Week 9 matchups

Bears (2-5) at Giants (5-2)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Giants by 9.

Last meeting: Giants won, 14-7, at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2000.

Key stat: Defense has scored three of Bears’ 12 TDs.

Players to watch: Giants’ Tiki Barber is fourth in the NFL with 748 yards rushing (5.3 avg.). Craig Krenzel, who has completed 50 percent of his passes in two games, makes third start for Bears.

The buzz: Kurt Warner knows how to manage a game and get the ball to Barber. Bears won’t be able to score enough to keep up.

Jets (6-1) at Bills (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jets by 3.

Last meeting: Jets won, 16-14, at New York on Oct. 4, 2004.

Key stat: Jets have won four of last five meetings.

Players to watch: Jets’ Chad Pennington threw for 310 yards in first meeting. Bills’ Willis McGahee has rushed for 213 yards and 3.8 average in his two starts, both home victories.

The buzz: McGahee has emerged as a threat since these teams last met, but Bills haven’t been able to beat a quality team yet.

Raiders (2-6) at Panthers (1-6)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 7.

Last meeting: Raiders won, 52-9, at Oakland on Dec. 24, 2000.

Key stat: Panthers have averaged 11.6 points in five-game losing streak.

Players to watch: Raiders’ Jerry Porter has 11 catches for 163 yards and a TD in last two games. Muhsin Muhammad leads Panthers with 31 catches, four for TDs.

The buzz: The Raiders are 0-4 on the road and the Panthers are 0-3 at home. If Raiders can run with Tyrone Wheatley and Amos Zereoue, they can get a rare road victory.

Cowboys (3-4) at Bengals (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Pick ‘em.

Last meeting: Cowboys won, 23-6, at Dallas on Nov. 12, 2000.

Key stat: Bengals are 7-3 at home under Marvin Lewis.

Players to watch: Keyshawn Johnson leads Cowboys with four TDs among his 30 catches. Bengals’ Chad Johnson has 13 catches for 216 yards and TD in last two games.

The buzz: Bengals can run the ball with Rudi Johnson, keeping the pressure off struggling quarterback Carson Palmer.

Redskins (2-5) at Lions (4-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 3 1/2 .

Last meeting: Lions won, 15-10, at Detroit on Sept. 10, 2000.

Key stat: Lions share NFL lead with plus-12 turnover differential.

Players to watch: Redskins’ Clinton Portis averaging modest 3.9 yards per carry. Lions’ DT Shaun Rogers having a big year (four sacks).

The buzz: Lions’ Joey Harrington having his best season and should make some key plays if receiver Roy Williams is recovered from ankle injury. Lions can control Portis.

Cardinals (2-5) at Dolphins (1-7)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Dolphins by 3.

Last meeting: Dolphins won, 19-16, at Miami on Sept. 19, 1999.

Key stat: Cardinals have lost 17 consecutive road games.

Players to watch: Sammy Morris has taken over as Dolphins’ top rusher, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Rookie Larry Fitzgerald leads Cardinals with 26 catches, two for TDs.

The buzz: Cardinals have shown some spunk under Dennis Green, but the road losing streak looms large. If Dolphins’ defense can bounce back, Miami can win.

Eagles (7-0) at Steelers (6-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Pick ‘em.

Last meeting: Eagles won, 26-23 (OT), at Pittsburgh, Nov. 12, 2000.

Key stat: Eagles going for team-record 10th consecutive victory.

Players to watch: Ex-Eagle Duce Staley averaging 4.7 yards per carry for Steelers. Jevon Kearse leads Eagles with six sacks.

The buzz: Fresh off ending New England’s 21-game winning streak, can Steelers do it again? Another chapter in story of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.

Chiefs (3-4) at Bucs (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chiefs by 3.

Last meeting: Bucs won, 17-10, at Tampa on Nov. 14, 1999.

Key stat: Chiefs have won two straight by combined score of 101-45.

Players to watch: Two hot quarterbacks: Chiefs’ Trent Green hasn’t thrown an interception in last two games; Brian Griese has thrown four TD passes vs. one interception in three games.

The buzz: In the last two weeks, the Chiefs have looked like the 13-3 team of 2003. Their offense is hot, and Bucs’ defense won’t cool it off.

Saints (3-4) at Chargers (5-3)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 6 1/2 .

Last meeting: Saints won, 28-27, at San Diego on Sept. 10, 2000.

Key stat: Saints 2-1 on road; Chargers 3-1 at home.

Players to watch: Chargers’ Drew Brees has completed 73.9 percent of his passes with 11 TDs and one interception in last five games. Saints’ Charles Grant second in NFL with 7 1/2 sacks.

The buzz: Saints’ defense hasn’t stopped anyone consistently, so Brees and RB LaDainian Tomlinson both could have big games.

Texans (4-3) at Broncos (5-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Broncos by 7.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Key stat: Texans have won four of five, losing only to Vikings in OT.

Players to watch: Texans’ David Carr has thrown six TD passes vs. one interception in last four games. Jake Plummer has been busy in Broncos’ two-game skid: 54 of 95, five TDs, five INTs.

The buzz: Big opportunity for Texans to become playoff contenders, but Broncos too tough at home.

Patriots (6-1) at Rams (4-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Pick ‘em.

Last meeting: Patriots won, 20-17, in Super Bowl 36 at New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2002.

Key stat: The Rams have six takeaways after leading NFL with 46 last season.

Players to watch: David Givens leads Pats with 32 catches, three for TDs. Isaac Bruce paces Rams with 44, one TD.

The buzz: After winning 21 straight, could Patriots lose two in a row? RB Corey Dillon due back, but starting CBs Ty Law and Tyrone Poole injured.

Browns (3-4) at Ravens (4-3)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Ravens by 6.

Last meeting: Browns won, 20-3, at Cleveland on Sept. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Browns are 0-3 on the road, losing by average of 11.7 points.

Players to watch: Browns’ Jeff Garcia has thrown for TD in last five games. Ravens’ Jamal Lewis, held to 57 yards in opening-day loss to Browns, returns from two-game suspension.

The buzz: Ravens offense needs a spark from the return of Lewis to stay within range of Pittsburgh in NFC North.

Vikings (5-2) at Colts (4-3)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday.

Line: Colts by 7.

Last meeting: Colts won, 31-10, at Indianapolis on Dec. 24, 2000.

Key stat: Colts have lost two straight by combined score of 72-59.

Players to watch: The NFL’s No. 1 passer (Peyton Manning, 22 TDs, four INTs) and No. 2 (Daunte Culpepper, 20 TDs, five INTs).

The buzz: Colts desperate for victory, and Vikings’ offense may be in trouble with WR Randy Moss out again with injured hamstring.