Week 16

Bears (5-9) at Lions (5-9)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 6

Last meeting: Lions won, 20-16, at Soldier Field on Sept. 12

Key stat: Bears have been outscored 46-8 in last 2 weeks.

Players to watch: In last six weeks, Lions rookie Kevin Jones averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Bears’ Thomas Jones is getting 2.9.

The buzz: Without Brian Urlacher, Bears are weak against run, which means big day for Kevin Jones and Lions.

Giants (5-9) at Bengals (6-8)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 6 1/2

Last meeting: Giants won, 29-27, at New York on Oct. 26, 1997.

Key stat: Bengals have lost 3 of last 5, allowing average of 32.2 points.

Players to watch: Tiki Barber finishing up another good year with 1,314 yards rushing, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Bengals’ T. J. Houshmandzadeh has 30 catches, 3 TDs in last four games.

The buzz: Eli Manning showed progress in last week’s loss to Steelers, and Bengals are giving up points and yards. But Bengals’ offense can keep up.

Chargers (11-3) at Colts (11-3)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Colts by 7

Last meeting: Colts won, 27-19, at San Diego on Sept. 26, 1999

Key stat: Colts 2nd in NFL with 415.1 yards per game.

Players to watch: Two quarterbacks having career years: Chargers’ Drew Brees has thrown 24 TDs vs. 6 interceptions; Colts’ Peyton Manning has 47 vs. 9.

The buzz: These division champs are jockeying for playoff position, and loser won’t have realistic shot at 1st-round bye. Chargers among teams that can’t handle Colts’ offense.

Texans (6-8) at Jaguars (8-6)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 7

Last meeting: Texans won, 20-6, at Houston on Oct. 31

Key stat: Jaguars are 4-3 at home; Texans 3-4 on road.

Players to watch: Jags’ Fred Taylor, averaging 4.7 per carry this season, has rushed for 247 yards and 5.0 average in last two home games vs. Houston. Texans’ Andre Johnson had 9 of his 73 catches in last game vs. Jaguars.

The buzz: Byron Leftwich has been solid last four weeks, with 6 TD passes and only 1 interception. He makes difference in this one.

Falcons (11-3) at Saints (6-8)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox

Line: Saints by 4 1/2

Last meeting: Falcons won, 24-21, at Atlanta on Nov. 28

Key stat: Falcons have scored 69 points last two games.

Players to watch: Dez White has 28 catches (12.8 avg., 2 TDs) for Falcons. Saints’ Joe Horn is 2nd in NFL with 85 catches (10 TDs).

The buzz: Falcons are locked into No. 2 seed in NFC playoffs, so how much Michael Vick will play is issue. Saints have hung around and now have outside shot at playoff spot.

Ravens (8-6) at Steelers (13-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 5 1/2

Last meeting: Ravens won, 30-13, at Baltimore on Sept. 19

Key stat: Steelers lead NFL in total defense, allowing 258.5 yards per game.

Players to watch: Jamal Lewis, averaging 4.3 per carry, needs big game. Rookie Ben Roethlisberger, who made his debut in first Baltimore game, has thrown 15 TD passes vs. 10 interceptions.

The buzz: The Steelers can wrap up home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with win, and their defense will be too much for Kyle Boller.

Panthers (6-8) at Bucs (5-9)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Bucs by 3

Last meeting: Panthers won, 21-14, at Carolina on Nov. 28

Key stat: Panthers have won last three meetings.

Players to watch: Panthers’ Nick Goings has rushed for 518 yards in last five games, including four 100-yard efforts. Michael Clayton set team rookie record with 74 receptions.

The buzz: After 1-7 start, Panthers are playing with confidence and in position to make playoffs. Bucs can’t stop their momentum.

Patriots (12-2) at Jets (10-4)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 2 1/2

Last meeting: Patriots won, 13-7, at New England on Oct. 24

Key stat: Jets are 6-1 at home, losing only to Ravens in OT.

Players to watch: Jets’ Curtis Martin, who leads NFL with 1,511 yards rushing, has six 100-yard games vs. Pats, and Jets are 6-0. Pats’ Corey Dillon has run for 1,430 yards.

The buzz: Is Monday night collapse at Miami sign of trouble for Pats? Some of their weaknesses, such as secondary, are being exposed.

Bills (8-6) at 49ers (2-12)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Bills by 11

Last meeting: 49ers won, 35-0, at San Francisco on Dec. 2, 2001

Key stat: Bills have scored at least 33 points in last five games, all wins.

Players to watch: In last four games, Bills rookie Lee Evans has 19 catches for 16.5 average and 5 TDs. Safety Tony Parrish leads 49ers with 4 interceptions.

The buzz: Bills have built their 2nd-half revival on beating bad teams, and 49ers are certainly in that group.

Redskins (5-9) at Cowboys (5-9)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Redskins by 2

Last meeting: Cowboys won, 21-18, at Washington on Sept. 27

Key stat: Cowboys have won 13 of last 14 meetings.

Players to watch: Redskins rookie TE Chris Cooley has 31 catches, 5 for TDs. Cowboys rookie Julius Jones averaging 4.2 per carry.

The buzz: The failure of Washington’s offense is biggest disappointment of Joe Gibbs’ return to coaching. QB Patrick Ramsey has shown some progress, but can he keep it up?

Browns (3-11) at Dolphins (3-11)

Time: 5:30 p.m. TV: ESPN

Line: Dolphins by 7

Last meeting: 1st meeting since Browns returned as expansion team in `99

Key stat: Browns are 0-6 on road, losing by average of 14.8 points per game.

Players to watch: Two quarterbacks still trying to establish themselves: Browns rookie Luke McCown (3 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions) and Dolphins’ A. J. Feeley (10 TD passes vs. 15 interceptions).

The buzz: Dolphins make their 2nd national TV appearance in 6 days. Nation doesn’t need this.

Eagles (13-1) at Rams (6-8)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday TV: ABC

Line: Rams by 3

Last meeting: Eagles won, 10-3, at Philadelphia on Dec. 1, 2002

Key stat: Rams are last in NFL with turnover differential of minus-21.

Players to watch: Brian Westbrook averaging 4.6 per carry and has 73 catches, 6 for TDs. Torry Holt having another big year with 80 catches, 8 for TDs.

The buzz: The Eagles don’t need a win — they’ve clinched No. 1 seed in NFC. They do need to find out how their offense will work without Terrell Owens. This will amount to an exhibition game.