WEEK 7
• Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune
Bears (1-4) at Bucs (1-5)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bucs by 7
Last meeting: Bucs won, 15-0, at Soldier Field on Dec. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Bears’ four losses have been by average of 5.5 points.
Players to watch: Brian Griese, who threw for 2 TDs in Monday night loss at St. Louis, makes second Bucs start. Bears will again rely on ex-Buccaneer Thomas Jones, who has accounted for 636 yards from scrimmage.
The buzz: Bears are overmatched at quarterback position. Jones and defense can only keep them close.
Bills (1-4) at Ravens (3-2)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Ravens by 6
Last meeting: Bills won, 13-10, at Baltimore on Oct. 31, 1999.
Key stat: Bills are 0-2 on road, losing by total of five points.
Players to watch: Bills’ Travis Henry (questionable, foot) expects to start. Just in case he can’t, Willis McGahee averaging 4.5 yards per carry in last two games. Ravens to rely on Chester Taylor, who’s getting 5.9 per try.
The buzz: Jamal Lewis begins his two-game suspension and Taylor not much of threat. Still, Ravens should win this one with defense.
Chargers (3-3) at Panthers (1-4)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 3
Last meeting: Panthers won, 30-22, at Carolina on Dec. 17, 2000.
Key stat: Chargers have scored every time they’ve moved inside 20 (13 TDs, 6 FGs).
Players to watch: Two quarterbacks who have gone other ways since ‘03. Chargers’ Drew Brees has 9 TD passes; Panthers’ Jake Delhomme has 9 interceptions.
The buzz: LaDainian Tomlinson should find room to operate against injury-ravaged Carolina defense and Panthers’ offense can’t keep up.
Eagles (5-0) at Browns (3-3)
Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox 28
Line: Eagles by 7
Last meeting: Eagles won, 35-24, at Cleveland on Dec. 10, 2000.
Key stat: Eagles trying to become seventh team to win first six games by 10 points.
Players to watch: Eagles’ Terrell Owens has 30 receptions, 6 for TDs. In three home games, Browns’ Jeff Garcia has 6 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions.
The buzz: Too bad Owens and Garcia, who feuded as 49ers teammates, can’t go 1-on-1. This could be tricky one for Eagles.
Jaguars (4-2) at Colts (4-1)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Colts by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Colts won, 24-17, at Jacksonville on Oct. 3.
Key stat: Colts have won six of last seven meetings.
Players to watch: Edgerrin James averaging 109.4 yards per game and 4.4 per carry for Colts. Jimmy Smith leads Jags with 28 catches, but only 1 TD.
The buzz: Colts established themselves as AFC South’s best by beating Jaguars three weeks ago. Since then, Jaguars have slipped and Colts have soared. Trend will continue.
Falcons (5-1) at Chiefs (1-4)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Chiefs by 4
Last meeting: Falcons won, 29-13, at Atlanta on Dec. 24, 2000.
Key stat: Falcons going for their first 6-1 start.
Players to watch: Michael Vick leads QBs with 286 yards rushing, but has thrown only 4 TD passes. Chiefs’ Trent Green has 6 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions.
The buzz: Falcons’ passing attack isn’t good enough to take advantage of Chiefs’ weaknesses. K.C. having disappointing season, but young Falcons will find Arrowhead tough.
Rams (4-2) at Dolphins (0-6)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Rams by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Rams won, 42-10, at St. Louis on Sept. 30, 2001.
Key stat: Dolphins haven’t scored more than 13 points in game.
Players to watch: Marc Bulger having another solid year with 9 TD passes vs. 6 interceptions. Jay Fiedler having miserable season with 2 TD passes vs. 6 interceptions.
The buzz: One of hottest teams vs. one of coldest. Dave Wannstedt’s seat will get even hotter after this one.
Titans (2-4) at Vikings (4-1)
Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS
Line: Vikings by 7
Last meeting: Vikings won, 42-24, at Minnesota on Dec. 9, 2001.
Key stat: Titans have NFL’s best road record (44-31, .587) in last decade.
Players to watch: Titans’ Steve McNair has thrown only 4 TD passes vs. 6 interceptions. Daunte Culpepper continuing drive toward MVP season with 18 TD passes vs. 3 interceptions.
The buzz: This looked like a great matchup when the schedule came out, but Titans are coming off home loss to Texans. Vikings should score enough, even if hamstring slows Randy Moss.
Lions (3-2) at Giants (4-1)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Giants by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Lions won, 31-21, at New York on Nov. 19, 2000.
Key stat: Giants have lost seven of last eight after bye week.
Players to watch: Giants’ Tiki Barber averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Lions’ defensive end James Hall has 4- 1/2 sacks.
The buzz: Will this be another magical season for Kurt Warner? He’s thrown only 1 interception in 147 attempts, and Giants are doing everything right.
Jets (5-0) at Patriots (5-0)
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won, 21-16, at New York on Dec. 20, 2003.
Key stat: Pats winning by 10.4 points; Jets by 6.2.
Players to watch: Jets’ Curtis Martin leads NFL with 613 yards rushing, averaging 4.6 per carry. Pats’ Corey Dillon has 522, 4.9 average.
The buzz: Not since 6-0 Vikings and Rams met in ‘73 have 5-0 teams met this late in season. Pats got to this point against tougher schedule, and their defense will contain Martin.
Cowboys (2-3) at Packers (2-4)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Packers by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Cowboys won, 27-13, in Dallas on Nov. 14, 1999.
Key stat: Packers are 0-3 at home, losing by average of 13 points.
Players to watch: Brett Favre has thrown TD pass in 31 straight games, second only to Johnny Unitas (47). Eddie George leads Cowboys in rushing with only 42 yards per game.
The buzz: Packers handled Lions last week, showing they’re not about to let Vikings run away with NFC North. The Cowboys’ playoff magic of ‘03 is gone.
Saints (2-4) at Raiders (2-4)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 3
Last meeting: Raiders won, 31-22, at New Orleans on Nov. 19, 2000.
Key stat: Saints have lost three straight by average of 11.3 points.
Players to watch: Aaron Brooks has thrown 8 TD passes vs. 3 interceptions for Saints. Ronald Curry leads Raiders with 24 catches, 2 for TDs.
The buzz: Two nondescript teams, so it could come down to quarterback play. Brooks not consistent, but Kerry Collins has disappointed as Rich Gannon’s replacement.
Broncos (5-1) at Bengals (1-4)
Time: 6 p.m. Monday. TV: ABC
Line: Broncos by 6
Last meeting: Broncos won, 30-10, at Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 2003.
Key stat: Bengals have lost three straight by an average of 14 points.
Players to watch: Jake Plummer has won 14 of 17 starts with Broncos. Carson Palmer has thrown 4 TD passes vs. 8 interceptions.
The buzz: The first Monday night game in Cincinnati wasn’t supposed to feature mismatch. Unless Bengals’ defense suddenly finds some answers, it won’t be pretty.