Predictions for this week's games.
All times, EST, unless otherwise noted

Sunday’s Games:
Cleveland Browns (1-8) at Detroit Lions (1-8), 1 p.m.
The Lions are bad, but at least they’ve been competitive at home. The Browns are ranked last on both sides of the ball and have lost seven of eight road games by double digits. Lions 14, Browns 10.
Buffalo Bills (3-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4), 1 p.m.
Rashean Mathis, the Jaguars’ best cornerback, is out after suffering a groin injury. A better team might take advantage of that. But not the reeling Bills. Jaguars 27, Buffalo 6.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-7), 1 p.m.
The Steelers, who are a game down to Cincinnati, are already feeling a sense of urgency. That feeling has already come and gone in Kansas City. Steelers 31, Chiefs 10.
Indianapolis Colts (9-0) at Baltimore Ravens (5-4), 1 p.m.
This could easily be the game where the Colts finally wind up with a blemish on their record, especially with the way they’re hurt in the secondary. But they just eke one out. Colts 21, Ravens 20.
Atlanta Falcons (5-4) at New York Giants (5-4), 1 p.m.
If the NFC East weren’t so up and down, the Giants would be cooked by now. They bounce back after their week off, though, and win for the first time in five games. Giants 20, Falcons 17.
San Francisco 49ers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-4), 1 p.m.
The Packers did a terrific job against Tony Romo last week. If they can mount some semblance of that defensive effort against Alex Smith, they should be fine. Packers 27, 49ers 10.
Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at Minnesota Vikings (8-1), 1 p.m.
The Seahawks have a patchwork offensive line, and the Vikings should be able to feast on that. They give problems to the best of the big men up front. Vikings 30, Seahawks 20.
Washington Redskins (3-6) at Dallas Cowboys (6-3), 1 p.m.
The Cowboys had a painful hiccup at Green Bay, but they should be able to regain composure at home. Redskins have the fifth-ranked defense but can wear down. Cowboys 30, Redskins 17.
New Orleans Saints (9-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8), 1 p.m.
As St. Louis reminded the Saints last week, even the worst of NFL teams have the capability to pull off an upset — or come close. New Orleans won’t let this get out of hand. Saints 30, Buccaneers 20.
Arizona Cardinals (6-3) at St. Louis Rams (1-8), 4:05 p.m.
The Cardinals struggled on the road last year, but not in 2009. They have won their four away games by average of 16.3 points and St. Louis has a nine-game home losing streak. Cards 35, Rams 10.
New York Jets (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3), 4:15 p.m.
Patriots come home to lick their wounds after a hugely disappointing loss at Indianapolis. They’re still an outstanding team, and have a chance to avenge Week 2 loss to Jets. Patriots 26, Jets 20.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-7), 4:15 p.m.
The Bengals are no joke. They finally have a defense to back up Carson Palmer, so he can play it safer than he has in the past. Against Oakland, he can cut loose. Bengals 31, Raiders 6.
San Diego Chargers (6-3) at Denver Broncos (6-3), 4:15 p.m.
A month ago, the Chargers were convinced these Broncos wouldn’t fall apart like last year. They were wrong. San Diego is gaining confidence, Denver is hemorrhaging it. Chargers 27, Broncos 13.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) at Chicago Bears (4-5), 8:20 p.m.
If the Eagles can put the clamps on Bears running back Matt Forte, they will severely limit Chicago’s offense. And they have the defense to do it. Eagles 27, Bears 20.
Monday night:
Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Houston Texans (5-4), 8:30 p.m.
Tennessee has turned things around behind the play of Vince Young, and a defense that has three pick-six runbacks in the past two games. The Titans will cool a bit against the rested Texans, though. Texans 28, Titans 24.