1 p.m. Sunday Line: Lions by 3
It is important to note that Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant was not comparing himself to Detroit's Calvin Johnson when he told a local radio show, "I believe I can do whatever he can do."
On a conference call this week, Bryant said his comments had been misconstrued and rather than comparing himself directly to Johnson, he was stating that he was also good at skills like catching the ball. Bryant, 25, went as far as to say that Johnson, 28, was one of his favorite players when he was growing up.
Bryant's boasting and recanting — he executed a similar maneuver before the season when he said 2,000 receiving yards was possible, then said he was not predicting that total for himself — makes him into a bit of a cartoon character. But on the field he is not as far behind Johnson as some may think.
Starting with a 12-reception game against Cleveland last November, Bryant has had a remarkable 14-game run in which he has amassed 89 receptions, 1,361 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those numbers trail Johnson's over the same period, but they put Bryant in the conversation about best receivers not nicknamed Megatron.
Bryant and Johnson are not the only similar elements in a matchup of teams that are strong on offense and terrible on defense. Each team also prefers to play at home, and that may be all Johnson and the Lions need to win.
Pick: Lions
Packers (4-2) at Vikings (1-5)
8:30 p.m. Sunday Line: Packers by 11
In a recantation that even Dez Bryant would be unlikely to attempt, wide receiver Greg Jennings contended that he was just kidding when he repeatedly criticized Aaron Rodgers and the Packers during the preseason. In March, Jennings signed a contract with rival Minnesota after spending his first seven seasons with Green Bay. By June, he was declaring his preference for Brett Favre over Rodgers. In July, he referred to Rodgers as No. 12 and accused him of creating a spotlight for himself separate from the team. But now, with Rodgers and the Packers visiting Minnesota, suddenly Jennings wants everyone to know it was all in good fun.
It is possible that after half a season of catching passes from Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman, Jennings realizes what he had in Rodgers.
Jennings can hardly be blamed for the Vikings' failures. The quarterback carousel, along with a terrible defense, have made them hard to watch. If Rodgers, who has taken the high road all along, wants to send a message, he could easily unleash a scoring barrage that would make the 11-point spread seem conservative.
Pick: Packers
Browns (3-4) at Chiefs (7-0)
1 p.m. Sunday Line: Chiefs by 9
In 2008, quarterback Jason Campbell and led Washington to an 8-8 record. Drafted in the first round in 2005, Campbell accounted for more than 3,200 yards in the air, and was considered the future of the franchise.
Quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 draft pick in 2005, did not play in 2008. The San Francisco 49ers put him on injured reserve with a broken bone in his shoulder and acknowledged that they expected to release him after the season.
Five seasons later, Smith has completed one of the most remarkable career turnarounds in memory and has helped lead Kansas City, the N.F.L.'s only unbeaten team. Campbell has been reduced to emergency fill-in status for a desperate Cleveland team that seems to have realized that Brandon Weeden is not the answer.
"I'm excited to see what Jason will do with this opportunity," Coach Rod Chudzinski told reporters.
No one else shares his sentiment.
Pick: Chiefs
49ers (5-2) and Jaguars (0-7)
1 p.m. Sunday Line: 49ers by 17
Jacksonville's players should take a good look around London. The Jaguars will play a home game in Wembley Stadium for four seasons, so finding a favorite place for fish and chips seems in order. They can visit with the team's delightfully mustachioed owner, Shahid Khan, and truly embrace spending time in a place far different from home.
As for football, they can expect to be crushed by San Francisco, which is better at every aspect of the game. A matchup between a Super Bowl contender and a contender for an 0-16 record is probably not what the league wants for a showcase game, but the Jaguars can still enjoy the trip.
Pick: 49ers
Dolphins (3-3) at Patriots (5-2)
1 p.m. Sunday Line: Patriots by 7
Times are Eastern. Picks do not reflect the betting line.
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