The AFC East’s big match sees the 6-4 Dolphins, who barely beat Oakland, taking on the 6-4 Patriots, who will be looking to stay in contact with the division-leading Jets. Neither team can afford to lose.

The Colts won again, beating Houston and improving to 6-4. Now they travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers, who lost on a last-second field goal in the snow and mud in Pittsburgh. The Chargers are 4-6 and beyond desperation. They cannot lose another game. The Colts are in pretty much the same situation. It should be classic.

In tying the 1-8 Bengals, the Eagles, who were supposed to be an NFC East contender, dropped to 5-4-1 and last place. Philly is also 0-3 in the conference and can’t afford another loss.

Unfortunately for them, they take their dysfunctional offense down I-95 to Baltimore, where the 6-4 Ravens are almost as desperate for a win as the Eagles are. Both teams are far more talented on defense than on offense. If you thought the Steelers’ 11-10 victory over the Chargers was ugly, just wait until this one ends.

Finally, if you can squeeze one more game into your schedule, keep an eye on the battle of the 5-5 Packers and 5-5 Saints. The Saints are fighting for survival in the NFC South. Thanks to their victory over the Bears, the Packers are tied with Chicago and the Vikings for the NFC North lead. The Vikings will be taking on 4-6 Jacksonville while Chicago is at the 2-8 Rams.

The Quest for Imperfection
The Lions kept their fears of a winless season alive with a hard-fought loss to the Panthers on the road.

Detroit actually head a 13-7 lead before collapsing and giving up 21 second-quarter points. The Lions have showed improvement with Daunte Culpepper at the controls, and they show no signs of quitting. And losing every game is as hard to do as winning every one.

The Lions have six games left to win one. Week 12 will probably not be the week, not with the 7-3 Buccaneers coming to town. Nor Week 13, when Detroit plays host to Tennessee on Thanksgiving.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

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