Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - Bobby Petrino and the Atlanta Falcons were a bad match from the very beginning.

Forget the Michael Vick situation for a second, and consider the former Louisville head man's coaching style.

Word from Flowery Branch, GA, where the Falcons train, was that Petrino was riding his players, college freshmen-style, during the team's first mini-camp. Yes, mini-camp.

Unless you're Bill Parcells and have a couple of sparkling Super Bowl rings adorning your iron fists, that approach is never going to work on professional adults. The Falcons, especially the team's veterans, took to Petrino like fans at a Soulja Boy concert would to Andy Williams.

What a surprise that Petrino's previous experience as a pro coach had come learning at the feet of the one and only Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville, aka the man who wrote the multi-volume textbook on how not to treat NFL players.

And so it was that Petrino bolted town in the dead of night, like he was driving the Colts' Mayflower van to Indianapolis. Believe me, the Arkansas media guide will be playing up the 41-9 college record, and relegating the 3-10 pro mark to agate type.

He's the first NFL head coach to leave us in 2007, and he won't be the last.

Many around the nation are currently pondering the fate of the Dolphins' Cam Cameron, who could be about to preside over the first 0-16 season in NFL history. Somebody's going to cough up a pound of flesh if that happens, but I'm not convinced it should be Cameron.

This organization was clearly thinking about next year by mid-October, which is why you saw John Beck on the field before he was ready and why Chris Chambers was traded. If somebody had told Cameron that he needed to go 2-14 to keep his job, he probably could have found a way to string together a couple of wins, rather than playing for the future.

Cameron's offense worked pretty well before Ronnie Brown got hurt, and the defense is being presided over by one of the league's most respected coordinators in Dom Capers. 0-16 or not, this staff deserves another year to prove itself.

The coaching regime that could be in its final days, and deservedly so, is Mike Nolan's in San Francisco. The 49ers were picked by many to win the NFC West in 2007 (this writer's hand is raised), but are no better than the second-worst team in football right now. Nolan has become embroiled in a petty feud with franchise quarterback Alex Smith over the severity of his shoulder injury, a situation that has clearly divided the locker room. It is difficult to see Nolan and Smith co-existing into 2008, and it would be much easier for the Niners to get rid of the coach than the quarterback.

Carolina's John Fox, whose team has underachieved for two straight years and looks headed toward a 1-9 season-ending stretch, probably needs to go, too. Fox is the best coach in Panthers history and has won some playoff games, but the team has clearly passed its peak under his guidance. The buzz in Charlotte is that North Carolina resident Bill Cowher could be stalking the Carolina sideline next season.

Any other coaching changes will likely be dictated by something other than team performance. The Chiefs' Herm Edwards, Ravens' Brian Billick, and Lions' Rod Marinelli will all get at least another year despite their team's poor second halves. Rams management has already said Scott Linehan will be back, too.

But there have been strong hints that the Eagles' Andy Reid, Redskins' Joe Gibbs, and/or the Seahawks' Mike Holmgren are all in burnout mode and could call it a day when 2007 concludes. Reid and Holmgren are at the helm of aging teams that will probably get worse before they get better. Gibbs is 67 years old and doesn't look to be having much fun working for Daniel Snyder.

Whatever is about to transpire in any of the cities above, know that the carousel has only begun to spin, with Petrino mounting the lead horse.

Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:

WEEKLY SEED REPORT

An up-to-date ranking of where teams lie in the playoff race.

AFC 1 - New England (13-0) 2 - Indianapolis (11-2) 3 - Pittsburgh (9-4) 4 - San Diego (8-5) 5 - Jacksonville (9-4) 6 - Cleveland (8-5)

NFC 1 - Dallas (12-1) 2 - Green Bay (11-2) 3 - Seattle (9-4) 4 - Tampa Bay (8-5) 5 - N.Y. Giants (9-5) 6 - Minnesota (7-6)

NFL POWER POLL

The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm

FANTASY - FIVE TO START

Kyle Boller, QB, Baltimore (at Miami) - Yeah, its Kyle Boller, but the Dolphins' secondary is awful.

Darius Walker, RB, Houston (vs. Denver) - Rookie could have a breakout performance against Broncos' front seven.

Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo (at Cleveland) - Browns don't have a corner to cover the speedster Evans.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco (vs. Cincinnati) - Starting QB Shaun Hill will look often to his fellow Terp.

San Diego Defense (vs. Detroit) - Jon Kitna will give the Chargers plenty of opportunities to add to their league-leading INT total.

FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh (vs. Jacksonville) - Jaguars' defense generally gives the Steelers some problems.

Kolby Smith, RB, Kansas City (vs. Tennessee) - Chiefs line won't bounce back in a significant way against strong Tennessee front seven.

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina (vs. Seattle) - Hasn't had time to get downfield and do damage for most of the season.

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston (vs. Denver) - Champ Bailey should hold him somewhat in check.

Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago (at Minnesota) - Hard to know what kind of impact Kyle Orton will have on the Bears offense.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. New England (vs. N.Y. Jets) - If you haven't used the Patriots yet, you're looking very good to collect some holiday cash.

2. Tampa Bay (vs. Atlanta) - Even before the Petrino distraction, the Buccaneers were going to win this one big.

3. San Diego (vs. Detroit) - Lions are desperate for a win, but don't match up well with the Chargers.

THE GAMES

I was a solid 13-3 in my picks last week, and an atypically positive 11-5 against the spread. Baby Girl Moss, who is gearing up for her first Christmas, managed just an 8-8 mark against the spread but remains four games ahead of the best of TSN's group of 16 "Pigskin Prognosticators," namely company CEO Mickey Charles. Mickey is unlikely to show any mercy in trying to defeat Little Miss Moss, whether she's an infant or not. The little one is 109-89-10 against the spread, 19 games better than Daddy, who is 134-74 at picking winners.

Denver (6-7) at Houston (6-7), Thursday, 8:15 (Pick)

Storylines: Former Broncos quarterback and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak meets his former team for the first time as Texans head coach...Houston staff includes four former Denver assistants, as well as quarterbacks coach Kyle Shanahan, the son of Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan...Four ex-Broncos are on the Texans roster...Houston expected to be without quarterback Matt Schaub (shoulder) and running back Ron Dayne (ankle), with Sage Rosenfels and rookie Darius Walker expected to start in their respective places...Broncos wideouts Brandon Marshall (shoulder) and Javon Walker (knee) are both considered questionable...Denver quarterback Jay Cutler threw for a career-high four touchdowns in last week's win over the Chiefs, while rookie running back Selvin Young tallied a season-best 156 yards on the ground...Denver has surrendered an NFL-worst two punt returns for touchdowns.

Fast Fact: Denver is 0-2 in Houston since beating the Oilers there in 1985.

Prediction: Texans will be fired up, but are too injury-depleted and inexperienced to pull off a win of this magnitude. Broncos 23, Texans 20

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Cincinnati (5-8) at San Francisco (3-10), Saturday, 8:15 (Cincinnati -8)

Storylines: Niners' Shaun Hill expected to make his first NFL start in place of injured quarterbacks Alex Smith (shoulder) and Trent Dilfer (concussion), and ex-Panthers starter Chris Weinke was signed on Wednesday to back him... Cincinnati trying to avoid its first losing season since 2002...Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the NFL in receptions (96), and needs five more to surpass Carl Pickens (100 in 1996) for the franchise single-season mark...San Francisco is last in the league in total offense (235.5 yards per game), passing offense (150 yards per game), and scoring offense (13.2 points per game)...Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer has not thrown a touchdown pass in two straight games, matching the longest drought of his career... Bengals and Niners are a combined 6-18 since winning Monday night games in Week 1, including a combined 0-3 in primetime.

Fast Fact: Cincinnati is 1-4 all-time in San Francisco, scoring its only win there in the first meeting between the clubs, in 1974.

Prediction: Niners won't get blown out at home for a second straight week, but simply lack the scoring punch to post win number four. Bengals 20, 49ers 13.

