GAMES 2 WATCH: Carolina (11-3) at New York Giants (11-3), 7:15 p.m., WDSU. This could serve as a second helping on Championship Sunday in January to determine the NFC's entry into Super Bowl XLIII. But it falls in Week 16, with the winner getting home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. At noon, the Tennessee Titans (12-2) host the red-hot Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) in a game with AFC home-field implications. Unfortunately, the local CBS affiliate, WWL, will not be allowed to carry the game because of NFL broadcast regulations.

THE DEAD ZONE

That's what the eastern time zone must feel like for the Saints, who are 1-6 overall on the road and face the winless Lions today at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. It is the last of five road games played by the Saints in the eastern time zone this season. So far, they are 0-4 after losses at Washington (29-24), at Carolina (30-7), at Atlanta (34-20) and at Tampa Bay (23-20).

'TURN OUT THE LIGHTS'

Former Dallas quarterback "Dandy Don" Meredith came to mind Saturday night as the Cowboys said goodbye to 38-year-old Texas Stadium. Meredith, the folksy analyst who shared a broadcast booth with Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell during the early years of "Monday Night Football," became known for singing "turn out the lights, the party's over," a little ditty that apparently signaled the end to the weekly games.

THE REST OF THE STORY

If the Minnesota Vikings win the NFC North and advance to the postseason, they can point to a dramatic win against the Saints in Week 5 as the turning point of their season. The Vikings were 1-3 going into the nationally televised game at the Superdome, and owner Zygi Wolf reportedly was poised to fire Coach Brad Childress. But the Vikings rallied for a 30-27 victory on Ryan Longwell's 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining. Since then, the Vikings (9-5) have forged to the divisional lead by winning six of their past seven, including four straight.