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The records could be as lopsided as a seesaw. The Dallas Cowboys could be winless, the New York Giants could be undefeated,cheap nfl jerseys online, and I'd still sidle up to any bar (or press-box table) and watch this showdown with great anticipation. The emotions, the history -- it's always over the top when these hated rivals lock horns. It all boils down to must-see football. Add in the fact the Giants are looking to avenge a surprising season-opening loss in front of the nation that had many of us clamoring to say this would be the Cowboys' year? Yup, this is a no-brainer No. 1. Sorry, Atlanta Falcons fans wishing today would be the day you'd finally crack the top spot. Sorry, Philadelphia Eagles fans wishing ... Nah, never mind. You have far greater concerns in this difficult season. Nope. It's all Cowboys and Giants this week. Back in July, owner Jerry Jones made headlines by telling Cowboys fans he was looking forward to beating the Giants' ass. Dallas began the season by doing it. Then it all went backward for the 'Boys, while the G-Men hit their stride. Oh, and these teams still don't like each other. Yeah, I'll probably watch on Sunday afternoon. Here is your Week 8 primer, with games ranked by intrigue,Cheap Jerseys From China, from 1 to 14: New York at DallasSun 4:25 p.m. ET, FOXGet Tickets Why this game is No. 1: A no-doubter. The NFC East might be the most intriguing division this year, with no weak links, no boring quarterbacks and no reason to turn away. The fact that everything is still up for grabs helps. The Giants, clearly, are the class of the division, but they are also the victims of the Cowboys' lone divisional win. For all their issues -- they have more than a few -- the 'Boys are 3-2 in the conference and 1-0 in the division. A victory here gives them the tiebreaker over New York, as well as their first win over the G-Men in Cowboys Stadium. Dallas might have to do it without running back DeMarco Murray, which would put more pressure on Tony Romo. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys definitely will be missing star linebacker Sean Lee, who appears to be done for the season. A win would be Romo's biggest feat in some time, just for the way it would validate that things are headed in the right direction. #NYGvsDAL Watch: Game Preview Atlanta at PhiladelphiaSun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOXGet Tickets Why this game is No. 2: Drama aside, this would still be a fun one. Matt Ryan's pass-happy Falcons are facing off against one of the most annoyingly aggressive front fours in football. Throw in Atlanta's undefeated record and the immense potential in Philadelphia, and this game has plenty of promise. And then you throw in all the other things going on with the Eagles. Honestly, this is quite winnable for Philly, given that it's at home, the Eagles are coming off a bye, and they have a new defensive coordinator in Todd Bowles who will put his stamp on things. A victory could jump-start this squad. But every loss could trigger more changes for Andy Reid's team. Everything is filled with drama for Philadelphia. #ATLvsPHI Watch: Game Preview New Orleans at DenverSun 8:20 p.m. ET, NBCGet Tickets Why this game is No. 3: It's not often a game featuring two non-winning teams (combined record: 5-7) earns such a lofty perch in the rankings. It's not often that two non-winning teams have as much potential as the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. Forget their records for a second. This is still Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning in a shootout-style showdown that won't be over until it really is. With the Broncos coming off an epic comeback win over the San Diego Chargers, they know they're never out of it. This game is also attractive because it features the return from a six-game suspension of interim Saints coach Joe Vitt, whose emotional boost should help New Orleans. In addition, Brees and Co. have won two straight. Even at Mile High, this is winnable. The Saints couldn't possibly still have playoff hopes ... could they? #NOvsDEN Watch: Game Preview Washington at PittsburghSun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOXGet Tickets Why this game is No. 4: On the surface, two mediocre teams are facing off in a cross-conference matchup that doesn't mean much. Whatever. Two of the game's most enjoyable quarterbacks to watch ... on the same field? I'm in. If I could TiVo this game, I'd watch just the portions where defenders try in vain to sack Robert Griffin III and Ben Roethlisberger,Cheap NFL Jerseys, only to see the two quarterbacks keep plays alive with their feet and strength. As for the actual game, there is plenty at stake. Both teams have flashed enough to be considered possible playoff contenders, with the Pittsburgh Steelers showing just a bit more (even with their injuries). But if the visiting Washington Redskins pull it off, their storyline changes. #WASvsPIT Watch: Game Preview Tampa Bay at MinnesotaThur 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL NETWORKGet Tickets Why this game is No. 5: One of the NFL's best running backs takes on the NFL's third-best team against the run. In today's NFL, there are plenty of high-flying aerial showdowns (like those listed above). But a true grind-fest, like Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings, is rare. The still-soaring Vikings are beyond being the NFL's surprise team. Even though Christian Ponder threw for just 58 yards with two interceptions last Sunday, the Vikes secured a home victory over the Arizona Cardinals. That's a sign of a good team, not a fluky one. It sure helped to have still-rehabbing Adrian Peterson bust out for 153 yards on the ground. But the feisty Bucs present a challenge this week, even if Minnesota's in the coveted position of being the home team in a Thursday night game. Tampa Bay has had more than its share of near-misses this year, and in a battle of two of the NFL's youngest teams, anything can happen. This is a game that, before the year,Adrian Wilson Cardinals Jersey, would never have seemed appetizing. Now, I'll be camped in front of my TV for it. #TBvsMIN Watch: Game Preview Miami at New YorkSun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 6: We're past writing off the New York Jets, even without Darrelle Revis and Santonio Holmes. With the way they've played over the past couple of weeks, they've put themselves in the mix to compete for all of their preseason goals. All they need to do this week is handle another upstart team we can't write off: the Miami Dolphins. Gone are the days when we thought the game would be too fast for rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Instead, these