Today’s matchups
Bills at Colts
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Colts by 12
Records: Bills (3-5), Colts (8-0)
Last meeting: Colts won 17-14 at Buffalo on Nov. 23, 2003
Key stat: Colts try to become first NFL team to record back-to-back 9-0 starts.
Fantasy factor: Bills’ J. P. Losman has thrown 8 TD passes in last 6 road games. Colts rookie Joseph Addai gets 4.7 yards per carry.
The Buzz: Colts unlikely to be savoring win at New England too much to overlook Bills. Addai and Dominic Rhodes could exploit Bills’ weak run defense.
Ravens at Titans
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Ravens by 7
Records: Ravens (6-2), Titans (2-6)
Last meeting: Titans won 25-10 at Tennessee on Sept. 18, 2005
Key stat: Ravens lead NFL with plus-14 turnover differential.
Fantasy factor: Ex-Titan Steve McNair returns to Nashville, having thrown 7 TDs vs. 7 INTs. His successor, rookie Vince Young, has 5 TDs vs. 7 INTs.
The Buzz: Ravens have won 2 straight since their week off, saving a season that appeared to be slipping away with 2 straight losses. Jamal Lewis should run well vs. Titans defense.
Browns at Falcons
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Falcons by 81/2
Records: Browns (2-6), Falcons (5-3)
Last meeting: Browns won 24-16 at Cleveland on Dec. 29, 2002
Key stat: Falcons are 3-1 at home, losing only to Giants.
Fantasy factor: Both tight ends are crucial: Browns’ Kellen Winslow has 51 catches, 3 TDs; Falcons’ Alge Crumpler has 30 catches, 6 TDs.
The Buzz: Falcons have proven tough at home, and need to put some pressure on Browns QB Charlie Frye.
Packers at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Vikings by 5
Records: Packers (3-5), Vikings (4-4)
Last meeting: Vikings won 20-17 at Green Bay on Nov. 21, 2005
Key stat: Vikings have outscored opponents 59-19 in 4th quarter and OT.
Fantasy factor: Brett Favre has thrown 14 TD passes vs. 4 INTs in last 5 games vs. Vikings. Chester Taylor has averaged 102.5 rushing yards in last 4 games for Vikings.
The Buzz: Packers will have to throw to win this one, and it won’t be easy. Vikings have shown they can score enough at home.
Chiefs at Dolphins
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chiefs by 11/2
Records: Chiefs (5-3), Dolphins (2-6)
Last meeting: Chiefs won 30-20 at Miami on Oct. 21, 2005
Key stat: Dolphins have won 7 of last 9 at home vs. K.C.
Fantasy factor: Larry Johnson, 2nd in NFL with 1,145 yards from scrimmage, has run for 9 TDs. Ronnie Brown averages 4.1 yards per carry with 4 TDs.
The Buzz: Dolphins picked up confidence-building win at Soldier Field last week, but will Chiefs cooperate with 6 turnovers? Not the way QB Damon Huard is playing.
49ers at Lions
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Lions by 6
Records: 49ers (3-5), Lions (2-6)
Last meeting: 49ers won 24-17 at San Francisco on Oct. 5, 2003
Key stat: 49ers 0-3 on road, losing by 26.3 points per game.
Fantasy factor: 49ers’ Alex Smith has thrown 9 TD passes vs. 7 INTs. Lions’ Roy Williams has caught TD passes in 3 straight and has 8 in last 8 home games.
The Buzz: Lions have shown they can run ball with Kevin Jones and get it to Williams. Road has proven treacherous for young 49ers.
Texans at Jaguars
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Jaguars by 10
Records: Texans (2-6), Jaguars (5-3)
Last meeting: Texans won 27-7 at Houston on Oct. 22
Key stat: Jags are 4-0 at home, winning by 21.8 per game.
Fantasy factor: Owen Daniels tied for 2nd among TEs with 5 TD catches for Texans. Jaguars QB David Garrard is 6-1 as starter, with 3 TD vs. 0 INTs in 39 throws this season.
The Buzz: Garrard has given Jaguars a spark, leading them to 2 straight wins. Jaguars will have to pressure David Carr to keep party rolling.
Jets at Patriots
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Patriots by 101/2
Records: Jets (4-4), Patriots (6-2)
Last meeting: Pats won 24-17 at New York on Sept. 17
Key stat: Pats have won last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Chad Pennington, with 9 TDs vs. 8 INTs, needs big day to pull off upset. Pats rookie Laurence Maroney should improve his 4.3 yards-per-carry average against this defense.
