NFL Watchability Index, Week 14: Critical divisional games in NFC South, NFC West

There are plenty of important games this week with playoff implications on the line. There are also a lot of stinkers between teams with nothing to play for. We'll sort things out with the Watchability Index.

By Jon Benne@LordBenne Dec 5, 2013, 8:39am EST

We are now in the stretch run with just four games left in the regular season. The Seahawks became the first team to punch their playoff ticket, and there are seven teams who can clinch either a spot or division title this week . There are also games with nothing at stake but draft position. Which ones are worth your time? That's what we're here for.

As usual, games are ranked on a scale of one through five.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network

The Bridgewater Bowl! Finally, NFL Network has a decent angle on which they can sell their Thursday game. The Texans already have a "tiebreaker" on the Jaguars and are looking to get an advantage on the No. 1 position with the season sweep. Can they pull it off? Hopefully Case Keenum finds a way!

Watchability rating: 1

Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The No. 6 seed in the AFC is still a mess, but the Ravens have a leg up by getting back to .500. After a dismal start to the season, the AFC North might send two playoff teams after all. Getting a healthy Dennis Pitta back will be a huge boost to the offense.

Watchability rating: 2

Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals

1 p.m. ET, CBS

A first-round bye is still in the cards for both teams with a win, but Indy needs to find a groove on offense. That will be a tall order against Cincinnati's defense. The Colts are looking more vulnerable by the week and seem headed towards another one-and-done finish in January.

Watchability rating: 3

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Packers still aren't ready to declare Aaron Rodgers done for the year. Still, their team is all but out of it since they're 2.5 games back of the wild card and don't control their own destiny. I can't say I'm excited for another week of Flynnsanity.

Watchability rating: 1

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots

1 p.m. ET, CBS

Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell are still dealing with concussions. If neither is able to play Sunday, that leaves the Browns down to Alex Tanney and Caleb Hanie. The mannequin jersey might have to be updated multiple times on Sunday. I would rate this a one but Josh Gordon might do something cool again, so keep an eye out on RedZone just in case.

Watchability rating: 2

Oakland Raiders at New York Jets

1 p.m. ET, CBS

Despite an ugly loss to Miami, the Jets are still in the playoff hunt and can stay in the wild card picture by winning out and... sorry, I can't finish that sentence with a straight face. If nothing else, it's good to know the old Jets are back after they threatened to show some competence early in the season.

Watchability rating: 1

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles

1 p.m. ET, FOX

Nick Foles is one touchdown away from tying Peyton Manning's record for most touchdowns without an interception. Just like we all expected. An important game for both teams: the Lions want to tighten their grip on the NFC North while the Eagles need to keep pace with Dallas,. A wild card spot for at least one of the teams is looking unlikely. Does Calvin Johnson against the Eagles defense count as a violation of the Eighth Amendment?

Watchability rating: 4

Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers

1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Steelers being just one game back of the No. 6 seed writes its own punchline. They'll probably be withoutLe'Veon Bell, so I hope you're excited for the two-headed monster of Jonathan Dwyer and Felix Jones. With just five games left, I'm going to debut a new feature here. Ryan Tannehill is up to 45 sacks, but it looks like David Carr's record will be safe another year.

Watchability rating: 2

Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 p.m. ET, CBS

That was some good vintage Bills action in Toronto last week, and even Rob Ford was impressed with that meltdown. They now take their show on the road to Tampa. Both teams have a good chance of showing up on @FloridaMan during this game.

Watchability rating: 1

Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins

1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Chiefs hoped to win their division, but such dreams are just about over after getting swept by the Broncos. Kansas City needs to get back on track after three straight losses. The defense got carved up by Peyton Manning without Justin Houston. With no real pass rush, Manning moved the ball at will against Kansas City's normally stout defense. Fortunately, Robert Griffin III is no Manning, though he has been playing better of late. That hasn't been enough to save Washington's season, though.

Watchability rating: 2

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos

4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

This is the only CBS game in the late timeslot, and I bet execs would be annoyed if it didn't feature Peyton Manning. What ridiculous records will he break this week? Tune in to find out … when your local FOX game is on commercial break.

Watchability rating: 2

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Arizona is still in the hunt, but their wild card hopes took a big hit with last week's loss to the Eagles. I still have a hard time guessing which Carson Palmer will show up on Sundays and have a suspicion the Cardinals will turn back into a pumpkin any time now.

Watchability rating: 2

New York Giants at San Diego Chargers

4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

The Giants could win out and still have a chance at the division title. Might not happen, but who knows with the NFC East. San Diego's season is pretty much over, but Mike McCoy deserves credit for keeping them competitive.

Watchability rating: 1

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West and a first-round bye with a win Sunday. Divisional road games are always a tough proposition, and Seattle hasn't won in Candlestick Park since 2008. The 49ers have a healthy Michael Crabtree back, but they will be without Joe Staley, who suffered a knee sprain. That's bad news against a Seahawks' defensive line that terrorized Drew Brees last week. These games are always fun to watch and even more fun when there are real stakes at hand. The 49ers are still trying to ward off the Cardinals and Eagles for the No. 6 seed.

Watchability rating: 5

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

8:30 p.m. ET, NBC

The Saints suddenly find themselves in a precarious position after getting pasted by the Seahawks on Monday night. They went from sitting pretty for a first-round bye to perhaps looking at a wild card spot. Fortunately for them, this game is in the Superdome, Drew Brees' source of power. These teams will play each other twice over the final four games and it should be an outstanding race to the finish line.

Watchability rating: 5

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears

Monday, 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN

Another must-win for Chicago after they fell flat in Minnesota. They'll probably be without Jay Cutler again, but at least their defense doesn't have to face Adrian Peterson this time. The Cowboys are getting Sean Lee back, so maybe their defense won't be a complete garbage fire this time. Should be a decent game even though I'm tired of watching the Cowboys on prime time.

Watchability rating: 3