The anemic NFC won't look so thin and weak when the resurgent 49ers visit Philadelphia as the favorite to beat an Eagles team that's a league-best 10-1 with wins over Miami, Dallas, Kansas City and Buffalo.
The 49ers (8-3) hold the NFC's second seed and trail the Eagles by two games. After a three-game losing streak last month, the 49ers have won three straight while outscoring their opponents 91-30.
Meanwhile, in the AFC, the game of the week features Denver, 6-5, and the hottest team in the league at 6-5, Houston. It's hard to believe that 2 ½ months ago Denver was the AFC's only winless team at 0-3. Today, the Broncos are ninth in the conference and could join the playoff picture with a win and a Colts loss at Tennessee.
With the Vikings on a bye, here are five games to watch this weekend:
AROUND THE NFC NORTH
Lions (-4½) at Saints: In the past two weeks, the Saints have 34 points and Detroit has seven turnovers. Take the home team, but trust neither. Saints 24, Lions 21
Chiefs (-5 ½) at Packers: Trust that Patrick Mahomes' first trip to Lambeau won't go well for the Packers on Sunday night. Chiefs 31, Packers 20
LOCK OF THE WEEK
Bengals (+8 ½) at Jaguars: Jake Browning and no running game makes for mustn't see TV in Jacksonville on Monday night. Jaguars 34, Bengals 13
UPSET OF THE WEEK
Chargers (-5½) at Patriots: At his 2023 pace of two wins, Bill Belichick will now be 91 when he passes Don Shula's NFL record sometime during the 2043 season. Patriots 17, Chargers 10
