role.

*Matchup to watch – Texans ILB Brian Cushing vs. Hoyer: Cushing is also expected to return from a sore knee. The Browns won’t have TE Jordan Cameron (concussion), but look for Hoyer to attack Cushing in space, as the linebacker has shown reduced speed and mobility while struggling to keep pace with running backs and tight ends.

*Player spotlight – Texans CB A.J. Bouye: Typically the first cornerback off the bench, Bouye gets the start with Kareem Jackson (knee) out.

*Fast facts: Foster leads the league with 59 rushing touchdowns and 122.6 yards from scrimmage per game dating back to the start of the 2010 season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

In the battle of Tom Brady’s former backups, Hoyer has a clear edge in experience. He’s also playing at home, likely in frigid temperatures, and possibly in snow. In a throwback to the Oilers vs. Browns on banks of Lake Erie in the old AFC Central clashes, Cleveland eeks out an ugly win.

*Our pick: Browns 19-13

Minnesota Vikings (4-5) at Chicago Bears (3-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Soldier Field, Chicago – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Stacey Dales

*Keys to the game: The Bears might be grabbing for earmuffs — or plugs — in their first appearance in front of home fans since giving up 50-plus points in consecutive games.

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater is grabbing gloves for the chilly weather, but coordinator Norv Turner doesn’t expect ball security to be a concern. Turner did not shelter his rookie quarterback when ultra-aggressive coordinator Jim Haslett and the Redskins came to Minnesota, but he’d like to be more cautious on the road. Bridgewater has shown poise and accuracy, but the Bears are down and out and likely to throw caution to the wind with diverse looks.

Falling behind could be unbearable for Chicago. The Bears are scoreless in the first quarter of the past four games (31-0) and desperately need positive signs early to come out of a shell-shocked state. Coach Marc Trestman plans to feed RB Matt Forte, who has averaged 143.7 yards from scrimmage in the past three meetings.

*Matchup to watch – Bears WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Vikings CB Captain Munnerlyn: South Carolina products who thirst for the big play will match up regularly. Munnerlyn has four pick-6s since 2012, and Jeffery could attract safety help after scoring on 46- and 80-yard grabs in the last meeting, when he had a stat line of 12-249-2.

*Player spotlight – Vikings FB Jerome Felton: The Pro Bowl lead blocker is used to mashing Bears defenders in front of Adrian Peterson, who thrives against the Bears, but he’s still getting the job done in front of rookie Jerick McKinnon and bruiser Matt Asiata. “It’s actually kind of nice to watch a fullback go out and finish guys as much as he does,” Bears LB Lance Brigggs said.

*Fast facts: Bears QB Jay Cutler is 6-1 in his past seven games against the Vikings. … Bears DE Jared Allen is 0-8 at Soldier Field; 0-6 with the Vikings and 0-2 with Chicago this season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Vikings trust their defense, and want to protect their rookie quarterback by not asking him to win the game. The Bears can’t possibly ask their defense to win the game so the plan calls for Forte and Cutler to come through, or else.

*Our pick: Bears 29-26

San Francisco 49ers (5-4) at New York Giants (3-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver

*Keys to the game: RB Frank Gore and dual-threat QB Colin Kaepernick are the last tandem the Giants needed to see after getting gashed for 350 rushing yards in Seattle last week. Minus field leader Jon Beason, the front seven continually sucked toward RB Marshawn Lynch, who routinely broke tackles, while QB Russell Wilson exploited the focus by sprinting around the edge untouched numerous times. The 49ers appear to have gone back to their roots with Gore getting 23 carries last week and an even run-pass ratio overall.

The Giants’ ground game has sputtered to a 3.8-yard average per carry, but could receive a boost with RB Rashad Jennings expected to return from a Week 5 knee injury and take a big share of the load from plodding rookie Andre Williams (2.9 ypc). QB Eli Manning led an efficient offense for the first half in Seattle before the defensive issues served to scuttle the upset bid. He also has an emerging star in WR Odell Beckham who is starting to command extra attention.