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Seattle (9-4) at Carolina (5-8), Sunday, 1:00 (Seattle -7)

Storylines: Seattle, which clinched its third consecutive NFC West title with last week's 42-21 win over Arizona, currently holds the No. 3 spot in the NFC...Carolina has lost six of seven since starting the year 4-2...Vinny Testaverde expected to make his seventh start at QB for Panthers...Seattle wideout and 12-year NFL veteran Bobby Engram is 71 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season...Carolina receiver Steve Smith has gone six straight games without a touchdown catch, the longest such drought since his rookie season of 2001...Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney leads the NFL in sacks (13.5)...Panthers have a league-low-tying four rushing touchdowns on the year, along with the Rams...Seattle has allowed an NFL-low 10 touchdown passes in 2007...Panthers have recorded an NFL-worst 16 sacks in 13 games...Seahawks' Nate Burleson is one of four players (Yamon Figurs, Devin Hester, Darren Sproles) with a touchdown off both a kickoff and punt return this season.

Fast Fact: Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren is 5-1 in his career against the Panthers, including a 34-14 win in the 2005 NFC Championship.

Prediction: Seattle might be due for a letdown after a big win over Arizona, but the incompetent Panthers will gift-wrap their 10th win of the year. Seahawks 27, Panthers 9.

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Buffalo (7-6) at Cleveland (8-5), Sunday, 1:00 (Cleveland -5)

Storylines: Browns can clinch first playoff berth since 2002 with a win and losses for the Broncos (at Texans on Thursday night) and Titans (at Chiefs)... Buffalo, which hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, will be in the driver's seat for the AFC's second Wild Card berth with a win...Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards is 5-1 as a starter and threw a career-high four touchdown passes in last week's 38-17 win over Miami...Browns wideout Braylon Edwards (13 touchdown receptions) needs one scoring catch to break a tie with Gary Collins (1963) for the franchise record...Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild was named head coach at Colorado State on Wednesday, but will remain with Buffalo through the end of the season...Cleveland is last in the league in total defense (389.7 yards per game), scoring defense (27.4 points per game), and touchdown passes allowed (27)...The Browns' Joshua Cribbs (31.0) leads the NFL in kickoff return average, while the Bills' Roscoe Parrish is number one on the league punt return chart (17.5)

Fast Fact: The Bills' seven wins have come against opponents that are a combined 21-70.

Prediction: Bills are a great story, but it's hard to imagine their all-rookie backfield winning a huge game away from home. Browns 24, Bills 16.

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Tennessee (7-6) at Kansas City (4-9), Sunday, 1:00 (Tennessee -4)

Storylines: Chiefs have lost six in a row since a 4-3 start, and are trying to avoid their first seven-game skid since dropping nine consecutive during the 1987 season...Titans, who are a game back of Cleveland in the AFC Wild Card race as Week 15 begins, blew a 17-3 fourth-quarter lead to lose to the Chargers, 23-17 in overtime, last Sunday...Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle still seeking his first win as an NFL starter...Tennessee has a league-low seven touchdown passes on the year...Chiefs are last in the NFL in rushing offense (80.2 yards per game)...Titans running back LenDale White is 133 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season...Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez is 46 yards shy of his third career 1,000-yard season...Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (foot) will miss his sixth consecutive game... Titans kicker Rob Bironas leads the NFL in made field goals (27).

Fast Fact: With two losses in his final three games, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher will break a tie with Don Shula for the most 8-8 seasons by a head coach in NFL history (5).

Prediction: Titans have to be demoralized after meltdown against San Diego, and Chiefs will play with renewed pride after abomination in Denver. Chiefs 19, Titans 16.

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Baltimore (4-9) at Miami (0-13), Sunday, 1:00 (Baltimore -3)

Storylines: Dolphins attempting to avoid the NFL's first 0-14 start since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost all 14 in their inaugural season of 1976...Miami expected to start Cleo Lemon at quarterback after rookie John Beck went 0-4 without a touchdown pass in four starts...Lemon is 0-5 as a starter in his career, including 0-4 this season...Kyle Boller will start at QB for Baltimore...Ravens have committed an NFL-high 35 turnovers on the year, including a league-worst 22 lost fumbles, and are last in turnover margin (-17)...Miami running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) could return to the lineup after a one-week absence...Baltimore has allowed an NFL-low 2.8 yards per rush...Dolphins are last in NFL rushing defense (155.4 yards per game), but have faced 32 more rushing attempts than any other team....Ravens placed cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday... Baltimore has forced a league-low-tying five lost fumbles on the year.

