6. Colts at Steelers
The Steelers are old-time magic, and this is one I can’t pass up, especially with the game being played on the gnarly grass of Heinz Field. Ben Roethlisberger came into his own as a passer last year, but you still figure that the Steeler defense is going to have a lot to say about this. The game, which comes off on Nov. 16 in Week 10, should tell us a lot about whether the Steelers are going to have a shot at getting back to the Super Bowl.

7. Steelers at Patriots
The game comes two weeks after Colts-Steelers, on Nov. 27. It will end a four-week stretch in which we’ll get to see the Colts play the Pats and Steelers and the Steelers play the Colts and Pats. In other words, it’ll be like the playoffs, only two months early.

8. Giants at Cowboys
If the Cowboys in New York were must-see football, this is no different. It’s on Dec. 14, with just two weeks left in the season, and this one is going to have major playoff implications. Most likely, the NFC East championship and maybe the top seed in the playoffs will be on the line. It’s also a Sunday night special.

9. Panthers at Giants
I know, I’ve got a lot of Giants games on this list, but it’s on Dec. 21 in the next-to-last game of the year. the Giants, depending on the previous week’s outcome against Dallas, will either be trying to insure a playoff spot or hoping to nail down home field and/or a first-week bye. The Panthers, too, could be fighting for the same causes. The game also features two fierce defenses playing at a time of year when it’s likely to be blustery and maybe sleeting or snowing or raining or all of the above. What’s not to like?

10. Packers at Bears
I’m not sure this one will have any bearing on the playoffs. The Bears should be in contention, but the Packers are a big question mark without Brett Favre. Still, this is the football equivalent of comfort food — two ancient rivals from the old Frozen Tundra Division playing in Chicago’s jewel of a stadium. On Dec. 22, three days before Christmas, it’s worth watching.

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