The Tecmo Bowl: Looking Ahead: Week Eleven

We welcome all 28 teams back to the fold (until Week 14, when Phoenix and Minnesota weirdly skirt off into a closet somewhere). And just in time, too, as there's some business to settle this week. There's still a chance for all teams to make noise, as nobody's yet mathematically eliminated, but for the most part it's going to be a grind to the end for some divisions to split apart. Luckily the return to a 14-game format brings with it some interesting divisional clashes. Also, it's the first time since Week 8 that we get to see Albert Bentley and Derrick Fenner compete for your affection!

San Francisco took back control of the NFC West with a win last week, and now must visit the surging Saints in New Orleans. While we've focused in on the NFC East and AFC West log-jam, a Saints win could potentially lead to a three-way struggle--something Joe Montana's well-accustomed to.

The Giants look to get back on track after losing for the first time in six games by kicking around the division's doormat, the Phoenix Cardinals. The Giants No.2-ranked run defense should hold Johnny Johnson in check, so all they need to worry about is how much Timm Rosenbach blood their wives will have to wash out of their whites.

Philadelphia got back into the race last week, and now welcome a fading Browns team for a chance to keep moving in the right direction within their division. It's a battle of nameless QBs, which historically is only the second time since a 1977 game between the LA Rams and St Louis Cardinals.

Despite what you've heard, these teams did exist in 1977

Miami's hit a soft spot in their schedule, facing the New England Patriots only one week after destroying the Colts. The Dolphins made a mockery of NFL parity when they beat New England in Week 6 with a basketball score, which is funny since the Miami Heat were just seen lacing the Boston Celtics' shoes last week.

The Raiders were surging earlier in the season, but fell back to earth and now stand two games out of first behind the Denver Broncos. They meet in Denver with a chance for redemption and a game in the standings after losing a close one in Week 2. There's also a chance that Jay Schroeder may not get lost at the airport.

Indianapolis is looking for their first win since Week 3, and could end the league's longest losing streak in a very winnable game against the New York Jets. While the Jets started their own 2-game winning streak against the Colts in Week 8, signs of a turnaround started showing as soon as Ken O.Brien lost his year's salary playing craps in Atlantic City two nights ago.

In a game where both teams are hungry for a win to stay in the hunt, we're looking for the Chiefs to bury the Rams' hopes for a rare division championship. The Chiefs need the win more, and we think they'll take advantage of a struggling Rams team that's won once in the last four games, and never in scariest uniform contest.

San Diego and Seattle meet for the second time in three weeks, and once again it's in a first-place tiebreaker. The Chargers flopped against Seattle, with BJ Tolliver only completing one stinking pass, but now they're at home and the probability of at least doubling that amount is a strong 20%.

You can't spell Tolliver without 'E-L-I-T-E'

Detroit and Tampa Bay will supposedly play a game.

The afternoon begins with a huge division rematch, as Minnesota travels to Chicago to play the only team that's beaten them this year. The Bears need another win here to stay alive, a statement I probably would have branded you for saying after Week One.

The Redskins are looking for a second chance to move ahead in their division, after giving the game away to Houston last week. They'll travel to Atlanta to match up against a Falcons team with nothing left to play for this season but Mike Rozier's dignity and a bag of used footballs for next year.

In what may have been the game of the week had we not forgotten about the teams actually in our featured game, Buffalo heads over to Green Bay for their first real challenge in weeks. Green Bay was a strong contender for a division crown earlier this year, but have lost some inexplicable games. Look for the Packers to get back on track and delay another Bills' tear to a division crown, and for Ed West to crush a small child during his 3 Lambeau Leaps.

Houston and Dallas will meet in a Lone Star State battle, in a game that carries much more importance for the Cowboys than the Oilers. While Warren Moon has already booked a room in Nashville, the site of this year's Tecmo Bowl, Tommie Agee is still paying off his hotel room in Philadelphia by washing dishes.

And finally, our Monday Night game features the final two teams we've not yet seen, Boomer's Bengals and Bubby's Steelers. It's an AFC Central battle between two 4-5 teams looking for bragging rights and a chance to put a little heat on Houston. While we like the cut of Bubby's jib, Cincinnati has James Brooks and a guy named 'Ickey', while Pittsburgh's lone claim to fame is Bryan Hinkle's failed 'Steel City Selects' line of pickled vegetables.