Clash of the titans today in the NFL

By By Josh Taylor/sports writer
December 7, 2003
It's Clash of the Titans' this week in the NFL as many of the league's top teams are set to square off.
The playoff picture will look a lot clearer by Tuesday morning. Here are four key games to watch.
The first, and probably the biggest game today is Indianapolis at Tennessee. Both of these teams come into the game with 9-3 records and a tie for the top
spot in the AFC South. The Colts and Titans have been considered playoff contenders since week one. A win today could mean home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Colts dominated the Titans in week two by a score of 33-7, but don't expect such a lop-sided victory in this one. Indy has long carried the stigma of being soft' while the Titans are considered the most physical team in the NFL. Indy proved in week two that they could play just as physical as the Titans, but
it's hard to beat a team of this caliber twice in one season.
Both teams have potential MVP candidates behind center. Peyton Manning and Steve McNair are the top two quarterbacks in the NFL, but McNair is playing hurt once again. This could prove to be the key factor for the Colts in this one. The good news for the Titans is that whoever loses this game will probably still grab a wildcard berth in the playoffs.
Another crucial divisional match up takes place today as the sun-drenched Miami Dolphins put their fin-warmers on and head up to frosty New England.
The Patriots currently sit atop the AFC East with a 10-2 record on the strength on an eight-game winning streak. The Patriots could very likely be the best team in the NFL right now. A win today would clinch a division title and a spot in the playoffs.
The Dolphins have managed to hang around with an 8-4 record, only two games behind New England in this division. All it would take is a win today and Miami is right back in the hunt for the division title.
These two teams met in week seven and Miami took it to overtime before falling to their Northern brethren.
With that being said, Miami has sputtered through the season and it's not very likely that they will play much better in two inches of snow. It should be a good game either way.
Dallas rolls in to Philadelphia today to take on a reborn Eagles team. Philly holds the top spot in the NFC East with a 9-3 record after stealing the spot from the 8-4 Cowboys.
Momentum is everything in the NFL and the Eagles have it. Most analysts counted them out after a horrible start in 2003, but a seven-game win streak has pulled these birds back in place. Donovan McNabb is playing phenomenal football again and the Eagles are the best team in the NFC.
On the other side of the field, the Cowboys are not buying the hype. They have their own rebirth happening with Bill Parcells at the helm and they are not about to throw in the towel. The Cowboys finished last season at 5-11 and dead last in the NFC East. Parcells has done exactly what he was hired to do and the
Cowboys have come too far to return to their old ways.
The Cowboys and Eagles both remember their week six match up. Dallas took that one 23-21, but that was also the last game Philadelphia has lost. The division title is definitely up for grabs in this one with both teams capable of getting it.
This last key match up has surprised everyone. If you happened to see a pig flying over Baltimore today don't panic, it's just the Bengals, Ravens game. These two teams are tied for first place in the AFC North with 7-5 records.
Who would have thought that at this point in the season we would be talking about Cincinnati or Dallas in these kinds of positions?
Surprisingly, the Bengals probably carry the edge into today's game. Coming off a four game win streak the Bengals are the feel good story of the year. They started out as the ultimate underdog and have carried a Rocky'-like persona through the season.
What is most surprising about the Bengals is who they beat to get those seven wins. They already beat Baltimore once in week seven
followed by wins over Seattle and Kansas City. The Bengals are back and they mean business.
Baltimore is going through serious problems at the quarterback position. With starter Kyle Boller out for a while the signal calling duties have fallen to former Cowboy Anthony Wright.
Baltimore still has hope. The Ravens have potential with standout running back Jamal Lewis and defensive MVP Ray Lewis. The AFC North division title is very much on the line in this one and both teams are sure to fight to get it.
Two other games that could impact the playoff picture today are Chicago at Green Bay and St. Louis at Cleveland.
The Packers are slowly gaining on the Vikings for the NFC North title and a win today could further that objective. St. Louis is trying to hold onto a one-game lead over Seattle in the NFC West. The Rams need a win today over Cleveland to secure their spot in the playoffs.
This weekend represents the best in the NFL. This is why we watch football. This is why we care.