By Jason Bryden
Assistant Sports Info Director
Washington (3-3) at Chicago (4-2)
Two teams coming off of a three-point loss in Week 6 will square off in Chicago on Sunday with one team getting the chance to get the bad taste out of its mouth.
Washington fell 27-24 to Indianapolis on Sunday despite forcing three turnovers and getting 100 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns by running back Ryan Torain. The Bears fell to Seattle on Sunday, 23-20, converting zero third downs on 12 tries and allowing six sacks, five of which were allowed to the Seattle secondary. Wide receiver Devin Hester did tie the NFL record for career returned touchdowns when he returned his 13th touchdown late in the fourth quarter for Chicago.
The two teams have met 46 times overall with the Bears holding a slim 23-22-1 edge. The Redskins have won four out of seven in the playoffs.
Philadelphia (4-2) at Tennessee (4-2)
A very solid inter-conference matchup takes place this Sunday in Nashville as the Eagles take on the Titans.
Philadelphia comes off of a convincing 31-17 win over Atlanta on Sunday as quarterback Kevin Kolb threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles did lose wide receiver DeSean Jackson though to a concussion and is doubtful for this week. Tennessee steamrolled Jacksonville, 30-3, on Monday night. Running back Chris Johnson ran for 111 yards and a touchdown. Tennessee lost quarterback Vince Young to a knee injury in the game.
Philadelphia leads the all-time series 6-3, but Tennessee has won the last three and all three since moving from Houston in 1997.
Pittsburgh (4-1) at Miami (3-2)
A critical AFC battle takes place on Sunday as the Steelers travel to South Florida to take on the Dolphins.
Pittsburgh welcomed back quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back and he threw three touchdowns and 257 yards in his season debut. The Steelers defense forced three turnovers and had five sacks in the win. Miami won its third road game of 2010 with a 23-20 overtime win at Green Bay on Sunday. The Dolphins got 127 yards receiving from wide receiver Brandon Marshall and the defense tallied five sacks. Miami is currently winless at home this year.
Pittsburgh has won the last four in the series and leads the all-time series 12-11, but Miami has won two of three in the playoffs.
Minnesota (2-3) at Green Bay (3-3)
One of the NFL’s top rivalries ignites again on Sunday night at Lambeau Field as the longtime Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre leads the Vikings against current Packers’ signal caller Aaron Rodgers.
Minnesota downed Dallas, 24-21, last Sunday in a game where the loser fell to 1-4. Wide receiver Percy Harvin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and linebacker E.J. Henderson picked off two passes which led to 10 Minnesota points. Green Bay dropped its second straight game, losing to Miami in overtime 23-20.
Green Bay leads the all-time series 49-48-1, but Minnesota won the lone playoff meeting in the 2004 Wild Card Round.
New York Giants (4-2) at Dallas (1-4)
In an absolute must win for the Cowboys, Dallas hosts the New York Giants on Monday Night Football where the Giants hope to win their fourth straight game and go 4-for-4 in October.
New York held off Detroit for a 28-20 win on Sunday in New Jersey. The Giants ran for 167 yards on the ground and got two rushing touchdowns from running back Brandon Jacobs. The defense forced three turnovers and registered two sacks in the win. The Cowboys, despite outgaining Minnesota, 314-188, on Sunday dropped a 24-21 decision. Dallas hurt themselves with two turnovers and 11 penalties, including an offensive pass interference call on wide receiver Miles Austin which wiped out a 68-yard touchdown pass.
Dallas leads the overall series 55-39-2, but New York has won four of the last five.