Now They’re Playing Like St. Louis Rams of Old

Times NFL writer Robyn Norwood poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

1. Question: Come on, could the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams really miss the playoffs?

Answer: If they don’t beat the Minnesota Vikings today, they’re in dire straits, with road games against Tampa Bay and New Orleans remaining and tiebreakers not looking good. Best plan: Win all three.

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2. Q: Should the 10-3 Oakland Raiders be worried about winning the AFC West title?

A: The Denver Broncos are within, ahem, spitting distance--one game back--and they win the tiebreaker by virtue of a sweep of the Raiders.

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3. Q: Will Deion Sanders, playing his first game at Texas Stadium as a Redskin, get his wish and join the list of players who have picked off a pass by Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman this season?

A: Why not? It’s no longer an exclusive club.

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4. Q: Were the Indianapolis Colts really once 7-3?

A: Seems incomprehensible, what with Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills essentially a playoff-race elimination game, but the Colts are 7-6 after losing three in a row.

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5. Q: Will the Baltimore Ravens get their fifth shutout?

A: Against San Diego, the prospects are quite good. Other victims were Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dallas.