It’s probably because I watch so much sports on TV, but I find myself wondering about commercials entirely too much.

Why, for instance, do amorous couples in those Cialis spots sit naked in separate bathtubs in the middle of nowhere? It’s not just the logistics that confuse me, but the motivation.

How is it that Geico can come up with three simultaneous but separate ad campaigns — a talking gecko, prideful cavemen and stacks of money with eyes — that are all supremely entertaining, yet not a single fast food company other than Jack in the Box can develop even one? Think about it. It’s true.

And why is the cabbie in that Heineken commercial for responsible driving shown behind the wheel singing along with his passengers — with his eyes closed? Doesn’t that send almost as bad of a message as driving under the influence?

Ay-yi-yi.

I also wonder why any fan with access to his or her choice of games this Sunday — when all 16 games will be played — would miss the Eagles-Cowboys clash. While the six NFC playoff teams already have been determined and the AFC offers a lot more mystery and intrigue as a whole, the most compelling game of the weekend is the one that will decide the NFC East champion. It wouldn’t surprise me one iota if the winner of the Philly-Dallas game goes on to win Super Bowl XLIV.

BIG GAME

Philadelphia (11-4) at Dallas (10-5), 4:15 p.m. A year ago, the Eagles and Cowboys met in Philadelphia in Week 17 with a wild-card playoff berth on the line and Philly blew Dallas to kingdom come. Now they meet again under similar circumstances, again in Week 17 and again with playoff implications, but with some notable differences: The game is in Dallas; both teams already have made the playoffs; and it’s the division title and playoff seedings that are at stake. Dallas already exacted some measure of revenge for last year’s season-ending loss with its 20-16 win at Philly in Week 9, but really, this is the one that matters. If the Eagles win, they get the division title and a first-round bye. If the Cowboys win, they’re division champs and, with some help, they could be the ones resting next week. The Eagles are riding a six-game winning streak and haven’t scored fewer than 23 points in a game since they last played Dallas. Brian Westbrook is back, giving Donovan McNabb yet another weapon — as if he didn’t already have enough with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver. The only offensive concern — and it’s not a small one — is the loss of center Jamaal Jackson (knee). The Dallas defense could be up to the challenge, though. It has been holding a lot of good offenses below their normal production lately, including the Saints (17 points), Chargers (20) and Packers (17), and Tony Romo has been on fire the last five weeks — a notable departure from past Decembers. The Cowboys have been in full fold mode by this time in recent seasons, but this year they appear to be just hitting their stride.

RELEVANT GAMES

Cincinnati (10-5) at New York Jets (8-7), 8:20 p.m. After the Jets lost to Atlanta two weeks ago, their chances of making the playoffs were so far-fetched, coach Rex Ryan figured it was over — and said so. But after an upset of the previously undefeated Colts and a few other fortuitous events, the Jets control their destiny. Win Sunday and they’re in. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez had rather unimpressive stats in the win over Indy last week — 12-of-19 passing for 106 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions — but really, that’s not a bad line for him. As long as he doesn’t make mistakes, the league’s No. 1 running game and No. 1 defense stand a very good chance of putting the Jets in position to win. At least the Bengals, who already wrapped up the AFC North and will know by game time whether they have any shot at the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed, know what to expect.

New England (10-5) at Houston (8-7), 1 p.m. The Patriots can nail down the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed with a win over the Texans, but coach Bill Belichick is being tight-lipped about how much he’ll play his starters. (Big surprise there, eh?) Considering New England is coming off its best team-wide performance of the season in its win over Jacksonville, it’s hard to imagine Belichick won’t make some effort to keep the Pats’ momentum going. The Texans are hoping to maintain the momentum from their surprisingly easy win at Miami last week. They’ve won three in a row and still have a shot at their first-ever playoff berth, though they need help. The Pats’ defense has made great strides the last few weeks, but it hasn’t faced anything like the Matt Schaub-to-Andre Johnson connection since losing to the Saints in Week 12. And New England’s road resumé still leaves much to be desired.

Pittsburgh (8-7) at Miami (7-8), 1 p.m. The Dolphins have had a nice run that included a win over the Patriots and a sweep of the Jets, but they’ve lost their last two games and appear to be running out of gas. Having Ricky Williams banged up doesn’t help matters in a game in which both teams need a win and help to make the playoffs. The Steelers also could use safety Troy Polamalu, but it looks as though they’ll have to continue to make do without him. It hasn’t been easy. Interceptions have been rare, and the run defense has been slipping. And Pittsburgh’s own running game has struggled behind an ineffective offensive line. What the Steelers do have is Ben Roethlisberger, who has surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his career, and a playoff pedigree. And a coach who still expects his defending league champions to unleash some hell.