*Matchup to watch – 49ers ground game vs. Giants linebackers: The Giants’ linebacking corps takes another hit with Jacquian Williams out with a concussion. Coordinator Perry Fewell will continue to go with a rotation alongside MLB Jameel McClain, with Devon Kennard, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich primed for increased snaps. Fewell is preaching sound assignment football after countless breakdowns last week.

*Player spotlight – 49ers ILB Chris Borland: With Patrick Willis out for the rest of the season, Borland will continue to play a pivotal role. He led the team with 17 tackles last week and had a crucial fumble recovery.

*Fast facts: Kaepernick has thrown a touchdown pass in 16 consecutive games, two shy of Steve Young’s franchise record. … The 49ers are 38-7-1 when Gore gets 20-plus carries. … Beckham has 15 catches for 264 yards over the past two games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he hopes last week’s defensive meltdown in Seattle will serve as a teaching moment. The truth is, the Giants simply don’t have the personnel to cope with a similar approach from the 49ers.

*Our pick: 49ers 31-23

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: The Seahawks racked up 350 rushing yards against the Giants to take over the top spot in the NFL rushing offense rankings, and present a Catch-22 for the Chiefs’ 20th-rated run defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry. Seattle has returned to its run-first roots, with Marshawn Lynch breaking tackles and driving the offense. However, overplaying the dive play cost the Giants dearly with QB Russell Wilson keeping the ball and often going untouched around the end en route to 107 yards on 14 carries of his own.

The passing game is sputtering due to Wilson’s fledgling accuracy and mediocre receiving corps, and the Chiefs can turn this into a field position game if they’re able to wrap up Lynch and play sound assignment football in keeping tabs on Wilson.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith is familiar with the Seahawks’ physical defense from his days with the 49ers, and his ability to steadily move the chains could prove key against a defense that surprisingly allowed a 43.3 conversation percentage on third downs. Look for plenty of RB Jamaal Charles early as Kansas City seeks to stay out of long down-and-distance situations, and TE Travis Kelce could play a critical role with the Seahawks minus their best coverage linebacker in Bobby Wagner (turf toe).

*Matchup to watch – Seahawks RDT Kevin Williams vs. Chiefs LG Mike McGlynn & C Rodney Hudson: Seattle lost Brandon Mebane, its most important interior run stuffer, to a season-ending torn hamstring. The Seahawks will look to replace him with a rotation, led by former Vikings All-Pro Kevin Williams, who played 16 snaps last week, Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs, among others. McGlynn was signed in last August and has held down the starting job in large part due to his extensive experience in coach Andy Reid’s offense.

*Player spotlight – Seahawks TE Tony Moeaki: The former Chief wasn’t active last Sunday after being signed mid-week, but is expected to step into a significant role against his old team with Zach Miller and Luke Willson sidelined by ankle injuries. Cooper Helfet also played 48 percent of the offensive snaps against the Giants.

*Fast facts: The Seahawks begin a stretch of six consecutive games against team that won at least 10 games last season. … Of Smith’s 11 touchdown passes, none have gone to wide receivers.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

With temperatures likely to be near – or below – freezing and a pair of run-based offenses, points should be at a premium. The Chiefs are healthier at key positions and at home, giving them the slight edge.

*Our pick: Chiefs 23-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) at Washington Redskins (3-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at FedExField, Landover, Md. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison, Kristina Pink

*Keys to the game: The Bucs are 0-6 against NFC teams and allowing an average of 30.2 points per game and need to win by putting up points. Trouble is, they’ve failed to find the chemistry with QB Josh McCown and WRs Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. McCown is much more accurate than Mike Glennon. He threw for 300 yards last week and made better use of his two 6-foot-5 receivers, who will be checked mostly by rookies, including CB Bashaud Breeland.

Washington’s defense delivered Jekyll and Hyde performances during its last two games. The Redskins blitzed Dallas QB Tony Romo to distraction in a Week 8 upset and then got picked apart by Vikings rookie Teddy Bridgewater while losing several leads and the game in Week 9. OLB Ryan Kerrigan and DE Jason Hatcher have combined for half of Washington’s sacks (11.5 of 23), but six of their combined takedowns came in the Week 2 blowout of Jacksonville.

