Several big games could come down to final whistle

Uh-oh. Bad night for Niners, last in the league in scoring defense, giving up 27 points per game. If Brett Favre can look like the Brett Favre of old against San Francisco, Matt Hasselbeck, playing at home, can look pretty darned good.

The Falcons' run game looks like a '72 Pinto, and coach Jim Mora doesn't want Mike Vick leaving the pocket much because he's beat up. Tony Romo recovers from his first bad game since sixth grade to throw for a couple of touchdowns. "Hey," he wonders after the game, "does Jessica Simpson get NFL Network? Think she saw me tonight?"

Agonizing game to pick. I just don't think Jason Taylor and Channing Crowder are going to let J.P. Losman breathe much.

Agonizing game II. With the Vikes' vaunted run defense, the Jets obviously are going to put this game in the hands of Chad Pennington. Five straight teams have scored in the 20s on the Vikes, so maybe I'm underestimating Pennington's ability to put three touchdowns on the board. But I don't think so.

Lambs, meet slaughter. A loss here means Romeo Crennel's 1-11 in AFC North games since taking over.

If the Patriots lose this one, I honestly think Tom Brady's head is going to explode.

Favre inches closer. Three more touchdown passes, and now he sits at 416, four away from Dan Marino with two games to play. All of a sudden, a few more TV sets than Mr. Nielsen thought will be tuned in Thursday night against the Vikes.

Jon Gruden lets his mind wander in the freezer that is Soldier Field. He has two thoughts: "The condo in Sarasota's going to feel awful nice in about 16 days." And, "How am I going to find anything nice to say to the friggin' media hounds after the game about Bruce Gradkowski?"

So, Dan Marino and Cris Carter. You don't think Drew Brees is the MVP, do you? Well, we'll see if four more touchdown passes from Brees can help change your minds.

The Jags are 5-2 in their last seven, Tennessee is 6-2 in its last eight. Something's gotta give. The decisive person in the game will be a rookie with the ball in his hands a lot, but it won't be Vince Young. It'll be Maurice Jones-Drew (18 carries, 134 yards).

Carolina is playing a secondary you haven't seen since the fourth quarter of preseason Week 1, including that lovable ol' Ohio University Bobcat, Dion Byrum. (Oh, Dave Wannstedt remembers Dion Byrum. He's the guy who ran two Tyler Palko picks back for touchdowns, including the game-winner in OT as OU whacked Pitt last season.) Anyway, Ben Roethlisberger will feast on the Panthers' leftovers in the secondary.

Matt Leinart's completion average the last four weeks: 66, 61, 63, 62. Arizona's record the last four weeks: 3-1. Coincidence: I think not.

Brady Quinn, with his Notre Dame mates at chapel Saturday during a break in practice, drops a dollar into the donation box in the back of the Basilica and lights a candle. "Please," he prays, "let the Raiders win once or twice down the stretch. Lord, I can't bear the thought of spending my career in the Black Hole. They just can't have the first pick in the draft."

Maybe I'm overselling Jeff Garcia, but this three-game starting streak he's on? Donovan McNabb had a great opening-season stretch this year, but it wasn't better than the last 12 quarters played by Garcia.

LaDainian Tomlinson has as many touchdowns since the start of November, 18, as the Bucs and Raiders (16) have scored all season.

Great game. Game of the year. Colts devote a safety down near the line all night and Carson Palmer makes' em pay.