Thursday

Broncos at Texans

8:15 p.m., NFL Network

No wonder the NFL is holding the upcoming Patriots/Giants game hostage and refusing to move it off the NFL Network to a channel that people actually can get.

Saturday

Bengals at 49ers

8:15 p.m., NFL Network

Seriously, if it weren’t for the New England/New York finale, I’d subscribe to the Watch Oprah Winfrey Campaign Channel before I’d give a dime to the NFL Network.

Sunday

Jets at Patriots

1 p.m., CBS

CBS is going to use 16 cameras just for the post-game handshake between Eric Mangini and Bill Belichick. I think I’m kidding.

Packers at Rams

1 p.m., FOX

Brett Favre vs. Marc Bulger is perhaps the most egregious contrast in starting quarterback toughness since Jim McMahon took on Tony Eason in Super Bowl XX.

Eagles at Cowboys

4:15 p.m., FOX

Things may seem ducky right now, but Tony Romo may want to compare notes with Donovan McNabb on Terrell Owens.

Redskins at Giants

8:15 p.m., NBC

Get ready for three more hours of Sean Taylor talk.

Monday

Bears at Vikings

8:30 p.m., ESPN

How many casual football fans will tune into this game and realize they drafted the wrong Adrian Peterson this year?