As this is the final regular season date for the NFL, we in Chicago are being treated to five games -- four in the afternoon and one at night -- but the one everyone here is focused on, occurs in Green Bay in the late afternoon. The Blackhawks also return to action tonight.
↵↵12 noon, CBS-2: NFL, Steelers at Browns. The Steelers are looking for a win to assure themselves a first-round bye. If they lose, they're the No. 5 seed, unless the Ravens also lose.
↵↵12 noon, Fox-32: NFL, Vikings at Lions. The Vikings are looking for a win to assure all of us that we never have to look at Brett Favre again. (Hopefully, that's the case even if they lose.)
↵↵3 p.m., Big Ten Network: College basketball, Penn State at Michigan. Both of these schools lost their football bowl games yesterday. One of them must win this game today. We think.
↵↵3:15 p.m., Fox-32: NFL, Bears at Packers. By the time this game begins, the Bears will know if they still have a shot at the No. 1 seed. For the Packers, this is essentially a playoff game -- win and they play next week, lose and they go home (unless the Giants also lose).
↵↵3:15 p.m., CBS-2: NFL, Titans at Colts. If the Colts win, they are the AFC South champions. If they lose, they're still in if the Jaguars also lose.
↵↵5 p.m., Big Ten Network: College basketball, No. 24 Wisconsin at No. 25 Illinois.
↵↵7 p.m., WGN (Chicago only): NHL, Blackhawks at Ducks. The Blackhawks better win this one, or their moms, who are on this trip, won't be happy.
↵↵7 p.m., NBC-5: NFL, Rams at Seahawks. This is another winner-take-all; the winner is the NFC West champion, and the loser goes home. If Seattle wins, it will be the first time in NFL history that a team will make the playoffs with a losing record.