Baltimore (8-7) at Oakland (5-10), 4:15 p.m. The Raiders have scored some big upsets this season (Eagles, Bengals, Steelers, Broncos), but they face a Ravens team that figures to unleash some hell of its own after failing to lock up a playoff berth in Pittsburgh last week. If they cut back on the number of mistakes they made a week ago — costly penalties, a dropped TD pass and the like — the Ravens should be fine. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye this week — not with a certain playoff berth awaiting a fired-up Ray Lewis if Baltimore wins its finale.

New York Giants (8-7) at Minnesota (11-4), 1 p.m. The Vikings are fighting for a first-round playoff bye, and just as important, a measure of respect heading into the playoffs after losing three of their last four games. Their defense has been the biggest culprit, allowing 92 points in losses to Arizona, Carolina and Chicago. End Jared Allen needs to get to the quarterback more, and cornerback Antoine Winfield needs to quit getting torched. The offense certainly wasn’t to blame in the Vikings’ Monday night loss to the Bears, although Adrian Peterson’s overtime fumble was a killer. Until that point, he had rediscovered his mojo and Brett Favre was enjoying his best game in a month. The two best things the Vikings have going for them this week are their home field and an opponent that laid down and died against the Panthers last week when it had something to play for. Not anymore.

Green Bay (10-5) at Arizona (10-5), 4:15 p.m. Peculiar game, this one. It looks like a doozy between two certain playoff teams, but it could be as bland as yesterday’s oatmeal. Though firm playoff seedings remain to be decided — the Cardinals even have a reasonable shot at a first-round bye — there’s a good chance these same two teams will face each other in the very same venue in the opening round of the playoffs. That means you can expect lots of action for backups and vanilla game plans from both coaches as neither wants to tip his hand for the playoff tilt. Think of this as a glorified preseason game.

Kansas City (3-12) at Denver (8-7), 4:15 p.m. The Broncos have gone from 6-0 surprise darlings of the league to needing help to make the playoffs. They have to win, too, but that shouldn’t be much trouble against the Chiefs, a team they beat 44-13 in Week 13. Look for the Broncos to run the ball much better than they have in recent weeks — Kansas City has that effect on teams — and for outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who leads the league with 17 sacks, to give Matt Cassel another two or three painful reminders to ask the Chiefs to get him more blockers for next season.

Jacksonville (7-8) at Cleveland (4-11), 1 p.m. The only reason this game isn’t in the “dog” category is that the finest mathematical minds at MIT have decided there is a way the Jaguars could make the playoffs. And if the Browns win their fourth straight game, new team president Mike Holmgren might decide there’s a way to keep Eric Mangini around for another year.

New Orleans (13-2) at Carolina (7-8), 1 p.m. This could be a dog game, too, considering the Saints have the NFC’s top seed locked up and the Panthers know there’s no more tomorrow. But after losing their last two games, the Saints have a few things to work on before easing into the playoffs. Matt Moore, Jonathan Stewart, Julius Peppers and Jon Beason provide worthy competition as the Saints explore what ails them.

Tennessee (7-8) at Seattle (5-10), 4:15 p.m. This game means nothing in the grand NFL scheme of things, but Chris Johnson will remember it quite fondly if he can victimize the Seahawks to the tune of 234 rushing yards. That would slide him just past Eric Dickerson for one of the game’s most coveted records, most rushing yards in a season. If that’s not doable, 2,000 yards is (he’s 128 away), and Marshall Faulk’s season record for yards from scrimmage (2,429, a mere 75 yards away) will stand only if Johnson gets hurt. Hope I didn’t just jinx him.

DOG GAMES

Indianapolis (14-1) at Buffalo (5-10), 1 p.m. The Colts’ backups against a bunch of guys who could be Colts backups. Yawn.

San Francisco (7-8) at St. Louis (1-14), 1 p.m. The 49ers would love to finish at .500. The Rams would love to draft Ndamukong Suh. When you think about it, these teams aren’t really working at cross purposes.

Atlanta (8-7) at Tampa Bay (3-12), 1 p.m. The Falcons would love to finish with a winning record. Bucs coach Raheem Morris would love to keep his job. Both things could happen, but the latter is more likely minus the former.

Chicago (6-9) at Detroit (2-13), 1 p.m. Bears coach Lovie Smith’s job could be on the line, too. It won’t look good if his guys can’t beat a Detroit team quarterbacked by either Drew Stanton or Daunte Culpepper.

Washington (4-11) at San Diego (12-3), 4:15 p.m. After winning their last 10 games and earning a first-round bye, the Chargers deserve a chance to catch their breath. They’ll probably do just that while Jim Zorn is drawing his last breaths as Washington’s coach.

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