The Sunday Slate (Week Fourteen): NFC South Showdowns!

Posted: Dec 07, 2008

We had to take a couple of weeks off due to technical issues with the site. Check out our Faulkner-inspired T.I. Poll to see how the teams rank.

On to this week's games:

TAMPA BAY @ CAROLINA -This game is a Monday Night barnburner. Carolina must have this home victory over the Bucs because they already were trampled in Tampa earlier this season. The Bucs could put away the division if they can squeak past the rugged Panthers.

Neither of these teams has caught the national spotlight yet, but either are capable of making a long playoff run.

That run starts Monday night.

ATLANTA @ NEW ORLEANS - In this week's second NFC South matchup, we find this division's biggest surprise going on the road to play its biggest disappointment.

Atlanta needs a win to keep their unlikely division-contending pace with Carolina and Tampa. New Orleans would like to save face on its disappointing season.

Expect the Saints to rise up once more in front of the home crowd. They will likely finish the season just short of the playoffs, much closer to the Falcons than they are right now.

CINCINNATI @ INDIANAPOLIS - In our final Swampland Showdown, Indy gets to cruise past the hapless Bengals looking to win their sixth game in a row.

Two years ago, this would have been an amazing matchup. It shows how far Cincy has fallen.

DALLAS @ PIttsburgh, WASHINGTON @ Baltimore - In the first of our two NFC East headknockers, the Cowboys visit their old rivals from Super Bowls past. Washington also makes the short trip north to visit the Ravens.

Based on pure need, both Dallas and Washington would win. Unfortunately, Washington is a little more needy than Dallas playing a Baltimore team that's a little more needy as well.

Expect a split in these games with Washington moving further out of the playoff picture.

MIAMI @ Buffalo - This game may determine whether Miami's playoff run is for real or not. They have a fairly manageable schedule, but winning on the road in December has been the team's achilles heel for a while.

Cleveland @ TENNESSEE - Chalk the Titans up for another win in this increasingly magical season.

HOUSTON @ Green Bay, JACKSONVILLE @ Chicago - The NFC North has been a good testing ground for SPF teams. Both of our two dying teams go up to the cold. We expect neither to walk away with victories.

ST. LOUIS @ Arizona - The Rams need some spring cleaning come 2009. Another road loss is expected at the hands of their old hero, Kurt Warner.