Week 11

By Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune

Colts (6-3) at Bears (4-5)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Colts by 7 1/2

Last meeting: Bears won, 27-24, at Soldier Field on Nov. 5, 2000.

Key stat: Bears have allowed more than 21 points only once.

Players to watch: Peyton Manning having year for ages, with 31 TD passes and only 6 interceptions. Bobby Wade (25 catches) has become dependable receiver for Bears.

The buzz: If Bears can’t control the ball with their running game early, Colts will put too much pressure on defense and QB Craig Krenzel.

Cowboys (3-6) at Ravens (6-3)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Ravens by 8.

Last meeting: Ravens won, 27-0, at Baltimore on Nov. 19, 2000.

Key stat: Ravens have allowed NFL-low opponent passer rating of 62.5.

Players to watch: Ravens’ Travis Taylor has 19 catches for 12.2 average in last 4 games. Dallas tight end Jason Witten has 54 catches, 5 TDs.

The buzz: Ravens defense, led by safety Ed Reed, could overwhelm Cowboys. Quarterback Kyle Boller doing just enough for Ravens, who have won 9 of last 10 at home.

Rams (5-4) at Bills (3-6)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox Line: Rams by 1

Last meeting: Rams won, 34-33, at Buffalo on Sept. 20, 1998.

Key stat: Bills have won 3 straight home games (Dolphins, Cardinals, Jets) by average of 12 points.

Players to watch: Rams’ Marshall Faulk averaging a hefty 4.8 yards per carry. Willis McGahee getting just 3.6 for Bills.

The buzz: McGahee isn’t piling up big numbers, but combined with NFL’s No. 3 rushing defense, Bills can contain Rams.

Cardinals (4-5) at Panthers (2-7)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Off.

Last meeting: Panthers won, 20-17, at Arizona on Dec. 14, 2003.

Key stat: Cards are 1-4 on road, beating only Miami.

Players to watch: Cards’ Bertrand Berry is 2nd in NFL with 9 sacks, 4 last week vs. Giants. Julius Peppers has 6 sacks for Panthers.

The buzz: Jake Delhomme is questionable, but Rodney Peete or Chris Weinke could be capable replacement. Cardinals still haven’t learned how to win consistently on the road.

Steelers (8-1) at Bengals (4-5)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Steelers by 4 1/2

Last meeting: Steelers won, 28-17, at Cincinnati on Oct. 3, 2004.

Key stat: Steelers have won 7 of last 9 meetings.

Players to watch: Steelers’ Jerome Bettis has rushed for 252 yards in last 2 games. Bengals’ Carson Palmer has thrown only 7 TD passes vs. 12 interceptions.

The buzz: Rookie Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers should roll to their 8th straight win as Duce Staley and Bettis share running load.

Jets (6-3) at Browns (3-6)

Time: 10.a.m. Line: Pick ‘em

Last meeting: Browns won, 24-21, at New York on Oct. 27, 2002.

Key stat: Jets are 10-4 in November under Herman Edwards.

Players to watch: Jets’ John Abraham leads NFL with 9 1/2 sacks. Browns Jeff Garcia has thrown 7 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions in 5 home games.

The buzz: Jets reeling with 3 losses in last 4 games, and go again with inconsistent Quincy Carter at quarterback. If Browns can control ball, they can win.

Titans (3-6) at Jaguars (6-3)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Off

Last meeting: Jaguars won, 15-12, at Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Jaguars are 3-1 at home, losing only to Colts.

Players to watch: Two solid receivers: Titans Derrick Mason leads NFL with 59 catches and has 3 TDs; Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith has 49 catches, 3 TDs.

The buzz: Titans are reeling with injuries, including QB Steve McNair (sternum). If Jaguars can control ball with run, they’ll control game.

Lions (4-5) at Vikings (5-4)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Vikings by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Vikings won, 24-14, at Minnesota on Nov. 23, 2003.

Key stat: Vikings have lost 3 straight by average score of 33-24.