The Redskins’ edge is balance, in the form of RB Alfred Morris, who had two of his three best days during his disappointing 2014 season in the only two games that dual-threat QB Robert Griffin III played from start to finish. Griffin’s presence in the lineup bodes well for Morris against Tampa Bay’s 18th-ranked run defense.

WR DeSean Jackson (21.8 yards per catch) made big plays for all three quarterbacks who started for Washington this season. If the Bucs’ 31st-ranked pass defense tries to take Jackson away, Redskins coach Jay Gruden will be happy to feed WR Pierre Garcon (42 catches) and TE Jordan Reed (22 in four-plus games) underneath.

*Matchup to watch – Redskins RG Chris Chester vs. Buccaneers LDT Gerald McCoy: Chester struggled in pass protection along with LG Shawn Lauvao and C Kory Lichtensteiger during Washington’s Week 9 loss at Minnesota. McCoy, who has five of the Bucs’ 14 sacks, was limited in practice this week by a groin strain but vowed to play. He is one of the NFL’s top interior pass rushers.

*Player spotlight – Bucs P Michael Koenen: He averaged 30.3 yards in last week’s 10-point loss and is last in the NFL in punting. Koenen was playing keep-away from Devin Hester last week and might need more of the same Sunday with Jackson fielding punts for Washington.

*Fast facts: The teams are a combined minus-16 in turnover ratio. The Redskins are minus-9. … Jackson has 21 receptions for 577 yards and three touchdowns in the past five games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

With weak links on the offensive line and a flat-lining pass rush, the Bucs need to score early and often to remain competitive into the fourth quarter.

*Our pick: Redskins 29-25

Oakland Raiders (0-9) at San Diego Chargers (5-4)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots, Scott Kaplan

*Keys to the game: Saddled with the league’s worst ground game, averaging just 62.1 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry, Raiders rookie QB Derek Carr is having a difficult time pushing the ball downfield. His 5.68-yard average per attempt is the lowest among NFL starters, and against Denver only four of his 26 completions traveled further than 10 yards. The reasons are plenty – poor run support, shaky protection and a lack of yards after the catch among them. Carr did average 15.6 yards per completion in the first meeting, when the Chargers didn’t touch him and RB Darren McFadden contributed 80 yards on the ground.

San Diego has 35 completions of 20-plus yards compared to the Raiders’ 17, but QB Philip Rivers has thrown six interceptions during the team’s three-game losing streak. He would receive a significant boost if RB Ryan Mathews is able to play for the first time since Sept. 14 and improve the league’s 30th-ranked rushing attack. Rivers has been under siege, and making mistakes downfield, minus at least the threat of a ground game.

*Matchup to watch – Raiders DTs Antonio Smith and Justin Ellis vs. Chargers C Rich Ohrnberger: Ohrnberger returns from a back injury and could play a key role in opening more holes inside, where Matthews likes to do much of his work.

*Player spotlight – Raiders S Larry Asante: A training camp cut, Asante has been thrust into a starting job and played 79 of 80 snaps in the last game. He could draw some assignments against Chargers TE Antonio Gates.

*Fast facts: Of the Raiders’ seven remaining games, only St. Louis (3-6) currently has a record below .500. … Oakland leads the league with an 80.0 touchdown rate inside the red zone. Problem is, they don’t get there often, with only 15 red zone trips through nine games. … In 22 games against the Raiders, Gates had 90 catches for 1,214 yards and 11 touchdowns.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Chargers slid into their bye week on a three-game losing streak but should be physically and mentally recharged with a Raiders-Rams homestand that could vault them back into the AFC playoff picture.

*Our pick: Chargers 24-19

Detroit Lions (7-2) at Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale

*Keys to the game: Arizona’s defensive game plan could be most anything coordinator Todd Bowles believes will confound QB Matt Stafford at the line of scrimmage. Arizona adds something new every game. Last week, Bowles moved CB Antonio Cromartie to outside linebacker, with CB Justin Bethel jumping into the base defense. The Cardinals secondary is deep and has the talent to match up with Detroit’s receivers, including the headliner: CB Patrick Peterson vs. WR Calvin Johnson.

