NFL Week 12 Schedule: Watchability index ... and open thread

You have to wait all day for the New York Giants to face the Green Bay Packers this evening (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC). Here is your watchability index for Sunday's afternoon games.

Minnesota Vikings (6-4) at Chicago Bears (7-3)

Game time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX

This should be an entertaining early-afternoon game between two teams trying to keep pace with the Packers in the NFC North. Jay Cutler has been cleared to play for the Bears, which means Bears fans and whoever else watches won't have to suffer through watching Jason Campbell play quarterback.

This one probably won't mean much to the Giants in terms of the playoffs -- it seems like the Giants are headed toward another 'win the NFC East or go home' kind of season. It should be a good game to watch, though.

Oakland Raiders (3-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: CBS

When you think of a reason to watch this game, please let me know. I honestly don't have one.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Cleveland Browns (2-8)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: CBS

It's a Charlie Batch sighting! With Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich down with injuries, the 37-year-old Batch gets to play. Seeing what Batch can do is about the only entertaining part of this game.

Buffalo Bills (4-6) at Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: CBS

This one provides a chance to watch the amazing rookie quarterback Andrew Luck and the Colts try to continue an improbable playoff run. Luck, it turns out, is one of those quarterbacks always worth watching.

Tennessee Titans (4-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: CBS

If you are watching this game and you aren't related to Rutgers grad Kenny Britt I am going to seriously question your sanity.

Denver Broncos (7-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-9)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: CBS

Personally, I have wondered for years now if Brady Quinn could actually be an acceptable NFL quarterback. Until now he has never gotten a chance. Today, Quinn gets the start for the Chiefs. If you are a Notre Dame fan, checking out Quinn gives you an excuse to watch this game. Of course, watching Peyton Manning is always fun, too.

Seattle Seahawks (6-4) at Miami Dolphins (4-6)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: FOX

Hey, if the Dolphins and Bills both manage to pull upsets today the New York Jets would have last place in the AFC East all to themselves. That might not be reason to watch, but it is reason to root for the Dolphins.

Atlanta Falcons (9-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)

Game time: 1 p.m.
TV: FOX

I can't quite figure out who I would like to see win this game. On one hand, if the Falcons keep winning that improves the chance that they might have a flat week against the Giants in a couple of weeks. Plus, we might get to see a Greg Schiano kneel-down play. On the other hand, the Bucs are pretty good -- and a good story. Either way, you get to watch Doug Martin.

Baltimore Ravens (8-2) at San Diego Chargers (4-6)

Game time: 4:05 p.m.
TV: CBS

It's always fun to watch Norv Turner, Phillip Rivers and the Chargers find new ways to implode.

St. Louis Rams (3-6-1) at Arizona Cardinals (4-6)

Game time: 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX

Really? I mean, they seriously scheduled this game for the 4:25 time slot? Somebody needs to be fired for that, even if it is the backup game.

San Francisco 49ers (7-2-1) at New Orleans Saints (5-5)

Game time: 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX

Can the 49ers slow the Saints' march back into playoff contention after an awful start? How much time will be spent talking about the 49ers' decision to dump Alex Smith in favor of Colin Kaepernick? Will Kaepernick justify the decision, or make coach Jim Harbaugh look dumb for switching quarterbacks when his team was winning? This should be the most entertaining game of the day -- before Giants-Packers, of course.

NOTE: Use this as your open thread to discuss NFL action all day.