Today’S Matchups
Lions (2-1) at Bears (0-3)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bears by 1-1/2.
Last meeting: Bears won, 28-10, at Soldier Field on Dec. 18, 1999.
Key stats: Bears are No. 31 in rushing defense; Lions are No. 31 in rushing offense.
Worth watching: James Stewart, Detroit’s big free-agent acquisition, is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. Bears looking for a boost from James Allen, who has rushed for 138 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Outlook: Both teams are banged up, but Lions may particularly miss middle linebacker Stephen Boyd if he can’t go. Detroit’s offense has been unimpressive so far. A chance for Bears to grab a win against a team not as good as it looks.
Bengals (0-2) at Ravens (2-1)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Ravens by 11-1/2.
Last meeting: Ravens won, 22-0, at Baltimore on Dec. 26, 1999.
Key stat: Ravens have beaten Bengals four straight.
Worth watching: Baltimore rookie running back Jamal Lewis, the fifth pick in this year’s draft, gets his first start at running back. Cincinnati rookie Peter Warrick, the fourth pick in the draft, has eight catches for 19.4-yard average (no TDs.).
Outlook: If Ravens are ready to step into NFL’s elite, this is the kind of game they should win easily. Baltimore is coming off tough loss at Miami, where Tony Banks briefly reverted to pre-1999 form. If he bounces back, so will Ravens.
Patriots (0-3) at Dolphins (2-1)
Time: 10 a.m.
TV: CBS
Line: Dolphins by 4-1/2.
Last meeting: Patriots won, 27-17, at Miami on Nov. 21, 1999.
Key stats: Dolphins have won nine of last 11 home games and 16 of last 22 overall vs. Patriots.
Worth watching: Lamar Smith leads Dolphins and is third in AFC with 235 yards rushing (3.9 avg.). Patriots’ Terry Glenn had 18 receptions in the last two games.
Outlook: New England has suffered through some tough losses this season. But the Dolphins are in the middle of their traditional fast start. They’re allowing an NFL-best 6.3 points per game.
Eagles (1-2) at Saints (1-2)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Saints by 1-1/2.
Last meeting: Eagles won, 15-10, at New Orleans on Oct. 1, 1995.
Key stats: It’s Eagles’ No. 20 offense vs. Saints’ No. 1 defense.
Worth watching: Philadelphia defensive end Hugh Douglas leads NFL with 5 sacks. Saints’ wide receiver Joe Horn leads NFC with 24 catches (10.1 avg., 2 TDs).
Outlook: Eagles have managed just 21 points in their last two games, both losses. They’re not likely to turn things around on the road against the NFL’s No. 1 defense.
Rams (3-0) at Falcons (2-1)
Time: 10 a.m.
TV: Fox Line: Rams by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: Rams won, 41-13, at Atlanta on Oct. 17, 1999.
Key stats: It’s Rams’ No. 1 offense vs. Falcons’ No. 21 defense.
Worth watching: Marshall Faulk leads Rams in rushing (280 yards, 5.2 avg.) and receiving (20 catches, 12.5 avg.). Jamal Anderson averaging 4.0 yards per carry for Atlanta.
Outlook: Falcons have emerged as Rams’ biggest threat in NFC West. So far, the Rams have relied on outscoring opponents. Their defense, ranked No. 30 in the league, will cost them some games. Falcons can control the game with Anderson’s running and Chris Chandler’s possession passing. Rams not destined to go 16-0.
49ers (0-3) at Cowboys (1-2)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Cowboys by 6-1/2.
Last meeting: 49ers won, 17-10, at San Francisco on Nov. 2, 1997.
Key stat: Cowboys have won seven of last nine home games.
Worth watching: Troy Aikman due back for Dallas after missing last two games with a concussion. San Francisco’s Jeff Garcia improving (6 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions).
Outlook: Cowboys won at Washington Monday night with Randall Cunningham playing for Aikman, now they get a struggling franchise at home. Emmitt Smith should pile up the yardage against the NFL’s worst defense.
Titans (1-1) at Steelers (0-2)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Titans by 7.
Last meeting: Titans won, 47-36, at Pittsburgh on Jan. 2, 2000.
Key stat: Titans have beaten Steelers five straight.
