As all networks do, Fox Sports was hyping this week's NFL games during its telecasts last Sunday.

For Detroit and Minnesota, the promo talked about a NFC North showdown for Sunday's noon game at the Metrodome.

Really?

The Lions are 1-7 and the Vikings 7-1. Detroit isn't officially eliminated from title contention, but that's going to happen any minute now.

If you're looking for a real showdown, how about the Patriots and Colts? Arguably, they are the two best teams in the AFC, and have been for years.

They meet at 7:15 p.m. Sunday on NBC.

"This is the fifth time in six years that our crew has had a chance to do this game (third time on Sunday Night Football, twice on Monday Night Football) and this game has been either the most anticipated or one of the most anticipated of the season,'' said Al Michaels, who will call the play-by-play. "It's one of those games when the schedule comes out and you see it you just hope each team gets out to a pretty good start and they have. Without question, this is the rivalry of the decade.

Winners of four straight, New England, 6-2, is playing its best football of the year. And the Colts are one of two unbeaten teams left at 8-0.

The Colts and Patriots have won four total Super Bowls this decade (New England three). The teams have met 13 times since 2000 with the Patriots holding an 8-5 edge, but the Colts have won four of the past five. Each of the last three games have been decided by four points or less. Each of the last four have been decided by seven points or less.

The teams have competed in three playoff games during the decade, including two AFC Championship Games. The Patriots are 2-1 in those games with the teams splitting the two title games.

"This one is as good as anything I can remember . . . very similar to Dallas and San Francisco in the 90s,'' said Michaels.

Two of the cast members in "Football Night in America'' (6 p.m.) are Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy, both recently retired. Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Patriots as a defensive back while Dungy is the former coach of the Colts.

"From a coaching standpoint, it's a tremendous matchup,'' said Dungy. "When you play against a team like (New England), it's such a big challenge. It brings out the best in you and elevates your game. It's just a tremendous rivalry. The respect for each other is there and it's been a great game and one I'm looking forward to seeing for the first time from a different perspective.

Said Harrison: "I've played in this rivalry many times. You get really excited about facing the biggest challenge of the year, which is always going to be the Indianapolis Colts. Just being a part of one of the greatest rivalries in football really gets you excited. I know both of these teams have a mutual respect for one another, but I also know they have a distinct dislike for one another. It'll be exciting and hopefully the Patriots can go out and kick some butt.''

• Since NBC acquired the Sunday night package in 2006, the Colts are 8-3, including 2-0 this season. In Week 3, the Colts defeated Arizona 31-10 and in Week 5, they defeated Tennessee 31-9. Both games were on the road.

• This is the third time the Colts and Patriots have met on SNF since 2006. Last season, the Colts defeated the Patriots at Indianapolis when quarterback Peyton Manning passed for 254 yards and completed two touchdowns to wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. In 2006, the Colts beat the Patriots 27-20 in New England in a game that was watched by 21.9 million viewers, tied for most in Sunday Night Football history.

Around the tube

• Announcers for the Vikings and Lions on Fox at noon Sunday are Sam Rosen (play-by-play), Tim Ryan (analyst) and Chris Myers (sideline reporter). The game will be shown to 58 percent of the country.

Fox also has the Sunday doubleheader, with the Cowboys-Packers at 3:15 p.m. The No. 1 Fox team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver are on the call, which will be shown to 85 percent of the country.

• NBC announced that it would televise next Sunday night's Eagles-Bears game as scheduled. It had the option to employ "flex scheduling'' starting with next week's games.

• NFL regulations prohibit WCCO (CBS) from carrying a game opposite the Vikings when they are on Fox. Sunday, for instance, WCCO cannot carry a game until 3 p.m. and the only option is Kansas City at Oakland. Ugh.

Paul Christian is a Post-Bulletin sports writer. He writes a weekly Friday column in print that deals with TV and radio sports.

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