SUN 12
Texans at Chiefs (2:05 p.m., Ch. 2): The teams met ages ago — way back in Week 6 — at Arrowhead Stadium, with the visiting Texans pulling off a 31-24 upset. What’s new since then, besides everything? J.J. Watt is fighting through a torn pectoral muscle, which sounds really hard. But now we’re done pretending this afternoon is about anything other than ruing the day elusive Bears GM Ryan Pace neglected to draft Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes.
Seahawks at Packers (5:40 p.m., Fox-32): Superstars? You’ve got quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, but enough about them. Let’s see more of what Seattle wideout DK Metcalf — who set an NFL rookie playoff record last weekend with 160 receiving yards against the Eagles — can do. Talk about 6-4, 230 pounds of sky’s-the-limit.
MON 13
Clemson vs. LSU (7 p.m., ESPN): You think QBs are an obsession in the NFL? They’re everything in the college game. Enter LSU’s Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner and author of one of the greatest seasons in the history of the position, and Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, who is hyped by some — more all the time — as the top NFL prospect in decades. There’s enough confetti for only one of them.
TUE 14
DePaul at Villanova (7:30 p.m., FS1): The Blue Demons’ comeback season is kind of slipping away from them. What better time to be their best selves than against the blue-blood Wildcats? Dave Leitao’s team is better on the road, anyway.
WED 15
Blackhawks at Canadiens (6:30 p.m., NBCSCH): There’s nothing quite like an Original Six clash, is there? The jerseys — sorry, sweaters — are iconic. The history is deliciously rich. And the records … well, no, you don’t get to just throw them out. The Hawks and Habs aren’t exactly crushing life these days.
FRI 17
Cubs Convention: Opening Ceremony (6 p.m., Sheraton Grand Chicago): Oh, the excitement that’ll rip through the ballroom when all the new players are announced! There’s that one guy, of course, and don’t forget about Who’s-That and What’s-His-Name. In other news: Will Kris Bryant acquiesce to another sit-down with Ryan Dempster?
Bulls at 76ers (6 p.m., ESPN): Philly has a total of 24 national-TV appearances this season. The Bulls have — hang on while we grab our calculator — just this one. Will they stay in the game long enough to experience 15 minutes of fame?
SAT 18
Northwestern at Illinois (4 p.m., BTN): Each of last season’s matchups went the Illini’s way by five points. Brad Underwood’s team has improved since then, largely because of the addition of extra-extra-large freshman Kofi Cockburn. Chris Collins’ team? Well, we’re sure the Wildcats are trying their darnedest. An upset here would at least send a lot of orange-clad folks out onto a ledge.
Lakers at Rockets (7:30 p.m., Ch. 7): Buckle up, kids, and witness the display of excellence as NBA runaway scoring leader James Harden tries to shoot down LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the top team in the Western Conference. Is this really the same league to which the Bulls belong?