NFL: week 13
By Terry Bannon /
Chicago Tribune
Packers (2-9) at Bears (8-3)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bears by 7.
Last meeting: Packers won 31-14 at Soldier Field on Jan. 2, 2005.
Key stat: Packers have won 11 straight on road vs. Bears.
Fantasy factor: Brett Favre has thrown TD pass in 26 straight vs. Bears, longest streak against one team in NFL history. Muhsin Muhammad, who leads Bears with 48 catches, has 3 TDs in his last three games vs. Packers.
The buzz: All things must end, and Bears’ No. 1-ranked defense will end Packers’ success in their home-away-from-home – even if Favre throws for a TD.
Texans (1-10) at Ravens (3-8)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Ravens by 8 1/2 .
Last meeting: Ravens won 23-19 at Houston on Dec. 15, 2002.
Key stat: Texans’ 5 road losses have been by an average of 14.8 points.
Fantasy factor: Andre Johnson big play threat – 12 catches, 1 TD Sunday. Jamal Lewis (113 yards rushing Sunday) back as Ravens’ key runner.
The buzz: Texans were competitive against Rams last Sunday before collapsing. Will that breed confidence? It’s Texans’ only hope.
Falcons (7-4) at Panthers (8-3)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 3.
Last meeting: Falcons won 34-31 (OT) at Atlanta on Dec. 18, 2004.
Key stat: Falcons only team to rush for at least 100 yards in every game.
Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Michael Vick, who has won all 5 starts vs. Panthers, has thrown two TD passes in last three games. DeShaun Foster (77 yards rushing Sunday) getting more work for Panthers.
The buzz: Battle for share of first place in NFC South comes down to simple issue – can Panthers slow down Falcons’ three-headed running game (Vick, Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett).
Jaguars (8-3) at Browns (4-7)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Jaguars by 3.
Last meeting: Browns won 21-20 at Jacksonville on Dec. 8, 2002.
Key stat: Jaguars are third in NFL with turnover differential of plus-12.
Fantasy factor: Rookie receivers are making their mark: Jaguars’ Matt Jones leads first-year crop with 28 catches, Browns’ Braylon Edwards has 27.
The buzz: David Garrard replaces injured Byron Leftwich at QB for Jaguars, putting pressure on rest of offense. If Browns can run vs. tough defense, they can win.
Vikings (6-5) at Lions (4-7)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 2.
Last meeting: Vikings won 27-14 at Minnesota on Nov. 6, 2005.
Key stat: Vikings have won last seven meetings.
Fantasy factor: Marcus Robinson leads Vikings with 5 TD catches, 3 Sunday. Lions’ Scottie Vines upstaging more famous Detroit receivers with 29 receptions.
The buzz: Lions coach Dick Jauron has chosen to start QB Jeff Garcia in Jauron’s debut as Lions’ coach. Vikings have won four straight, but will emotion of changes spark the Lions?
Titans (3-8) at Colts (11-0)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Colts by 15.
Last meeting: Colts won 31-10 at Tennessee on Oct. 2, 2005.
Key stat: Colts have won team-record 10 straight at home.
Fantasy factor: In last year’s game at Indianapolis, Titans’ Drew Bennett had 3 catches, all for TDs. Reggie Wayne leads Colts with 64 catches, 4 for TDs.
The buzz: Colts can wrap up AFC South title with win and Jaguars loss, but their quest for perfect season that’s on do-next list. Rebuilding Titans won’t get in way.
Bills (4-7) at Dolphins (4-7)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Dolphins by 5.
Last meeting: Bills won 20-14 in Buffalo on Oct. 9, 2005.
Key stat: Bills 0-5 on road, losing by average of 18.4 points.
Fantasy factor: Bills’ Willis McGahee has averaged 96 yards rushing in three games vs. Dolphins. Dolphins rookie Ronnie Brown had 97 yards in first Buffalo game and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
The buzz: Buffalo’s stodgy offense has tough time on road, and Dolphins will exploit that.
Bucs (7-4) vs. Saints (3-8)
At Baton Rogue, La.
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bucs by 3 1/2 .
Last meeting: Saints won 21-17 at Tampa on Dec. 19, 2004.
Key stat: Bucs No. 2 in defense, averaging 269.9 yards per game.
Fantasy factor: Bucs rookie Carnell Williams averages 4.2 yards per carry and has four 100-yard games. Saints’ Aaron Brooks has 5 TD passes, 1 interception in last two games, both on road.
