The Matchups

Falcons at Saints

Line: Saints by 2.

Last meeting: Falcons won 31-15 at New Orleans on Dec. 8, 1996.

Key stats: Falcons have beaten Saints four straight.

Worth watching: Saints tackle Wayne Martin leads NFL with 7-1/2 sacks.

Outlook: Can Mike Ditka’s Saints make it two in a row? If the euphoria of beating the Bears has worn off, their aggressive defense should be able to contain the Falcons’ woeful offense. So as long as Heath Shuler doesn’t make too many mistakes …

Bills at Patriots

Line: Patriots by 8-1/2.

Last meeting: Patriots won 28-25 at New England on Oct. 27, 1996.

Key stats: Patriots are consistent: They’re fourth in offense and third in defense.

Worth watching: Bills WR Andre Reed has a history of playing well against the Patriots - 100 receiving yards in three of last four games. Patriots RB Curtis Martin has a touchdown in 17 of last 18 home games.

Outlook: Patriots, who have won four of last five from Bills, shouldn’t be sluggish after last Monday night’s blowout loss at Denver. A loss would suddenly make the AFC East race very interesting. Just don’t expect that to happen.

Bengals at Oilers

Line: Oilers by 2.

Last meeting: Bengals won 21-13 at Houston on Dec. 15, 1996.

Key stats: Game features two of the NFL’s worst defenses: Bengals are 26th, Oilers 28th.

Worth watching: Oilers’ Eddie George averaging 4.8 yards a carry; Bengals’ Ki-Jana Carter producing at 4.5 rate.

Outlook: A meeting of two teams that had playoff ambitions and are close to playing out the string. Oilers, somehow, have yet to intercept a pass, an embarrassment to coach Jeff Fisher. Oilers will get little help from another small crowd in Memphis.

Lions at Buccaneers

Line: Bucs by 6.

Last meeting: Bucs 24-17 at Detroit on Sept. 7.

Key stats: Lions have won five of six from the Buccaneers.

Worth watching: Two of the NFL’s top running backs: Detroit’s Barry Sanders is going for his career-best fifth straight 100-yard game; Bucs rookie Warrick Dunn is averaging 5.1 yards a carry.

Outlook: Bucs gave Packers all they could handle last week and must guard against letdown against Lions. Bucs’ No. 2-ranked rushing defense should be able to contain Sanders.

Packers at Bears

Line: Packers by 11-1/2.

Last meeting: Packers won 38-24 in Green Bay on Sept. 1, 1997.

Key stats: Packers have beaten the Bears seven straight.

Worth watching: Erik Kramer returns as Chicago’s starting quarterback with a chance to show he could be the team’s quarterback of the future - again. Will Green Bay QB Brett Favre mercilessly pick apart Bears’ secondary?

Outlook: Packers have struggled as they try to repeat as Super Bowl champions, but they’re not about to lose to a winless team. Bears’ only hope is to control the ball with Raymont Harris running. The Packers are expected to be without injured run-stopper Gilbert Brown.

Dolphins at Jets

Line: Jets by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 31-28 at New York on Dec. 22, 1996.

Key stats: Despite presence of Dan Marino, Dolphins have sunk to 25th in total offense.

Worth watching: Jets’ QB Neil O’Donnell having a big season, with 10 TD passes and only three interceptions.

Outlook: Jets are the turnaround story of the season, and it matters little that Dolphins have won five of last six from them. Unless the Dolphins can find a running game (they’re 30th), they’ll have trouble on the road.

Eagles at Jaguars

Line: Jaguars by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: This is their first meeting.

Key stats: Eagles have won 10 straight October games.

Worth watching: Eagles running back Ricky Watters (4.1 yards a carry) could be ready for a big game. Jaguars need more production from Mark Brunell, who has been ordinary since returning from knee injury.

Outlook: Philadelphia’s second-ranked offense capable of dominating Jacksonville’s defense. If Watters runs, Eagles win.

Panthers at Vikings

Line: Vikings by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Vikings won 14-12 at Minnesota on Oct. 6, 1996.

Key stats: Panthers have won five straight regular-season games on the road.

Worth watching: Panthers going to Steve Beuerlein as starting quarterback. Vikings’ Brad Johnson has 13 TD passes, only seven interceptions.

Outlook: Once again, Vikings look like a playoff team. Panthers don’t resemble last season’s NFC finalist. Beuerlein replaces slumping Kerry Collins, but isn’t the kind of difference-maker to pull off a road victory against a tough team.

Giants at Cardinals

Line: Cardinals by 4-1/2.

Last meeting: Cardinals won 31-23 at Arizona on Nov. 17, 1996.

Key stats: Giants have won three of the last four from the Cardinals.

Worth watching: Giants QB Danny Kanell gets his first start. Cardinals’ Eric Swann, who has five sacks, has the challenge of getting through a tough offensive line.

Outlook: With Dave Brown injured, Kanell gets the chance to win the Giants’ QB job. Giants riding high after upset of Cowboys, but Kevin Butler is due to make a game-winning field goal.

Rams at 49ers

Line: 49ers by 14.

Last meeting: 49ers won 15-12 at St. Louis on Sept. 7.

Key stats: San Francisco leads NFL with turnover differential of plus 12.

Worth watching: San Francisco QB Steve Young leads NFL with passer rating of 122.3. To pull off this upset, Rams need a huge game from Lawrence Phillips, who has rushed for four touchdowns. Isaac Bruce still doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Outlook: San Francisco has won 14 straight from the Rams, an amazing streak because upsets can happen within a division. San Francisco’s No. 1-ranked defense should smother the Rams.

Colts at Steelers

Line: Steelers by 10-1/2.

Last meeting: Steelers won 31-21 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 8, 1994.

Key stats: Steelers have won five straight from Colts.

Worth watching: Can Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart keep it up? He leads the NFL with six rushing touchdowns. In the second half of last three games, he has thrown five TD passes and no interceptions.

Outlook: Winless Colts sticking with QB Jim Harbaugh, at least at the beginning. Steelers should be able to pound away with Jerome Bettis. Throw in a couple of big plays from Stewart and you have a rout.

Cowboys at Redskins (Monday night)

Line: Cowboys by 2-1/2.

Last meeting: Redskins won 37-10 at Washington on Dec. 22, 1996.

Key stats: Dallas is second in total defense, Washington is fifth.

Worth watching: What’s up with Emmitt Smith? He’s averaging a mediocre 4.1 yards a carry. Redskins need solid - not spectacular - game from QB Gus Frerotte.

Outlook: Dallas still has not scored a rushing touchdown. This may be the game it happens, but winning the game is different. If Dallas is to win, it will happen despite vocal opposition from 80,000 Cowboy-shaters in new Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, where the Redskins are 2-0.