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SALT LAKE CITY -- The upcoming week in the NFL will start to clear up the picture for who is the favorite and who is a pretender. There have been some amazing games played with a record number of comebacks. This may be the last week without any Tim Tebow-mania; right now it's just mild media frenzy, and the Broncos are on a bye, so imagine what will happen in a win. When the two least interesting games involve a 3-2 team, the Bengals, and an old school rivalry, Vikings-Bears, it has all the makings for a great weekend.
Here is a look at the top storylines for week 6 in the NFL:
1. Big names collide: There are four games that involve two teams looking at the playoffs. Houston visits Baltimore in a battle of AFC South and North division leaders. Houston lost a heart breaker to an inspired Oakland team and Baltimore is coming off a bye. New England visits Dallas in what should be a barn-burner. New England has a defense with more holes than a sponge and Dallas can't hold on to a lead. Both are expected to be playoff teams, the Patriots are flying high but the Cowboys are struggling. This could be the unofficial end of the Cowboys season. The Giants go upstate to visit Buffalo. In the most unexpected big game two teams working on division titles will battle. The Bills have been the story and the Giants are slightly disappointing, but the game should prove that at least one team is for real. The undoubted game of the week is the Lions at the 49ers. Two teams that weren't a frequent pick are a combined 9-1. The Lions don't quit and the 49ers don't stop playing hard. Both teams should make the playoffs regardless, but he game is a gift for fans.
2. Make or break week: Even with the huge games involving playoff teams there are a few more games that will prove some team's mettle. Cleveland and Oakland is a smaller game that could have a yearlong impact. The Raiders played an inspired game last week after the death of long-time owner Al Davis and Cleveland has been quiet this year. Carolina visits Atlanta in an NFC South matchup. The loser of this game will be out of the division race by at least two games and more than likely out of the playoffs. Miami plays the New York Jets on Monday night. The Jets are a disappointing 2-2 and the Dolphins are winless, this will be the end of one of their seasons.
3. Two decisive division games: The Saints will travel to Tampa to take on the Bucs in an NFC South showdown. This could separate the Saints from the division or possibly get every team in the division to within two games. The Bucs were hammered last week and the Saints haven't lost since week one. In the other big game Philadelphia is playing Washington. The much ballyhooed Eagles are 1-4 and looking up at the surprising Redskins. Most would have had their records reversed in the beginning of the season
4. Will someone hold on to the lead: There have been 11 comeback wins from double digits this season which is the most to this point all-time. Everyone can pass and no one can play defense and that makes for exciting games all the time. That doesn't even count a handful of near comebacks last week. Houston and Denver had last second passes to win the game that didn't make it. The lockout hurt defenses, but will they ever catch up.
5. Welker vs. Megatron in a records showdown: Patriots receiver Wes Welker is on pace to catch 144 balls for 2,368 yards. The catches would break the record by one and the yards would shatter the record by 500. Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, known as Megatron, has 9 touchdown's so far and is on pace for 29, which would break the record by 6. Will either of these players lose their pace and if not which will be considered the better season.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
