The Matchups
Arizona at Tampa Bay
Line: Bucs by 7-1/2.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 13-9 in Tempe on Oct. 10, 1996.
Key stats: Tampa Bay is fourth in rushing offense and first in rushing defense.
Worth watching: For Cardinals to have a chance, Arizona DE Simeon Rice needs to put on the pressure - he and linemate Eric Swann each have three sacks. Tampa Bay rookie Warrick Dunn averaging 4.8 yards a carry.
Outlook: Bucs going for their first 5-0 start since 1979 and the first six-game winning streak in their 22 seasons. Trent Dilfer’s improving work at quarterback (he leads the NFL with a passer rating of 105.8) and Dunn’s rushing and receiving make the difference.
Denver at Atlanta
Line: Broncos by 13.
Last meeting: Broncos won 32-28 in Denver on Nov. 20, 1994.
Key stats: Broncos have won last three from Falcons.
Worth watching: Denver’s Terrell Davis leads NFL with 526 yards rushing and is averaging 5.5 yards a carry. Broncos QB John Elway already has nine TD passes, tied for second.
Outlook: Broncos have scored 127 points in first four games, their most ever after four weeks. Even if Atlanta’s decent rushing defense stops Davis, there’s no reason to believe the Falcons can stop Elway.
Green Bay at Detroit
Line: Packers by 7-1/2.
Last meeting: Packers won 31-3 in Pontiac on Dec. 15, 1996.
Key stats: Packers have won three of the last four from the Lions.
Worth watching: Detroit’s Barry Sanders has rushed for 100 yards the last two weeks. Green Bay’s Brett Favre is warming up; he’s coming off a five-TD performance vs. Vikings.
Outlook: The Packers are sometimes vulnerable in games on artificial turf (see Week 2 loss to Eagles). After a 2-1 start, the real Lions emerged last week in a loss at New Orleans. Still, the Packers have too much.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Line: Steelers by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Oilers won 23-13 on Oct. 20, 1996 in Houston.
Key stats: Steelers have won five of the last six from the Oilers.
Worth watching: A battle of tough running backs: Oilers’ Eddie George averaging 5.3 yards, Steelers’ Jerome Bettis, 4.9.
Outlook: These teams look a lot alike: middle-of-the pack quarterbacks, tough running backs and good running defense. But Steelers are at home.
Jacksonville at Washington
Line: Redskins by 1-1/2.
Last meeting: This is their first meeting.
Key stats: Jacksonville has won eight straight regular-season games, longest streak in the NFL.
Worth watching: Jacksonville’s Mark Brunell threw for 306 yards and a touchdown in Monday night’s victory over Pittsburgh, his first game back from a knee injury.
Outlook: Jacksonville is coming off an emotional, down-to-the-last-play Monday night victory over Pittsburgh. Terry Allen expected to start, giving Redskins hope of a running game that can keep the ball away from Brunell.
New Orleans at New York Giants
Line: Giants by 5.
Last meeting: Saints won 17-3 at the Meadowlands on Dec. 15, 1996.
Key stats: Giants are struggling on offense, ranking 27th overall and 28th in rushing.
Worth watching: New Orleans RB Mario Bates rushed for 129 yards and a TD as Saints won for the first time last week, beating the Lions. And Saints QB Heath Shuler finally threw a TD pass.
Outlook: Could Mike Ditka come to Chicago with a two-game winning streak? Talk about a nightmare for Dave Wannstedt and Mike McCaskey.
Chicago at Dallas
Line: Cowboys by 14.
Last meeting: Bears won 22-6 in Chicago on Sept. 2, 1996.
Key stats: Bears are 29th in total defense, 23rd vs. rush and 25th vs. pass.
Worth watching: Dallas WR Michael Irvin (15 catches, two TDs in first three games) should be able to operate against struggling Bears secondary. Bears QB Rick Mirer must at least try to throw the ball deep.
Outlook: Dave Wannstedt’s first return trip to Dallas, where his work as defensive coordinator made him a top head-coaching candidate, won’t be a happy one. What would have to happen for the Bears to win? A few successful trick plays, a return for a score, and a Barry Switzer implosion.
New York Jets at Cincinnati
Line: Bengals by 4.
Last meeting: Jets won 17-12 in Meadowlands on Nov. 21, 1993.
Key stats: Bengals are ninth in total offense, eighth in passing offense.
Worth watching: Jets QB Neil O’Donnell starting to pay dividends (seven TD passes vs. only two interceptions). Bengals’ Carl Pickens off to fast start with 24 catches in three games.
Outlook: Cincinnati goes without RB Ki-Jana Carter (rotator cuff) for at least this week, a demoralizing development after Carter’s 104-yard effort last week. Adrian Murrell should be able to run vs. NFL’s No. 29 rushing defense. Plus, Bill Parcells has already taught Jets how to win.
Baltimore at San Diego
Line: Chargers by 1-1/2.
Last meeting: San Diego won 31-13 over Browns in San Diego on Dec. 3, 1995.
Key stats: Ravens have won two in a row on the road (Giants, Oilers).
Worth watching: Can Ravens QB Vinny Testaverde keep it up (9-5 TD-INT ratio, No. 6 passer in NFL)? Can Chargers’ QB Stan Humphries (1-3 INT ratio, 29th in NFL) get it going?
Outlook: Does anyone really believe the Ravens are good enough to win three straight road games? Chargers vulnerable, but this is a game where they could finally get their passing game going - Ravens 27th in pass defense.
St. Louis at Oakland
Line: Raiders by 7.
Last meeting: Raiders won 20-17 in Anaheim on Nov. 13, 1994.
Key stats: Oakland leads the NFL in total offense and passing offense.
Worth watching: Raiders QB Jeff George continues to put on a good show, ranking second in the league in passing with nine TD passes and only two interceptions. Rams safety Keith Lyle leads league with four interceptions.
Outlook: Rams off to a surprising 2-2 start, but were blown out by Denver in their only road game. Raiders’ three losses have come by five points, and their No. 1-ranked offense should make the difference here.
Philadelphia at Minnesota
Line: Vikings by 2-1/2.
Last meeting: Eagles won 28-17 in Philadelphia on Dec. 6, 1992.
Key stats: Game features two strong running teams: Minnesota is fifth; Philadelphia eighth.
Worth watching: The Vikings made a good decision last season when they re-signed QB Brad Johnson, whose 93.2 passer rating is second in the NFC. Meanwhile, Eagles still looking for breakthrough from Ty Detmer, who has thrown only two TD passes (with no interceptions).
Outlook: Eagles could pull off an upset if Ricky Watters finds room against Vikings’ weak running defense. But Minnesota has third-ranked offense, with Johnson throwing and Robert Smith averaging 6.6 yards a carry.
San Francisco at Carolina (Monday)
Line: 49ers by 3-1/2.
Last meeting: Panthers won 30-24 in San Francisco on Dec. 8, 1996.
Key stats: 49ers’ turnover differential of plus-nine leads NFL.
Worth watching: San Francisco QB Steve Young is the hottest player in the NFL. In victories over New Orleans and Atlanta the last two weeks, he has completed 35 of 45 for 556 yards with five TD passes and no interceptions.
Outlook: Carolina, undefeated at home last season, has lost both games at Ericsson Stadium this year. Unless Young gets knocked out of the game with another concussion, the Panthers will be 0-3. Carolina’s offense has been hamstrung by injuries to receivers.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY ON TV 10 a.m.: Packers at Lions (Fox) 1 p.m.: Seahawks at Chiefs (NBC) 1 p.m.: Bears at Cowboys (Fox) 5 p.m.: Eagles at Vikings (TNT)