Worth watching: Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, still recovering from a bruised sternum, hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in two games. Jerome Bettis averaging 4.1 yards per carry for Steelers.
Outlook: Titans have won 15 of last 16 AFC Central games, but this could be a dangerous one for them. Steelers smarting from loss to Browns, and Tennessee has lost wide receiver Kevin Dyson for the season with a knee injury suffered in practice Wednesday.
Packers (1-2) at Cardinals (1-1)
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 1.
Last meeting: Packers won 49-24 at Green Bay on Jan. 2, 2000.
Key stats: Green Bay is 29th in total offense, 30th in rushing.
Worth watching: Ex-Bear John Thierry has two sacks and has solidified the right end spot in the Packers’ defense. Cardinals’ David Boston has 15 receptions, two for touchdowns.
Outlook: Green Bay needs Dorsey Levens and the offensive line to generate a running game. Cardinals’ quarterback Jake Plummer, whose career has been defined by inconsistency, is off to a decent start (4 TD passes vs. 3 interceptions).
Browns (2-1) at Raiders (2-1)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 10-1/2.
Last meeting: First meeting of these franchises.
Key stat: Raiders are going for their first 3-1 start since 1995.
Worth watching: Cleveland defensive end Courtney Brown, the first pick in this year’s draft, had his first three sacks in last week’s victory over the Steelers. Raiders’ Tyrone Wheatley has six touchdowns (five rushing) in last six games.
Outlook: It’s early, but Raiders have the look of a team that will be playing in January. Cleveland continues to improve, but Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon has Wheatley, receiver Tim Brown and running back Napoleon Kaufman (8.9 yards per carry) on his side.
Chiefs (1-2) at Broncos (2-1)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 7.
Last meeting: Chiefs won, 16-10, at Denver on Dec. 5, 1999.
Key stats: It’s Denver’s No. 3 offense vs. Kansas City’s No. 7 defense.
Worth watching: Kansas City’s Elvis Grbac leads NFL with eight touchdown passes. Denver rookie Mike Anderson leads AFC with 318 yards rushing (5.0 avg.).
Outlook: Denver’s injury situation will be the key to this game. Broncos say they are going with Gus Frerotte in place of QB Brian Griese, who has a sore shoulder. Running back Terrell Davis is also questionable and will not start. If neither play, Chiefs have a chance.
Jets (3-0) at Bucs (3-0)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Bucs by 7.
Last meeting: Jets won, 31-0, at home on Dec. 14, 1997.
Key stats: It’s Bucs’ No. 3 defense vs. Jets’ No. 10 offense.
Worth watching: Ex-Buc Vinny Testaverde returns to Tampa Bay. Ex-Jet Keyshawn Johnson has to back up his talk.
Outlook: Buccaneers have outscored their first three opponents 93-26, which says more about this matchup then Johnson has had to say about the Jets. The Bucs’ conservative offense has been controlling the ball. If Testaverde can make some big plays, Jets have a chance. But the Bucs may not be beaten at home all season.
Redskins (1-2) at Giants (3-0)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Giants by 1.
Last meeting: Redskins won 50-21 at New York on Sept. 19, 1999.
Key stat: Redskins have won three straight from Giants.
Worth watching: Washington running back Stephen Davis rushed for 209 yards and two touchdowns in two games vs. Giants. Giants’ Tiki Barber leads NFL with 326 yards rushing (8.0 avg.).
Outlook: Redskins need this one to keep a season they think will end in the Super Bowl from falling apart. Giants have solid defense and good running game, but they’re taking a step up in competition this week. Redskins need this one too badly.
Jaguars (2-1) at Colts (1-1)
Time: 5 p.m. Monday.
Line: Colts by 3-1/2.
Last meeting: Colts won at Jacksonville 41-31 on Dec. 10, 1995.
Key stats: It’s Colts’ No. 2 offense vs. Jaguars’ No. 7 defense.
Worth watching: Jaguars’ running back Fred Taylor is scheduled to make his first start after missing the first three games with a knee injury. Colts’ Edgerrin James has rushed for 215 yards and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry in first two games.
Outlook: Colts could be vulnerable to upset if they can’t control the ball. Mark Brunell is off to a good start, and has NFL’s leading receiver Jimmy Smith (27 catches) as main target.