If you made rash judgments after Week 1, shame on you.

You thought the New York Giants would really go into the tank after the Dallas Cowboys took it to them in New Jersey with the world watching? You thought the Pittsburgh Steelers were old, slow and injury-plagued after Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos announced their presence in the Sunday night opener?

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

All the Giants have done since that opening loss is win six of seven, notching two road victories over hated rivals. All the Steelers have done is find a productive running back in "The Minivan" (Jonathan Dwyer), shrug off some crushing offensive-line injuries and win three of four since a Week 4 bye.

All of which makes Sunday afternoon's Steelers-Giants game essential viewing. A matchup between two league heavyweights who, combined, have been involved in four of the past five Super Bowls. The NFL has just one game scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET in Week 9, and it's this one.

Here's hoping we're all watching an epic ending.

Here is your Week 9 primer, with games ranked by intrigue, from 1 to 14:

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2. 
• Pittsburgh at New York

  Sun 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 1:

  Two of the NFL's marquee teams. Two of the game's most entertaining quarterbacks. Who cares if it's an inter-conference game? There is so much intrigue in so many places. How will these suddenly run-happy Pittsburgh Steelers and bulldozing back Jonathan Dwyer go after a New York Giants team that just held the Dallas Cowboys to 19 yards on the ground? How will the Giants' fierce front four attempt to bring down Ben Roethlisberger, who is almost as big as his pass-rushing counterparts? Is a well-rounded Steelers receiving corps featuring explosive weapons Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown primed to decimate a Giants secondary that allowed Tony Romo to throw for 437 yards? It's a fascinating matchup -- one that'll keep me glued to the TV. #PITvsNYG
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Dallas at Atlanta

  Sun 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 2:

  For an undefeated team, the Atlanta Falcons sure have a lot of doubters. Seven games, seven wins, and yet they're rarely mentioned as being among the NFL's elite. If this Sunday night spot against a Dallas Cowboys team that always draws a massive audience doesn't convince 'em, nothing will. (Of course, the Falcons must win.) If the Cowboys, meanwhile, can pull off a road win against an undefeated team, that would seem to prove that they are better than their record (currently 3-4). There will be a lot at stake, and plenty of fun things to watch. The Falcons haven't been perfect -- except when it comes to their record -- but they have been explosive. Julio Jones and Roddy White give Matt Ryan one of the league's best receiving tandems, but they will be tested by Dallas. If the Cowboys' secondary (headlined by cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne) can lock down Atlanta's talented wideouts, the Falcons might not be well-rounded enough to counter. They don't run it well enough. But can Dallas accomplish that? Easier said than done. And can Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (he of the 46 career interceptions) add to Tony Romo's league-leading 13 picks? #DALvsATL
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Miami at Indianapolis

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 3:

  It's amazing that this is even considered a marquee game. Before the season, no one would've thought that. But at this point, there's no doubt that it is. Somehow, the Indianapolis Colts have soldiered on without their coach to secure a 4-3 record. The Miami Dolphins, who are winning in all three phases of the game, have enjoyed similarly surprising success. Oh, and did we mention this will feature a battle between pick No. 1 and pick No. 8 of the 2012 NFL Draft? (Assuming Ryan Tannehill is healthy enough to play). Plenty will be in Andrew Luck's talented hands, as the Dolphins can stop the run and force opposing quarterbacks to make plays. This all would've been entertaining regardless, but the fact that it could have real playoff implications is mind-boggling. #MIAvsIND
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Philadelphia at New Orleans

  Mon 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 4:

  In the standings, this won't be the most consequential game of the weekend. Far from it. But the ramifications could reach far beyond this week. Michael Vick is still the Philadelphia Eagles' starter, but his rope is getting shorter and shorter. Coach Andy Reid, on the hot seat all season, is in self-preservation mode, and he won't hesitate to make a quarterback change with an eye toward winning. Yet Vick gets to make his plea against the NFL's worst defense. If he fails against these New Orleans Saints ... anything is possible. As for New Orleans, even with interim coach Joe Vitt back from suspension, they got walloped last week by the Denver Broncos. The Saints are already five back in the NFC South, and a loss here would make it nearly impossible to even think about a wild-card berth. #PHIvsNO
• Watch: Game Preview

1. 
2. 
• Denver at Cincinnati

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 5:

  Remember when we thought Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos would take awhile to become contenders? Seems funny now. Fresh off a Saints demolition, the Broncos are in prime position to take control of the AFC West. The opportunity is there against a Cincinnati Bengals team that has lost three straight. Yet, this matchup is a little odd. It's at Cincinnati, for one. And the Bengals have the third-most sacks in the NFL, with a vicious pass rush led by big Geno Atkins, who applies pressure up the middle. That doesn't bode well for Manning's comfort. However, few teams boast as stifling a combination of defensive pressure and coverage as Denver. Will Cincy quarterback Andy Dalton get enough time to find electric wideout A.J. Green? #DENvsCIN
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Buffalo at Houston

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 6:

  Fresh off wrist surgery, defensive end Mario Williams emerges from the bye ready to face his old team in his old home. Williams, of course, has been limited to 3.5 sacks and 16 tackles in a disappointing debut season with the Buffalo Bills. He returns to Houston with a creaky defense that ranks 31st in yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans are doing just fine without Williams, as budding star J.J. Watt leads a well-rounded, pressure-happy group. Houston ranks third in total defense, allowing just 283 yards per game. There is a lot at stake, with the Texans still making their case to be the NFL's best and the Bills scratching and clawing to show they are wild-card worthy. Yet all eyes will be on Williams, his new wrist and his battles against former teammates. How will the crowd react when he walks onto the field? #BUFvsHOU
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Carolina at Washington

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 7:

  The Carolina Panthers are without a general manager and seemingly without direction. If things keep going like this for the 1-6 team, nothing will be certain when the season ends. As for the Washington Redskins, their battered defense has struggled in two straight losses. The teams' records would seem to indicate that this won't be a great game. But this contest features Cam Newton and his off-the-charts potential on one side, and must-see Robert Griffin III on the other. That transcends records. The reality is, while RG3 is enjoying a phenomenal rookie season, Newton is in the midst of a sophomore slump. He's inefficient, and his struggles become more pronounced in crunch time. Who cares? This will still make for compelling viewing. You never know when the electricity will switch back on for Newton. #CARvsWAS
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Kansas City at San Diego

  Thur 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL NETWORK Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 8:

  According to records alone, this Thursday nighter should be much further down on the list. The Kansas City Chiefs haven't even led a game in regulation this season, while the San Diego Chargers appear to be in the middle of an implosion. Yet two factors make me think this one might surprise. One, these are some desperate teams. The Chiefs are teetering on the brink of being embarrassingly bad, while Chargers coach Norv Turner is already talking about existing on a week-to-week basis. That might bring out some inspired play. And two, the Chiefs have the worst turnover ratio in the NFL, while the Chargers aren't so hot themselves in this department. That should lead to some fireworks and lots of football to watch. #KCvsSD
• Watch: Game Preview

1. 
2. 
• Arizona at Green Bay

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 9:

  This one might not be pretty. The Green Bay Packers might be getting Jordy Nelson back -- making an explosive offense ... even more explosive -- while the Arizona Cardinals clearly have lost their early-season mojo. Four straight losses have the Cards soul-searching. So, if everything continues in the same direction, this game might be over before it starts (especially considering it's at Lambeau Field). But I moved it up a few notches for its upset potential. This physical Arizona team can get after quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cover with authority and throw the Packers off their game. Essentially, the Cardinals can do what they did to the New England Patriots in Week 2. There's a chance this might not be easy for Green Bay -- but it's a slim chance. #AZvsGB
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Tampa Bay at Oakland

  Sun 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 10:

  A matchup of two potentially (but not quite) relevant teams. Tough to write off either one at this point, despite preseason perceptions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a thunderous Thursday night win over the upstart Minnesota Vikings, having shown a national audience they can bring it. And the Oakland Raiders have won two in a row, elbowing themselves into the wild-card race. What makes this intriguing from an X's-and-O's standpoint is that the Bucs are allowing just 3.5 yards per carry, but to have a shot, the Raiders must effectively run the ball with Darren McFadden. Putting the ball in Carson Palmer's hands hasn't paid dividends for the offense. Will Oakland be able to pound it? #TBvsOAK
• Watch: Game Preview

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• Detroit at Jacksonville

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 11:

  The Mike Thomas Bowl? Is that a thing? Eh, maybe not. But the fact that the Detroit Lions acquired Thomas from the Jacksonville Jaguars right before these two teams play each other is worth noting. Think Thomas might share a secret or two about his old team with his new team? The real question is: How much can Thomas help a Lions offense that has oodles of talent but is too often plagued by slow starts? Jacksonville's defense hasn't been stout, but perhaps something clicked last week, when the Jags nearly toppled Green Bay. Alas, it wasn't to be, and 1-6 was their fate. Really, only Detroit has much to play for. #DETvsJAC
• Watch: Game Preview

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• Chicago at Tennessee

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 12:

  There are few storylines and even less buzz about this one. But if you're interested in seeing one of the NFL's best runners (Chris Johnson) square off against the league's best run defense, this is your ticket. Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will throw it, but he might not want to throw it too much against ball-hawking cornerbacks Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman. So expect plenty of Johnson, who has averaged 5.6 yards per carry over his past five games. If CJ2K truly is back, he'll need to bring it Sunday. As for the Chicago Bears, they must keep winning to maintain their lead over the Packers in the NFC North. #CHIvsTEN
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Minnesota at Seattle

  Sun 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 13:

  The Minnesota Vikings concluded the first half of the season at 5-3, a shocking development in a loaded division no one thought they'd be a factor in. That in itself is a major accomplishment. Yet if the Vikings want to think about the playoffs, they have no choice but to keep grinding. The Packers are back on track, the Bears have found a way and even the Lions have firepower. This might be an ugly, hard-hitting game, with the Seattle Seahawks' physical secondary doing its best to take Percy Harvin out of Christian Ponder's game plan. And did we mention that Ponder must maintain his poise in the fiercest of environments? Exactly the kind of game that screams for a healthy dose of Adrian Peterson. This matchup is winnable for both teams, and with the playoff picture getting foggy, both need to pull one out. #MINvsSEA
• Watch: Game Preview

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2. 
• Baltimore at Cleveland

  Sun 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Get Tickets

• Why this game is No. 14:

  It's the Cleveland Browns vs. the team formerly known as the Cleveland Browns. If only that truly upped the ante for this one ... Alas, one of the AFC's top-notch teams is coming off a bye to square off with one of the have-nots. The Baltimore Ravens have issues, as they are still trying to function as a defense without Ray Lewis and having trouble stopping the run. Facing rookie star-in-the-making Trent Richardson should put them to the test. But the bye gave Haloti Ngata and Ed Reed time to heal, and coordinator Dean Pees time to get it together. So don't be surprised if the Ravens have fixed some of those issues. If they have, they should hold the Browns to a touchdown or less. #BALvsCLE
• Watch: Game Preview

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.