Nfl Matchups

Carolina at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles by 5.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stats: Carolina is tied with Denver for NFL sack lead with 26.

Worth watching: This game features some young players trying to make their mark. Carolina RB Anthony Johnson is going for his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game. And Eagles QB Ty Detmer wants to show that his four-TD pass performance in last week’s victory over Dolphins was no fluke.

Outlook: Two teams with eyes on the playoffs meet, and Eagles figure to have too much firepower. Carolina’s chances of an upset hinge on Johnson’s running and another solid game from QB Kerry Collins, who has four TD passes and only one interception the last two weeks.

Indianapolis at Washington

Line: Redskins by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: Redskins won 41-27 at Indianapolis on Oct. 23, 1994.

Key stats: Redskins’ six-game winning streak is their longest since they started their 1991 championship season 11-0.

Worth watching: Colts QB Jim Harbaugh is expected to start despite a broken nose, but how effective will he be? When the Redskins get close to the goal line, they’ll keep giving the ball to Terry Allen, who leads the NFL with 10 touchdowns.

Outlook: Injuries keep piling up on the Colts. This week, running back Zack Crockett was lost for the season with a knee injury. And Marshall Faulk is questionable again with a foot injury. The Redskins are not as tough as their record makes it look (only one victory over a winning team), but they’re a lot healthier than Indianapolis.

New York Giants at Detroit

Line: Lions by 10.

Last meeting: Lions won 28-25 at New York on Oct. 30, 1994.

Key stats: It’s Lions’ No. 7 offense versus Giants’ No. 29 defense.

Worth watching: Detroit WR Herman Moore leads the NFL with 55 receptions, seven for TDs. Strength of the Giants, such as it is, is the defense. Michael Strahan has four sacks.

Outlook: Lions pass rushers Robert Porcher and Henry Thomas (four sacks each) should feast on a Giants line that has allowed 28 sacks already. That should give Lions’ offense time to be patient, allowing Barry Sanders to have his first big game in a while (only 598 yards so far). The Giants may be without cornerback Phillippi Sparks (arch injury), another boost for the Detroit offense.

Jacksonville at Cincinnati

Line: Bengals by 3.

Last meeting: Bengals won 17-13 at Jacksonville on Nov. 26, 1995.

Key stats: Amazing stats for a second-year expansion team: Jacksonville’s offense is No. 2 in the NFL and its defense is No. 8.

Worth watching: Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell continues to put up stunning numbers. Last week he had his second 400-yard game of the season with 421 in loss at St. Louis.

Outlook: It’s the Bengals’ first game under Bruce Coslet, who replaced the fired Dave Shula. Coslet was 26-39 as Jets head coach in 1990-93, which is much better than Shula’s record with Bengals. Is that good news for Cincinnati fans? Look for Coslet to depend more on RB Garrison Hearst.

Pittsburgh at Atlanta

Line: Steelers by 5.

Last meeting: Steelers won 45-17 at Atlanta on Sept. 27, 1993.

Key stats: Pittsburgh’s defense is first in the AFC and third in the NFL.

Worth watching: Two of the league’s hottest running backs: Pittsburgh’s Jerome Bettis (4.4 yards per carry) and Atlanta’s Jamal Anderson (5.0).

Outlook: With Jeff George finally out of the Falcons’ locker room, a major distraction is gone. The positive effects started to show last week, when they took the Cowboys deep into the fourth quarter before losing. But the Falcons’ defense won’t be able to slow down Bettis enough.

St. Louis at Baltimore

Line: Ravens by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Ravens (as Browns) won 42-14 at Los Angeles in 1993.

Key stats: Give Rams points for consistency: They’re last in the league in both offense and defense.

Worth watching: Ravens QB Vinny Testaverde, having a career year, leads AFC with 15 TD passes. For the Rams, their best hope of scoring much may rest with rookie punt returner Eddie Kennison, who leads the NFL with 20.3-yard average on punt returns.

Outlook: Ravens threw a scare into the Broncos last week in Denver, and should be able to throw and run against the fading Rams. These are a pair of 2-5 teams heading in opposite directions.

San Francisco at Houston

Line: 49ers by 5.

