Week 12 N.F.L. Matchups - NYTimes.com Of the 13 games Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have faced each other, Brady has won nine times, and Manning has thrown for more yards, touchdowns and interceptions. 8:30 p.m. Sunday Line: Broncos by 3 This game's alternative title is "Manning vs. Brady XIV." It's sort of astounding that this is the 14th time Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will square off. Of the 13 games that have been played, Brady has emerged as the victorious quarterback nine times, and Manning has thrown for more yards, touchdowns and interceptions. Those statistics serve as sort of a microcosm for their respective careers, no? This game comes with a little subplot: Wes Welker's return to New England and whether he will be healthy enough to play for Denver after sustaining a concussion against Kansas City in Week 11. Although speculation has been abundant, the quarterback who doubles as a spokesman for Uggs has little doubt that his former favorite target who doubles as spokesman for Old Spice will play. "I've been around him long enough to know what he's all about," Brady said of Welker in a radio interview. He loves playing football, and if there's a chance for him to play, especially coming back here, he's definitely going to be out there. I've got no question about that. Jaguars (1-9) at Texans (2-8) Sunday Line: Texans by 10 How is it possible that pitiful Houston, which has lost eight straight games, is favored by double digits. It speaks to the respect some people apparently still have for a team that was viewed as a Super Bowl contender before the season. Why anyone still respects the Texans is beyond reason, as their resemblance to a Dumpster fire seems to enhance with each passing day. Against Oakland in Week 11, Coach Gary Kubiak pulled Case Keenum in favor of Matt Schaub, who probably should have been ushered out of Houston in the dead of night weeks ago for his personal safety. Then Kubiak told reporters that he had "total confidence" in Keenum. Um, yeah, sure. Jacksonville is bad. But not that bad. Pick: Jaguars Colts (7-3) at Cardinals (6-4) Sunday Line: Cardinals by 3 It's hard to figure out what to make of Indianapolis. On one hand, the Colts have beaten Denver, Seattle and San Francisco decisively. On the other hand, they have looked awful in losses to Miami, San Diego and St. Louis, not one of which has a winning record. Being a Colts fan in 2013 must be like dating someone who is great at your parents" house during the holidays but who spills pasta and red wine all over your furniture when you stay in on a Friday night to snuggle and watch rom-coms. But Arizona is 6-4. Wait, the Cardinals are 6-4? How the heck did that happen? Cowboys (5-5) at Giants (4-6) Sunday Line: Giants by 3 Matchups between Dallas and the Giants are almost always entertaining, but just a few weeks ago it looked as though this particular matchup would be about as meaningful as a romantic relationship with Warren Beatty from 1956 to 1991. The Cowboys looked like a lock to win the division and the Giants appeared to be competing for the top pick in next year's draft after starting 0-6. But alas, they play in the N.F.C. East, where nothing apparently is too ridiculous or improbable. And so it is that this Giants-Cowboys matchup actually means something in the grand scheme of things, something the players are keenly aware of. "Games like this, you can throw the records out," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. I can honestly say that we don't like each other, and it shows up on the football field, so I think it's going to be another one of those drag-out type of games where you get in for four quarters and try to find a way to win it. Pick: Cowboys Buccaneers (2-8) at Lions (6-4) Sunday Line: Lions by 10 After starting the season 0-8, Tampa Bay has suddenly won two in a row, including a 41-28 thrashing of Atlanta in Week 11. And in the Buccaneers" last loss, they forced overtime against Seattle, probably the N.F.C."s best squad. So perhaps the team that looked to be imploding like the N.F.L."s version of Mayor Rob Ford has turned a corner. Detroit has the N.F.C. North title within easy reach, with Chicago's Jay Cutler and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers plagued by injuries. But the Lions seem either unwilling or incapable of claiming their first division title in 20 years. Steelers (4-6) at Browns (4-6) Sunday Line: Browns by 1