WEEK 15

By Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune

Texans (5-8) at Bears (5-8)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bears by 1.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stat: Bears are 0-4 without Brian Urlacher.

Players to watch: Texans’ Andre Johnson has 71 catches, five for TDs. Bears’ Chad Hutchinson has thrown three TDs vs. one interception in his two starts.

The buzz: Hutchinson has brought some life to Bears’ offense, and Texans have trouble scoring. Bears haven’t won without Urlacher, but home losses were to 2 elite teams — Eagles and Colts.

Vikings (7-6) at Lions (5-8)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Vikings by 3.

Last meeting: Vikings won, 22-19, at Minnesota on Nov. 21, 2004.

Key stat: Vikings have won last 5 meetings.

Players to watch: Daunte Culpepper has thrown 31 TD passes vs. only 10 interceptions. Lions rookie Kevin Jones has rushed for 352 yards (6.0 avg.) in last two games.

The buzz: Vikings need this one to stay close to Green Bay, which visits Minnesota on Christmas Eve. Lions’ chance for upset depends on another big game from Jones.

Broncos (8-5) at Chiefs (5-8)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Broncos by 1.

Last meeting: Broncos won, 34-24, at Denver on Sept. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Chiefs have averaged 38 points in last three games, winning two.

Players to watch: Rookie Tatum Bell showed promise last week running for 123 yards. Chiefs’ Larry Johnson, who has 222 yards rushing and three TDs in last two games, starts injured Derrick Blaylock.

The buzz: Chiefs have been playing better, winning two in row on road. Pressure building on Broncos, who barely beat Dolphins last week.

Bills (7-6) at Bengals (6-7)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bills by 1 1/2 .

Last meeting: Bills won, 22-16 (OT), at Buffalo on Oct. 5, 2003.

Key stat: Bills have won four straight by an average of 22.3 points.

Players to watch: Bengals’ Chad Johnson has 30 catches for 14.6 average and five TDs in last four games. Bills’ Eric Moulds quietly having another good year with 71 catches, five for TDs.

The buzz: Jon Kitna expected to replace injured Carson Palmer (knee) at QB for Bengals, another break for surging Bills.

Cowboys (5-8) at Eagles (12-1)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles by 12 1/2 .

Last meeting: Eagles won, 49-21, at Dallas on Nov. 15, 2004.

Key stat: Eagles have won eight of last nine meetings.

Players to watch: Eagles’ Terrell Owens leads NFL with 14 TD catches, including three against Cowboys (six catches, 134 yards). Tight end Jason Witten leads Cowboys with 67 catches, five for TDs.

The buzz: Eagles can clinch top seed in NFC playoffs with win (or Falcons loss Saturday). In either case, they shouldn’t have much trouble with Dallas.

Chargers (10-3) at Browns (3-10)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chargers by 10. TV: CBS

Last meeting: Chargers won, 26-20, at Cleveland on Oct. 19, 2003.

Key stat: Browns have played NFL’s toughest schedule (opponents have .627 winning percentage).

Players to watch: LaDainian Tomlinson averaging modest 3.9 yards per carry, but tied for NFL lead with 14 rushing TDs. Browns’ Antonio Bryant has 19 catches, four TDs in last three games.

The buzz: Chargers can move step closer to NFC West title against struggling Browns. Cleveland has been outscored 79-22 last two weeks (Patriots, Bills).

Rams (6-7) at Cardinals (4-9)

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Rams by 3.

Last meeting: Rams won, 17-10, at St. Louis on Sept. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Rams have won last five meetings.

Players to watch: Rams’ Torry Holt having another solid year with 74 catches, eight TDs. Cards’ Bertrand Berry has career-high 12 sacks.

The buzz: Running backs Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson are due back from injuries, and if QB Marc Bulger can return from sore shoulder, Rams should breeze.

Saints (5-8) at Bucs (5-8)

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Bucs by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Bucs won, 20-17, at New Orleans on Oct. 10, 2004.

Key stat: Bucs have won four straight home games by average of 18.5 points.

Players to watch: Saints’ Joe Horn leads NFL with 81 catches, nine for TDs. Rookie Michael Clayton leads Bucs with 70 catches, four for TDs.

The buzz: Brian Griese should have time to throw and Michael Pittman should have room to run against Saints.

Jaguars (7-6) at Packers (8-5)

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Packers by 3 1/2 . TV: CBS

Last meeting: Packers won, 28-21, at Jacksonville on Dec. 3, 2001.

Key stat: Packers have won four straight at home; Jaguars 3-3 on road.

Players to watch: Running backs: Fred Taylor getting 4.4 per carry for Jaguars; Ahman Green averaging 4.5 for Packers.

The buzz: Packers, who can clinch playoff berth with win, can take another step closer to division title. Can Southern team win in Wisconsin in mid-December?

Titans (4-9) at Raiders (4-9)

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Raiders by 2 1/2 .

Last meeting: Titans won, 25-20, at Tennessee on Sept. 7, 2003.

Key stat: Titans have won seven of last nine meetings.

Players to watch: Chris Brown, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, has recovered from toe injury and again gives Titans running threat. Raiders’ Shane Lechler continues to lead NFL with 47.4 yards per punt.

The buzz: Titans’ injury-depleted defense has allowed 44 points per game during three-game losing streak. Raiders aren’t loaded on offense, but they can take advantage.

Ravens (8-5) at Colts (10-3)

Time: 5:30 p.m. Line: Colts by 8. TV: ESPN

Last meeting: Colts won, 22-20, at Indianapolis on Oct. 13, 2002.

Key stat: Colts lead NFL with turnover differential of plus-18.

Players to watch: Peyton Manning, having year for ages, has 46 TD passes and needs three to break Dan Marino’s record. Ravens’ safety Ed Reed leads NFL with eight interceptions.

The buzz: If Manning has average day, he’ll break Marino’s 20-year-old record as Colts try to improve their playoff position. Colts underrated defense will make it tough on Kyle Boller.

Patriots (12-1) at Dolphins (2-11)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday. Line: Patriots by 9 1/2 . TV: ABC

Last meeting: Patriots won, 24-10, at New England on Oct. 10, 2004.

Key stat: Patriots have won 18 of their last 22 AFC East games.

Players to watch: Pats’ Corey Dillon could add to his stats — 4.7 yards per carry, 10 rushing TDs. Ex-Bear Marty Booker had seven catches for 123 yards in first game vs. Pats.

The buzz: Patriots trail Steelers for homefield advantage in AFC playoffs, so they don’t figure to take lowly Dolphins lightly. They should control game with rushing offense.