Players to watch: Lions rookie Kevin Jones coming off career-high 81-yard game, but still is getting only 3.4 yards per carry. Rookie Mewelde Moore averaging 5.9 yards per carry for Vikings.

The buzz: Even without Randy Moss, Vikings can handle Lions. Detroit’s offense still searching for answers, including running game.

Broncos (6-3) at Saints (4-5)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Broncos by 4

Last meeting: Broncos won, 38-23, at New Orleans on Dec. 3, 2000.

Key stat: Saints haven’t held a team under 20 points.

Players to watch: Broncos’ Reuben Droughns has 4 100-yard games in last 5. Saints’ Joe Horn has 54 catches, 5 for TDs.

The buzz: Well-rested after the Broncos’ open date, Jake Plummer should improve on his 19 TD passes against soft New Orleans defense.

49ers (1-8) at Bucs (3-6)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bucs by 8

Last meeting: 49ers won, 24-7, at San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2003.

Key stat: 49ers are 0-4 on road, losing by an average of 13.3 points.

Players to watch: 49ers’ Kevan Barlow averaged 5.0 yards per carry vs. Bucs last season. Bucs’ Michael Clayton continues to lead rookies with 48 catches (3 TDs).

The buzz: Brian Griese has Tampa’s offense functioning efficiently. Nothing about the 49ers is functioning efficiently.

Chargers (6-3) at Raiders (3-6)

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Chargers by 4

Last meeting: Chargers won, 42-14, at San Diego on Oct. 31

Key stat: Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer is 22-7 vs. Raiders.

Players to watch: Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has 54 catches, 8 TDs. Raiders’ Kerry Collins having terrible year with 5 TD passes vs. 12 interceptions.

The buzz: Drew Brees, the NFL’s No. 3 passer with 18 TD passes and only 3 interceptions, and tough run defense will shut down Raiders.

Falcons (7-2) at Giants (5-4)

Time: 1:15 p.m. TV: Fox. Line: Falcons by 2 1/2

Last meeting: Falcons won, 27-7, at New York on Nov. 9, 2003.

Key stat: Falcons have won both meetings in last 2 seasons.

Players to watch: Eli Manning, top pick in this year’s draft, makes his 1st start for slumping Giants. Falcons have won 9 of Michael Vick’s last 11 starts.

The buzz: Manning’s ability to avoid rush will mask Giants’ blocking problems, which were exposed by immobile Kurt Warner.

Redskins (3-6) at Eagles (8-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Eagles by 10 1/2 .

Last meeting: Eagles won, 31-7, at Washington on Dec. 27, 2003.

Key stat: Eagles have won last 5 meetings.

Players to watch: Patrick Ramsey, who has thrown 2 TDs vs. 5 interceptions in backup role, makes 1st start of season. Eagles’ Terrell Owens has 55 catches, including league-leading 12 TDs.

The buzz: Redskins found out what rest of NFL suspected, that Mark Brunell is washed up. Ramsey won’t do enough to pull off an upset.

Packers (5-4) at Texans (4-5)

Time: 5:30 p.m. TV: ESPN. Line: Packers by 3.

Last meeting: 1st meeting.

Key stat: Packers have won 4 straight by average of 16.5 points.

Players to watch: 2 of game’s top young receivers: Packers’ Javon Walker has 49 catches, 8 TDs; Texans’ Andre Johnson has 51 catches, 4 TDs.

The buzz: Brett Favre has thrown 9 TDs, vs. 3 interceptions in last four games; David Carr has 5 TDs and no interceptions in last three at home.

Patriots (8-1) at Chiefs (3-6)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday. TV: ABC. Line: Patriots by 3

Last meeting: Patriots won, 41-38 (OT), at New England on Sept. 22, 2002.

Key stat: Chiefs have won last 2 home games by combined score of 101-45.

Players to watch: Pats’ Tom Brady has thrown TD pass in 12 straight games. Chiefs’ Trent Green has 3 straight 300-yard games.

The buzz: These were AFC’s best teams last season, but Chiefs lost in wild-card round and haven’t recovered. But they could score enough to pull off upset.