Sunday NFL Gameday
Some key divisional battles highlight the National Football League's Week 13 schedule - including the Colts getting a visit from the Jaguars. Here is your NFL Gameday . . .
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5) (Total 44.5)
RCA Dome, 1:00pm ET (CBS)
The Jaguars can actually move into a first-place tie with the Colts in the AFC South with a win on Sunday afternoon. Jacksonville has now won three games in a row, and they pounded the Bills 36-14 last weekend. David Garrard went 23-of-37 for 296 yards passing in that contest, with one TD and no INTs. Fred Taylor led the Jaguars' ground attack in that contest, picking up 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on his 14 carries.
The Colts have won two in a row, and they've yet to lose to a divisional opponent this season. Peyton Manning and company had no problem getting past the Falcons on Thanksgiving, going up 21-13 by halftime and cruising to a 31-13 win. Manning went 22-of-32 for 272 yards in that game, with three TDs and one INT. Anthony Gonzalez caught six balls for 105 yards that night, while Joseph Addai ran for 44 yards and a touchdown.
San Diego Chargers (-5.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (Total 37.5)
Arrowhead Stadium, 1:00pm ET (CBS)
The Chargers moved back over the .500 mark with their 32-14 win over the Ravens last weekend. Philip Rivers had an effective afternoon against Baltimore, completing 25-of-35 pass attempts for 249 yards, with three TDs and no INTs. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 77 yards on 24 carries in that contest, but was held out of the end zone. Antonio Gates caught six passes for 105 yards, and he picked up two touchdowns in that victory.
Kansas City has now lost four games in a row to fall to 4-7 on the season, and they won't have Larry Johnson (foot) back on the field this weekend. His replacement, Kolby Smith, ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in the team's 20-17 home loss to the Raiders in Week 12. Brodie Croyle, who is nursing a sore back, went just 12-of-23 for 145 yards in that defeat, with no touchdown passes and a single interception.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5) (Total 41.5)
Superdome, 4:15pm ET (FOX)
The Bucs hold a two-game lead on the Saints in the NFC South, thanks in large part to their current three-game winning streak. Tampa Bay added to their victory total last weekend by knocking off the Redskins 19-13 at home. Bruce Gradkowski came in for an injured Jeff Garcia (back) in that contest, completing 9-of-19 pass attempts for 106 yards. Earnest Graham ran for 75 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in that victory.
New Orleans can get back to the .500 mark with a win over their divisional rival on Sunday afternoon. The Saints rode three third-quarter touchdowns to an easy 31-6 win over the Panthers last weekend, improving their season record to 5-6. Drew Brees went 24-of-36 for 260 yards passing in that win, with three TDs and one INT. Reggie Bush (shin) saw limited work in that contest, but he's returned to full practice for his squad.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) (Total 45)
Heinz Field, 8:15pm ET (NBC)
The Bengals had no problem picking up their fourth win of the season last week - they pummeled the Titans 35-6 at Paul Brown Stadium. Carson Palmer had a big day against Tennessee, going 32-of-38 for 283 yards passing with three TDs and one INT. Chad Johnson found the end zone three times in that game, and caught 12 balls for 103 yards. Rudi Johnson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in the victory.
The Steelers improved to 8-3 on the season with an ugly 3-0 win over the still-winless Dolphins on Monday night. Ben Roethlisberger went 18-of-21 for 165 yards passing on a sloppy Heinz Field, with no TDs and one INT. Willie Parker managed to move the ball a little bit in that game, gaining 81 yards on 24 carries, while Hines Ward caught nine balls for 88 yards. Jeff Reed kicked the game-winning field goal in the waning seconds.