The Buzz: Pats get chance to bounce back from loss to Colts against division rival they have plenty of experience beating.
Chargers at Bengals
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chargers by 1
Records: Chargers (6-2), Bengals (4-4)
Last meeting: Bengals won 34-27 at San Diego on Nov. 23, 2003
Key stat: Bengals are 1-3 since open date, losing by total of 9 points.
Fantasy factor: LaDainian Tomlinson will continue to pile up touchdowns (12 rushing, 2 receiving). Carson Palmer has 12 TD passes vs. 6 INTs.
The Buzz: Chargers have ability to run vs. Bengals and control ball. Bengals offense still waits to put it all together.
Redskins at Eagles
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles by 7
Records: Redskins (3-5), Eagles (4-4)
Last meeting: Redskins won 31-20 at Philadelphia on Jan. 1
Key stat: Eagles, who were off last week, have lost 3 straight by total of 12 points.
Fantasy factor: Eagles’ Donovan McNabb has accounted for 22 TDs (19 passing, 3 rushing) in 12 career games vs. Redskins. Clinton Portis, who leads NFC with 7 rush TDs, has scored 5 in last 3 vs. Eagles.
The Buzz: Eagles’ top-ranked offense, led by McNabb and his 16 TD passes, should control this one. Eagles are rested and angry after close losses.
Broncos at Raiders
Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Broncos by 91/2
Records: Broncos (6-2), Raiders (2-6)
Last meeting: Broncos won 13-3 at Denver on Oct. 15
Key stat: Broncos have won 6 of last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Javon Walker having big 1st season in Denver: 39 catches, 5 TDs. Raiders’ Randy Moss has at least 5 catches in last 4 vs. Broncos.
The Buzz: Broncos only loss since opening day was to Colts, so they’ll breeze past fading franchise that was once respected rival.
Saints at Steelers
Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Steelers by 51/2
Records: Saints (6-2), Steelers (2-6)
Last meeting: Saints won 32-29 at New Orleans on Oct. 6, 2002
Key stat: Saints 3-1 on road, losing only at Carolina
Fantasy factor: Saints rookie Marques Colston continues to excel; he’s 4th in NFL with 700 receiving yards, tied for 1st with 7 TD catches. Year to forget for Ben Roethlisberger: 7 TD passes vs. 14 INTs.
The Buzz: Steelers are capable of playing like Super Bowl team on any given Sunday, but when will they start?
Cowboys at Cardinals
Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 61/2
Records: Cowboys (4-4), Cardinals (1-7)
Last meeting: Cowboys won 34-13 at Dallas on Oct. 30, 2005
Key stat: Cardinals’ 3 home losses have been by a total of 6 points.
Fantasy factor: Receivers on stage: Terrell Owens has 44 catches, 6 TDs for Cowboys. Anquan Boldin has 48 catches, 3 TDs for Cardinals.
The Buzz: Cardinals face their home fans for 1st time since the Oct. 16 meltdown against Bears. Tony Romo has injected some life into Dallas offense.
Bears at Giants
Time: 5:15 p.m. Line: Giants by 1
Records: Bears (7-1), Giants (6-2)
Last meeting: Bears won 28-21 at New York on Nov. 7, 2004
Key stat: Bears going for first 8-1 start since 1990.
Fantasy factor: Rex Grossman, with 14 TD passes vs. 10 INTs, may have time to throw as he tries to bounce back from another bad game. Giants’ Tiki Barber averages 4.8 yards per carry and leads NFL with 830 yards rushing.
The Buzz: Bears lead league in defense, but can they slow down Barber in Meadowlands? Bears can pull off upset if Grossman gets time to throw against banged-up defense.
Bucs at Panthers
Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday
Line: Panthers by 91/2
Records: Buccaneers (2-6), Panthers (4-4)
Last meeting: Panthers won 26-24 at Tampa on Sept. 24
Key stat: Panthers have won 6 of last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Bucs’ Cadillac Williams could improve his 3.7-yard average against soft run defense. Panthers’ Jake Delhomme 6-1 vs. Bucs with 11 TD passes vs. 6 INTs.
The Buzz: Neither team’s offense inspires much confidence, but Bucs’ Bruce Gradkowski is rookie who will have to avoid Julius Peppers (8 sacks).
Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune