Looking Ahead: Week Twelve

With two games already gone this week, we focus on the rest of this star-studded cast of characters as we head into Week 12. There's not much to prepare for in this week, as many of the races are still too close to call; however with the 'anything goes' attitude this season's had so far a lot could happen. I could continue to opine about my personal feelings about a near-meaningless mid-season week in the NFL, but that would just delay the inevitable. On to my unnecessary analysis!

Houston gets Cleveland in a game that could bust down the glass wall to another division championship. However, with not much left to play for, the Browns could put out a foot and trip the Oilers on their way through. In the NFC version of the Central division, Tampa Bay heads to Atlanta with a chance to continue sneaking under the radar, while Chicago's at home in a must-win game against the Colts to stay alive. The Bears hope that everyone else stays quiet, as the Colts are on the verge of their first 4-win Tecmo season in about 17 years.

Looks like he just chugged a "Voltage"

Washington has a chance to put some pressure on the Giants, who already won this week, by taking out the Steelers at home. In San Francisco, the 49ers welcome the 1-win Cardinals with a chance to continue eluding the chasing Rams, who finally won their first game since Week 9 last night. We here at TTB like their chances, although Timm Rosenbach was seen this past week slamming Snapples at the local juice bar.

The early games end with two very important divisional clashes. First, Miami heads to Buffalo. The Bills won their first game, however the Dolphins haven't lost since Week 4 and now stand a half game up. Although they'll be in Buffalo where the Marv Lewis sweater effect reigns supreme, Miami could secure an inside track to a division title with a win. Perhaps the only thing more impressive than Miami's 6-game win streak, however, is Minnesota's 10-game streak, one that puts them in a chance to have control of their own destiny. And if there's anyone who needs some destiny control, it's Rick Fenney, who is one Herschel Walker touchdown away from becoming obsolete.

Seattle stumbled last week when they left what they had of some talent behind in their plane. They'll get a chance at some redemption as they pick on the Raiders, who've hit that point in the season where the Bo Jackson/Marcus Allen romance has turned into a stagnant plateau of arguments and deceit. Meanwhile, in a game that carries more weight that what appears on paper, Cincinnati travels to Philadelphia with a chance to stay in the hunt. The Eagles won their first game in a few tries last week, and need to keep that momentum if they want to keep nipping at Phil Simms' perfectly sculpted heels.

Sunday's games conclude with San Diego heading to New Orleans to face a Saints team that was looking into the playoff field window before the 49ers shut the blinds on them. They can stay on the bubble with a win, but it'll have to be against a focused Chargers team that doesn't want to see their division slip away quite yet, not while B.J. Tolliver is still chlamydia-free. Meanwhile, we will have our least favorite reporter at the scene of the Patriots/Jets game, only to see if New England will actually win another game this season.

Attn: Seattle - The future is here

With all of our teams being featured as of last week, we now focus our attention on some pivotal games down the stretch. We begin Monday Night with an AFC West rematch, with the Chiefs looking to continue pulling themselves out of a large hole of Barry Word's head proportions. They're on a 3-game win streak, and now two games behind Denver in first place. The Broncos, led by John Elway's bionic arm, will see what San Diego and Seattle do earlier and try to keep the divisional race a two-team contest. Should they fail, we may be at risk of having Kelly Stouffer compromise the playoff field.


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AFC

NFC