Last meeting: Oilers won 10-7 at San Francisco on Dec. 25, 1993.

Key stats: San Francisco has won four of the last five from Houston.

Worth watching: Steve Young starts at QB for 49ers even though he’ll be slowed by a pulled groin. Oilers rookie RB Eddie George has been tearing up the league, but can he do it against 49ers’ front line, led by Bryant Young?

Outlook: It’s a watershed game for the Oilers, coming off an upset of Pittsburgh. The 49ers are fighting injury problems at QB (Elvis Grbac has sore shoulder) and are coming off shaky performance in come-from-behind victory over lowly Bengals. With the first sellout crowd of the year possibly on hand in Houston, the atmosphere is ripe for an upset.

Tampa Bay at Green Bay

Line: Packers by 17-1/2.

Last meeting: Packers won 34-3 at Tampa on Sept. 1.

Key stats: Packers lead NFL with takeaway differential of plus-15.

Worth watching: With Robert Brooks out for the season, Antonio Freeman takes over as the Packers’ primary receiver. He has five TD receptions so far, but will get more attention from secondaries. Tampa Bay QB Trent Dilfer has shown improvement, completing 62.9 percent with three TDs and no interceptions the last two weeks.

Outlook: Bucs have been playing better, including an upset of the Vikings two weeks ago. But this is a mismatch that should be over quickly.

Dallas at Miami

Line: Cowboys by 3.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 16-14 at Dallas on Nov. 25, 1993.

Key stats: Who would have thought it? Cowboys’ offense is 25th in the NFL.

Worth watching: Whether Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson calls for a sweep toward the Dallas sidelines when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is on the field. Other than that, the performance of Miami QB Dan Marino will be a key. It’s his first game after missing three weeks with an ankle injury.

Outlook: One of the most talked-about games of the season features two 4-3 teams, but the hatred between Jones and Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to two Super Bowls, overshadows all else.

Kansas City at Denver

Line: Broncos by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 17-14 at Kansas City on Sept. 22.

Key stats: Chiefs have won last three against Broncos.

Worth watching: Denver quarterback John Elway is on a hot streak, with three straight 300-yard passing games. Chiefs LB Derrick Thomas has seven sacks.

Outlook: The Broncos, not always known for their defense, have a solid one this season. End Alfred Williams has emerged as one of the top free-agent signings (7-1/2 sacks), but the Chiefs haven’t allowed a sack the last two weeks. Between an improved defense and offense that can also run (Terrell Davis), the Broncos should control the clock and the game.

N.Y. Jets at Arizona

Line: Cardinals by 4.

Last meeting: Jets won 23-10 in New York on Oct. 22, 1978.

Key stats: In its last three victories, Arizona is averaging 173.7 rushing yards per game.

Worth watching: Kent Graham has settled in as the Cardinals quarterback. In four starts, he has thrown six TD passes and only one interception.

Outlook: A few weeks ago, winless Jets may have looked at this game and seen a good chance for a victory. But the Cardinals have won three out of four.

Buffalo at New England

Line: Patriots by 4.

Last meeting: Bills won 17-10 at Buffalo on Sept. 8.

Key stats: Patriots had three-game winning streak versus Bills snapped in September.

Worth watching: New England QB Drew Bledsoe is playing better as the season wears on, and it’s showing up on the scoreboard: Patriots have scored 154 points in winning four of their last five.

Outlook: Key AFC East battle as Patriots try to move into second place. Bills fifth-ranked defense will be on the spot. Bills need a big game from struggling QB Jim Kelly to win.

Bears at Minnesota (Monday)

Line: Vikings by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Vikings won 20-14 at Chicago on Sept. 15.

Key stats: Vikings have won seven of last nine from the Bears.

Worth watching: Minnesota RB Robert Smith is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and has gained 693 yards. Bears WR Curtis Conway already has three 100-yard receiving games.

Outlook: Vikings playing for the playoffs; the Bears, for pride. Minnesota’s weakness is rushing defense, so Bears’ best hope is for Rashaan Salaam and Raymont Harris to establish the running game. Minnesota could use a good game from QB Warren Moon to take the pressure off Smith.