Fast Fact: The last team to start 0-13, the 1986 Indianapolis Colts, were 28-23 winners over the Atlanta Falcons in their 14th game of the year.

Prediction: Dolphins have a real chance against mistake-prone Ravens, but Baltimore will avoid embarrassment by mounting a late drive. Ravens 14, Dolphins 10.

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N.Y. Jets (3-10) at New England (13-0), Sunday, 1:00 (New England -23)

Storylines: Patriots play Jets for the first-time since infamous "Spy-gate" incident in Week 1...New England attempting to join 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only teams in NFL history to start 14-0...Patriots can clinch homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs with a win or a Colts loss at Oakland... New England quarterback Tom Brady leads the NFL in passing yards (4095), touchdown passes (45), and passer rating (123.5), receiver Randy Moss paces the league in touchdowns (19), and the Patriots are No. 1 in the NFL in total offense (425 yards per game), passing offense (311.3 yards per game), and scoring offense (38.7 points per game)...Brady needs five touchdown passes to surpass Peyton Manning's league mark of 49 TDs in a season, and Moss needs four TD catches to break Jerry Rice's single-season record of 22...Patriots and Jets each have just two rushes of 20 yards or longer this season, tied for the lowest figure in the league...New England has an NFL-low 10 turnovers on the year, and possesses a league-best +18 turnover margin.

Fast Fact: Three of the previous four NFL teams to start 13-0 (1934 Bears, 1998 Broncos, 2005 Colts) lost their 14th game.

Prediction: Prepare for your punishment, Eric Mangini. Patriots 56, Jets 3.

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Arizona (6-7) at New Orleans (6-7), Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -3)

Storylines: Two teams clinging to life in the NFC Wild Card race square off in New Orleans...Both are one game back of Minnesota for the final playoff spot...Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin (dislocated toe) expected to miss his second straight game, and tight end Leonard Pope (ankle) will miss the remainder of the season...New Orleans is 2-4 at home this season, while the Cardinals are 2-5 on the road...Saints running back Aaron Stecker, filling in for the injured Reggie Bush, carried 20 times for 100 yards in New Orleans' 34-14 win over the Falcons on Monday night...Cardinals' 21 interceptions thrown are tied for the most in the league, along with St. Louis...New Orleans wideout Marques Colston is 22 yards shy of his second consecutive 1,000-yard season...Saints have surrendered an NFL-low 11 sacks on the year...Cardinals' Darnell Dockett leads all NFL defensive tackles with eight sacks.

Fast Fact: The Cardinals are 7-2 in their last nine meetings with the Saints.

Prediction: Fading and injury-scarred Cardinals will make too many mistakes to remain in the playoff race. Saints 30, Cardinals 14.

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Jacksonville (9-4) at Pittsburgh (9-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -3)

Storylines: Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a win, and clinch the AFC North title with a win and a Cleveland loss to Buffalo...Jaguars can clinch playoff berth with a win and a Tennessee loss at Kansas City...Pittsburgh is 7-0 at home this season, joining New England as the only teams to be unblemished on their home fields this year...Steelers running back Willie Parker leads the NFL in rushing (1,217 yards)...Pittsburgh ranks first in the league in total defense (245.5 yards per game), scoring defense (14.5 points per game), touchdowns allowed (21), and rushing touchdowns allowed (3)... Steelers placed defensive end Aaron Smith (biceps) on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday... Jacksonville placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday...Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu (knee) could return to the lineup after missing three straight games...Steelers kicker Jeff Reed (21-of-23) leads the NFL in field goal percentage (.913).

Fast Fact: Steelers running back Willie Parker, who leads the NFL with 1,217 rushing yards, is vying to become Pittsburgh's first NFL rushing champion since Bill Dudley amassed a league-best 604 yards in 1946.

Prediction: Jags are talented, but they still haven't proven they can win a road game in a tough, cold-weather environment. Steelers 20, Jaguars 15.

