Nfl Matchups

Carolina at Jacksonville

Line: Panthers by 2.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stat: Carolina has a 10-9 lifetime record.

Worth watching: Carolina’s Steve Beuerlein makes his second straight start in place of injured QB Kerry Collins. Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell is hot, coming off a three-TD, 432-yard show in OT loss to Patriots.

Outlook: Another backs-up-against-the-wall story. Jaguars aren’t happy that they’re the less accomplished of the ‘95 expansion teams, and they need a win to stay in the playoff race. If Natrone Means is healthy and gets some tough yardage, the Jaguars could win.

Denver at Cincinnati

Line: Broncos by 3.

Last meeting: Broncos won 15-13 in Denver on Nov. 27, 1994.

Key stat: Broncos have won last five from Bengals.

Worth watching: Denver RB Terrell Davis, the NFL’s leading rusher with 461 yards, has rushed for 100 yards in the last three games. Cincinnati DT Dan Wilkinson is finally fulfilling potential, with a sack in each of the first three games.

Outlook: The Bengals’ strength so far has been their rushing defense, but Davis and the Broncos should win that battle. That opens up the passing game for John Elway, and that should be that, presuming Elway’s sore back isn’t serious.

Detroit at Tampa Bay

Line: Lions by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Lions won 21-6 at Pontiac on Sept. 8, 1996.

Key stats: A matchup everyone is waiting to see: Bucs’ No. 28 offense vs. Lions’ No. 28 defense.

Worth watching: Detroit QB Scott Mitchell finally found his form last week with a four-TD game against the Bears. WR Herman Moore leads NFL in receptions (33) and yards (403).

Outlook: Tampa Bay came close to getting new coach Tony Dungy his first win last week, but Seattle rallied late. Detroit’s offense is in gear, so the Bucs will keep waiting.

Houston at Pittsburgh

Line: Steelers by 5.

Last meeting: Steelers won 21-7 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 3, 1995.

Key stat: Steelers lead AFC with plus-four turnover differential.

Worth watching: Ex-Bears QB Mike Tomczak continues to direct an efficient offense for Pittsburgh. Steelers have won six of his last eight starts. Houston QB Chris Chandler, ranking third in the NFL in passing, continues to delay the arrival of Steve McNair.

Outlook: Oilers have a chance to show they’ve arrived as an AFC contender, but their timing is wrong. Jerome Bettis, returning to the form he showed early in his career, has two consecutive 100-yard games.

Minnesota at N.Y. Giants

Line: Vikings by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: Vikings won 27-10 at New York on Oct. 10, 1994.

Key stats: Mismatch time: Minnesota’s offense is fourth in the league; Giants’ defense is 29th.

Worth watching: Vikings WR Cris Carter’s 22 receptions (13.7 avg.) is second in the NFC. Rodney Hampton leads Giants with a modest 233 yards and 3.4 avg.

Outlook: Vikings are the NFL’s Comeback Kids of ‘96. They’ve come from behind in all four victories, outscoring opponents 42-3 in the fourth quarter. That shouldn’t be necessary today.

New Orleans at Baltimore

Line: Ravens by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: Ravens (then the Browns) won 17-13 in Cleveland on Dec. 5, 1993.

Key stat: New Orleans’ run defense is 29th in the NFL.

Worth watching: Saints WR Haywood Jeffires is off to a good start, with a TD catch in three of the first four games. Ravens QB Vinny Testaverde will have to concentrate on the work at hand, and not worry whether coach Ted Marchibroda really wants to trade for Jeff George.

Outlook: Who will the Saints turn into a star this week? Last week it was the heretofore unknown (except to Northern Illinois fans) LeShon Johnson of the Cardinals, who rushed for 214 yards.

Atlanta at San Francisco

Line: 49ers by 11-1/2.

Last meeting: Falcons won 28-27 in Atlanta on Dec. 24, 1995.

Key stat: San Francisco’s home record of 63-18 (.778) is the NFL’s best since 1986.

Worth watching: Which backup QB does a better job. With Jeff George suspended for his spat with coach June Jones, Atlanta goes with Bobby Hebert, who has a 50-34 record as a starter. Elvis Grbac replaces Steve Young, who takes a week off to rest a strained groin.

Outlook: Once again, San Francisco’s defense is getting the job done while the offense gets the attention. The 49ers are third in total defense; Bryant Young, Chris Doleman and Dennis Brown each have two sacks.

Oakland at Chicago

Line: Bears by 1-1/2.

Last meeting: Raiders won 16-14 in Chicago in 1993 as current Bears kicker Jeff Jaeger kicked three field goals.

Key stats: Potential mismatch. Bears’ No. 20 defense must contain Raiders’ No. 2 offense.

Worth watching: With Erik Kramer out indefinitely with a neck injury, Bears turn to Dave Krieg, who has one of the best resumes among backup QBs in the NFL. Raiders making a major change, too, turning to Napoleon Kaufman as the featured running back. Kaufman is averaging 9.0 yards per carry, best in NFL among players who have rushed for 80 yards or more.

Outlook: The Bears have the classic back-againstthe-wall advantage. Their quarterback is out. They’ve lost three in a row. But Rashaan Salaam is healthy for the first time this season.

Kansas City at San Diego

Line: Chargers by 2.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 22-7 at San Diego on Nov. 12, 1995.

Key stat: Chiefs have won 12 consecutive games against AFC West opponents.

Worth watching: Kansas City QB Steve Bono is the No. 4 passer in the AFC. Most impressive is that he has thrown only one interception in 118 attempts. Chargers WR Tony Martin continues to stun secondaries (29 receptions, 11.7 avg., 4 TDs).

Outlook: Unbeaten Chiefs face a major test, but Chargers have a major weakness - they’re last against the run. Marcus Allen is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry, but Chiefs should be able to control the ball and the game.

St. Louis at Arizona

Line: Cardinals by 1-1/2.

Last meeting: Rams won 14-12 at Anaheim on Sept. 4, 1994.

Key stat: Cardinals have won three of the last four between the teams.

Worth watching: Rams turn to rookie QB Tony Banks, their second-round draft choice from Michigan State. He’ll bump into the leaders of the Cardinals defense, DT Eric Swann and rookie DE Simeon Rice, each of whom have three sacks.

Outlook: The Rams had the NFL’s worst offense, so in the backfield they’re starting rookies Banks and Derrick Harris along with veteran Harold Green, who starts in front of Lawrence Phillips. Under coach Vince Tobin, Cardinals defense is showing some promise, ranking 16th.

N.Y. Jets at Washington

Line: Redskins by 8-1/2.

Last meeting: Jets won 3-0 at Washington on Dec. 11, 1993.

Key stat: Jets coach Rich Kotite is 6-2 against the Redskins.

Worth watching: Washington RB Terry Allen leads the league with 418 yards rushing (4.6 avg.) and has scored a TD in nine consecutive games, one short of the NFL record.

Outlook: The Jets cemented their status as the NFL’s worst team last week by losing to the Giants. The Redskins’ No. 3-ranked rushing game will keep this one from being very interesting for very long.