Today’s matchups

Cardinals at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Falcons by 7 1/2.

Records: Cardinals (1-2), Falcons (2-1)

Last meeting: Falcons won 6-3 at Atlanta on Sept. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Cardinals have lost 14 of 17 on road under coach Dennis Green.

Fantasy factor: Cardinals have to pass to score, and Anquan Boldin is off to fast start with 20 catches. Falcons’ Warrick Dunn averages 103.3 rushing yards a game.

The buzz: Falcons back home to recover from Monday night debacle at New Orleans. Kurt Warner, who fumbled away chance to beat Rams last week after throwing 3 INTs, must play better to keep rookie Matt Leinart on the bench.

Chargers at Ravens

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chargers by 2.

Records: Chargers (2-0), Ravens (3-0)

Last meeting: Ravens won 24-10 at San Diego on Sept. 21, 2003.

Key stat: Chargers’ opponents are 0-5, Ravens’ 0-8.

Fantasy factor: Chargers’ Philip Rivers has thrown 2 TD passes in first 2 games. Ravens’ Steve McNair has 3, 1 in each game.

The buzz: Could be an old-fashioned NFL brawl featuring the No. 1 (Chargers) and No. 2 (Ravens) defenses. Home field matters in games like this.

Vikings at Bills

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

Records: Vikings (2-1), Bills (1-2)

Last meeting: Bills won 45-39 (OT) at Minnesota on Sept. 15, 2002.

Key stat: All 3 Vikings games have been decided by 3 points.

Fantasy factor: Vikings’ Chester Taylor leads NFL with 75 carries (3.7 avg.). J.P. Losman settles in as Bills QB, with 2 TD passes vs. 1 INT.

The buzz: Taylor’s running and Brad Johnson’s short passing could be enough for the Vikings to escape with victory.

Saints at Panthers

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Panthers by 7.

Records: Saints (3-0), Panthers (1-2)

Last meeting: Panthers won 27-10 at New Orleans on Dec. 18, 2005.

Key stat: Saints have won last 2 meetings in Charlotte.

Fantasy factor: Saints’ Deuce McAllister off to solid start, rushing for 72.7 yards per game and 4.1 per carry. Panthers’ Steve Smith healthy and threat again after catching 7 balls last week in ‘06 debut.

The buzz: With Smith back, Panthers can score, and Julius Peppers already has 4 sacks. Could be letdown time for Saints.

Dolphins at Texans

Time: Noon. Line: Dolphins by 3 1/2.

Records: Dolphins (1-2), Texans (0-3)

Last meeting: Texans won 21-20 at Miami on Sept. 7, 2003.

Key stat: Dolphins average just 12 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Ronnie Brown of Dolphins averages 3.4 yards per carry. Texans rookie tight end Owen Daniels has TD catch in each of last 2 games.

The buzz: Texans defense has given up yards, but can struggling Dolphins offense take advantage? David Carr, NFL’s leading passer with 6 TD passes and 1 INT, will do just enough.

49ers at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chiefs by 7.

Records: 49ers (1-2), Chiefs (0-2).

Last meeting: 49ers won 17-13 at San Francisco on Nov. 10, 2002.

Key stat: Chiefs 11-6 following open date.

Fantasy factor: 49ers rookie running back Michael Robinson, the former Penn State quarterback, becoming bigger factor with 2 rushing TDs. Chiefs’ Larry Johnson averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

The buzz: Damon Huard continues to start at QB in place of injured Trent Green for Chiefs. Chiefs should be able to run.

Colts at Jets

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Colts by 8.

Records: Colts (3-0), Jets (2-1)

Last meeting: Colts won 38-31 at Indianapolis on Nov. 16, 2003.

Key stat: Colts winning by 10.3 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Colts rookie Joseph Addai averages 4.7 yards per carry while Jets’ Kevan Barlow gets just 2.9.

The buzz: Jets have shown some toughness in beginning of the Eric Mangini regime, but WR Laveranues Coles’ calf injury may doom their chances for upset.

Cowboys at Titans

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Cowboys by 9.

Records: Cowboys (1-1), Titans (0-3).

Last meeting: Cowboys won 21-13 at Dallas on Sept. 15, 2002.

Key stat: Titans average 11 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Cowboys’ Julius Jones averages 4.5 yards per carry and could have big day against weak defense. Titans’ Kerry Collins has thrown 1 TD pass vs. 6 INTs, reportedly earning him a spot on the bench.

The buzz: With or without Terrell Owens, Cowboys have enough to beat one of NFL’s worst teams.

Lions at Rams

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Rams by 5 1/2.

Records: Lions (0-3), Rams (2-1).

Last meeting: Lions won 30-20 at Detroit on Dec. 28, 2003.

Key stat: Rams 2nd in NFL with turnover differential of plus-7.

Fantasy factor: Roy Williams leads Lions with 16 catches, 1 for TD. Rams’ Torry Holt (20 catches, 2 TDs) could have big day if team struggles to run.

The buzz: Lions have shown they play good run defense and not much else. Rams should be able to move through the air.

Patriots at Bengals

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Bengals by 5 1/2.

Records: Patriots (2-1), Bengals (3-0).

Last meeting: Patriots won 35-28 at New England on Dec. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Bengals win by 12.7 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Tight end Ben Watson has emerged as major Patriots threat with 12 catches, 5 last week. Carson Palmer has thrown 6 TDs vs. 4 interceptions.

The buzz: Patriots are lacking confidence on offense, having struggled to score at all in home loss to Denver last week. Bengals haven’t been held to less than 23 points yet.

Browns at Raiders

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

Records: Browns (0-3), Raiders (0-2).

Last meeting: Browns won 9-7 at Oakland on Dec. 18, 2005.

Key stat: Raiders have lost by average of 24.5 points.

Fantasy factor: Browns’ Braylon Edwards going for 3rd straight 100-yard receiving game. LaMont Jordan has rushed for 55 yards this season but had 132 vs. Browns last year.

The buzz: Browns have been competitive, and Raiders show no signs of it. Raiders look for elusive 1st TD of season.

Jaguars at Redskins

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Jaguars by 3.

Records: Jaguars (2-1), Redskins (1-2).

Last meeting: Jaguars won 26-7 at Jacksonville on Nov. 10, 2002.

Key stat: Jaguars have won 8 of last 11 road games.

Fantasy factor: Reggie Williams off to fast start with 16 catches, 1 TD for Jaguars. Redskins’ Clinton Portis is back and healthy after 86-yard running game last week.

The buzz: Mark Brunell had big game vs. Texans, but Jaguars boast NFL’s No. 3-ranked defense.

Packers at Eagles

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday. Line: Eagles by 11.

Records: Packers (1-2), Eagles (2-1).

Last meeting: Eagles won 19-14 at Philadelphia on Nov. 27, 2005.

Key stat: Eagles haven’t been held to less than 24 points yet.

Fantasy factor: The Monday night lights on the road have been friendly to Packers’ Brett Favre: 18 TDs vs. 4 INTs since ‘01. Donovan McNabb has 7 TDs and 1 INT for Eagles.

The buzz: Eagles have looked good against soft schedule (Texans, 49ers), gaining confidence in process. Packers can make game of it with big plays.

Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune