The Matchups
Bears at Bucs
Line: Bucs by 7-1/2.
Last meeting: Bears won 13-7 at Soldier Field on Nov. 23.
Key stat: Bears’ defense has held three of last four opponents to 10 points or less.
Worth watching: Erik Kramer trying to finish the season with a strong showing so the Bears - or someone else - will anoint him a starter for next season. How much will Tampa Bay running back Mike Alstott test his sore thigh in this game?
Outlook: Bucs have lost three of their last four and need a win to be assured of starting the playoffs at home; a loss means they might have to go to Detroit or Minnesota. Incentive does mean something. Bears will play with nothing-to-lose attitude, which will make it close.
Ravens at Bengals
Line: Bengals by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Ravens won 23-10 at Baltimore on Sept. 7.
Key stat: Cincinnati has won 10 of its last 12 at home.
Worth watching: Ravens’ quarterback controversy of ‘98 is under way. Eric Zeier has led Baltimore to two straight victories, relegating Vinny Testaverde to the bench.
Outlook: Cincinnati has won six of its last seven as Boomer Esiason has re-established himself as a starting quarterback and rookie Corey Dillon has rushed for 1,069 yards (5.1 yards per carry).
Colts at Vikings
Line: Vikings by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Vikings won 12-3 at Minnesota on Nov. 20, 1988.
Key stat: Minnesota’s five-game losing streak is the longest of the Dennis Green era.
Worth watching: Vikings need a big game from quarterback Randall Cunningham. Can Jim Harbaugh put together two big games in a row? He threw for four TDs last week.
Outlook: Vikings capable of one of the all-time back-into-the-playoffs jobs. Even if they lose, they’re in if Washington loses. Colts have won two straight, but home-dome advantage should save Vikings.
Saints at Chiefs
Line: Chiefs by 7.
Last meeting: Kansas City won 30-17 in New Orleans on Sept. 4, 1994.
Key stat: Chiefs have won its last three games by a combined 103-16.
Worth watching: Kansas City quarterback Elvis Grbac returns from a broken collarbone and will get an on-the-job evaluation.
Outlook: Although playing in the NFC West makes life easier for all, Mike Ditka has done more with the Saints than most expected. Chiefs have wrapped up top seed in the AFC and have little to play for, but their momentum should carry them through this one.
Giants at Cowboys (10 a.m., Fox)
Line: Cowboys by 3.
Last meeting: Giants won 20-17 in East Rutherford on Oct. 5.
Key stat: The Giants are the 11th NFL team since 1970 to go from last place to first.
Worth watching: Will Giants quarterback Danny Kanell keep his momentum heading into the playoffs? Will Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith bounce back for one last good game this season?
Outlook: Giants just trying to stay fresh for the playoffs, but they’re a young team on the rise that wouldn’t mind continuing to win. Cowboys old, and showing it.
Eagles at Redskins
Line: Redskins by 5-1/2.
Last meeting: Eagles won 24-10 in Philadelphia on Oct. 5.
Key stat: Philadelphia coach Ray Rhodes is 4-1 against the Redskins.
Worth watching: Washington depending on quarterback Jeff Hostetler, who was effective two weeks ago in victory at Arizona but not last week in loss to Giants.
Outlook: Redskins are the latest proof that too many teams make the playoffs. Despite their record, they can qualify for the postseason with a win and a loss by Minnesota or Detroit. If it comes down to a field goal, Redskins will be holding their breath - ex-Packer Chris Jacke, idle all season, replaces the injured Scott Blanton.
Steelers at Oilers (10 a.m., NBC)
Line: Oilers by 3.
Last meeting: Steelers won 37-24 in Pittsburgh on Sept. 28.
Key stat: Pittsburgh defense leads AFC, allowing only 297.6 yards per game.
Worth watching: Steelers QB Kordell Stewart needs just 67 passing yards and 44 rushing yards to become only the third player to have 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards in a season (Randall Cunningham did it 1988-90, Steve Young in 1992).
Outlook: Steelers, who have won six of last seven from the Oilers, will use this as a scrimmage for their playoff opener the weekend of Jan. 3-4. Oilers’ only goal is a .500 season.
Falcons at Cardinals
Line: Falcons by 2.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 40-37 in Tempe on Nov. 26, 1995.
Key stat: Atlanta’s defense has allowed an average of 10 points in the last four games.
Worth watching: Arizona rookie quarterback Jake Plummer has shown promise (73.2 rating). Atlanta’s Chris Chandler has quietly had a big season, ranking second in the league with a 92.8 passer rating with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Outlook: Falcons figure to finish the season with six straight wins after a 2-8 start. With a loss, Cardinals wrap up the first pick in the draft, which they may trade because they’re happy with Plummer and someone will pay dearly for the chance to draft Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf.
Jaguars at Raiders
Line: Jaguars by 3-1/2.
Last meeting: Raiders won 17-3 in Oakland on Sept. 15, 1996.
Key stat: In the last 20 games, Jaguars have AFC-best 15-5 record.
Worth watching: Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell has thrown only 16 TD passes, but still ranks second in the AFC with a passer rating of 89.3.
Outlook: If Jacksonville wins and Broncos lose, Jaguars have home field in the wild-card round. Raiders have nothing to play for, and figure to end one of the most dismal seasons for a once-proud franchise on a down note.
Jets at Lions
Line: Lions by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Lions won 18-7 in East Rutherford on Dec. 10, 1994.
Key stat: Detroit has won four if its last five, losing only at Miami.
Worth watching: Lions’ Barry Sanders, with league-leading 1,869 yards rushing, needs only 15 yards for a career high and 131 yards to become the third player to rush for 2,000 yards.
Outlook: The winner makes the playoffs and the loser goes home. Once again, Lions hot at the end of the season. In the first season under Bill Parcells, the Jets already have tied the biggest one-season turnaround in NFL history (1-15 to 9-6). A win gives them a wild-card berth. Quarterback Neil O’Donnell, who looked like a free-agent bust a year ago, gets the chance to prove his worth.
Chargers at Broncos (1 p.m., NBC)
Line: Broncos by 14.
Last meeting: Denver won 38-28 in San Diego on Nov. 30.
Key stat: Broncos are 7-0 at home this season.
Worth watching: How much work will Denver All-Pro running back Terrell Davis get? He injured his shoulder in Monday night’s loss at San Francisco.
Outlook: Following road losses to Pittsburgh and San Francisco, Broncos are reeling. They need a victory to clinch home field in wild-card round. The home field and the lowly Chargers will save them.
Patriots at Dolphins (Monday night)
Line: Dolphins by 2-1/2.
Last meeting: Patriots won 27-24 in Foxboro on Nov. 23.
Key stats: Patriots lead AFC with turnover differential of plus 11.
Worth watching: Miami quarterback Dan Marino has won 12 of his last 15 starts against Patriots. New England’s Drew Bledsoe leads the AFC with 28 TD passes.
Outlook: The winners take the AFC East and No. 3 seed in AFC playoffs. Loser is a wild-card unless Jets win Sunday; in that case, loser is out.