But Arizona is 6-4. Wait, the Cardinals are 6-4? How the heck did that happen?

Pick: Colts

Cowboys (5-5) at Giants (4-6)

4:25 p.m. Sunday Line: Giants by 3

Matchups between Dallas and the Giants are almost always entertaining, but just a few weeks ago it looked as though this particular matchup would be about as meaningful as a romantic relationship with Warren Beatty from 1956 to 1991. The Cowboys looked like a lock to win the division and the Giants appeared to be competing for the top pick in next year’s draft after starting 0-6.

But alas, they play in the N.F.C. East, where nothing apparently is too ridiculous or improbable. And so it is that this Giants-Cowboys matchup actually means something in the grand scheme of things, something the players are keenly aware of.

“Games like this, you can throw the records out,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. “I can honestly say that we don’t like each other, and it shows up on the football field, so I think it’s going to be another one of those drag-out type of games where you get in for four quarters and try to find a way to win it.”

Pick: Cowboys

Buccaneers (2-8) at Lions (6-4)

1 p.m. Sunday Line: Lions by 10

After starting the season 0-8, Tampa Bay has suddenly won two in a row, including a 41-28 thrashing of Atlanta in Week 11. And in the Buccaneers’ last loss, they forced overtime against Seattle, probably the N.F.C.’s best squad. So perhaps the team that looked to be imploding like the N.F.L.’s version of Mayor Rob Ford has turned a corner.

Detroit has the N.F.C. North title within easy reach, with Chicago’s Jay Cutler and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers plagued by injuries. But the Lions seem either unwilling or incapable of claiming their first division title in 20 years.

Pick: Lions

Steelers (4-6) at Browns (4-6)

1 p.m. Sunday Line: Browns by 1

A recent thread on Reddit.com asked, “Have you unfortunate encounters with Ben Roethlisberger?” Many of the responses revolved around his treatment of women. The Reddit user SnipeyMcSnipe wrote that Roethlisberger “jumped really high into the air, formed a pencil shape with his body, and dove into the ground...disappearing. The next week he was playing football.”