Today’s matchups
Buccaneers at Bears
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bears by 13 1/2 .
Records: Buccaneers (3-10); Bears (11-2)
Last meeting: Bears won, 13-10, at Tampa on Nov. 27, 2005.
Key stat: Bucs have scored only 19 points in 3-game losing streak.
Fantasy factor: Cadillac Williams having disappointing season but finding running room for him is Bucs’ only hope of scoring on offense. Cedric Benson playing more for Bears, has 221 yards rushing, 2 TDs and 4.9 per carry average in last 4 games.
The Buzz: After Monday night’s victory, Rex Grossman can relax and just play. Bears can wrap up NFC’s No. 1 seed with win and Saints loss; Bucs heading south as season ends.
Browns at Ravens
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Ravens by 11 1/2 .
Record: Browns (4-9); Ravens (10-3)
Last meeting: Ravens won, 15-14, at Cleveland on Sept. 24.
Key stat: Ravens 5-1 at home, wins coming by average of 14.4 points.
Fantasy factor: Braylon Edwards, who has 50 catches and 5 TDs for Browns, had 5 and 1 score in first meeting. Titans’ Steve McNair has thrown 9 TDs vs. 1 INT in last 5 games vs. Browns.
The Buzz: Ravens have NFL’s No. 1 defense, and that should be enough to shut down anemic Cleveland offense. With 6 wins in last 7, Ravens peaking at right time.
Dolphins at Bills
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bills by 1.
Last meeting: Bills won, 16-6, at Miami on Sept. 17.
Records: Dolphins (6-7); Bills (6-7)
Key stat: Bills have won 4 of last 5 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Marty Booker sparking Dolphins’ passing game with 26 catches, 4 TDs in last 4 games. In 2 starts vs. Dolphins, Bills’ J.P. Losman has thrown 4 TDs, 1 INT.
The Buzz: Both teams have won 3 of 4, and winner still will have playoff hopes. Can Willis McGahee carry Bills vs. this defense? It may have to be Losman.
Steelers at Panthers
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Steelers by 3.
Records: Steelers (6-7); Panthers (6-7)
Last meeting: Steelers won, 30-14, at Pittsburgh on Dec. 15, 2002.
Key stat: Steelers have won 4 of 5, last 2 in row by combined score of 47-10 (home vs. Bucs, Browns),
Fantasy factor: Rookie Santonio Holmes playing larger role for Steelers (21 catches in last 6 games). Drew Carter, with 8 catches last week, doing same for Panthers.
The Buzz: It’s probably too late, but Steelers have looked like playoff team in 2nd half of season. Panthers looked like one in 1st half.
Lions at Packers
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Packers by 5.
Last meeting: Packers won, 31-24, at Detroit on Sept. 24.
Key stat: Packers have won 14 straight home games vs. Lions.
Fantasy factor: Jon Kitna has thrown 14 TDs vs. 19 INTs, but Lions may have to throw to win. In home games vs. Lions, Brett Favre has thrown 24 TD passes vs. 8 INTs.
The Buzz: Favre usually at his best against Lions, who have lost RB Kevin Jones for season with foot injury.
Jets at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 3 1/2 .
Records: Jets (7-6); Vikings (6-7)
Last meeting: Jets won, 20-7, at New York on Oct. 20, 2002.
Key stat: Jets 4-2 on road, including win at New England.
Fantasy factor: Laveranues Coles, with 75 catches and 5 TDs, should be key player for the Jets. Can running back Artose Pinner repeat Sunday’s 125-yard, 3-TD game for Vikings?
The Buzz: Jets, still hoping for wild-card berth, may have to pass and find way to stop Vikings’ running game.
Texans at Patriots
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Patriots by 11.
Records: Texans (4-9); Patriots (9-4)
Last meeting: Patriots won, 23-20 (OT), at Houston on Nov. 23, 2003.
Key stat: Pats have won 20 of last 26 December games.
Fantasy factor: Rookie Wali Lundy leads Texans with 462 yards rushing, and has 4 TDs. Reche Caldwell leads Pats’ wideouts with 47 catches, 3 for TDs.
The Buzz: Pats should have little trouble bouncing back from loss at Miami to wrap up 4th straight AFC East title.
Redskins at Saints
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Saints by 9 1/2 .
Records: Redskins (4-9); Saints (9-4)
Last meeting: Saints won, 24-20, at Washington on Nov. 30, 2003.
Key stat: Saints lead NFL in total offense (410.6 yards per game).
Fantasy factor: Redskins’ Ladell Betts has run for 430 yards in last 3 games. Saints’ rookie Reggie Bush has 256 yards receiving in last 2 games.
The Buzz: Saints are playing with swagger as they cruise to No. 2 seed in NFC playoffs. Too many offensive weapons, including NFL-leading passer Drew Brees, for Washington to handle.
Jaguars at Titans
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Jaguars by 3 1/2 .
Records: Jaguars (8-5) at Titans (6-7)
Last meeting: Jaguars won, 37-7, at Jacksonville on Nov. 5.
Key stat: Jaguars have won last 3 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Fred Taylor, who may be slowed by sore hamstring, is averaging 4.9 yards per carry and has rushed for 5 TDs. During current 4-game win streak, Titans’ rookie Vince Young has passed for 5 TDs, run for 2.
The Buzz: Titans have become one of NFL’s feel-good stories as Young keeps finding ways to win. He’ll need big play or 2 in this one. Titans look like threat for ‘07.
Broncos at Cardinals
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 2 1/2 .
Records: Broncos (7-6); Cardinals (4-9)
Last meeting: Broncos won, 37-7, at Denver on Dec. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Broncos have lost 4 straight and have been outscored 71-40 in last 2.
Fantasy factor: Broncos’ Javon Walker still a threat with 57 catches, 6 TDs. Cards’ Edgerrin James has rushed for 115 yards in each of last 2 games.
The Buzz: It took until December, but James finally paying off for Cardinals. Broncos have struggled since switching to rookie QB Jay Cutler.
Eagles at Giants
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Giants by 5 1/2 .
Records: Eagles (7-6); Giants (7-6)
Last meeting: Giants won, 30-24 (OT), at Philadelphia on Sept. 17.
Key stat: Giants have won last 3 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Jeff Garcia’s rebirth in Philly continues – he’s completed 64.7 percent with 7 TD passes and zero INTs in 3 starts. Giants’ Tiki Barber has averaged 114.4 yards rushing in last 8 meetings.
The Buzz: Giants’ Eli Manning has shaken out of slump, which should be enough for Giants to stay alive in NFC wild-card race. Garcia can’t keep playing this well … can he?
Rams at Raiders
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 3.
Last meeting: Rams won, 28-13, at St. Louis on Oct. 13, 2002.
Key stat: Raiders have lost 6 straight by average of 9.5 points.
Fantasy factor: Rams’ Steven Jackson leads NFC with 1,789 yards from scrimmage, and has scored 8 TDs. Randy Moss having another quiet year by bay with 42 catches, 3 for TDs.
The Buzz: Rams have lost 7 of 8, Raiders 6 in row. Would Los Angeles take either back?
Chiefs at Chargers
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 9.
Records: Chiefs (7-6); Chargers (11-2)
Last meeting: Chiefs won, 30-27, at Kansas City on Oct. 22.
Key stat: Chargers 6-0 at home, winning all by at least TD.
Fantasy factor: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson has rushed for 13 TDs. Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has run for 26 and scored 29.
The Buzz: Johnson will have harder time picking up yards than Tomlinson, who leads hungry Chargers team that can clinch 1st-round bye with win and Colts’ loss. Chargers lead race for AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Bengals at Colts
Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday
Line: Colts by 3.
Records: Bengals (8-5); Colts (10-3)
Last meeting: Colts won, 45-37, at Cincinnati on Nov. 20, 2005.
Key stat: Bengals have won 11 of last 15 road games (4-2 this season).
Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Rudi Johnson, averaging 3.8 per carry with 10 rushing TDs, could fatten stats. Peyton Manning, who has thrown 22 TD passes, will need couple in this one.
The Buzz: Colts’ defense is getting worse, and Bengals’ is getting better. It’s tough road assignment for Bengals, but they’ve already won at K.C., Pittsburgh and New Orleans.