The Matchups

Minnesota at Green Bay

Line: Packers by 12.

Last meeting: Packers won 38-10 in Green Bay on Dec. 22, 1996.

Key stats: Game features two of the NFL’s top offenses: Vikings third, Packers fifth.

Worth watching: Vikings running back Robert Smith leads NFC with 308 yards rushing and is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. Green Bay’s Dorsey Levens had a breakout game last week, gaining 121 yards in victory over Dolphins.

Outlook: Vikings will have a chance if they can exploit Packers injuries on defense. Defensive tackle Gilbert Brown (leg) and safety LeRoy Butler (arm) are questionable. Otherwise, Packers get 18th straight Lambeau Field victory.

Baltimore at Tennessee

Line: Oilers by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Oilers won 24-21 in Baltimore on Dec. 22, 1996.

Key stats: Oilers lead the NFL in rushing.

Worth watching: Oilers RB Eddie George is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Ravens’ first-round pick Peter Boulware is coming through, with 2-1/2 sacks.

Outlook: Oilers return from bye week to face NFL’s 29th-ranked defense, but may have only about 15,000 fans on hand in Memphis. Thanks to George, lack of fan support won’t matter.

Chicago at New England

Line: Patriots by 13.

Last meeting: Patriots won 13-3 at Soldier Field on Dec. 24, 1994.

Key stats: It’s New England’s No. 1 offense vs. Bears’ No. 25 defense.

Worth watching: Talk about a tough spot: Rick Mirer gets first start at QB for Bears against Drew Bledsoe. Mirer was the second pick of the ‘93 draft behind Bledsoe, who leads the NFL in passing.

Outlook: With safety Marty Carter (elbow) out, the Bears have lost six starters to injury already. Patriots have league’s leading rusher in Curtis Martin (395 yards, 4.5 per carry).

Detroit at New Orleans

Line: Lions by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: Saints won 14-3 in New Orleans on Sept. 19, 1993.

Key stats: Mike Ditka’s Saints are 26th in offense, including 27th in rushing.

Worth watching: Lions QB Scott Mitchell leads NFC with six TD passes and WR Herman Moore has six TD receptions in last seven games.

Outlook: Ditka sticking with his hand-picked QB Heath Shuler, who has a subterranean passer rating of 24.1 (zero TDs, eight INTs). Unless Shuler figures it out Sunday, Lions should romp.

Kansas City at Carolina

Line: Panthers by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: This is their first meeting.

Key stats: Carolina’s defense is second in the NFL, allowing just 261.3 yards per game.

Worth watching: Carolina QB Kerry Collins starts his second game after recovering from a broken jaw. Newcomer Andre Rison leads Chiefs with 15 catches for a 17.1-yard average and a game-winning TD catch.

Outlook: Carolina hasn’t played a tough schedule, but its defense has been impressive. Chiefs must shut down tight end Wesley Walls (eight TD catches in last nine games, three this season).

Oakland at New York

Jets Line: Jets by 1-1/2.

Last meeting: Raiders won 34-13 at Meadowlands on Oct. 6, 1996.

Key stats: Raiders lead the league in passing offense.

Worth watching: Oakland QB Jeff George is putting up some big numbers, and his touchdown-interception ratio is solid (6-2).

Outlook: Bill Parcells has done a great job making the Jets competitive quickly. But the Raiders know how to handle the Jets (they’ve won the last five meetings, including last year’s blowout). George gives the Raiders a chance to be a factor in the playoff race.

Atlanta at San Francisco

Line: 49ers by 15.

Last meeting: 49ers won 34-10 in Atlanta on Dec. 2, 1996.

Key stats: San Francisco is 27th in offense, but first in defense.

Worth watching: San Francisco QB Steve Young is coming off 18-for-21 showing, but that was vs. Saints. As long as he stays concussion-free, 49ers can handle most teams, certainly this one.

Outlook: Falcons trying to come back after heartbreaking loss to Raiders, but with no running game to keep San Francisco offense off the field, what chance do they have? How about none.

Cincinnati at Denver

Line: Broncos by 11-1/2.

Last meeting: Broncos won 14-10 in Cincinnati on Sept. 29, 1996.

Key stats: Broncos have won last six vs. Bengals.

Worth watching: Despite that sore arm in August, John Elway is the NFL’s No. 2 passer and has thrown six TD passes with only one interception. Carl Pickens leads Bengals with 16 catches, two for TDs.

Outlook: Elway-to-Rod Smith is shaping up as the NFL’s hottest combination. Combine that with the running of Terrell Davis and … the Bengals’ only hope is an early lead and a big game from running back Ki-Jana Carter.

Indianapolis at Buffalo

Line: Bills by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Colts won 13-10 in overtime in Indianapolis on Dec. 1, 1996.

Key stats: Colts are last in the NFL in total offense.

Worth watching: Bills defensive end Bruce Smith has 3-1/2 sacks and could feast on porous Colts line that has allowed a league-high 18 sacks.

Outlook: Indianapolis is still looking for its first touchdown on offense. QB Jim Harbaugh leads the league with 65.5 percent completion rate, but too many of them are short dumpoffs just so he can survive.

New York Giants at St. Louis

Line: Rams by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: Rams won 17-10 in Anaheim on Oct. 16, 1994.

Key stats: A matchup of two weak offenses: Rams are 20th, Giants 22nd.

Worth watching: Whether Lawrence Phillips (4.1 yards per carry, four touchdowns) can carry the Rams.

Outlook: St. Louis has injury problems in the offensive line and again goes without wide receiver Isaac Bruce. Rams aren’t good enough to overcome that, even against the Giants.

Miami at Tampa Bay

Line: Bucs by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 33-14 in Miami on Dec. 1, 1991.

Key stats: Tampa Bay is second in the league in rushing offense and third in rushing defense, always a winning formula.

Worth watching: Tampa Bay rookie Warrick Dunn (5.6 yards per carry) could have big day vs. Miami’s defense. With running game dead-last in the NFL, Miami needs big game from Dan Marino, who has thrown only one TD pass.

Outlook: Consecutive road victories at Detroit and Minnesota have made the Bucs the NFC’s only unbeaten team. It’s no fluke. Dunn, a rookie of the year candidate, and recent high draft picks are paying off. This is an emotional battle-of-Florida game, but Bucs are at home.

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville (Monday)

Line: Jaguars by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Steelers won 28-3 in Pittsburgh on Nov. 17, 1996.

Key stats: Despite quarterback injuries, Jacksonville is second in total offense and passing offense.

Worth watching: Whomever starts at QB for Jacksonville - Mark Brunell (knee) or backup Rob Johnson (ankle) - both are coming off injuries. Brunell was upgraded to questionable on Thursday; Johnson remains doubtful. It could be Steve Matthews, who guided the Jags past the Giants two weeks ago.

Outlook: Jacksonville makes its “Monday Night Football” debut with a chance to move two games ahead of the Steelers. Jaguars will need Brunell or Johnson to win this one. Steelers could win if they can control the ball with Jerome Bettis (4.7 yards per carry).