The NFL: matchups

Bears at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bears by 3.

Records: Bears (1-2), Lions (2-1).

Last meeting: Bears won, 26-21, at Detroit on Dec. 24, 2006.

Key stat: Bears’ minus-6 turnover differential ranks 31st.

Fantasy factor: Brian Griese gets his first start for Bears. The QB to watch is the Lions’ Jon Kitna, who has thrown 6 TD passes and leads NFL with 980 passing yards.

The buzz: Griese may spark the offense, but the Bears’ defense is dealing with several injuries. Lions are brimming with confidence. Lions receivers Roy Williams and rookie Calvin Johnson giving everyone fits.

Texans at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Texans by 3.

Records: Texans (2-1), Falcons (0-3).

Last meeting: Texans won, 17-13, at Houston on Nov. 30, 2003.

Key stat: Texans have scored at least 20 points in all three games, averaging 26.

Fantasy factor: Tight end Owen Daniels (13 catches) has become a key in Texans’ offense. Roddy White leads Falcons with 15 catches, 1 TD.

The buzz: Falcons wouldn’t have traded QB Matt Schaub (100.9 passer rating) to Texans had they known of Michael Vick’s problems earlier. Now they have to beat him, and he plays for the better team.

Jets at Bills

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jets by 3 1/2 .

Records: Jets (1-2), Bills (0-3).

Last meeting: Bills won, 31-13, at New York on Dec. 10, 2006.

Key stat: Bills haven’t scored more than 14 points in a game, averaging 8.

Fantasy factor: Jets’ Chad Pennington has thrown 4 TD passes, 0 INT and is second in NFL with 121.4 passer rating. Rookie Marshawn Lynch, averaging 4.0 yards per carry with 2 TDs, carrying the load for Bills.

The buzz: Bills have little going on offense, and Jets should do enough with Pennington’s passing and the running of Thomas Jones.

Ravens at Browns

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Ravens by 4.

Records: Ravens (2-1), Browns (1-2).

Last meeting: Ravens won, 27-17, at Baltimore on Dec. 17, 2006.

Key stat: Ravens have won 4 of last 5 meetings, including both in ‘06.

Fantasy factor: Ravens’ Derrick Mason has been consistent, with at least 7 catches in each game (total 23) but only 1 TD. Ex-Raven Jamal Lewis is third in NFL with 307 rushing yards (5.8 avg.) and 1 TD.

The buzz: Browns have shown some spunk, taking Oakland down to the wire last week and beating Bengals two weeks ago. Ravens have been getting by.

Rams at Cowboys

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Cowboys by 13.

Records: Rams (0-3), Cowboys (3-0).

Last meeting: Rams won, 20-10, at Dallas on Jan. 1, 2006.

Key stat: Cowboys’ winning margins have grown: 10 in Week 1 (Giants), then 17 (Dolphins) and 24 (Bears).

Fantasy factor: With Steven Jackson out (groin), rookie RB Brian Leonard will get plenty of work. Cowboys’ Marion Barber tied for NFL lead with 5 TDs (4 rushing, 1 receiving) and is averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

The buzz: Talk about opposites. Cowboys are one of the NFL’s surprises, Rams one of the biggest disappointments.

Raiders at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Dolphins by 4.

Records: Raiders (1-2), Dolphins (0-3).

Last meeting: Dolphins won, 33-21, at Oakland on Nov. 27, 2005.

Key stat: Two of Dolphins’ three losses have been by 3 points.

Fantasy factor: LaMont Jordan is second in NFL with 350 rushing yards and is going for his third straight 100-yard game. Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown, who ran for 112 and had 99 receiving yards vs. Jets on Sunday, a multipurpose threat.

The buzz: Both teams have shown they can move the ball and not do a very good job of stopping the other guy. Dolphins have a better passing game and are ready to break through.

Packers at Vikings

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Packers by 2.

Records: Packers (3-0), Vikings (1-2).

Last meeting: Packers won, 9-7, at Green Bay on Dec. 21, 2006.

Key stat: Packers going for first 4-0 start since ‘98.

Fantasy factor: Packers will rely on getting the ball to Donald Driver, off to a fast start with 20 catches, 2 TDs. Vikings’ offense still boils down to rookie RB Adrian Peterson (4.2 yards per carry).

The buzz: The Packers often have struggled in domes, but their defense should be able to keep this offense in check. Brett Favre still going strong.

Bucs at Panthers

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Panthers by 3.

Records: Buccaneers (2-1), Panthers (2-1).

Last meeting: Panthers won, 24-10, at Carolina on Nov. 13, 2006.

Key stat: Panthers have won 7 of last 8 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Bucs’ Joey Galloway off to a good start with 13 catches, 2 TDs. Panthers’ Steve Smith has 16 catches, 4 TDs, and has averaged 117.5 receiving yards in last four vs. Bucs.

The buzz: If Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is out with elbow injury, David Carr will get the call. Bucs have been solid, but it’s a tough road assignment.

Steelers at Cardinals

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 6.

Records: Steelers (3-0), Cardinals (1-2).

Last meeting: Steelers won, 28-15, at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 2003.

Key stat: Steelers going for first 4-0 start since ‘79.

Fantasy factor: Steelers’ Willie Parker leads NFL with 368 rushing yards and is getting 5.0 yards per carry. Cards’ Edgerrin James averaging 4.6 and has run for 2 TDs.

The buzz: Emotion on the side of the Cardinals, whose head coach Ken Whisenhunt is a former Steelers assistant. Steelers have been doing everything right, most notably allowing only 26 points all season.

Broncos at Colts

Time: 1:15 p.m. TV: CBS

Line: Colts by 9 1/2 .

Records: Broncos (2-1), Colts (3-0).

Last meeting: Colts won, 34-31, at Denver on Oct. 29, 2006.

Key stat: Colts’ last two wins, both on road, came by total of 8 points.

Fantasy factor: Travis Henry rolling along for Broncos, averaging 5.0 yards per carry with 1 TD. Colts’ Joseph Addai averaging 4.2 yards per carry and is tied for NFL lead with 4 rushing TDs.

The buzz: Broncos have been putting up yards but not points, not a good formula against the Super Bowl champs who are playing good defense.

Chiefs at Chargers

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 11 1/2 .

Records: Chiefs (1-2), Chargers (1-2).

Last meeting: Chargers won, 20-9, at San Diego on Dec. 17, 2006.

Key stat: Chargers have won 4 of last 6 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Chiefs rookie Dwayne Bowe becoming a factor with 10 catches for 13.5-yard average and 2 TDs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates, second in NFL with 27 catches, has 8 TDs in six games vs. Chiefs.

The buzz: Reeling from losses at New England and Green Bay, Chargers back home to pick up the pieces. The Chiefs will be a welcome sight.

Eagles at Giants

Time: 5:15 p.m. TV: NBC

Line: Eagles by 2 1/2 .

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

Last meeting: Eagles won, 23-20, at Philadelphia in wild-card playoff on Jan. 7.

Key stat: Giants allowing 32.3 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Eagles’ Donovan McNabb coming off a 4-TD pass game against Lions. Giants’ Plaxico Burress has 15 catches and is tied for the NFL lead with 5 TD receptions.

The buzz: Eagles are banged up heading into this pivotal NFC East game. If RB Brian Westbrook is limited, Giants should control game.

Patriots at Bengals

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday. TV: ESPN

Line: Patriots by 7 1/2 .

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

Last meeting: Pats won, 38-13, at Cincinnati on Oct. 1, 2006.

Key stat: Pats lead NFL in total offense (441.0) and total defense (207).

Fantasy factor: Pats’ Tom Brady leads NFL in passing with 10 TD passes and only 1 INT. Bengals’ T. J. Houshmandzadeh leads league with 29 catches, 4 for TDs.

The buzz: Nobody has come close to the Patriots, and Bengals’ generous defense won’t be able to contain them. Who’ll cover Randy Moss, who’s second in NFL in receiving yards (403) and is tied for the most TD catches (5)?

Open: Washington, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tennessee