Today’s matchups
Chargers at Bills
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Chargers by 6.
Records: Chargers (9-2); Bills (5-6)
Last meeting: Chargers won, 48-10, at San Diego on Nov. 20, 2005.
Key stat: Bills have won 3 of 4 since their week off, losing only to Colts.
Fantasy factor: LaDainian Tomlinson, who leads NFL with stunning 24 TDs, can pile up yardage and points against anybody. A healthy Willis McGahee (3.9 yards per carry), gives Bills hope.
The buzz: Chargers went 4-0 without suspended LB Shawne Merriman, and now he’s back. J.P. Losman has guided game-winning drives last 2 weeks for Bills, but their defense isn’t up to dealing with Tomlinson.
Chiefs at Browns
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Chiefs by 5.
Records: Chiefs (7-4); Browns (3-8)
Last meeting: Chiefs won, 41-20, at Kansas City on Nov. 9, 2003.
Key stat: Chiefs have won 5 of last 6, holding last 4 opponents to 17 or fewer points.
Fantasy factor: Larry Johnson, leading NFL with 1,202 yards and 2nd with 13 rushing TDs, has rushed for 100 in 5 of his last 6 games. Browns’ Kellen Winslow leads NFL tight ends with 66 catches and has 3 TDs.
The buzz: Chiefs are on roll. Browns have lost 3 of 4, and 2nd-year QB Charlie Frye is struggling.
Jets at Packers
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Pick ‘em.
Records: Jets (6-5); Packers (4-7)
Last meeting: Jets won, 42-17, at New York on Dec. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Jets have allowed only 35 points in 3 games since their week off (2-1).
Fantasy factor: Jets’ Laveranues Coles, 2nd in NFL with 68 catches, could have big day. Brett Favre has thrown 53 TD passes vs. 30 INTs in home games after Dec. 1.
The buzz: Favre isn’t 100 percent healthy, but Ahman Green’s running gives Packers chance for home upset.
Vikings at Bears
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bears by 9.
Records: Vikings (5-6); Bears (9-2)
Last meeting: Bears won, 19-16, at Minnesota on Sept. 24.
Key stat: Bears have won last 5 meetings in Chicago.
Fantasy factor: Vikings’ Chester Taylor averaging 155 yards rushing with 3 TDs in last 3 on the road. Bears’ Rex Grossman loves the lakefront, throwing 12 TDs vs. only 3 INTs at Soldier Field.
The buzz: Vikings play run defense well enough to make things interesting, especially if Grossman has another off day. However, he’s been at his best at Soldier Field, where Vikings are often at their worst. Bears clinch NFC North with win.
Lions at Patriots
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Patriots by 13 1/2 .
Records: Lions (2-9); Patriots (8-3)
Last meeting: Patriots won, 20-12, at Detroit on Nov. 28, 2002.
Key stat: Lions 0-5 on road, losing by 11.4 per game.
Fantasy factor: Jon Kitna struggling for Lions with 12 TDs vs. 13 INTs. Pats TE Ben Watson has 45 catches, 3 for TDs.
The buzz: Patriots have 2-game lead in AFC East, and Lions don’t appear able to stop their offense, led by RBs Laurence Maroney and Corey Dillon.
49ers at Saints
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Saints by 7.
Records: 49ers (5-6); Saints (7-4)
Last meeting: Saints won, 30-27, at New Orleans on Sept. 19, 2004.
Key stat: Saints have averaged 511.7 yards of offense in last 3 games.
Fantasy factor: Arnaz Battle, who has 38 catches, leads 49ers with 3 receiving TDs. Saints’ Deuce McAllister has 8 rushing TDs and is getting 4.2 yards per carry.
The buzz: Saints’ No. 1-ranked offense got back on track with win over Falcons last week and will keep it rolling at home.
Cardinals at Rams
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Rams by 6 1/2 .
Records: Cardinals (2-9); Rams (5-6)
Last meeting: Rams won, 16-14, at Arizona on Sept. 24.
Key stat: Rams have won 7 of last 9 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin has 3 straight 100-yard receiving games vs. Rams. WR Torry Holt has TD in each of last 3 vs. Cards.
The buzz: Cardinals have shown they can move the ball and score on road, but not win (0-5). Rams trying to stay in wild-card hunt, and Steven Jackson’s running will help them do it.
Colts at Titans
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Colts by 7 1/2 .
Records: Colts (10-1); Titans (4-7)
Last meeting: Colts won, 14-13, at Indianapolis on Oct. 8.
Key stat: Colts have won last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Rookie Joseph Addai leads rookies with 789 rushing yards (5.1 avg.) and has 7 rushing TDs. Titans’ Travis Henry ran for 123 yards in last meeting with Colts.
The buzz: Rookie Vince Young isn’t piling up gaudy stats, but he has shown he knows how to win – Titans have won 4 of last 6. Beating Colts is tall order, but Young will make it interesting.
Falcons at Redskins
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Redskins by 2.
Records: Falcons (5-6); Redskins (4-7)
Last meeting: Redskins won, 33-31, at Atlanta on Sept. 14, 2003.
Key stat: Redskins 3-2 at home with wins over Panthers, Cowboys and Jaguars.
Fantasy factor: Michael Vick has passed for 9 TDs, run for 2, and needs only 99 yards to break Bobby Douglass’ single-season rushing record for QBs (968) set in 1972. Jason Campbell has thrown 4 TDs vs. 1 INT in 2 starts for Redskins.
The buzz: Falcons’ offense continues to be a grab bag of Vick runs and short passes. Redskins have beaten better teams at home.
Jaguars at Dolphins
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Dolphins by 1.
Records: Jaguars (6-5); Dolphins (5-6)
Last meeting: Dolphins won, 24-10, at Jacksonville on Oct. 12, 2003.
Key stat: Dolphins have won 4 straight by 10.5 points per game.
Fantasy factor: Jags’ Maurice Jones-Drew averaging 5.0 yards per carry and tied for rookie lead with 8 TDs. Marty Booker has 13 catches for 199 yards in last 2 games, and caught 2 TD passes in last week’s win over Lions.
The buzz: Dolphins doing a reprise of ‘05, getting hot in 2nd half. Did they warm up too late? Joey Harrington continues to be effective.
Texans at Raiders
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 3.
Records: Texans (3-8); Raiders (2-9)
Last meeting: Texans won, 30-17, at Houston on Oct. 3, 2004.
Key stat: Raiders haven’t allowed more than 21 points in 7 straight games.
Fantasy factor: Texans’ Andre Johnson leads NFL with 84 catches, 5 for TDs. Remember Randy Moss? He has 36 catches, 3 TDs for Raiders.
The buzz: John Shoop was promoted to offensive coordinator with Raiders this week, and he can only help the NFL’s worst offense. Texans have been besieged by injuries, and Raiders can play defense.
Cowboys at Giants
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 3 1/2 .
Records: Cowboys (7-4); Giants (6-5)
Last meeting: Giants won, 36-22, at Dallas on Oct. 23.
Key stat: Cowboys 4-1 since last meeting; Giants 2-3, with 3 straight losses.
Fantasy factor: Legend of Tony Romo just keeps growing; he has 13 TD passes vs. 5 INTs and leads NFL in passer rating (110.8). Tiki Barber has rushed for 100 yards in last 2 vs. Cowboys.
The buzz: Bill Parcells brings one of NFL’s hottest teams back to his old neighborhood and should go home with win that all but clinches NFC East. Eli Manning and Giants’ offense in major slump.
Bucs at Steelers
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Steelers by 7.
Records: Bucs (3-8); Steelers (4-7)
Last meeting: Steelers won, 17-7, at Tampa on Dec. 23, 2002.
Key stat: Bucs 0-5 on road, losing by 14 points per game.
Fantasy factor: Cadillac Williams providing spark for Bucs’ offense, getting 3.8 yards per carry, but only 1 rushing TD. Rookie Santonio Holmes (32 catches, 1 TD) playing bigger role for Steelers.
The buzz: Bucs haven’t exactly been road warriors. Steelers have been inconsistent, to say the least, but should do enough on offense in this one.
Panthers at Eagles
Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday
Line: Panthers by 3.
Records: Panthers (6-5) at Eagles (5-6)
Last meeting: Eagles won, 30-8, at Philadelphia on Oct. 17, 2004.
Key stat: Panthers 2-3 on road, winning at Tampa and Baltimore.
Fantasy factor: Panthers rookie DeAngelo Williams has emerged as key factor, rushing for 177 yards last 2 weeks. Brian Westbrook is carrying Eagles with 339 rushing yards, TD over last 3 games.
The buzz: Panthers should be able to control the ball on ground and contain Eagles QB Jeff Garcia.
Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune