Nfl Matchups
Chicago at Washington
Line: Pick ‘em
Last meeting: Redskins won 20-7 in Chicago on Oct. 6, 1991.
Key stats: Without Rashaan Salaam, the Bears averaged only 2.8 yards per rush in victory over Dallas.
Worth watching: Washington RB Terry Allen had 111-yard, two-TD show in loss to Eagles. New Bears LB Bryan Cox is giving the Bears just what they wanted, leadership and a pass rush.
Outlook: Bears have a chance to go 2-0 for the first time since 1991. But Redskins have playoff hopes and 0-2 start could doom them. Bears need to put plenty of pressure on inexperienced QB Gus Frerotte. With Salaam still out, Erik Kramer must do better than 12 of 27.
Miami at Arizona
Line: Dolphins by 6.
Last meeting: Dolphins won 23-3 at Miami on Nov. 4, 1990.
Key stats: Dolphins are 8-0 vs. Cardinals.
Worth watching: Miami has a rookie-of-the-year candidate in RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who rushed for 115 yards and 4.4-yard average in victory over New England. Arizona has started yet another rebuilding effort, but DE Simeon Rice is at least a solid foundation. Rice had two tackles for losses in opener.
Outlook: Jimmy Johnson is going to rebuild the Dolphins faster than anyone north of the Florida state line thought. If Abdul-Jabbar keeps this up, they’ll have the best running offense Dan Marino has every enjoyed. The Cardinals? Good luck, Vince Tobin.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Line: Steelers by 4.
Last meeting: Steelers won 20-17 at Cleveland on Nov. 26, 1995.
Key stats: Steelers have won six straight from Ravens (Browns).
Worth watching: Vinny Testaverde has settled in as the Ravens’ quarterback, and is third in the league in passing after one week. After giving Jim Miller just one start, the Steelers turn to ex-Bear Mike Tomczak. Has Bill Cowher talked with Mike Ditka?
Outlook: Steelers are reeling, but it’s hard to imagine them falling to 0-2. Not only have they lost LB Greg Lloyd for season, but promising pass rusher Jason Gildon is out with a knee injury. The Ravens won’t have the support of the football-starved Baltimore fans who helped them beat Oakland last week.
Carolina at New Orleans
Line: Saints by 3.
Last meeting: Saints won 34-26 at New Orleans Nov. 26, 1995.
Key stats: Teams split their ‘95 games.
Worth watching: Carolina rookie running back Tim Biakabutuka gained 69 yards in his debut, not bad considering he had virtually no training camp. New Orleans QB Jim Everett can do better than he did vs. 49ers (16 of 41, 175 yards).
Outlook: Last week didn’t reveal much about the Saints, who often lose to the 49ers. New Orleans needs to establish the run behind Mario Bates. Last time they played, Bates ran for two TDs.
Houston at Jacksonville
Line: Jaguars by 2-1/2.
Last meeting: Jacksonville won 17-16 at Houston Oct. 1, 1995.
Key stats: Jacksonville leads AFC in total defense.
Worth watching: Jaguars rookie LB Kevin Hardy showed early he will be a force, recording one sack and one interception in victory over Pittsburgh. Houston sticks with QB Chris Chandler, who was 19 of 26 last week, as Steve McNair awaits his chance.
Outlook: This game features two of the AFC’s top young teams. Jacksonville boasts mobile QB Mark Brunell and improving running back James Stewart. Oilers will miss LB Al Smith, out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets
Line: Colts by 4-1/2.
Last meeting: Colts won 17-10 in Indianapolis on Oct. 29, 1995.
Key stats: Jets QB Neil O’Donnell is 8-1 vs. AFC East since ‘91, including 6-0 since ‘93.
Worth watching: Colts QB Jim Harbaugh got off to a good start in opening victory over Cardinals, tossing two TD passes. He has a new favorite target in rookie WR Marvin Harrison (six receptions for 85 yards, one TD). O’Donnell will earn all of that $25 million playing for Jets.
Outlook: Colts are going for their first 2-0 start since 1977, and they should get it. Jets get a boost from the return of offensive linemen Jumbo Elliott and David Williams from injuries, but they still look dismal, dismal, dismal.
Minnesota at Atlanta
Line: Falcons by 5.
Last meeting: Vikings won 20-19 on Sept. 8, 1991 at Atlanta.
Key stats: Falcons were 7-1 at home in ‘95.
Worth watching: Will Minnesota QB Warren Moon be effective, coming off an injured ankle and a case of turf toe? If he can’t go, look out for his Walter Mitty-like backup, Brad Johnson, who guided the Vikings to come-from-behind victory over Lions.
