Nfl Matchups
Arizona at Dallas
Line: Cowboys by 14-1/2.
Last meeting: Cowboys won 37-13 at Phoenix on Dec. 25, 1995.
Key stats: Dallas leads the NFL in total defense, averaging 242.6 yards a game.
Worth watching: Michael Irvin, Michael Irvin and then Michael Irvin. The Cowboys Pro Bowl receiver makes his first appearance after serving his five-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
Outlook: Cowboys hope Irvin’s return gives them a fresh start. Cardinals’ best chance is to control the ball with LeShon Johnson, who has had runs of 70 and 66 yards the last two games.
Chicago at New Orleans
Line: Saints by 1.
Last meeting: Bears won 17-7 in Soldier Field on Oct. 9, 1994.
Key stats: The Saints are last in the league in rushing offense and rushing defense.
Worth watching: It’s up to QB Jim Everett to keep the Saints afloat. The Bears need to keep 17-year veteran Dave Krieg healthy because with Steve Stenstrom joining Erik Kramer on the shelf, they have no other quarterback who has taken an NFL snap.
Outlook: The Bears are one of the NFL’s most banged-up teams, with no depth at quarterback or in the secondary. The Saints are coming off their first victory of the season. Looks like a winning streak is at hand.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Line: Steelers by 9-1/2.
Last meeting: Steelers won 49-31 at Cincinnati on Nov. 19, 1995.
Key stats: Steelers have won nine of last 10 against the Bengals.
Worth watching: Steelers QB Mike Tomczak is coming off a 338-yard game - the second-best in his career - in a victory at Kansas City. The Bengals are finally getting production from DT Dan Wilkinson, the one-time No. 1 draft pick, who has had one sack in every game.
Outlook: Under coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers keep finding ways to win. If it’s not new starting QB Tomczak, it’s off-season acquisition Jerome Bettis (4.7 yards a carry). No contest here.
Houston at Atlanta
Line: Falcons by 1.
Last meeting: Oilers won 33-17 in Houston in 1993.
Key stats: Houston is sixth in rushing offense, Atlanta is 24th in rushing defense.
Worth watching: The Oilers have a possible rookie of the year in running back Eddie George, the NFL’s No. 7 rusher with 466 yards. He’s averaging 5.1 yards a carry. Atlanta may have a find in third-year running back Jamal Anderson (5.8-yard average).
Outlook: Houston QB Chris Chandler and George should have their way against the NFL’s No. 28 defense. The Falcons are a fading team thanks to the Jeff George controversy. Bobby Hebert remains the starting QB, but he can’t play defense.
Miami at Buffalo
Line: Bills by 6.
Last meeting: Bills won 23-20 in Buffalo on Dec. 17, 1995.
Key stats: Bills have won 14 of last 18 from the Dolphins.
Worth watching: Buffalo QB Jim Kelly is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing first two starts with hamstring injury.
Outlook: After fast start, Dolphins have lost two straight and will be without Dan Marino for a spell. Bills’ pass rush, led by Bruce Smith (six sacks), will make things impossible for Craig Erickson.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay
Line: Vikings by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Vikings won 31-17 at Minnesota on Dec. 3, 1995.
Key stats: The Bucs have no real strength: they’re 28th in offense and 24th in defense.
Worth watching: For a change, Minnesota RB Robert Smith has stayed healthy, and he’s averaging 4.0 yards a carry. Tampa Bay rookie Mike Alstott is off to a good start, but the Bucs can’t be happy that a running back is their leading receiver (16 catches, 140 yards).
Outlook: First team to 17 points wins. Vikings have scored 24 points in their last two games; the Bucs, only 13. A low-scoring game would give the Bucs a chance for their first win … but only a chance.
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville
Line: Jaguars by 8-1/2.
Last meeting: Jets won 27-10 in New Jersey on Sept. 17, 1995.
Key stats: Jacksonville has the NFL’s No. 2 offense.
Worth watching: The Jacksonville passing combination of Mark Brunell to Keenan McCardell is growing in stature. For the Jets, career backup Frank Reich replaces Neil O’Donnell (out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder separation).
Outlook: The Jets are headed for the first pick in the draft for the second year in a row. Injuries have destroyed whatever chance they might have had of improving this season.
St. Louis at Carolina
Line: Panthers by 6-1/2
Last meeting: Rams won 28-17 at St. Louis on Nov. 12, 1995.
Key stats: Carolina has won seven of its last eight at home.
Worth watching: Carolina tight end Wesley Walls has become one of the NFL’s top threats when the Panthers get close to the goal line. Rams sticking with rookie Tony Banks, coming off respectable 18-of-33 showing versus 49ers.
Outlook: Rams offense has fallen to the bottom of the league, and they’re looking to the future by going with Banks. Panthers are improving and have playoffs on their minds. That’s incentive.
Washington at N. England
Line: Patriots by 5.
Last meeting: Redskins won 25-10 at New England on Dec. 15, 1990.
Key stats: The Patriots are No. 2 in passing offense.
Worth watching: Washington running back Terry Allen is averaging 4.7 yards a carry, and already has three 100-yard games. New England QB Drew Bledsoe is having a comeback season, highlighted by a 10-3 touchdown-interception ratio.
Outlook: The Patriots have won three straight, averaging 35 points a game. After a promising start, the Redskins’ defense has slipped to 26th. This could be a breakout game for New England’s Curtis Martin, averaging only 3.2 a carry.
Detroit at Oakland
Line: Raiders by 2.
Last meeting: Raiders won 38-31 at Detroit on Dec. 10, 1990.
Key stats: Lions have won 11 of their last 13 games.
Worth watching: Detroit QB Scott Mitchell has thrown 11 TD passes, second only to Brett Favre. For the Raiders, rookie tight end Rickey Dudley is making a move, with three TD receptions after a slow start.
Outlook: Lions are becoming a consistent team, beating teams they should beat (such as Atlanta last week) and playing well against good teams (7-point loss to Philadelphia in week 3). The Raiders are a team they should beat.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
Line: Eagles by 3.
Last meeting: Eagles won 28-19 at Philadelphia on Nov. 19, 1995.
Key stats: Giants defense has not allowed a TD in the last eight quarters (versus Jets, Vikings).
Worth watching: With QB Rodney Peete out for the season with a knee injury, Eagles turn to Ty Detmer. It will be the first start of Detmer’s five-year career. How will he handle the pressure? Giants QB Dave Brown has not thrown an interception in the last two games.
Outlook: Detmer gets a chance to prove he can be an NFL starter. The Eagles only hope he is. They will need it against a team that is showing gradual improvement. Eagles need a big game from RB Ricky Watters.
Baltimore at Indianapolis
Line: Colts by 8.
Last meeting: Ravens (Browns) won 21-14 in Indianapolis in 1994.
Key stats: The Colts are 4-1 for the first time since 1977, when they started 5-1.
Worth watching: Ravens have shown they can throw the ball, with Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander both getting more than 100 yards receiving in last week’s loss to New England. Colts’ Ken Dilger leads NFL’s tight ends with 15.6 yards a catch.
Outlook: Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda returns to Indianapolis, where he guided the Colts to the AFC title game but was forced out after the season. Emotion may be on the Ravens’ side, but the Colts have the AFC’s No. 2 passer in Jim Harbaugh, whose two interceptions is the fewest among QBs who have thrown 100 passes.
San Francisco at Green Bay (Monday)
Line: Packers by 6.
Last meeting: Packers won 27-17 at San Francisco in the NFC playoffs on Jan. 6, 1996.
Key stats: Packers have won 14 of last 15 at Lambeau Field.
Worth watching: With 14 catches for 254 yards in the last two weeks, Antonio Freeman is emerging as one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets. San Francisco’s Elvis Grbac has thrown four TD passes the last two weeks in relief of Steve Young.
Outlook: The weekend’s best game has good matchups all the way around, but Young’s health still must be the most important factor. He has been slowed by a sore groin and may be replaced by Grbac again. San Francisco needs a big game from Jerry Rice, who has caught a TD pass in each of the last two games.