The latest installment in the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry is sure to be nasty,even with only one of those teams still competing for a playoff spot.
On the eve of the best day of the week in the sports world, EWM takes a look at the most (and least) intriguing matchups of Week 14.
Philadelphia (8-4) at Dallas (4-8) - Even though only one of these teams has any chance at playing football after January 2, don't underestimate the entertainment value of this one. In addition to being one of the most heated rivalries in football, Sunday night's main event features some of the most exciting players in football, including current Pro Bowl votes leader and strong MVP candidate Michael Vick. Not to mention the fact that the Cowboys, despite having a woeful season overall, have gone an eye-catching 3-1 under interim head coach Jason Garrett and a respectable 3-3 in starts by backup QB Jon "Yes, I'm still in the league" Kitna. So even though the new Cowboys Stadium hasn't exactly provided much home field advantage for the 'Boys thus far, don't completely rule out an upset here.
Hype value: ***1/2
New England (10-2) at Chicago (9-3) - Personally, if you'd have told me at the beginning of the year this would be a matchup of division leaders in Week 14, I'd have been surprised. Partially because of New England's rookie-studded defense, and largely because of Jay Cutler's propensity for throwing interceptions and the Mike Martz system's utter disdain for QB protection. Yet despite those perceived roadblocks, here these two teams stand in great position to win their divisions. Soldier Field is not a fun place to play in December, but the Pats aren't exactly a warm-weather team themselves.
Hype value: ****
New York Giants (8-4) at Minnesota (5-7) - This game is notable in that it has been moved from Sunday to Monday due to horrible weather in Minnesota (i.e., it's Minnesota in December). In addition to Metrodome employees needing more time to clear nearly 15 inches of snow from the stadium roof, the Giants' charter flight was diverted to Kansas City by the weather. This is quite possibly the first time in memory a game held in an indoor facility has been delayed due to weather. BTW, the game is also notable in that Brett Favre is still undecided as to whether or not he will attempt to start the game and continue his legendary "iron man" streak of consecutive starts...Favre? Undecided!? Surely you jest!
Philadelphia (8-4) at Dallas (4-8) - Even though only one of these teams has any chance at playing football after January 2, don't underestimate the entertainment value of this one. In addition to being one of the most heated rivalries in football, Sunday night's main event features some of the most exciting players in football, including current Pro Bowl votes leader and strong MVP candidate Michael Vick. Not to mention the fact that the Cowboys, despite having a woeful season overall, have gone an eye-catching 3-1 under interim head coach Jason Garrett and a respectable 3-3 in starts by backup QB Jon "Yes, I'm still in the league" Kitna. So even though the new Cowboys Stadium hasn't exactly provided much home field advantage for the 'Boys thus far, don't completely rule out an upset here.
Hype value: ***1/2
New England (10-2) at Chicago (9-3) - Personally, if you'd have told me at the beginning of the year this would be a matchup of division leaders in Week 14, I'd have been surprised. Partially because of New England's rookie-studded defense, and largely because of Jay Cutler's propensity for throwing interceptions and the Mike Martz system's utter disdain for QB protection. Yet despite those perceived roadblocks, here these two teams stand in great position to win their divisions. Soldier Field is not a fun place to play in December, but the Pats aren't exactly a warm-weather team themselves.
Hype value: ****
New York Giants (8-4) at Minnesota (5-7) - This game is notable in that it has been moved from Sunday to Monday due to horrible weather in Minnesota (i.e., it's Minnesota in December). In addition to Metrodome employees needing more time to clear nearly 15 inches of snow from the stadium roof, the Giants' charter flight was diverted to Kansas City by the weather. This is quite possibly the first time in memory a game held in an indoor facility has been delayed due to weather. BTW, the game is also notable in that Brett Favre is still undecided as to whether or not he will attempt to start the game and continue his legendary "iron man" streak of consecutive starts...Favre? Undecided!? Surely you jest!
UPDATE: The Metrodome's roof has reportedly collapsed due to those 15+ inches of snow. As of now, the Vikes/Giants game is delayed indefinitely as the NFL searches for a new venue, reportedly possibly including another NFL dome or nearby TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. No clear word yet when or where the game will take place.
Hype value: *****. Favre indecision = ratings. Collapsing stadiums = mega ratings.
Miami (6-6) at New York Jets (9-3) - The Jets still have the bad taste of a 45-3 obliteration by the New England Patriots fresh in their mouths, but they'll have no time to rest as another fierce rival rolls into town. If the Jets truly are as good as they say they are, they'd better show it against a capable opponent this week.
Hype value: **1/2
Seattle (6-6) at San Francisco (4-8) - Depressing fact: At a meager 6-6, the Seahawks enter Week 14 tied for the division lead in the NFC West, AKA the NFL's Division II. Even more depressing fact: if the Niners can win this one at home, AND the Rams lose at New Orleans (quite likely), the woeful 49ers are just one game out of first place after a dismal 2-6 start.
Hype value: *
Denver (3-9) at Arizona (3-9) - In a game unlikely to see any air outside of the immediate Denver and Phoenix areas, a team so bad they just fired their head coach three quarters of the way through the season faces a team so bad they've started 3 different awful quarterbacks this year counting the preseason, and went into this week considering starting a fourth. I guess somebody has to screw up and win.
Hype value: No stars. Yeah, I said it.
Baltimore (8-4) at Houston (5-7) - Baltimore is still reeling from another close loss to their archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. Houston is still reeling from tumbling down the division rankings after a hot start. Look for another primetime slugfest in a game both teams truly need to keep pace in their respective divisions.
Hype value: ***1/2
Miami (6-6) at New York Jets (9-3) - The Jets still have the bad taste of a 45-3 obliteration by the New England Patriots fresh in their mouths, but they'll have no time to rest as another fierce rival rolls into town. If the Jets truly are as good as they say they are, they'd better show it against a capable opponent this week.
Hype value: **1/2
Seattle (6-6) at San Francisco (4-8) - Depressing fact: At a meager 6-6, the Seahawks enter Week 14 tied for the division lead in the NFC West, AKA the NFL's Division II. Even more depressing fact: if the Niners can win this one at home, AND the Rams lose at New Orleans (quite likely), the woeful 49ers are just one game out of first place after a dismal 2-6 start.
Hype value: *
Denver (3-9) at Arizona (3-9) - In a game unlikely to see any air outside of the immediate Denver and Phoenix areas, a team so bad they just fired their head coach three quarters of the way through the season faces a team so bad they've started 3 different awful quarterbacks this year counting the preseason, and went into this week considering starting a fourth. I guess somebody has to screw up and win.
Hype value: No stars. Yeah, I said it.
Baltimore (8-4) at Houston (5-7) - Baltimore is still reeling from another close loss to their archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. Houston is still reeling from tumbling down the division rankings after a hot start. Look for another primetime slugfest in a game both teams truly need to keep pace in their respective divisions.
Hype value: ***1/2