The Cardinals count on a play or two to turn every game on that side of the ball and without QB Carson Palmer, there’s a bit more gravity working against an offense coming off of a season-worst 28 rushing yards. Finding any and all means to keep QB Drew Stanton from getting hit is the ideal plot offensively, but the Cardinals could scrap the jumbo sets that also serve to hold off Detroit’s front four should the Lions get an early two-score lead.

The Cardinals’ run game has been sputtering, and it’s not likely to improve against a tough Lions defense. Testing the Lions’ shaky cornerbacks with WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd can open things for other receivers, as well as RB Andre Ellington.

*Matchup to watch – Cardinals RG Paul Fanaika vs. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh: Fanaika has been decent but no better than that this season. He will get some help against Suh, but Arizona is also worried about DE Ziggy Ansah. The Cardinals have had trouble running the ball consistently, and last week’s 28-yard performance was a season low.

*Player spotlight – Lions RB Theo Riddick: The likely No. 2 back again this week with Reggie Bush limited by an ankle injury, Riddick’s chances will come mostly on third down and in the hurry-up sets Detroit would like to use to test Arizona’s defensive line depth. He caught the game-winning touchdown against the Dolphins last week.

*Fast facts: The Cardinals are tied for the NFL lead with a plus-12 turnover margin and lead the league with 12 fourth-quarter takeaways. … Fitzgerald needs eight yards to reach 12,000 career receiving yards. … The Lions are one of three teams in NFL history to win four consecutive games by scoring in the final two minutes.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

A narrow margin for error is more miniscule with the quarterback change, and Arizona’s sputtering running game runs into the wrong team at the wrong time.

*Our pick: Lions 22-18

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) at Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews

*Keys to the game: The jury is still out on QB Mark Sanchez, but the Eagles’ offense is certainly capitalizing on more drives since he took over for injured Nick Foles. Ranked last in red-zone efficiency two weeks ago, Philadelphia has scored touchdowns on all seven of its trips inside the 20-yard line with Sanchez behind center. Green Bay’s defense is getting healthier, but still allowed an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry. Philadelphia’s ability to maintain balance, extend drives and steadily gas the defense with its tempo in frigid conditions is the key to the Eagles keeping pace in a likely shootout.

The Packers have scored 166 points in winning their first four home games this season, and QB Aaron Rodgers has thrown 25 TDs against just three INTs on the season. “Rodgers is playing as well as you’ve ever seen him play. His receivers are catching everything,” Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis noted. Philadelphia is coming off arguably its best defensive effort of the season Monday night vs. Carolina, and the key for the Eagles is to add significantly to their 32 sacks on the season. They are also second only to Cleveland in opponent completion percentage (57.2), but Davis views Rodgers as a true litmus test as to where his defense is.

*Matchup to watch – Eagles OLB Connor Barwin vs. Packers OL: Barwin leads the NFL with 10.5, one shy of his career high and leading the NFC. He racked up 3.5 last week, and needs another dominating performance. He’ll line up all over the defense and place pressure on various spots along the Packers’ line.

*Player spotlight – Packers LB Clay Matthews: Matthews moved inside in base packages last week and had his most productive game of the season, including a career-high 11 tackles and a sack. He’s expected to play a similar role against the Eagles, sliding back outside on third down or in nickel packages.

*Fast facts: Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has been held under 25 rushing yards three times this season. It happened just twice over the previous four seasons combined. … Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field in 286 attempts, dating back to December of 2012. … The Packers will replica uniforms from 1929, when Green Bay won the first of its 13 NFL titles. The uniform includes a navy blue top with a player’s jersey number imprinted in a big yellow circle imprinted on the front.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Packers have a plus-95 scoring margin in the first half of their past three home games. Rodgers is playing at an extremely high level, especially at Lambeau, and the constant pressure to keep pace ultimately will lead to a handful of costly mistakes from Sanchez.

*Our pick: Packers 34-26

New England Patriots (7-2) at Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: Patriots QB Tom Brady gushed over Andrew Luck’s skillset this week, saying the Colts’ third-year signal-caller does things “I wish I could do.” While that may be the case, Brady is firmly back in the thick of the MVP conversation with New England scoring at least 27 points in five consecutive games and 43-plus in three straight.