two division rivals will battle for footing in a situation where both have lots of life. Don't be surprised to see Rex Ryan go out of his way to try to confuse Miami's rookie signal-caller with his schemes, welcoming the reemergence of a Gang Green defense that was always supposed to be one of the league's finest. #MIAvsNYJ Watch: Game Preview New England at St. LouisSun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 7: If you're going to showcase one thing to the London-based fans, why not Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? Considering they have one of the NFL's biggest support systems overseas, it's a no-brainer. Either way, this will be a treat for the British. Those watching on TV from home should get a surprisingly good game. The St. Louis Rams can really cover, thanks to Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins, and the Pats haven't thrived on the outside, even with the addition of Brandon Lloyd. In addition,MLB Jerseys From China, St. Louis boasts an up-and-coming defensive line ready to torment Brady. A few weeks ago, this might have seemed like a romp. Yet the Patriots have shown uncharacteristic vulnerabilities on offense. The Rams have a real chance to score an upset across the pond. #NEvsSTL Watch: Game Preview San Francisco at ArizonaMon 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNGet Tickets Why this game is No. 8: Like defense? Hitting? Things like blocking and tackling? Cool. This is right up your alley. The NFL's fiercest front seven, featuring Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, will rumble with the Arizona Cardinals' run-first attack. Considering how badly Arizona's reeling, though, this might not be as good a showdown as we would've anticipated a few weeks ago. The Cardinals still have quarterback issues, they suddenly feature an unknown running back named LaRod Stephens-Howling, and they have lost three in a row. Even at home,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, don't be shocked to see that skid continue, with the San Francisco 49ers further cementing themselves as one of the NFC's bullies. #SFvsAZ Watch: Game Preview Oakland at Kansas CitySun 4:05 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 9: It's a little disheartening to see this classic rivalry fall so far down the list. Who'da thunk it? But that's the state these teams, who have a combined record of 3-9, are in. The reason it's not last is that it should still be as intense as ever, even in front of the Kansas City Chiefs' disgruntled fan base. While the Oakland Raiders are fresh off a come-from-behind win over the JacksonvilleJaguars, the Chiefs are coming off a much-needed bye after enduring three straight losses. They made a quarterback decision coming out of it, and Brady Quinn is now the starter. Will that matter? #OAKvsKC Watch: Game Preview Indianapolis at TennesseeSun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 10: Both teams are staring up at the Houston Texans in the division, scraping and clawing for wild-card consideration. And both are coming off wins, seemingly trending upward in general. Right now,Soccer Jerseys China, it's a game between two mediocre divisional foes. But if the Indianapolis Colts keep fostering the maturation of Andrew Luck, they could be more than that. Considering what they've overcome -- with head coach Chuck Pagano forced to leave the team and battle leukemia -- it's even more impressive. And for the Tennessee Titans, Chris Johnson suddenly is running like his old self, racking up 195 yards against the Buffalo Bills last week. Despite Jake Locker's continued absence from the starting lineup, this team is on the way up, with savvy veteran Matt Hasselbeck filling in under center. #INDvsTEN Watch: Game Preview Seattle at DetroitSun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOXGet Tickets Why this game is No. 11: The Seattle Seahawks can be a devastating team, having pulled out some clutch wins, but only at home, where their three most impressive victories have come. On the road, this time visiting the Detroit Lions, you'll see a different team. That knocks this matchup down a few notches. Even with all his heroics, Russell Wilson still faces questions as Seattle's starting signal-caller. Will a fierce Detroit D-line add more fuel to the QB-controversy fire? As for the Lions, how Calvin Johnson fares against Seattle's physical defensive backs should tell us where he is as a player this year. #SEAvsDET Watch: Game Preview Jacksonville at Green BaySun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 12: There's no doubt the Green Bay Packers will roll in this matchup. Aaron Rodgers has returned to MVP form and Jordy Nelson continues to establish himself as one of the league's most dangerous weapons, and the Pack are on their way. And then there's the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maurice Jones-Drew is due to miss significant time with injury, while quarterback Blaine Gabbert must deal with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Things will only get worse for this downtrodden franchise, beginning Sunday. #JACvsGB Watch: Game Preview Carolina at ChicagoSun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOXGet Tickets Why this game is No. 13: If you'd told me before the season that Panthers-Bears would be next-to-last,Cheap NFL Jerseys, I'd have laughed. How could Cam Newton vs. Jay Cutler slot in so low? But that's how far Carolina has sunk, leading to the firing of general manager Marty Hurney this week. There is still talent on this team,Wholesale Jerseys, but the Panthers will need to pull it together fast to compete with Chicago. (It's a long shot.) This ball-hawking Bears defense is one of the NFL's best, and one can imagine how frustrating the unit will make life for Newton and receiver Steve Smith. If there's one quarterback whose body language we'll analyze on Sunday, it's Newton. #CARvsCHI Watch: Game Preview San Diego at ClevelandSun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBSGet Tickets Why this game is No. 14: I wish we could start with a good stickum joke, something about how the San Diego Chargers hope to hold on to their slipping AFC West lead. But alas, the Denver Broncos already caught them last week with a mind-bending, come-from-behind win. If the Bolts want to get back on track, they have to bludgeon the physical Cleveland Browns. If Cleveland emerges and grabs a win, the Chargers might be headed down a familiar path. Will running back Trent Richardson regain bell-cow status for Cleveland? #SDvsCLE Watch: Game Preview Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet. |
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