Week 9, 1 P.M.: Middling Teams Unite!

At 1 P.M. Sunday, the Falcons, Cardinals, Bears, Ravens, Dolphins, Packers, and Jaguars all have a chance to improve or fall to a 4-4 record. There's something very special about standing at the season's midpoint with an even .500 record. Because, see, at 5-3, you're cautiously optimistic over the prospect of taking the division or grabbing a wild-card slot. If you're 3-5, you recognize your playoff chances as slim, and if you choose to remain optimistic, you at least realize that you're being irrationally optimistic.

But 4-4. Regardless of which division you're in, you buy the illusion that any outcome is possible. Check that, you believe that any outcome that gets you to the playoffs is possible. The stage is set for a miracle season. Your head coach is going to go all Jim Fassel and guarantee a playoff appearance, and your team will deliver. This is a dangerous place to be and it is not a fate I would wish on any football fan.

Perhaps it's best, then, that you put your hopes and dreams aside for at least a week, and just enjoy watching some good football. For instance, the Colts will try to protect their undefeated record against the 5-3 Texans, and the Ravens aim to shake up the AFC North by beating the Bengals.

Oh, and the 1-6 Chiefs hope to best the Jaguars and spark enough momentum to take them into the playoffs with a 10-6 record. They can do it. Larry Johnson might come back to the team, and he's awesome in Madden 06!

Regardless of your disposition, you'll find plenty of fans both idealistic and pragmatic in the game discussion threads below:

Redskins (2-5) at Falcons (4-3) - FOX
Game thread at The Falcoholic
Game thread at Hogs Haven
Live score

Cardinals (4-3) at Bears (4-3) - FOX
Game thread at Windy City Gridiron
Game thread at Revenge Of The Birds
Live score

Ravens (4-3) at Bengals (5-2) - CBS
Game thread at Cincy Jungle
Game thread at Baltimore Beatdown
Live score

Texans (5-3) at Colts (7-0) - CBS
Game thread at Stampede Blue
Game thread at Battle Red Blog
Live score

Dolphins (3-4) at Patriots (5-2) - CBS
Game thread at Pats Pulpit
Game thread at The Phinsider
Live score

Packers (4-3) at Buccaneers (0-7) - FOX
Game thread at Buc 'Em
Game thread at Acme Packing Company
Live score

Chiefs (1-6) at Jaguars (3-4) - CBS
Game thread at Big Cat Country
Game thread at Arrowhead Pride
Live score