WEEK 12

By Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune

Bucs (4-6) at Panthers (3-7)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 2 1/2

Last meeting: Carolina won, 27-24, at Carolina on Nov. 9, 2003.

Key stat: The rookie receivers: Bucs’ Michael Clayton has 52 catches for 14.4-yard average; Panthers’ Keary Colbert has 34 for 15.5.

Players to watch: Michael Pittman has averaged 101.3 rushing yards in last four games. Julius Peppers has 8 sacks for Panthers.

The buzz: Brian Griese and Pittman are playing well enough to give the Bucs a shot at a wild-card berth. Panthers having trouble scoring.

Browns (3-7) at Bengals (4-6)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 6

Last meeting: Browns won, 34-17, at Cleveland on Oct. 17.

Key stat: Browns have lost four straight since beating the Bengals.

Players to watch: Kelly Holcomb will make his first start at quarterback for the Browns this season, filling in for injured starter Jeff Garcia. Chad Johnson has 4 TD catches in last five games vs. Browns.

The buzz: With three wins in last five weeks, Bengals have an eye on a .500 finish at least. In what looks like Butch Davis’ final weeks as coach, Browns aren’t generating much offense.

Titans (4-6) at Texans (4-6)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 1 1/2

Last meeting: Texans won, 20-10, at Tennessee on Oct. 17.

Key stat: Titans only 2-3 at home.

Players to watch: Titans’ Derrick Mason leads NFL with 62 catches, 4 for TDs. Texans’ Andre Johnson has 57 (including league-leading 15 of 20 yards or more), 4 TDs.

The buzz: Can injury-ravaged Titans win second in a row? Unlike last week against the Jaguars, they have to face a legitimate starting quarterback in David Carr.

Chargers (7-3) at Chiefs (3-7)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Chiefs by 3

Last meeting: Chiefs won, 28-24, at San Diego on Nov. 30, 2003.

Key stat: Chiefs have won five of last six meetings.

Players to watch: In four games with Chargers, Keenan McCardell has 22 catches for 13.6-average and 1 TD. Tony Gonzalez leads Chiefs with 56 caches, 5 for TDs.

The buzz: A real test of whether the surprising Chargers are playoff material. Can Drew Brees improve on his TD-interception ratio of 19-3?

Jaguars (6-4) at Vikings (6-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Vikings by 5 1/2

Last meeting: Jaguars won, 33-3, at Minnesota on Dec. 23, 2001.

Key stat: Jaguars are 4-1 in games decided by 3 points or less.

Players to watch: Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich (knee) and Vikings WR Randy Moss (hamstring) are due back.

The buzz: Jaguars have pulled out close games this season, but Daunte Culpepper won’t allow Jacksonville to be close in the fourth quarter. This Vikings team knows how to win.

Eagles (9-1) at Giants (5-5)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox

Line: Eagles by 7

Last meeting: Eagles won, 31-17, at Philadelphia on Sept. 12.

Key stat: Eagles have won six of last seven meetings, including three in a row.

Players to watch: Donovan McNabb has 22 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions. Eli Manning played better in debut than 17-of-37 passing stats indicate.

The buzz: Eagles can wrap up NFC East with a win and are cruising toward homefield advantage in the playoffs. Only huge game from Manning will prevent Giants from losing fourth straight.

Redskins (3-7) at Steelers (9-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 11

Last meeting: Steelers won, 24-3, at Pittsburgh on Dec. 16, 2000.

Key stat: Steelers going for first 10-1 start since 1975, when they won their second Super Bowl.

Players to watch: Steelers’ Jerome Bettis, who has run for 10 TDs, has three 100-yard rushing games in last four. Clinton Portis averaging 3.9 yards for Redskins.

The buzz: Washington’s defense can test Ben Roethlisberger, but Steelers won’t allow Patrick Ramsey to do much.

Saints (4-6) at Falcons (8-2)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Falcons by 9 1/2

Last meeting: Saints won, 23-20, in overtime at New Orleans on Nov. 16, 2003.

Key stat: Falcons are 4-1 at home.

Players to watch: Saints’ Aaron Brooks has thrown for 12 TDs vs. 8 interceptions. Michael Vick has thrown for 9 TDs and run for 1.

The buzz: Falcons have quietly taken charge of their division, and the Saints are one of the NFL’s disappointments. Defense and Michael Vick win again.

Ravens (7-3) at Patriots (9-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 7

Last meeting: Patriots won, 20-3, at New England on Jan. 2, 2000.

Key stat: Patriots have won three straight by an average of 16.3 points.

Players to watch: Ravens safety Ed Reed leads NFL with 6 interceptions. Pats Corey Dillon, averaging 4.8 per carry for season, has at least 98 yards in last five games.

The buzz: Two well-coached teams who know how to get the most out of what they have. Ravens will make Pats work, but they lack the offense to pull out this road upset, especially if Jamal Lewis doesn’t play.

Jets (7-3) at Cardinals (4-6)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Jets by 3

Last meeting: Jets won, 12-7, at New York on Nov. 7, 1999.

Key stat: Cards have won three straight home games by average of 11.7 points.

Players to watch: Justin McCareins leads Jets with 32 catches and 3 TD catches, all the scores coming in the last four weeks. Rookie Larry Fitzgerald leads Cardinals with 39 catches, 4 TDs.

The buzz: Cards have quarterback problems, but Jets can do enough with RB Curtis Martin to allow Quincy Carter to lead them to another win.

Dolphins (1-9) at 49ers (1-9)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Off

Last meeting: 49ers won, 21-0, at San Francisco on Dec. 16, 2001.

Key stat: 49ers have averaged 28.3 points in last three home games but have gone only 1-2.

Players to watch: At least the tight ends are having decent years: Dolphins Randy McMichael has 49 catches, 3 TDs; 49ers’ Eric Johnson has 58, 2 TDs.

The buzz: Can’t miss this one if you love the draft. Loser has the lead in the race for the first pick in mediocre draft.

Raiders (3-7) at Broncos (7-3)

Time: 5:30 p.m. TV: ESPN

Line: Broncos by 11

Last meeting: Broncos won, 31-3, at Oakland on Oct. 17.

Key stat: Broncos have won last three meetings by an average of 20.7 points.

Players to watch: Raiders’ Shane Lechler leads NFL with 48-yard punting average. Broncos’ Jake Plummer has thrown 21 TD passes vs. 10 interceptions.

The buzz: The Broncos have taken over this once great rivalry. The potential for a Raiders upset isn’t there.

Rams (5-5) at Packers (6-4)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday. TV: ABC

Line: Packers by 6

Last meeting: Rams won, 34-24, at St. Louis on Oct. 19, 2003.

Key stat: Packers have allowed NFL-low 5 sacks.

Players to watch: Packers’ Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has 5 sacks in last three games, 6 1/2 for the season. Rams’ Leonard Little has 4.5.

The buzz: Packers have won five straight and should take advantage of the Rams’ defense, which doesn’t look like the unit Lovie Smith coached last year. Rams can’t slow Brett Favre, who has thrown 19 TD passes.