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Green Bay (11-2) at St. Louis (3-10), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -10)

Storylines: NFC North champion Packers can clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win and a Seattle loss at Carolina...Rams quarterback Marc Bulger (concussion) could return Sunday after missing two games, and backup Gus Frerotte (shoulder) could also be available after missing last week's loss to the Bengals...Brock Berlin would make his second straight start if neither Bulger nor Frerotte can go...Green Bay running back Ryan Grant has gone over 100 yards four times in his past seven games...St. Louis rusher Steven Jackson has gone over 90 yards in four consecutive games, but has not eclipsed 100 yards since Week 3...Packers rookie kicker Mason Crosby leads the NFL in scoring (115 points)...Rams have a league-low tying four rushing touchdowns on the year, along with the Panthers...St. Louis is tied with Arizona for the most interceptions thrown in the league, with 21.

Fast Fact: Since their 23-20 win over the Packers on Oct. 8, 2006, the Rams have a record of 7-17, while Green Bay is 18-6 over that span.

Prediction: Provided Bulger plays, an improving Rams team will stick around for roughly three quarters. Packers 21, Rams 12.

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Atlanta (3-10) at Tampa Bay (8-5), Sunday, 1:00 (Tampa Bay -13)

Storylines: Falcons take the field for the first time since head coach Bobby Petrino resigned to take the University of Arkansas job on Tuesday...Defensive backs coach and longtime NFL assistant Emmitt Thomas will serve as interim head coach for the Falcons...Buccaneers can clinch NFC South title with a win or a New Orleans loss against Arizona...Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia (back) expected to return to the lineup following a two-week absence...Falcons are likely to give Chris Redman his second consecutive start at QB, after the ex-Raven threw for a career-high 298 yards in Monday's 34-14 loss to New Orleans...Buccaneers have thrown a league-low five interceptions on the year...Tampa Bay wideout Ike Hilliard, who leads the team in receptions with 58, is considered questionable with knee and back problems...Falcons have thrown a league-worst four interceptions for touchdowns.

Fast Fact: Falcons wideout Roddy White needs five receiving yards to become the team's first 1,000-yard receiver since Terance Mathis in 1999.

Prediction: Falcons will play with passion after being abandoned by their head coach, but won't sustain their intensity over four quarters. Buccaneers 27, Falcons 7.

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Indianapolis (11-2) at Oakland (4-9), Sunday, 4:05 (Indianapolis -10)

Storylines: Colts can clinch AFC South title with a win or a Jacksonville loss at Pittsburgh, and can clinch a First-Round playoff bye with a win and a Steelers loss to the Jaguars...Raiders starting quarterback will likely be either Josh McCown (finger) or Daunte Culpepper (quadriceps), with rookie JaMarcus Russell to appear off the bench... Colts wideout Marvin Harrison (knee) unlikely to return to the lineup...Status of Raiders running back Justin Fargas (ribs), who is 80 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season, unknown for Sunday...Colts have lost the fewest fumbles in the NFL (3)...Indianapolis is No. 1 in the league in passing defense (166.8 yards per game)... Raiders have allowed an NFL-worst 21 rushing touchdowns, 16 rushes of 20 yards or longer, and are surrendering a league-high 4.8 yards per run... Colts have allowed a league-worst three kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Fast Fact: The Colts last won a road game in their series with the Raiders in 1986, when they prevailed at the L.A. Coliseum, and their only win in Oakland came as the Baltimore Colts in 1971.

Prediction: Oakland defense isn't ready to contend with Joseph Addai, much less Peyton Manning. Colts 31, Raiders 14.

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Philadelphia (5-8) at Dallas (12-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -10)

Storylines: NFC East Champion Cowboys can clinch homefield advantage in the NFC with a win and a loss by the Packers in St. Louis, and will sew up a first-round bye with a win and a Seattle loss at Carolina...Dallas has scored at least 24 points in every game this season...Eagles running back Brian Westbrook leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (1752) and leads NFL backs with 74 receptions...Cowboys wideout and one-time Eagle Terrell Owens leads the NFL in receiving yards (1270)...Philadelphia receiver Kevin Curtis is 70 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season...Dallas tight end Jason Witten is 45 yards short of his first career 1,000-yard season...Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton (foot) considered questionable for Sunday...Philadelphia has recorded an NFL- low seven interceptions and 15 takeaways on the season... Eagles are the only team in the league without a touchdown off either a punt, kickoff, fumble, or interception return this year.

