NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Thursday has in store for each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: The Bills will hit the practice field Thursday to begin three days of on-field preparations for Monday night's game against the Patriots. It has been more than 16 years since the Bills have won on Monday Night Football, with their last victory coming on Oct. 4, 1999. Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith all suited up for that contest. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are thin at linebacker this week, which is a concern with the Cowboys coming to town on Sunday. Starting outside linebackers Jelani Jenkins (ankle) and Koa Misi (leg) missed practice Wednesday. Head coach Dan Campbell said it's wait and see with both players, but he's more optimistic in Misi's chances to play against Dallas. Backup Spencer Paysinger will be the first player off the bench if either linebacker cannot suit up. -- James Walker
New England Patriots: With starting LB Jamie Collins remaining out of practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed illness, the mystery surrounding his extended absence (last practice was Nov. 6) grows. The Patriots are filling the void with a combination of Jonathan Freeny, Jerod Mayo and Jon Bostic alongside starter Dont'a Hightower. If Collins doesn't practice Thursday, he's even more unlikely to play Monday night vs. Buffalo. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets: After sitting out Wednesday to rest his surgically repaired left thumb, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will be in catch-up mode during Thursday's practice. Fitzpatrick, who said he expects to start, must prepare for the Texans' tough third-down defense, which leads the league with a 27 percent conversion rate allowed. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens placed center Jeremy Zuttah (partially torn pectoral muscle) on injured reserve, continuing their bad run of injuries in a dismal 2-7 season. This is Baltimore's fourth significant offensive player to go on IR this month. (The others: wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and Breshad Perriman and tight end Dennis Pitta.) John Urschel, who replaces Zuttah, hasn't started a single game at center -- at any level. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals: Although his running game failed to crack the 75-yard mark in Monday night's loss to the Texans, Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said Wednesday he wasn't concerned with the perception that his ground attack was struggling. His chief worry, he said, was priming his offense to help the overall team win games. Sunday night's showdown against the Cardinals will be a challenge for all facets of the Bengals' attack. The Cardinals rank fourth against the run and seventh against the pass. -- Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns: The Browns had their final day of practice before the bye week on Wednesday. But the coaches still took care of veteran LT Joe Thomas. He was given the 'veteran's day off' on the final day of work. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown has his eyes on the NFL's first 2,000-yard receiving season. His 1,141 yards through 10 games is the most since Isaac Bruce had 1,183 for the 1995 Rams, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Brown is accounting for 44 percent of Ben Roethlisberger's passing production. In six games with Roethlisberger, Brown has 906 yards. That's a 2,416-yard pace over 16 games. Despite four games with Landry Jones and Mike Vick, Brown is still looking at an 1,800-plus-yard season. If he and Roethlisberger stay hot, watch out. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a surprise appearance on the team's injury report Wednesday. He was listed as missing practice with a knee injury, but he did participate in warmups. The short week after the Texans' Monday night game could have as much to do with Hopkins sitting out as his health. The Texans will have a better look at that as the week progresses. -- Tania Ganguli
Indianapolis Colts: Colts starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck changed his bye-week plans from watching his kids play hockey in a cold Ohio ice rink to taking his family down to warm Florida over the weekend. That decision allowed Hasselbeck to work out and throw passes to tight end Coby Fleener, who was also in Florida. The 40-year-old Hasselbeck will make his third start of the season in place of the injured Andrew Luck (kidney/abdomen) on Sunday at Atlanta. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: The biggest question for the Jaguars regarding Thursday's game against Tennessee is whether RB T.J. Yeldon (foot) will play. He was out of the protective boot on Thursday and the Jaguars are optimistic he'll be able to play, but he's going to test the foot during pregame. The Jaguars will get WR Rashad Greene back. He had been on short-term IR with a left thumb injury since Week 3. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans: In the two games since Mike Mularkey took over as interim coach, the team has used multiple tight-end sets nearly 10 percent more often. Marcus Mariota's completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating and QBR have all been better when the Titans utilize such formations. One downside? The Jaguars, Tennessee's Thursday night opponent, have sacked the QB on 10.5 percent of dropbacks out of multiple tight end sets this season. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Gary Kubiak said Wednesday he's "comfortable" with quarterback Brock Osweiler's ability to handle any part of the team's playbook, adding that the team feels no need to simplify its approach during Osweiler's first career start. It means Osweiler will have the full gameplan at his disposal in Chicago on Sunday. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs: Guard Ben Grubbs has already been declared out of Sunday's game against the Chargers, but coach Andy Reid said he doesn't expect him to miss the rest of the season. Grubbs, who has a neck injury, hasn't practiced or played since an Oct. 25 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs have covered for the loss of Grubbs with veteran Jeff Allen at left guard. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders' pass-rush has been average this season, although they had one of their best games in that area in a loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Oakland has 19 sacks in nine games. It's not great, but it's better than the 22 they had all of last season, which was tied for the second fewest in the NFL. Of course, the Raiders will need someone to pick up the slack now that Aldon Smith is suspended for a year. He was second on the team with 3.5 sacks behind Khalil Mack (5.0). The Raiders hope second-round pick Mario Edwards Jr. emerges. He had a sack -- and his best game as a pro -- against the Vikings last Sunday. Oakland needs Edwards now more than ever with Smith gone. -- Bill Williamson
San Diego Chargers: Sitting at 2-7 in the midst of a five-game losing streak, Chargers coach Mike McCoy described the mood of his team as "pissed off" while talking to reporters on Wednesday. McCoy said the Chargers still have plenty to play for. "We've got a salty bunch here. We're not very happy with our record at this point of the season. We understand what's at stake week in and week out, from here on out. And we understand what we have to do as a football team. We have to execute at a high level for 60 minutes as a team, play better and get this thing going again." -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: With injuries to a number of key players, like Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Sean Lee and Rolando McClain, the Cowboys will extend their morning walkthrough for the second straight day on Thursday and run a more streamlined practice in order to keep players fresh for Sunday's game at Miami. There is also a side benefit to the altered practice schedule. The Cowboys have a short week next week with their Thanksgiving Day meeting against the Carolina Panthers. With two games in five days, the Cowboys are trying to stay ahead of things in terms of managing their key players through the quick turnaround. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants: Expect Jasper Brinkley to continue as the Giants' middle linebacker after the bye. He was third on the depth chart for most of the year, but injuries to Jon Beason and Uani' Unga have pushed him into the starter's role the past two weeks and he has done well. Brinkley has a level of sideline-to-sideline speed the other two don't, and the two months he spent learning the defense have started to bear fruit. -- Dan Graziano
Philadelphia Eagles: Thursday will be a big day for Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford and running back Ryan Mathews, both of whom were knocked out of Sunday's game against Miami with concussions. (Bradford also separated his shoulder.) Last Thursday, safety Malcolm Jenkins was cleared by a neurologist in time to practice for the next game. If Bradford can't practice, it is much more likely that Mark Sanchez will start at quarterback against Tampa Bay. -- Phil Sheridan
Washington Redskins: The Redskins did an excellent job of throwing short passes against New Orleans and turning them into long gains. Of Kirk Cousins' 324 yards passing, 260 came after the catch. But it'll be hard to duplicate that effort Sunday; the Panthers allow just 4.48 yards after catch per reception (fourth-best in the league). -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: As the Bears prepare for Denver's No. 2 quarterback Brock Osweiler, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio thinks the Broncos will tweak their offense on Sunday. At 6-foot-8, Osweiler is athletic and surprisingly mobile. Chicago needs to rattle the strong-armed quarterback, who is expected to operate more under center than Peyton Manning. That's why Fangio is hopeful that outside linebacker Pernell McPhee can return from a knee injury. McPhee is Chicago's most disruptive defender, with a team-high five sacks and seven tackles for loss. There is also growing optimism that Matt Forte will play on Sunday after missing two games with an MCL sprain. McPhee and Forte will be monitored closely at Thursday's practice. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions: The Lions brought back a familiar face Wednesday, signing former cornerback Bill Bentley, after cutting him following spring workouts. He's back because of the Lions' rash of injuries in the secondary. In the past week, the team has lost Rashean Mathis and Josh Wilson to injured reserve and Nevin Lawson to a concussion. Considering the Lions are facing Oakland's potent passing offense, they'll need Bentley and Crezdon Butler -- who might end up starting Sunday -- to be key players almost immediately. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: It wasn't a huge surprise that Aaron Rodgers was listed on the injury report for the first time this season. After all, coach Mike McCarthy described him as "banged up." However, it was a surprise that it was because of an injury to his throwing shoulder. Rodgers took a shot to the left knee late in Sunday's loss to the Lions but instead was listed with a right shoulder injury. Either way, Rodgers said he has no concerns about missing Sunday's game at Minnesota. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings: Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks was back as a full participant in practice Wednesday. He has four sacks this season working out of the Vikings' blitz package with Anthony Barr, and if he's ready to play, he could have an important role as the Vikings try to rattle a banged-up Rodgers. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith hopes moving bodies around in the Falcons' base and nickel defenses will help inject life into the pass rush. One of the ongoing experiments is O'Brien Schofield rushing off the right edge alongside Adrian Clayborn, rather than rookie Vic Beasley Jr. teaming with Clayborn, which was supposed to be the top combination. Grady Jarrett, more of a pass-rushing defensive tackle, has also seen looks in the base defense ahead of Ra'Shede Hageman. Right now, the Falcons are last in the league with 10 total sacks and second-to-last in sacks per pass attempt (3 percent) as they prepare to face veteran Matt Hasselbeck and the Colts. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers: With defensive tackle Dwan Edwards returning from injury and ready to play, the Panthers must decide how they adjust their four-man rotation. They'll likely put Kyle Love on the inactive list on Sunday against Washington. Love has played well, but he has only four tackles the past four games while Edwards rehabbed an ankle injury. Edwards had three quarterback pressures the game before he was injured, and Carolina's defense is predicated on pressure. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints: In case you missed it, something pretty special happened while the Saints were being routed 47-14 by the Redskins last Sunday. Running back Tim Hightower played his first snaps since 2011 after finally completing his comeback from a torn ACL and a lingering infection. Hightower spent the summer with New Orleans -- the first team he had been with since missing the Redskins' roster in 2012. But he didn't secure a roster spot until backup running back Khiry Robinson was injured two weeks ago. Hightower, 29, entered the game in the third quarter while Mark Ingram was nursing a minor injury and finished with 11 carries for 46 yards. He was one of the few players Sean Payton complimented after reviewing the tape. Hightower tweeted that he hates losing but truly believes "all things are possible." -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, and coach Lovie Smith said tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) still hasn't been cleared for full contact. It's likely that Mike Evans must continue to carry the receiving load for the Bucs. Evans appears up for the challenge, saying Wednesday, "I'm just going to do what I'm asked to do." He has 276 receiving yards on 16 catches in the past two games. -- Andrew Astleford
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Seven Cardinals missed practice Wednesday, including two starting offensive linemen (left guard Mike Iupati and right guard Jonathan Cooper). The Cardinals could enter Sunday night's game against Cincinnati with 40 percent of their offensive line as backups, but coach Bruce Arians said he's comfortable playing Earl Watford and Ted Larsen as guards if necessary. "A lot of people would love to have that as their starters." -- Josh Weinfuss
St. Louis Rams: With so many injuries on the offensive line, the Rams need second-year left tackle Greg Robinson to elevate his game now more than ever. Robinson has struggled with penalties and pass protection enough that coach Jeff Fisher called him by name when listing some of the team's offensive issues earlier this week. Depending on the status of injured right tackle Rob Havenstein and center Tim Barnes, Robinson could be the only remaining Week 1 O-lineman starter to play with the first team on Sunday. -- Nick Wagoner
San Francisco 49ers: Is Blaine Gabbert miffed that he is only the 49ers' starting quarterback on a week-by-week basis? If so, he's not about to admit it. "You really can't get too far ahead of yourself," Gabbert said Wednesday. "Especially in the situation that we're in." He's right. The 49ers will take their 3-6 record and 32nd-ranked offense to Seattle on Sunday. The Seahawks have won five of the last six head-to-head meetings (including playoffs). -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks' issues in pass protection have been well documented, but the offensive line's struggles in run blocking may be just as big of an issue. Marshawn Lynch "gained" minus-1 yards before contact last week. On the season, he's averaging 1.60 yards before contact, which ranks 47th out of 50 qualifying players, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Making a late-season run will be impossible if the Seahawks can't get Lynch going. -- Sheil Kapadia