Sunday Playbook
Cowboys, Eagles play for lead
Toughest division in the NFL?
The NFC East lays claim to that honor, and eight weeks into the season, the records back it up. The NFC East is 13-8 playing outside the division. It helps to be matched in interconference play against the AFC West, where the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs reside.
Here are the records of the other NFL divisions in outside games: AFC South, 10-7; NFC North, 10-7; AFC North, 10-9; NFC South, 11-11; AFC East, 9-9; AFC West, 7-10; and NFC West, 5-14.
The NFC East will put two of its best on display tonight when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Philadelphia Eagles with sole possession of first place in the division at stake. The third- place New York Giants will try to keep pace and end their three-game losing streak when they face the San Diego Chargers at Giants Stadium.
Other attractive games on the schedule involve AFC matchups: Pittsburgh at Denver on Monday night and Miami at New England, Baltimore at Cincinnati and Houston at Indianapolis in divisional games.
A capsule look at the Week Nine schedule:
Game of the day
TV: Ch. 2, 8:20 p.m.
The line: Eagles (-3)
The scoop: Each side has rebounded from an embarrassing performance. Dallas had to go to overtime to defeat woeful Kansas City but has rolled past Atlanta and Seattle since. Philadelphia not only lost at Oakland, the Eagles failed to score a touchdown against the Raiders. However, the Eagles have routed Washington and the New York Giants in divisional games the last two weeks. ... Eagles hope to have RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) back for this one but rookie LeSean McCoy filled the bill last week. ... Each side has big-play performers. For the Eagles it's WR-PR DeSean Jackson, who has scored six touchdowns of 50 yards or longer this season. For Dallas it's WR Miles Austin who has 21 catches, a 160.7-yards per game average and five touchdowns the last three games. ... Eagles have swept Dallas five times in this decade and are 7-2 at home against 'Boys.
Outlook: Dallas is second in league in offense (411.1); the Eagles (296.9 average) have advantage on defense. Cowboys, 27-24.
Top attractions
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p.m.
The line: Steelers (-3)
The scoop: Pittsburgh comes off bye week that was preceded by four straight wins, including one over previously unbeaten Vikings. ... Denver back home after suffering first loss at Baltimore. ... Steelers are 4-0 on Monday Night Football under Mike Tomlin. ... Broncos have won five of last six in series, including last two, going back to '97 playoff win.
Outlook: Steelers getting better with each outing and will put heavy pressure on Kyle Orton. Pittsburgh, 28-20.
TV: Ch. 4, 1 p.m.
The line: Patriots (-10½)
The scoop: Although outgained badly, Dolphins beat Jets on road last week thanks to two 100-plus kickoff returns by Ted Ginn Jr. Patriots coming off bye. Isn't it convenient that New England always seems to draw its bye before a key divisional game? Patriots lead AFC in offense (406.0) and are third on defense (285.7). ... Miami has won five straight in division. Fish routed Patriots, 38-13, on last visit to Foxborough on Sept. 21, 2008, but Patriots returned favor, 48-28, in Miami.
Outlook: Bill Belichick has had extra week to cook up defenses for first-year starter Chad Henne. Patriots, 30-13.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Ravens (-3)
The scoop: Bengals won at Baltimore, 17-14, in Week Five. Cincy has won six of last nine in rivalry. ... Rival quarterbacks both having strong seasons. Joe Flacco of Ravens has 12 TDs and 5 INTs while Carson Palmer of Bengals is 13-7. Bengals RB Cedric Benson leads AFC and is second in league with 1,004 rushing yards. Ravens RB Ray Rice leads team in rushing yards (552) and receiving (38 catches).
Outlook: Ravens coming off tough game against Denver while Bengals had week off. Advantage Cincinnati, 20-17.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Colts (-9)
The scoop: Biggest game in history of Houston franchise since inaugural opener against Dallas in 2002. Texans flying high with best record ever after closing fast for 31-10 win over Bills. Colts managed just one TD on halfback pass in home win over 49ers. ... Indy has dominated all-time series (13-1). Teams will meet against in Houston on Nov. 29.
Outlook: Texans think they belong. Colts, 20-14.
Kickoff: Ch. 4, 4 p.m.
The line: Giants (-5)
The scoop: Giants fattened up on Washington, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Oakland before reality hit. After 5-0 start they have home loss to Arizona sandwiched between road routs at New England and Philadelphia. ... QB matchup finds Eli Manning of Giants going against Philip Rivers of Giants, two players involved in trade after 2004 draft.
Outlook: Aren't Chargers most overrated team in league? Giants rebound, 20-10.
Best of the rest
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Falcons (-9)
The scoop: Redskins had bye week for owner Daniel Snyder to get things straightened out. Washington's wins came over winless Tampa Bay and one-win St. Louis, and then just barely. Despite record, Redskins are second in NFC in total defense (283.4), but look at the weak opposition. ... Falcons have just come through tough stretch which included road games at New England, San Francisco, Dallas and New Orleans. ... Falcons RB Michael Turner ran for 151 yards in Monday Night loss at New Orleans.
Outlook: Can't see troubled Redskins winning tough one on road. Atlanta, 24-16.
Kickoff: Ch. 29, 1 p.m.
The line: Bears (-3)
The scoop: Franchises once shared Windy City before Cards headed to St. Louis and then to Arizona. ... Arizona had won three in a row before being embarrassed at home, 34-21, by Carolina last week. ... Bears coasted past punchless Browns, 30-6, but Chicago fans are grumbling over offense that produced two punts and three field goals in first five possessions at Cleveland.
Outlook: These aren't the '85 Bears. Arizona, 28-20.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Jaguars (-6½)
The scoop: Chiefs had last week off to contemplate 37-7 home loss to Chargers. Jaguars got hammered at Tennessee, causing coach Jack Del Rio to rein in audible freedom of QB David Garrard. ... Jags' Maurice Jones-Drew had TD runs of 79 and 80 yards in last week's loss. Jamaal Charles will start at RB for suspended Chiefs star Lawrence Johnson.
Outlook: Lots of unrest in both teams. Jaguars, 30-14.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Packers (-9½)
The scoop: Packers may have wasted all their ardor on last week's Brett Favre visit. ... Bucs have won three of last four over Green Bay, including 30-21 win in Tampa early last season. ... Rookie Josh Freeman (Kansas State) will make first start at QB for Bucs.
Outlook: Pack, with Dallas at home next week, could be walking into trap, but Bucs are possible 0-16 team. Green Bay, 24-10.
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.
The line: Saints (-13)
The scoop: Carolina has won six of last seven in divisional rivalry, and Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is 5-2 in his career against Saints. Panthers routed Arizona on road last week. ... Saints built lead over Atlanta at home on Monday Night Football, then nearly fumbled it away.
Outlook: Saints are going to trip up one of these weeks. New Orleans, 31-27.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.
The line: 49ers (-4)
The scoop: Both teams coming off strong performances. Vince Young quarterbacked Titans to home win over Jacksonville. With Alex Smith starting at QB for first time since 2007, Niners led most of the way in loss at Indianapolis, giving up yards but no TDs to Peyton Manning.
Outlook: Niners will be ready, 20-10.
Dog of the day
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.
The line: Seahawks (-10)
The scoop: Lions became first to lose to Rams last week while Seahawks were handled at Dallas.
Outlook: With injuries, Lions lacking weapons. Seattle, 28-9.
Last week: 6-7 straight up, 4-9 versus spread.
Season's record: 74-41 straight up, 53-58 versus spread.
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