Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nfl Matchups

Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune

Chicago at Green Bay

Line: Packers by 9-1/2.

Last meeting: Packers won 37-6 in Chicago on Oct. 6.

Key stat: Packers have beaten the Bears five straight.

Worth watching: Andre Rison, fresh off five-catch game in his Packers debut, should see more balls thrown his way. Packers also welcome back WR Antonio Freeman, so their struggling passing game could be revived.

Outlook: Bears have been playing old-fashioned, tough defense the last four weeks, yielding only 13.6 points a game. They’ll need to play like that again, get some turnovers and hope Dave Krieg can make some big plays against the NFL’s No. 2 defense.

Arizona at Minnesota

Line: Vikings by 4-1/2.

Last meeting: Vikings won 30-24 in OT at Arizona on Nov. 12, 1995.

Key stat: The rebuilding Cardinals are up to eighth in the NFL in total offense.

Worth watching: Since replacing the injured Kent Graham, Boomer Esiason has led Cardinals to victories over Redskins, Giants and Eagles. His stats in those games: 77 of 128 for 1,149 yards, 8 TDs and 5 interceptions for a passer rating of 94.2.

Outlook: Vikings coming off last-second loss to John Elway and Broncos. Cardinals are 6-6 and thinking playoffs, but after this they finish up with Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia. With newcomer Leroy Hoard, Vikings should be able to run the ball enough to win.

Buffalo at Indianapolis

Line: Bills by 5.

Last meeting: Bills won 16-13 at Buffalo on Oct. 6.

Key stat: Bills have won 11 of last 14 from the Colts.

Worth watching: Colts turn to QB Paul Justin to replace the injured Jim Harbaugh. For Buffalo, RB Darick Holmes may replace ailing Thurman Thomas, who needs 109 yards to tie Barry Sanders’ record of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons.

Outlook: Bills surging and Colts reeling. It’s a trend that won’t stop here.

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Eagles won 19-10 at New York on Oct. 13.

Key stat: Eagles have beaten Giants three straight.

Worth watching: Giants RB Tyrone Wheatley playing a larger role. He had 69 yards in victory over Cowboys. Eagles QB Ty Detmer is NFC’s third-ranked passer with rating of 85.0.

Outlook: Three weeks ago, Eagles were a Super Bowl threat. But they’ve lost three straight (Buffalo and Washington at home, Arizona on the road) and need a win to stay on a playoff pace. Giants have been playing better, but not good enough.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Line: Steelers by 6.

Last meeting: Steelers won 31-17 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 8, 1996.

Key stat: Mismatch: Steelers’ No. 2 rushing offense vs. Ravens’ No. 26 rushing defense.

Worth watching: Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis has rushed for 1,236 yards and already has nine 100-yard games. This game could provide No. 10. Ravens RB Bam Morris and TE Eric Green face their old team.

Outlook: Steelers showed their mettle again Monday night by stopping Miami and Dan Marino at the goal line to win. Compared with that, this is a week off. Steelers may miss the blocking of injured tight end Mark Bruener. But if the offense is any more complicated than giving the ball to Bettis, Bill Cowher will face some questions.

Cincinnati at Jacksonville

Line: Jaguars by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: Bengals won 28-21 at Cincinnati on Oct. 27.

Key stat: Jaguars 4-1 at home, with only loss to Houston in Week 2.

Worth watching: Bengals WR Carl Pickens leads AFC with 78 catches. He’s averaging 11.4 yards per catch and has seven TDs. Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell makes things interesting one way or the other: He has 16 TD passes and 20 interceptions.

Outlook: Bengals 4-1 under Bruce Coslet, with only last week’s loss to Buffalo marring his record. Jaguars tough at home, but Bengals’ Jeff Blake-to-Pickens combination is hot.

Tampa Bay at Carolina

Line: Panthers by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Bucs won 20-13 at Carolina on Oct. 1, 1995.

Key stat: Tampa Bay’s defense has limited opponents to 17 or fewer points in last seven games.

Worth watching: Tampa Bay RB Mike Alstott has 50 catches, five short of team’s rookie record. Kerry Collins returns from injury to start at quarterback for Carolina.

Outlook: Both teams have three-game winning streaks, but only Panthers are on the way to the playoffs. Bucs’ hopes for upset hinge on protecting Trent Dilfer, who has completed 70 of 103 for 772 yards with 3 TDs and 2 interceptions in last three games.

Houston at N.Y. Jets

Line: Oilers by 3.

Last meeting: Oilers won 23-6 at Houston on Dec. 17, 1995.

Key stat: Surprisingly good matchup for two struggling teams: It’s Jets’ No. 5 offense vs. Oilers’ No. 7 defense.

Worth watching: With Oilers’ Chris Chandler out with an ankle injury, Steve McNair makes his second start of the season. So far he’s 33 of 55 for 437 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Neil O’Donnell set to return as Jets’ starting QB.

Outlook: The team that can run will win this one.

Miami at Oakland

Line: Raiders by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 20-17 at Miami on Oct. 16, 1994.

Key stat: It’s strength vs. strength: Oakland’s No. 3 rushing offense vs. Miami’s No. 6 rushing defense.

Worth watching: Oakland RB Napoleon Kaufman (104 yards against Seattle last week) averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Miami QB Dan Marino leads NFL in passing with 94.5 rating.

Outlook: Raiders 4-3 in last seven games, with two of the losses in OT and the other a one-pointer to Denver. They’re a long shot for the playoffs, but if they can run, they can do severe damage to Miami playoff hopes. Dolphins trail San Diego by a game in race for last playoff spot.

St. Louis at New Orleans

Line: Saints by 3.

Last meeting: Saints won 19-10 at New Orleans on Nov. 5, 1995.

Key stat: Day off for the defenses: Rams are 30th in offense, Saints are 28th.

Worth watching: Rams WR Isaac Bruce has wrapped up his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season.

Outlook: Two dome teams that won’t be the first to get to a Super Bowl. But at least Rick Venturi gets his first win.

New England at San Diego

Line: Chargers by 2.

Last meeting: Patriots won 23-17 at New England on Nov. 20, 1994.

Key stat: Patriots have won last seven from Chargers.

Worth watching: New England QB Drew Bledsoe enjoying a good comeback year with 20 TD passes and nine interceptions. Chargers’ Tony Martin second in AFC with 953 receiving yards and has 13 TDs.

Outlook: A matchup of two playoff-bound teams that are playing well, although Chargers are hotter coming off 28-14 win at Kansas City. Martin should get open against NFL’s worst pass defense.

San Francisco at Atlanta (Monday)

Line: 49ers by 9-1/2.

Last meeting: 49ers won 39-17 at San Francisco on Sept. 19.

Key stat: San Francisco has won four of the last five from Atlanta.

Worth watching: With Steve Young back and healthy, he should be able to team up with Jerry Rice for some big pass plays against the NFL’s No. 25 defense.

Outlook: Big road win at Washington last week has 49ers headed in the right direction. Falcons should be no more than a speed bump, even at home.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY ON TV 10 a.m.: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts (NBC). 10 a.m: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (Fox). 1 p.m.: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos (NBC). 5: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers (ESPN).

This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY ON TV 10 a.m.: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts (NBC). 10 a.m: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (Fox). 1 p.m.: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos (NBC). 5: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers (ESPN).