NFL today

Game of the week

The G-Men are desperate after losing five of their last six games. They would like nothing better than to get well against a Cowboys team that has had December demons the last few seasons.

Team on the rise

With people fawning all over their former quarterback, the Packers have quietly moved into playoff contention with three straight victories.

Team on the decline

We made the mistake of putting them as the team on the rise last week. Sorry. They showed last week that their coach and QB and must go.

TV SCHEDULE

SAINTS (11-0) AT REDSKINS (3-8)

11 a.m., Ch. 13

The Saints have struggled in games against weaker teams, and the Redskins certainly fall into that category. New Orleans may start slow again, but it won't slip up here.

Prediction: Saints, 35-17

TITANS (5-6) AT COLTS (11-0)

11 a.m., Ch. 2

The Titans are hot, having won five straight. That streak pales in comparison to the Colts' 20-game regular season winning streak. This is a dangerous game for the slow-starting Colts.

Prediction: Colts, 27-24

COWBOYS (8-3) AT GIANTS (6-5)

11 a.m., Ch. 13

The Giants had such a promising start to their season and looked like one of the best teams in the league. But injuries and inconsistent play have doomed them.

Prediction: Cowboys, 28-20

VIKINGS (10-1) AT CARDINALS (7-4)

6:20 p.m., Ch. 5

The Cardinals gave up 532 yards to the Titans last week, and they haven't been very good at home. Those aren't good omens with Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson coming to town.

Prediction: Vikings, 38-24

RAVENS (6-5) AT PACKERS (7-4)

6:30 p.m., ESPN (Mon.)