The buzz: Saints have been more competitive, and Brooks has played well against Bucs. Still, Tampa Bay is in race and Saints aren’t.
Cowboys (7-4) at Giants (7-4)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Giants by 3.
Last meeting: Cowboys won 16-13 (OT) at Dallas on Oct. 16, 2005.
Key stat: Giants 5-1 at home.
Fantasy factor: Keyshawn Johnson leads Cowboys with 53 catches, 6 for TDs. Giants’ Jeremy Shockey leads tight ends with 7 TD receptions, averaging 14.9 per catch.
The buzz: Battle for first place in NFC East could be determined by Tiki Barber, NFL’s No. 3 rusher with 1,118 yards (5.0 per carry). It’s not all Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress.
Bengals (8-3) at Steelers (7-4)
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Steelers by 3.
Last meeting: Steelers won 27-13 at Cincinnati on Oct. 23, 2005.
Key stat: Steelers have won six of last seven meetings.
Fantasy factor: Carson Palmer’s only game with sub-100 passer rating was first meeting with Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 4 TDs vs. 1 interception.
The buzz: If Steelers can forget about Monday night’s loss to Colts, they can contain Bengals again.
Redskins (5-6) at Rams (5-6)
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Redskins by 3.
Last meeting: Redskins won 20-17 at Washington on Nov. 24, 2002.
Key stat: Rams No. 1 in passing offense with 276.9 yards per game.
Fantasy factor: Clinton Portis averages 4.2 yards per carry for Redskins. Steven Jackson has had solid season in first as starter, averaging 4.4 with 7 rushing TDs.
The buzz: What do Rams have in rookie quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who led comeback win over Texans? They may as well spend rest of season finding out.
Cardinals (3-8) at 49ers (2-9)
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 3.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 31-14 at Mexico City on Oct. 2, 2005.
Key stat: Cardinals are second in NFL in passing at 275.2 yards per game.
Fantasy factor: Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald leads NFL with 74 catches and is third with 7 TD catches. Rookie Alex Smith (0 TDs, 5 INTs) returns to lineup after missing 5 games with injury.
The buzz: Smith has struggled so far, and Cardinals’ offense has shown signs of decent play as Warner has improved.
Broncos (9-2) at Chiefs (7-4)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 1.
Last meeting: Broncos won 30-10 in Denver on Sept. 26, 2005.
Key stat: Chiefs have allowed 3 points in first quarter of home games.
Fantasy factor: Broncos’ Mike Anderson averaging 4.9 per carry in 8 games vs. K.C. Chiefs’ Larry Johnson goes for fifth straight 100-yard rushing game, which would tie Priest Holmes’ team record.
The buzz: Chiefs have history of handling Broncos at Arrowhead (5 of last 6), and match them run for run and pass for pass. Good offensive show.
Jets (2-9) at Patriots (6-5)
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 10.
Last meeting: Patriots won 23-7 at New York on Dec. 26, 2004.
Key stat: Pats haven’t lost two straight in 44 games.
Fantasy factor: Laveranues Coles leads Jets with 53 catches, 2 for TDs. Deion Branch paces Pats with 60, 4 for TDs.
The buzz: Struggling Jets catching Patriots at wrong time – after loss. Pats have problems in secondary, but Jets can’t exploit them.
Raiders (4-7) at Chargers (7-4)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 11.
Last meeting: Chargers won 27-14 at Oakland on Oct. 16, 2005.
Key stat: Chargers aim for first five-game winning streak vs. Raiders since winning six straight in 1960-62.
Fantasy factor: Jerry Porter has 50 catches for 14.4 avg., 4 TDs for Raiders. Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson second in NFL with 19 TDs (17 rushing, 2 receiving).
The buzz: Chargers own Raiders, at least for now, thanks largely to Drew Brees. He’s thrown 8 TD passes and zero INTs in last four games vs. Raiders.
Seahawks (9-2) at Eagles (5-6)
Time: 6 p.m. Monday.
Line: Seahawks by 4.
Last meeting: Eagles won 27-20 at Seattle on Dec. 8, 2002.
Key stat: Seahawks have won three straight road games.
Fantasy factor: Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck has thrown 14 TD passes, at least one in each of last eight games. Eagles’ Mike McMahon has completed less than half of his passes (33 of 73).
The buzz: Seahawks can wrap up NFC West with win, and it’s asking too much for McMahon to beat Hasselbeck.