The Colts’ Jekyll & Hyde defense is alternately suffocating and sieve-like. Brady knows he’s going to have to put consistent points on the board, which means utilizing RB Shane Vereen to take the bite out of the pass rush and plenty of TE Rob Gronkowski and WR Julian Edelman attacking the underbelly of the defense while making plays after the catch.

Luck has thrown for 665 yards and two touchdowns in two previous meetings with the Patriots, but has also thrown seven interceptions, including four in an AFC playoff loss last January. The Patriots have a far different look on defense this time around, with CBs Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner teaming to funnel more action back inside. However, the pass rush has been spotty.

Luck knows he can roll up stats against a Bill Belichick defense, but can he do it while avoiding turnovers in a game in which every possession will be critical? The Patriots will mix coverages and spend much of the time in flooded zones seeking to confuse Luck into a mistake. Luck’s mobility will be a big factor, as will be his ability to utilize his backs and tight ends in moving the chains.

*Matchup to watch – Brady vs. Luck: The battle of No. 12s pits the 15-year veteran Brady vs. the third-year star in Luck. They sit at the helms of two of the league’s three highest scoring offenses. The pedal will be to the metal on both sides for four quarters, with the game likely decided by which QB avoids turnovers and cashes in the most red-zone opportunities.

*Player spotlight – Colts S Sergio Brown: The former Patriot was primarily a special teams player until LaRon Landry’s suspension for PEDs. Landry is back, but won’t start after missing four games, leaving Brown in a vital role in attempting to contain Gronkowski.

*Fast facts: Patriots PK Stephen Gostkowski is second in the NFL with 20 field goals this season. The only kicker with more? The man he replaced, Colts PK Adam Vinatieri, who has converted all 24 of his attempts. … Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw leads all NFL running backs with six receiving TDs.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

It’s not Manning vs. Brady, but Luck vs. Brady is putting a new twist on one of the NFL’s better rivalries of the past decade. At home, Luck finally figures out how to avoid multiple turnovers against a Belichick defense and keeps the Colts in the home-field advantage picture.

*Our pick: Colts 34-31

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Tennessee Titans (2-7)

Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. – TV: ESPN

*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

*Keys to the game: The schizophrenic Steelers offense takes yet another shot at a struggling team on the road. Credit to the Jets, whose strong defensive line helped keep QB Ben Roethlisberger from finding a rhythm last week. The Titans sport DT Jurell Casey, but little else in the way of a threat to contain the Steelers, who would be well served to get back to using RB Le’Veon Bell to set the table for Roethlisberger. Tennessee does not string together many lengthy drives, so Pittsburgh has an opportunity to slowly break the Titans’ will by owning the time of possession.

It will be the first “Monday Night Football” appearance for many of the young Titans, and keeping a lid on the Steelers’ potent offense and staying within reach in the first half is job No. 1. Close behind is getting RB Bishop Sankey ripping off positive yardage out of the gate. The Steelers allow an average of 4.4 yards per carry, and the Titans must put rookie QB Zach Mettenberger in manageable passing situations. Pittsburgh’s pass rush had sputtered most of the season, but coordinator Dick LeBeau’s blitz packages are something the former LSU star has never witnessed live.

*Matchup to watch – Steelers WR Martavis Bryant vs. Titans CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson: There is a good matchup between Steelers WR Antonio Bryant and the Titans’ Devin McCourty. But that will largely leave the inconsistent Wreh-Wilson to deal with Bryant, who has six TDs among his 14 catches in just four games.

*Player spotlight – Steelers LILB Vince Williams: With Ryan Shazier expected to miss his second consecutive game with a sprained ankle, Williams may get the call in favor of Sean Spence.

*Fast facts: The Steelers are 2-8 at the Titans since the franchise relocated from Houston in 1997. … Other than a 37-point outburst at Carolina, Pittsburgh has scored three offensive touchdowns in its four other road games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

There is no question the Steelers play to the level of their competition – the Bucs and Jets have combined for three victories this season, two of which came against Pittsburgh. But the Titans are swimming upstream with a rookie quarterback and a defense ill equipped to handle Roethlisberger’s weapons.

*Our pick: Steelers 34-16

–By Derek Harper & Jeff Reynolds