The Matchups
N.Y. Jets at New England
Line: Patriots by 9.
Last meeting: Patriots won 34-10 at New England on Dec. 8, 1996.
Key stats: Patriots have won their first two games by a combined score of 72-13.
Worth watching: New England LB Chris Slade, an emerging star, is eager to show ex-Patriots coach Bill Parcells he should have played every down. Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe is NFL’s top passer, throwing eight TD passes in first two weeks.
Outlook: It’s too bad for Bill Parcells that he did such a good job building the Patriots. He didn’t get along with owner Bob Kraft, so he bolted. But he left one of the most talented young teams behind. Parcells’ young Jets will play hard for him, but … < Arizona at Washington
Line: Redskins by 7-1/2.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 27-26 at Arizona on Dec. 15, 1996.
Key stats: Cardinals have won eight of last 10 from the Redskins, including both games last season.
Worth watching: Cardinals defensive end Simeon Rice has three sacks, two in last week’s upset of Cowboys. Redskins waiting for Gus Frerotte to pay off (one TD pass, three interceptions in first two weeks).
Outlook: Redskins debut in new Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the NFL’s largest outdoor venue (80,116). More to the point, they will need a big game from Terry Allen, unless Frerotte can outduel Cardinals QB Kent Graham.
Baltimore at N.Y. Giants
Line: Giants by 3.
Last meeting: Giants won 16-13 at Cleveland on Dec. 4, 1994.
Key stats: Ravens’ No. 3 passing offense goes against Giants’ No. 27 pass defense.
Worth watching: Ravens rookie defensive end Peter Boulware is off to a big start with 2 sacks. Giants also have difference-making rookie in RB Tiki Barber (2 TDs).
Outlook: Ravens a surprise last week with solid victory over Bengals. Giants will rely on Barber to bounce back from loss to Jaguars.
Buffalo at Kansas City
Line: Chiefs by 4.
Last meeting: Bills won 20-9 at Buffalo on Dec. 22, 1996.
Key stats: Bills have won last three from Chiefs, including the 1993 AFC Championship.
Worth watching: QB Elvis Grbac, whom the Bears could have had in the off-season, guided the Chiefs to a come-from-behind victory Monday night at Oakland.
Outlook: A rematch of a season-ending game last season that sent the Bills to the playoffs and the Chiefs home. Chiefs need Greg Hill to continue 6.3-yard average.
Detroit at Chicago
Line: Bears by 2-1/2.
Last meeting: Bears won 31-14 at Chicago on Nov. 24, 1996.
Key stats: Lions have won three of the last four from the Bears.
Worth watching: What’s up with Barry Sanders? One of the all-time greats has only 53 yards rushing in two games and isn’t getting the ball as much as the Lions need. And can Raymont Harris keep it up for the Bears? He’s averaging 9.5 yards a carry and one long run a game.
Outlook: The emergence of Harris as the Bears’ featured back gives them an edge. Bears will have problems if Lions QB Scott Mitchell suddenly turns it around, because Herman Moore will get open.
Carolina at San Diego
Line: Pick ‘em.
Last meeting: Have never met.
Key stats: Panthers have won four straight regular-season road games.
Worth watching: Carolina’s Anthony Johnson continues to impress, averaging 5.0 yards a carry. San Diego needs a solid game at quarterback from Jim Everett or Stan Humphries, if he returns from shoulder injury.
Outlook: Panthers haven’t built on the momentum of last season’s strong finish, but San Diego is a good place to start. Panthers still going with QB Steve Beuerlein although Kerry Collins, recovering from a broken jaw, may be in uniform as the emergency QB.
Miami at Green Bay
Line: Packers by 12-1/2.
Last meeting: Dolphins won 24-14 at Milwaukee on Sept. 11, 1994.
Key stats: Green Bay is 0-8 lifetime vs. Miami.
Worth watching: Is Miami QB Dan Marino heading toward a poor season? He has completed less than half (34 of 69) of his passes.
Outlook: Packers lost in Philadelphia last week, but they are often vulnerable in road games on artificial turf. It’s not the beginning of a downslide. They’ve won 16 straight at Lambeau Field. Dolphins improving despite injuries, but they’re not ready to ruin a Sunday for a whole state.
New Orleans at San Francisco
Line: 49ers by 11.
Last meeting: 49ers won 24-17 at New Orleans on Nov. 3, 1996.
Key stats: 49ers have won six of last seven from the Saints.
Worth watching: Can Saints rookie running back Troy Davis get it going? He has rushed for only 64 yards and lost three fumbles in his first two games.
Outlook: Steve Young, recovering from his latest concussion, has received clearance to play. But the 49ers proved last week they can win with (although not because of) rookie Jim Druckenmiller.
Oakland at Atlanta
Line: Raiders by 4.
Last meeting: Raiders won 30-17 at Los Angeles on Oct. 23, 1994.
Key stats: Falcons’ No. 29 rushing offense takes on Raiders’ No. 30 rushing defense.
Worth watching: Will Raiders QB Jeff George feel the pressure? He returns to Atlanta, where he helped cause the downfall of coach June Jones. His pass rating of 89.4 ranks him eighth in the NFL.
Outlook: Raiders are coming off a last-second loss to the Chiefs. Atlanta may be the NFL’s worst team, but this would be the ideal time for Jamal Anderson to start running like he did last season. Atlanta QB Chris Chandler is coming off a concussion.
St. Louis at Denver
Line: Broncos by 13-1/2.
Last meeting: Rams won 27-21 at Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 1994.
Key stats: Rams’ six interceptions and nine takeaways lead the NFL.
Worth watching: Lawrence Phillips has rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns. The Rams are 3-0 in games in which he has rushed for more than 100 yards.
Outlook: Broncos are rolling along, having outscored their first two opponents 54-17. John Elway throws and Terrell Davis runs.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota
Line: Vikings by 4.
Last meeting: Vikings won 21-10 at Minnesota on Dec. 15, 1996.
Key stats: Vikings have won five of the last six from the Bucs in Minneapolis.
Worth watching: The duel between Tampa Bay defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who leads the NFL with 3-1/2 sacks, and Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, who has started the last eight Pro Bowls.
Outlook: Bucs becoming one of the NFL’s hottest stories, but a 3-0 start? They’re not ready for that. Vikings have plenty of weapons: NFL’s No. 2 rusher (Robert Smith, 254 yards) and No. 2 receiver (Cris Carter, 17 catches, 2 TDs).
Philadelphia at Dallas (Monday night)
Line: Cowboys by 9.
Last meeting: Eagles won 31-21 at Dallas on Nov. 3, 1996.
Key stats: The Cowboys are 12-2 under Barry Switzer the week after a loss.
Worth watching: Game features two of the season’s most productive wide receivers. Cowboys’ Michael Irvin has 11 catches, two for touchdowns. Eagles’ Irving Fryar has 12 catches, none for TDs.
Outlook: Cowboys were great in Week One, beating the Steelers, and stumbled in Week Two, losing to Cardinals. Unless the Eagles can shut down both Emmitt Smith and Irvin, Cowboys find ways to win this kind of game.
xxxx ON TV TODAY 10: Buccaneers at Vikings (Fox) 1 p.m.: Seahawks at Colts (NBC) 1: Rams at Broncos (Fox) 5: Jets at Patriots (TNT)