Where did November go? Ditto for October and September.
The NFL enters its final calendar month of the regular season this Sunday and, remarkably, 26 teams still have playoff hopes. Here’s a look at some of the better games on the post-Thanksgiving Week 13 schedule:
Titans at Colts (1 p.m., CBS)
The Titans (5-6) keep hanging around in the lousy AFC South and the Colts (7-4) suddenly look vulnerable. Indy edged Tennessee, 30-27, on a Thursday night roadie two weeks ago.
Dolphins at Jets (1 p.m., CBS)
This one has “loser-leaves-town” written all over it. The Jets (5-6) have looked brutal on offense since their bye week and the Dolphins’ (5-6) internal issues have been well-documented. This is the first meeting between the two this season as the Jets close out their regular season three days before the New Year at Sun Life Stadium.
Rams at 49ers (4:05 p.m., FOX)
Just as was predicted prior to the start of the season, the NFC West is stacked. If the Rams, the division’s basement dweller at 5-6, wants to make a legit postseason run the time is now. Colin Kaepernick returned to form in the 49ers (7-4) win over Washington Monday night.
Broncos at Chiefs (4:25 p.m., CBS)
What a strange few weeks it has been in the AFC West. The Broncos (9-2) knocked off the Chiefs (9-2) from the ranks of the unbeaten just two weeks ago but now the critics are predicting their demise after their meltdown at New England. Oh, and Andy Reid’s bunch has now lost two in a row.
Giants at Redskins (8:30 p.m., NBC)
The Redskins (3-8) are going nowhere and the talk is that Robert Griffin III should shut it down for the rest of the season. Still, Mike Shanahan is coaching for his job. Putting the final stake in the Giants’ (4-7) playoff coffin could allow Washington to save some face in 2013.
Saints at Seahawks (8:40 p.m., ESPN)
A preview of the NFC Championship game? It’s certainly looking that way. The Seahawks (10-1) haven’t lost since Week 5. Meanwhile, the Saints (9-2) would be undefeated right now if they hadn’t had to play members of the AFC East.
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS
