Today’s matchups
Falcons at Ravens
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Ravens by 4
Records: Falcons (5-4), Ravens (7-2)
Last meeting: Falcons won, 20-17, at Atlanta on Nov. 3, 2002
Key stat: It’s Falcons’ No. 1 rushing offense vs. Ravens’ No. 2 rushing defense.
Fantasy factor: Falcons TE Alge Crumpler has 34 receptions, and 5 of his 6 TDs have been in last 4 games. Ravens’ Mark Clayton has 41 catches, 3 for TDs.
The Buzz: Ravens’ offense has hit higher gear with head coach Brian Billick calling plays. They’ve won three in row, scoring 88 points. Falcons’ offense not diversified enough to pull this one out.
Rams at Panthers
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Panthers by 6 1/2
Records: Rams (4-5), Panthers (5-4)
Last meeting: Panthers won, 20-7, at Charlotte on Dec. 12, 2004.
Key stat: Rams have lost 4 straight, allowing at least 24 points each game.
Fantasy factor: Steven Jackson, 3rd in NFL with 1,326 yards from scrimmage, has 5 rushing TDs, 1 in each of last 4 games. Steve Smith having another huge year with 53 catches, 3 TDs after missing first 2 games.
The Buzz: Panthers regrouped with Monday night win over Bucs, but may have to throw to win this one. They can do it.
Steelers at Browns
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Steelers by 3 1/2
Records: Steelers (3-6), Browns (3-6)
Last meeting: Steelers won, 41-0, at Cleveland on Dec. 24, 2005.
Key stat: Steelers have won 10 of last 11 meetings.
Fantasy factor: In a tough season in Pittsburgh, Willie Parker just keeps on running, 4.6 yards per carry and 8 TDs. Browns must continue to get ball to TE Kellen Winslow (56 catches, 3 TDs).
The Buzz: Steelers showed some mettle in beating Saints last week, but inconsistency has been their byword this season. Can Browns actually win two in a row?
Patriots at Packers
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Patriots by 5 1/2
Records: Patriots (6-3), Packers (4-5)
Last meeting: Packers won, 28-10, at New England on Oct. 13, 2002.
Key stat: Pats 4-0 on the road, winning by average of 17.
Fantasy factor: Pats rookie Laurence Maroney averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the road. Packers’ Donald Driver 2nd in NFL with 56 catches, 4 for TDs.
The Buzz: After losing 2 straight at home, Pats will party on way to airport. It’s Brett Favre vs. Tom Brady, but visitor has more help.
Bills at Texans
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Texans by 2 1/2
Records: Bills (3-6), Texans (3-6)
Last meeting: Bills won, 22-7, at Buffalo on Sept. 11, 2005.
Key stat: Bills 1-3 on road, winning only at Miami.
Fantasy factor: Anthony Thomas has run for 204 yards in last 2 games for Bills. Texans’ Andre Johnson leads NFL with 68 catches, 4 for TDs.
The Buzz: Bills showed some road toughness Sunday, losing to Colts by one. Texans still struggling on offense.
Raiders at Chiefs
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chiefs by 9 1/2
Records: Raiders (2-7), Chiefs (5-4)
Last meeting: Chiefs won, 27-23, at Kansas City on Nov. 6, 2005.
Key stat: Chiefs have won last 6 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Andrew Walter getting better but has only 3 TD passes vs. 9 INTs. Larry Johnson, averaging 4.1 per carry, is 2nd in NFL with 10 rushing TDs.
The Buzz: QB Trent Green returns from concussion for Chiefs and faces defense that hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in last 5 games. Johnson will have to carry big load again.
Vikings at Dolphins
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Dolphins by 3 1/2
Records: Vikings (4-5), Dolphins (3-6)
Last meeting: Vikings won, 20-17, at Minnesota on Dec. 21, 2002.
Key stat: Dolphins’ 2-game win streak accomplished vs. teams that had been combined 12-3 (Bears, Chiefs).
Fantasy factor: Chester Taylor leads Vikings in both rushing (783 yards) and receiving (34 catches). Ronnie Brown has rushed for 120 or more yards twice in last 4 games.
The Buzz: Vikings, who appear lost on offense, have dropped 3 straight and Dolphins finally playing like many expected before the season. They can control this one with Brown’s running.
Bengals at Saints
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Saints by 3 1/2
Records: Bengals (4-5), Saints (6-3)
Last meeting: Bengals won, 20-13, at Cincinnati on Dec. 22, 2002.
Key stat: Bengals have allowed 34.7 points per game in 3-game losing streak.
Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Carson Palmer always threat, with 15 TD passes vs. 6 INTs. Saints’ Drew Brees has 15 TD passes vs. 7 INTs.
The Buzz: Bengals can’t stop anybody these days, and Brees is making good use of rookies Marques Colston (54 catches, 21 in last 2 games) and Reggie Bush (53 catches).
Titans at Eagles
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles by 13
Records: Titans (2-7), Eagles (5-4)
Last meeting: Titans won, 27-24, at Tennessee on Sept. 8, 2002.
Key stat: Titans 1-4 on road, winning only at Washington.
Fantasy factor: Titans’ Travis Henry averaging 4.1 yards per carry with 4 rushing TDs. Eagles’ Brian Westbrook getting 5.2 per carry with 4 TDs.
The Buzz: Eagles’ league-leading offense has been held under 21 points only once all season, and Titans don’t have the defense to make this one any different.
Redskins at Bucs
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bucs by 3
Records: Redskins (3-6), Bucs (2-7)
Last meeting: Redskins won, 17-10, at Tampa in NFC wild-card round on Jan. 7, 2006.
Key stat: Redskins 1-4 on the road, but they won in Tampa in last year’s playoffs.
Fantasy factor: Redskins’ Ladell Betts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, takes over as starter for done-for-the-year Clinton Portis. Bucs’ Cadillac Williams could improve on his 3.6-yard average against this defense.
The Buzz: QB Jason Campbell, Redskins’ 1st-round pick last season, takes over for Mark Brunell. He didn’t light it up in preseason play, but it’s time for Redskins to find out what they have.
Bears at Jets
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bears by 6 1/2
Records: Bears (8-1), Jets (5-4)
Last meeting: Bears won, 20-13, in Champaign, Ill., on Dec. 15, 2002
Key stat: Bears lead NFL with average point differential of 16.9 per game.
Fantasy factor: Thomas Jones is a workhorse for Bears, getting 3.8 yards per carry and 4 TDs. The Jet to stop is Laveranues Coles, who has 51 catches, 15 for 1st downs on third-down plays.
The Buzz: Jets have won three of last four, including stunner at New England. Can they beat one of NFL’s elite 2 weeks in row? Only if they can put a lot of pressure on Rex Grossman.
Lions at Cardinals
Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2
Records: Lions (2-7), Cardinals (1-8)
Last meeting: Lions won, 29-21, at Detroit on Nov. 13, 2005.
Key stat: Lions 0-4 on road, losing by 12.5 per game.
Fantasy factor: Lions’ Jon Kitna, with 11 TDs, 11 INTs, could have decent day against weak secondary. Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald, healthy again, would like to repeat showing against Lions last year: 9 catches for 141 yards and TD.
The Buzz: With 8 straight losses, it’s hard to believe in Cardinals, even at home with Fitzgerald back. If Lions can get RB Kevin Jones going, they can win.
Colts at Cowboys
Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Colts by 1
Records: Colts (9-0), Cowboys (5-4)
Last meeting: Colts won, 20-3, at Indianapolis on Nov. 17, 2002.
Key stat: Colts 4-0 on road, but no wins by more than 7.
Fantasy factor: Marvin Harrison leads Colts with 54 catches, 5 for TDs. Cowboys’ Terrell Owens has 49 catches and league-leading 7 receiving TDs.
The Buzz: Can Tony Romo lead Cowboys to upset? Colts have developed habit of playing just well enough to win at times, but until proven otherwise, they’re NFL’s best.
Chargers at Broncos
Time: 5:15 p.m. Line: Broncos by 2 1/2
Records: Chargers (7-2), Broncos (7-2)
Last meeting: Broncos won, 23-7, at San Diego on Dec. 31, 2005.
Key stat: Broncos have won 5 of last 6 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has scored 15 TDs in last 5 games. Broncos’ Tatum Bell, averaging 4.3 per carry, has 3 rushing TDs.
The Buzz: Big showdown for first place in AFC West, and they’ll do it again in 3 weeks. Tough assignment for Chargers after come-from-behind win at Cincinnati. Broncos have big home-field advantage.
Giants at Jaguars
Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday
Line: Jaguars by 3 1/2
Records: Giants (6-3), Jaguars (5-4)
Last meeting: Giants won, 24-17, at New York on Nov. 3, 2002.
Key stat: Jaguars 4-1 at home, losing only to Texans.
Fantasy factor: Giants’ Plaxico Burress has 35 catches, 5 for TDs. Fred Taylor getting 4.7 yards per carry for Jags.
The Buzz: Jaguars are 6-2 in games QB David Garrard has started, but they still need to find way to score more points. Their defense will have to win this one.
Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune