Thursday night football may never be the same. As if a Pittsburgh Steelers–Baltimore Ravens game were not enough, it comes with the backdrop of the ever-mushrooming case of Ray Rice.

You will hear the name Rice so many times you will think this game is being sponsored by Uncle Ben’s. You’ll crave long-grain rice, brown rice, Jerry Rice, fried rice and Rice-A-Roni. You’ll want to attend Rice University. You’ll pray the NFL names Condoleezza Rice commissioner. You’ll buy books by Anne Rice and R&B albums by Sir Mack Rice.

The ex-Ravens running back wouldn’t have played in this one anyway, with a two-game suspension from the NFL handed down way before anyone imagined the stark violence of Rice’s elevator episode with his fiancée and his indefinite ban and release by the Ravens. Now the story has slipped the earthly bonds of the NFL and crossed over into mainstream news, which is never, ever a good thing. It’s one thing when Terry Bradshaw is on your case, another when Nancy Grace sinks her choppers in and settles down for a long gnaw.

The Ravens, 0-1 after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals, can ill afford another AFC North division defeat. They, however, may be the picture of distraction after this short week of work.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING ON SUNDAY

 
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills: Both are 1-0. Both ran the ball very well in their openers. An AFC East treat. The Bills and their fans should be in a celebratory mood, with local bazillionaire Terry Pegula buying the team and keeping it in Western New York (sorry, Los Angeles).

Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants: The Cardinals may be one of the NFL’s best-kept secrets. The Giants? Well, they can’t be as bad as they looked on Monday Night Football. If they are, somebody is going to pay. Their offense looks like a knockoff of Green Bay’s designer scheme, but it’s poorly tailored to the talent. Eli Manning appears dazed and confused (though that would not be a new look for him).

Today’s question: Which game will you be watching, and why? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .