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Week 14: Rams at Bengals, Dec. 9, 1:00 p.m. *
Quick, who led all running backs in receptions in 2006? Reggie Bush, you say? Good guess, but wrong. Bush had 88, but St. Louis's Steven Jackson had 90. Jackson also averaged more yards per catch than Bush: 9.0 to 8.4. The Bengals' off-field antics aren't head coach Marvin Lewis's only headache. Cincinnati has defensive troubles that might be too big to overcome, even for its talented offense. This one could be a shootout.
Others to watch: Steelers at Patriots; Chargers at Titans; Colts at Ravens; Panthers at Jaguars.
Week 15: Jaguars at Steelers, Dec. 16, 1:00 p.m.
For the past three seasons, Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio has gotten the most out of limited talent. The Jags don't look special on paper, yet they always seem to be competitive. And surely by this point in the season, we'll know if Ben Roethlisberger is back to his 2005 form or is continuing to turn the ball over, as he did last year.
Others to watch: Bengals at 49ers; Seahawks at Panthers; Cardinals at Saints; Packers at Rams; Lions at Chargers
Week 16: Ravens at Seahawks, Dec. 23, 4:15 p.m. *
A late-season Super Bowl preview, perhaps? We think that if a team makes a serious run at the Patriots in the AFC this season, it's likely to be Baltimore with its great defense and upgraded offense. But for the love of god, if the Seahawks do make the Super Bowl, please let us not have to sit through more crying over the officiating by Seattle fans.
Others to watch: Steelers at Rams; Cowboys at Panthers; Eagles at Saints; Jets at Titans.
Week 17: Saints at Bears, Dec. 30, 1:00 p.m. *
This is a rematch of last year's NFC championship game, which made for great theater. We had a chewed-up and muddy Soldier Field, Reggie Bush somersaulting into the end zone after a dazzling 88-yard catch-and-run that got New Orleans back in the game, and finally, a 21-point, fourth-quarter Bears barrage in the snow that sent the Chicago faithful into a tizzy as the city celebrated its first Super Bowl berth in 20 years. Fantastic way to close out the regular season.
Others to watch: Patriots at Giants; Bengals at Dolphins.
*Subject to time change under NFL's flex-scheduling procedures
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High-flying Reggie Bush leads the Saints to a rematch with the Chicago Bears in Week 17. |