Fast Fact: Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (1110 rushing yards) must average 134.3 ground yards over his final three games to surpass Wilbert Montgomery's single-season franchise record in that category, set in 1979 with 1,512 yards.

Prediction: An Eagles defense that doesn't make plays will not pose a serious threat to Tony Romo. Cowboys 38, Eagles 24.

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Detroit (6-7) at San Diego (8-5), Sunday, 4:15 (San Diego -10)

Storylines: Chargers can clinch their second straight AFC West title with a win and a Broncos loss to the Texans on Thursday night...Lions have lost five in a row since a 6-2 start...San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) expected to play, but the team will be without linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee) for at least one week...Detroit wide receiver Roy Williams (knee) likely to miss the remainder of the season...Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns (12)...Detroit has allowed a league-worst 52 sacks on the year...San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie leads the league in interceptions (9), and needs one more to break a tie with Charlie McNeil (1961) for the franchise record...Chargers and Lions are 1-2 in the league in takeaways with 35 and 33, respectively...Chargers are first in the NFL in INTs (22), while Lions lead the league in forced fumbles lost (17)...Detroit has allowed an NFL-worst 43 touchdowns on the year...Lions have lost five straight in their series with the Chargers, and are 0-3 all-time in San Diego.

Fast Fact: The lone postseason win in the head coaching career of San Diego's Norv Turner was a 27-13 triumph for his Redskins over the Lions in a 1999 NFC Divisional Playoff.

Prediction: Detroit's a bad road team, and will make plenty of mistakes against the current takeaway kings of the NFL. Chargers 23, Lions 7.

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Washington (6-7) at N.Y. Giants (9-4), Sunday, 8:15 (N.Y. Giants -4)

Storylines: Redskins quarterback Todd Collins slated to start in place of the injured Jason Campbell (knee), in turn setting an NFL record for most days between starts (3,652) for a quarterback...Collins last opened a game on Dec. 14, 1997, as a member of the Buffalo Bills...Giants can clinch a Wild Card berth with a win or losses for Minnesota (vs. Chicago) and New Orleans (vs. Arizona)...Collins, who threw his first NFL pass since 2004 in last week's 24-16 win over the Bears, completed 15-of-20 throws for 224 yards and two touchdowns in the game...New York receiver Plaxico Burress, who had seven catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in last week's 16-13 win over the Eagles, needs 100 yards for the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career... Giants lead the NFL in sacks (47)...Redskins have allowed just two rushes of 20 yards or longer, the lowest figure in the league.

Fast Fact: The Giants (three straight wins over the Redskins) have not swept Washington in back-to-back seasons since 1994-95.

Prediction: Redskins will play hard, but are featuring way too many backups at this stage to win a difficult road game. Giants 21, Redskins 16.

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Chicago (5-8) at Minnesota (7-6), Monday, 8:30 (Minnesota -10)

Storylines: Vikings look to remain in the driver's seat for the second of two Wild Card berths in the NFC...Bears quarterback Kyle Orton to make his first start since 2005, when he went 10-5 in 15 appearances...Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman (knee) is likely to miss the rest of the year...Minnesota has won four straight since a 3-6 start, the franchise's longest winning streak since taking six in a row in 2005...Vikings lead the NFL in rushing offense (172.2 yards per game), rushing touchdowns (18), yards per carry (5.5), and rushes of 20 yards or longer (17)...Minnesota's Adrian Peterson rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 win over the Bears in Week 6...Chicago's Adrian Peterson has 279 scrimmage yards in his past three games...Bears are last in the league in yards per carry (3.18)...Vikings lead the NFL in rushing defense (70.7 yards per game), but are last in the NFL in passing defense (273.3 yards per game).

Fast Fact: Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (1200 yards) is vying to become the first NFL rushing champion in Minnesota history, and the team's second all-time NFC leader, joining Robert Smith (1,521 yards in 2000).

Prediction: Proud group of Bears won't get run off the field by a division rival in prime time, but won't make enough plays to pull the upset. Vikings 20, Bears 17