How will the backup quarterbacks fare this week? [NFL Sunday Live Thread]

Late Games:

Saints @ Raiders
The New Orleans Saints have won their last 2 games beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football(Week 9) and the once undefeated Atlanta Falcons at the Superdome in the Big Easy (Week 10) but their challenge is on the road as they visit the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum also known as the "Black Hole". The Saints defense gives up 31 points on the road as oppose to giving up 24 points at the Superdome. The Saints may have found their groove on their home turf but will they find their groove on the road? Stopping Carson Palmer and the Raiders' 5th passing offense could be a difficult task for the Saints' defense that ranks 31st and stopping the run and stopping the pass, 32nd in total yard defense and 28th in scoring defense. Also Carson Palmer has been the heart of the Raiders' offense when the running game at times struggled. It's a chance that Raiders' RB Darren McFadden may not play in this game but Mike Goodson (Raiders' RB) should be a go as he tries to exploit the Saints' defense that hasn't been good on stopping the run. The Raiders' defense will also be challenged when Drew Brees steps on the field to attack the Raiders' defense that gives up 31 points a game (31st in scoring defense), 24th in stopping the pass, 23rd in total yards defense and 21st in stopping the run. Expect a shoot-out in this matchup between Brees vs. Palmer as the Raiders attempt to snap their 2-game losing streak and fight for their playoff hopes. If the Silver and Black want to make the playoffs, they will have to improve on their defense as well as winning all of their remaining games starting with the Saints. Brees will have a good game but it'll be up to the Saints' defense to limit Carson Palmer and the Raiders' passing attack and the Saints' 28th rushing offense to have a great day if the saints have a shot of beating the raiders and making it 3 straight wins. This game will also come down to who makes the fewest mistakes and the Raiders have a slight edge on defense over the Saints. Raiders over Saints

Jess: Saints

Chargers @ Broncos
Peyton Manning is totally responsible for why the Denver Broncos are on a 4-game winning streak as they host the AFC West Foes San Diego Chargers. The Last time these 2 teams met was on a Monday Night Football game in San Diego (Week 6) where the Chargers had a 24-0 lead at halftime and Peyton Manning lead the Broncos from a 24-point deficit, outscoring the Chargers 35-0 and getting 6 turnovers (4 interceptions from Philip Rivers and 2 fumble returns) in the process. In this rematch at Mile High, don't expect the Chargers to get a 24-point lead on the Broncos on the road as the Broncos will attempt to make things alot rough for the Chargers as they are 1-4 in their last 5 game. They only beat the Kansas City Chiefs in that stretch. Philip Rivers has 8 interceptions in the last 5 games and has 12 interceptions all together this year which makes him 8 interceptions shy of tying his career-high when he had 20 interceptions last year. That also explains why the Chargers 22nd in total yard offense, 16th in the passing game, 18th in running the ball and 17th in scoring offense. Ever since Vincent Jackson (WR for the Buccaneers) left the Chargers and Darren Sproles (RB for the Saints) left the Chargers, the Chargers' offense hasn't been the same even with Chargers' TE Antonio Gates being the main target for Philip Rivers hasn't help heal the pain. Peyton Manning should have a good game once again against a Charger Secondary that is 17th in stopping the pass and a defense that gives up 21 points a game. (11th in scoring defense) Philip Rivers and the Chargers' offense will be challenged once again as they face a Broncos' defense that are 6th in total yards defense and 10th in scoring defense and stopping the run and 11th in stopping the pass and would love to generate turnovers and get Rivers closer to his career-high interception record. Broncos over Chargers

Jess: Broncos

Colts @ Patriots
This is the "Student vs. Teacher" Matchup. Luck vs. Brady. Andrew Luck is the rookie for the Indianapolis Colts this is making a great name for himself. The City of Indianapolis (Naptown) may never get over the absence of Peyton Manning (Some people at least) but Andrew Luck has shown Indy that the Colts have a bright future and has sent a message real loud and clear that he will be one of the best quarterbacks in years to come in the NFL and I wouldn't be surprised if he won Rookie of the Year. Andrew Luck has the improving Colts in the Playoff Hunt at 6-3 but going against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium is never an easy task especially when it comes to winning a game there... The Colts' 18th total defense, 15th pass and scoring defense and 22nd run defense could have their hands full against Tom Brady and the Pats' offense that is #1 in scoring and total yards offense, #5 in rushing offense and #7 in passing offense... If the Colts want to pull an upset in Foxboro, Andrew Luck will have to score in advance against the Pats and the Colts defense will have to play extremely perfect against the Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. It's a good chance that it'll be raining touchdowns when Luck and Brady clash together. Patriots over Colts

Jess: Pats

Continued...