San Francisco 49ers (4-3) Sunday, Nov. 9, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, noon kickoff.  Biggest surprise: Cornerback Perrish Cox has a team-leading three interceptions, tied for third in the league.  Biggest disappointment: Tight end Vernon Davis, one of the best in the business, has been slowed by injury and only has 14 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.  Stat that stands out: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been sacked 19 times, a lot for a quarterback as nimble as he is.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-2-1) Nov. 16, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, noon kickoff. Biggest surprise: Receiver Mohamed Sanu has stepped up in the absence of injured A.J. Green, leading the team with 35 catches for 533 yards and three touchdowns. Biggest disappointment: The vaunted Bengal defense has given up 399 yards per game. Stat that stands out: Opponents have controlled the clock against Cincinnati, with a 33:36-28:33 advantage in time of possession.

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) Nov. 24, Monday, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 7:30 p.m. kickoff Biggest surprise: Steve Smith, with whom the Saints are very familiar, still has life in those 35-year-old legs. He's seventh in the league with 675 receiving yards, with 10 catches for 20-plus yards. Running back Justin Forsett (571 rushing yards) is a close second. Biggest disappointment: New Orleanian Jacoby Jones hoped to have a larger role in the offense, but he only has caught four passes for 50 yards. He remains a top-level returner, though. Stat that stands out: Baltimore allows just 16.4 points per game, while the Saints average around 28.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) Sunday, Nov. 30, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, noon kickoff. Biggest surprise: Running back Le'Veon Bell (691 yards) has helped take some of the offensive pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown. Biggest disappointment: This isn't exactly the Steel Curtain defense. Opponents total 358 yards per game against Pittsburgh, which has been involved in a few offensive shootouts this season. Stat that stands out: Roethlisberger only has thrown three interceptions.

Carolina Panthers (3-5-1) Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, noon kickoff Biggest surprise: Rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin has 40 catches for 589 yards and five touchdowns. He already looks like Cam Newton's No. 1 wide receiver. Biggest disappointment: The Panthers can't run the ball – 95 yards per game, 3.7 yards per carry. Stat that stands out: Newton has eight touchdown passes and has been sacked 21 times. Clearly, the passing game has struggled.

Chicago Bears (3-5) Monday, Dec. 15 at Soldier Field in Chicago, 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Biggest surprise: Matt Forte isn't much of a surprise, unless the surprise is that he remains one of the most productive all-purpose backs in the NFL, with 1,052 yards rushing and receiving and six touchdowns. Biggest disappointment: The Bears' high-powered offense doesn't post three touchdowns per game and considering the talent, that's a surprise. Stat that stands out: Rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller has three interceptions and three fumbles recovered.

Atlanta Falcons (2-6) Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, noon kickoff. Biggest surprise: Running back Antone Smith has three touchdown receptions, the same as receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. Biggest disappointment: The Falcons' high hopes completely have dashed. Since winning the season opener against the Saints in Atlanta, they're 1-6. Stat that stands out: The Falcons have rushed for only 765 yards this season. They're 26th in the league at 96 yards per game.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7), Sunday, Dec. 28 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., noon kickoff. Biggest surprise: That the Buccaneers defense, under Coach Lovie Smith, has been this bad (409.9 yards allowed per game, most in the league). Biggest disappointment: See previous statement. Stat that stands out: The Bucs have three receivers with 20-plus receptions; the Saints have six.