The Matchups

Arizona at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles by 8-1/2.

Last meeting: Eagles won 29-19 in Philadelphia on Dec. 22, 1996.

Key stats: Eagles lead the NFL in total offense and first downs.

Worth watching: The quarterbacks. Both teams could make changes. Rodney Peete may replace slumping starter Ty Detmer for Eagles. And with Kent Graham injured, Cardinals expect to give third-year man Stoney Case his first start.

Outlook: In Arizona, the Vince Tobin regime is on the rocks after four straight losses. Ex-Bear Kevin Butler is out after missing some key FG attempts. But can the oft-waived Joe Nedney do any better? Cardinals the perfect tonic for Eagles, who have lost three out of four.

Carolina at New Orleans

Line: Panthers by 5.

Last meeting: Panthers won 19-7 in Charlotte on Oct. 20, 1996.

Key stats: Panthers have won three of four, including the last two, against the Saints.

Worth watching: Rookie quarterback Danny Wuerffel gets his first start for Saints. Panthers rookie wide receiver Rae Carruth has 18 catches, two for touchdowns, in last three games.

Outlook: Well, at least Mike Ditka didn’t give up a No. 1 draft choice for a quarterback he’s benched (Heath Shuler cost a No. 3 and a No. 5). Wuerffel must prove his awkward, shot-put-like delivery isn’t a liability in NFL. Panthers put up a good fight in loss at Minnesota last week.

Jacksonville at Dallas

Line: Cowboys by 4-1/2.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stats: Cowboys are second in the NFL in total defense.

Worth watching: Jaguars wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith vs. Cowboys cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith.

Outlook: Coming off tough Monday night loss at Washington, Cowboys face one of those must-winto-save-face games. This is the kind of game Dallas usually wins. True, Jacksonville has won 10 of its last 11 regular-season games. But a trip to Texas Stadium against a desperate team is a little different.

New England at New York

Line: Patriots by 3-1/2.

Last meeting: Patriots won 27-24 in OT in Foxboro on Sept. 14.

Key stats: Patriots have won 10 straight AFC East games.

Worth watching: New England running back Curtis Martin ran for 199 yards in Patriots’ September victory. Jets’ Adrian Murrell has rushed for 100 yards in two of last three vs. Pats.

Outlook: Bill Parcells almost stunned his old team five weeks ago. This is Jets’ chance to show they will make a run at a playoff berth a year after going 1-15. This week, Parcells gets the Pats in the Meadowlands. Jets must stop Drew Bledsoe from making too many big plays. Jets need big pass rush from end Hugh Douglas, who isn’t having a big year.

San Francisco at Atlanta

Line: 49ers by 10-1/2.

Last meeting: 49ers won 34-7 in San Francisco on Sept. 21.

Key stats: San Francisco has won six of last seven from Atlanta and 11 of last 13 NFC West games.

Worth watching: San Francisco QB Steve Young leads the NFL with passer rating of 117.2. He could improve it this week.

Outlook: San Francisco goes for its sixth straight victory against the weak portion of its schedule (but only two games remain against weak NFC West foes after this week). Falcons picked up first win last week (over Saints). It may have done wonders for their confidence, but that won’t help this week.

Washington at Tennessee

Line: Pick ‘em .

Last meeting: Redskins won 16-13 in Washington on Nov. 3, 1991.

Key stats: Oilers’ No. 2 rushing offense takes aim at Redskins’ No. 29 rushing defense.

Worth watching: Houston running back Eddie George has four 100-yard games this season. Redskins’ passing game, led by Gus Frerotte (eight TD passes, 74.8 rating) may have to carry the load.

Outlook: Redskins are coming off an emotional Monday night victory over Dallas in which they lost both running back Terry Allen and wide receiver Michael Westbrook for two weeks with knee injuries. Oilers don’t have much of a home-field advantage in Memphis, but they do have Eddie George.

Denver at Oakland

Line: Broncos by 5-1/2.

Last meeting: Broncos won 24-19 in Denver on Dec. 15, 1996.

Key stats: Denver has beaten Oakland four straight.

Worth watching: John Elway picks apart the NFL’s No. 29 pass defense. Elway is fourth in the NFL in passing, with 12 TD passes and only five interceptions. Once again, Jeff George (No. 2 in passing) will put up some good numbers and lose.

Outlook: Raiders just not tough enough to have a chance of pulling off this upset - they’ve already lost home games to AFC West rivals Kansas City and San Diego. Broncos should coast to their first 7-0 start in history.

Miami at Baltimore

Line: Dolphins by 1-1/2.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 24-14 in Cleveland in 1993.

Key stats: It’s Miami’s No. 13 offense vs. Baltimore’s No. 30 defense.

Worth watching: Miami QB Dan Marino is on one of those runs - 126 passes without an interception, two 300-yard games in first six weeks. Baltimore QB Vinny Testaverde has thrown three TD passes in 10 of last 18 games.

Outlook: Dolphins look like a playoff team. Marino has shaken off the rust and Miami has allowed an NFL-low four sacks. Dolphins’ only losses have been to Green Bay and Tampa Bay (both 5-2).

New York at Detroit

Line: Lions by 6-1/2.

Last meeting: Giants won 35-7 in Pontiac on Oct. 27, 1996.

Key stats: Giants are going for fourth straight win, which they haven’t achieved since winning six in a row in 1994.

Worth watching: Detroit running back Barry Sanders has rushed for more than 100 yards in his last five games and is No. 4 all-time rusher with 12,513 yards. Giants hope Tyrone Wheatley’s 103-yard effort in win over Cardinals was not just another tease.

Outlook: In their first year under coach Jim Fassel, Giants are one of the NFL’s surprise teams. Few would have guessed Lions would be 4-3 in first year with Bobby Ross. Playing at home gives Lions a slight edge.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

Line: Steelers by 5.

Last meeting: Bengals won 34-24 in Cincinnati on Nov. 10, 1996.

Key stats: Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher is 8-2 against Cincinnati.

Worth watching: Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has rushed for 686 yards, fourth in the NFL, and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Bengals could use big game from wide receiver Carl Pickens (31 catches, three TDs).

Outlook: Bengals are falling apart. This week coach Bruce Coslet openly questioned how much some of his players even wanted to win. They might want to win this one, but Steelers can literally run right through NFL’s worst rushing defense.

Buffalo at Indianapolis (Monday night)

Line: Bills by 2.

Last meeting: Bills won 37-35 at Buffalo on Sept. 21, 1997.

Key stats: Bills have won four of the last five against Colts.

Worth watching: Rookie Antowain Smith has taken over the Bills’ running game, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Colts RB Marshall Faulk likes to play Buffalo - he has rushed for a touchdown in last five meetings with Bills.

Outlook: Winless Colts may still be having nightmares about blowing 26-point lead at Buffalo three weeks ago. Bills QB Todd Collins plans to play despite sore non-throwing shoulder. Giving the ball to Smith may be enough, anyway.