Nfl Matchups

Ravens at Panthers

Line: Panthers by 8.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stats: It’s Ravens’ No. 3 offense vs. Panthers’ No. 10 defense.

Worth watching: Panthers QB Kerry Collins hitting playoff stride with three-TD pass showing in victory over 49ers last week. Ravens QB Vinny Testaverde enjoying first Pro Bowl year.

Outlook: In just second season, Panthers are on cusp of playoffs. Can wrap up NFC West with victory and San Francisco loss, and clinch a first-round bye if Dallas also loses or ties. Panthers are 6-0 at home.

Packers at Lions

Line: Packers by 8.

Last meeting: Packers won 28-18 at Green Bay on Nov. 3.

Key stats: It’s Packers’ No. 7 offense vs. Lions’ No. 22 defense.

Worth watching: Green Bay WR Antonio Freeman had 19 catches for 331 yards and 3 TDs in last two games. Detroit RB Barry Sanders has rushed for 1,300 yards.

Outlook: Thanks to intricacies of NFC tiebreaking system, Packers could use a big win to give them a point-differential advantage over Carolina in race for home-field advantage. Only way they clinch home field through NFC playoffs this week is with a win and Carolina loss or tie.

Patriots at Cowboys

Line: Cowboys by 5.

Last meeting: Cowboys won 23-17 at New England on Nov. 15, 1987.

Key stats: Strength vs. strength. It’s New England’s No. 6 offense against Dallas’ No. 1 defense.

Worth watching: Dallas WR Michael Irvin missed first five games with a drug suspension, but still has 57 catches for 879 yards, but just two TDs. Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe (25 TDs, 10 INTs) is off to the Pro Bowl.

Outlook: Week’s best game is (we know you’ve heard this before) a possible Super Bowl preview. Cowboys’ defense must carry load for an offense that hasn’t scored more than 21 points in last six games.

Saints at Giants

Line: Giants by 7.

Last meeting: Giants won 45-29 at New York on Sept. 24, 1995.

Key stats: Will defensive coordinators take day off? Saints are 29th in offense, Giants are 30th.

Worth watching: Giants QB Dave Brown not having a big season (12 TDs, 17 INT), but Giants fans can take solace in this: Giants are 6-3 with Brown starting in December.

Outlook: Saints have lost seven straight, the last six under interim coach Rick Venturi. Saints haven’t scored more than 17 points in that streak and won’t against NFL’s 14th-ranked defense.

Rams at Falcons

Line: Falcons by 5.

Last meeting: Rams won 59-16 at St. Louis on Nov. 10.

Key stats: Rams have won two of last three from Falcons.

Worth watching: Atlanta RB Jamal Anderson is closing in on his first 1,000-yard season.

Outlook: Since absorbing that loss from Rams four weeks ago, Falcons are 2-2. Both victories were over Saints, which hardly counts. Still, in matchups between genuinely bad teams, home-dome advantage counts.

49ers at Steelers

Line: 49ers by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: 49ers won 24-13 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 5, 1993.

Key stats: Steelers are No. 3 in defense, 49ers are No. 5.

Worth watching: Two quarterbacks heading in opposite directions. San Francisco’s Steve Young is getting better as playoffs near, while Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomczak has nine interceptions in last five starts.

Outlook: Steelers still fighting for No. 2 seed in AFC playoffs, while 49ers will need Carolina losses to avoid being a wild card. So Steelers have intangibles and home-weather edge.

Bucs at Vikings

Line: Vikings by 6.

Last meeting: Bucs won 24-13 at Tampa on Oct. 13.

Key stats: Bucs have won three of last four from Vikings.

Worth watching: Minnesota’s Brad Johnson has taken over as NFL’s leading passer (63.2 completion percentage, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, 94.8 rating). Vikings believe they have their quarterback of the future, and are negotiating a new contract.

Outlook: Minnesota can clinch playoff berth with win against Tampa Bay and a Washington loss. The Vikings would be well-advised to win this one, since they finish season at Green Bay, which may need a win to wrap up home field through NFC playoffs.

Bengals at Oilers

Line: Oilers by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Oilers won 30-27 at Cincinnati on Oct. 6.

Key stats: Bengals are 5-2 under Bruce Coslet, with only losses at Buffalo and Jacksonville.

Worth watching: Continuing development of Houston QB Steve McNair, who was 24 of 37 for 308 yards and one TD in last week’s loss to Jacksonville.

Outlook: Both teams still have slim playoff hopes, but Oilers’ plans to move to Nashville are keeping fans away. Bengals are surging and Oilers won’t have the home-dome edge.

Colts at Chiefs

Line: Chiefs by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: Colts won 23-19 at Indianapolis on Oct. 7, 1990.

Key stats: Colts back in playoff hunt despite having league’s No. 25 defense and No. 18 offense.

Worth watching: Jim Harbaugh expected back as Colts QB after missing two games with knee injury.

Outlook: Colts go for third straight victory after home wins over Buffalo and Philadelphia. Chiefs have been struggling (2-2, with close wins over Bears and Lions) since beating Green Bay. Momentum a factor here.

Raiders at Broncos

Line: Broncos by 6.

Last meeting: Broncos won 22-21 at Oakland on Nov. 4.

Key stats: Broncos have won three straight from Raiders.

Worth watching: How much - and if - John Elway plays, and whether his sore hamstring bothers him. Can QB Jeff Hostetler deliver the upset Raiders need to stay in playoff race?

Outlook: Having already clinched home field throughout AFC playoffs, Broncos have little incentive to play Elway much. They can always warm up at San Diego next week.

Redskins at Cardinals

Line: Redskins by 3.

Last meeting: Cardinals won 37-34 in OT at Washington on Nov. 10.

Key stats: Redskins have lost three in a row and five of six.

Worth watching: Kent Graham has recovered from a knee injury and is back as Cardinals’ starting QB. Washington looking for Terry Allen to pull out of slump.

Outlook: Coach Vince Tobin’s benching of QB Boome Esiason as he closes in on $400,000 in incentives, and Esiason’s subsequent walkout (he returned Thursday), has overshadowed Cardinals’ chance for a .500 season. Still, Redskins are slipping.

Bills at Dolphins

Line: Pick ‘em.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 21-7 at Buffalo on Oct. 13, 1996.

Key stats: Teams have combined for five straight losses (Bills two, Dolphins three).

Worth watching: Can either of the big-name QBs have a big game? Miami’s Dan Marino and Buffalo’s Jim Kelly would both like to forget this season.

Outlook: Buffalo has more injury problems, but also more to play for. Dolphins could be out of playoffs by kickoff, and should be by night’s end.