Outlook: Atlanta and its run-and-shoot offense have the home-field advantage in the Georgia Dome. Falcons will have to be careful with the ball, however. In the opener, the Vikings showed signs of developing an opportunistic defense, led by LB Jeff Brady (two interceptions).
New England at Buffalo
Line: Bills by 5.
Last meeting: Patriots won 35-25 at Buffalo on Nov. 26, 1995.
Key stats: Although Buffalo is an AFC power, Patriots have beaten them three in a row.
Worth watching: New England TE Ben Coates has caught a pass in 50 straight games and loves to play against the Bills (seven TD receptions). Buffalo DE Bruce Smith is off to a fast start, getting two sacks in victory over Giants.
Outlook: Buffalo didn’t look like a Super Bowl team Sunday, needing overtime to beat the Giants. But with Thurman Thomas running, they should be able to keep the ball away from Drew Bledsoe and Co.
Oakland at Kansas City
Line: OFF.
Last meeting: Chiefs won 29-23 at Oakland on Dec. 3, 1995.
Key stats: Chiefs have beaten the Raiders six straight.
Worth watching: Kansas City LB Derrick Thomas had two sacks in victory over Houston. If Raiders QB Jeff Hostetler’s knee keeps him out again, they go with Billy Joe Hobert, who was 17 of 26 for 192 yards in loss to Ravens.
Outlook: This once-great rivalry now looks quaint. The Chiefs are marching toward the AFC West title; Raiders coach Mike White is retreating toward a new assignment from Al Davis.
Tampa Bay at Detroit
Line: Lions by 11.
Last meeting: Lions won 37-10 at Tampa Bay on Dec. 23, 1995.
Key stats: Detroit offense is where it figures to be much of the year - No. 1 in the NFL.
Worth watching: Detroit WR Herman Moore had 12 receptions in the opener, and is especially happy to face the Bucs. Last year, he burned them for 19 catches worth 209 yards in two games. Bucs QB Trent Dilfer has to be better than 13 for 30 for Tampa to have a chance.
Outlook: Lions are too tough at home (7-1 a year ago) for Tampa to threaten. Tampa missed holdout RB Errict Rhett. Last week, rookie Mike Alstott led them in rushing with all of 42 yards.
Cincinnati at San Diego
Line: Chargers by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Chargers won 27-10 in San Diego on Sept. 11, 1994.
Key stats: Under coach Bobby Ross, Chargers are 23-3 when they hold opponents to 15 or fewer points.
Worth watching: Some of the league’s top receivers may keep the scoreboard busy. San Diego’s Tony Martin had seven catches in the opener, the Bengals’ Carl Pickens had six.
Outlook: LB Junior Seau leads a San Diego defense against an overmatched offensive line. Bengals need more than 14 yards on 14 carries from RB Ki-Jana Carter, but he needs help.
N.Y. Giants at Dallas
Line: Cowboys by 12.
Last meeting: Cowboys won 21-20 at Dallas on Dec. 17, 1995.
Key stats: Cowboys have won seven of last eight against the Giants.
Worth watching: How effective can Dallas RB Emmitt Smith be now that he has added back and neck injuries to his sore knee? Sherman Williams would replace him. Also, whether Cowboys WR-CB Deion Sanders tries to go full time both ways again.
Outlook: Suddenly, this game looks very interesting. The Giants pushed Buffalo into OT before succumbing, and the Dallas offense looked lost without WR Michael Irvin (suspended) and tight end Jay Novacek (still out with back injury). Cowboys should be glad they’re at home this week.
St. Louis at San Francisco
Line: 49ers by 12-1/2.
Last meeting: 49ers won 41-13 at San Francisco on Nov. 26, 1995.
Key stats: 49ers have beaten Rams 11 straight.
Worth watching: San Francisco QB Steve Young must get excited when the Rams come to town. He has completed 67 percent of his passes with 20 TDs and only four INTs in 13 games against them. At least Rams QB Steve Walsh knows he won’t be booed this week - it’s a road game.
Outlook: San Francisco’s short passing game will carry the load until the 49ers find a running game. The Rams are too young on offense - three rookies start. Their biggest hope is that Lawrence Phillips breaks a long one or three. xxxx TODAY’S GAMES ON TV 10 a.m.: Bears at Redskins (Fox). 1 p.m.: Broncos at Seahawks (NBC). 1 p.m.: Giants at Cowboys (Fox). 5 p.m.: Dolphins at Cardinals (TNT).