WEEK 15

Cardinals (4-9) at Texans (1-12)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Cardinals by 2.

Last meeting: 1st meeting.

Key stat: Texans have lost last 3 by total of 10 points (1 in OT).

Fantasy factor: Cards’ Anquan Boldin, who has 38 catches in last 4 weeks, going for team-record 5th straight 100-yard receiving game. Texans’ Domanick Davis averages 4.2 per carry.

The buzz: Texans have lost 6 straight but have continued to play hard. If there’s any gas left in tank, that coveted win No. 2 is at hand. Reggie Bush remains on deck.

Chargers (8-5) at Colts (13-0)

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Colts by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Colts won 34-31 (OT) at Indianapolis on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Colts allowing just 13.8 points per game, 2nd in NFL.

Fantasy factor: Chargers’ Drew Brees has thrown 22 TD passes vs. 12 interceptions. Colts’ Marvin Harrison leads NFL with 12 TD catches.

The buzz: Colts’ goal next 3 weeks is to stay unbeaten and avoid big injuries. Colts may rest starters but not enough to help Chargers, who may have to win out to make playoffs.

49ers (2-11) at Jaguars (9-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 15 1/2 .

Last meeting: Jaguars won 41-3 at Jacksonville on Sept. 12, 1999.

Key stat: 49ers’ 0-6 on road, losing by average of 24.7 points.

Fantasy factor: 49ers’ Brandon Lloyd has 41 catches, 4 for TDs. Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith quietly having good year with 55 catches, 6 for TDs.

The buzz: Unless Alex Smith picks this week to start figuring things out, Jaguars will continue to coast to No. 5 seed in AFC and likely playoff date at New England.

Jets (3-10) at Dolphins (6-7)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Dolphins by 9.

Last meeting: Jets won 17-7 at New York on Sept. 18, 2005.

Key stat: Jets have won 12 of last 15 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Rookie Cedric Houston, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, new key for Jets’ attack. Dolphins’ Gus Frerotte has thrown 14 TD passes vs. 11 interceptions.

The buzz: Dolphins have won 3 straight, scoring at clip of 26.7 per game. Jets offense did job vs. Raiders last week, but injuries have taken toll.

Steelers (8-5) at Vikings (8-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2 .

Last meeting: Steelers won 21-16 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 2, 2001.

Key stat: Vikings have won 5 straight home games.

Fantasy factor: Rookie tight end Heath Miller dangerous near goal line with 6 TD catches. Ex-Seahawk Koren Robinson has 12 catches for 20.2 average, 1 TD in last 4 games.

The buzz: Vikings are 6-0 with Brad Johnson as starter, and they’ve found balance in their attack. Can Steelers run ball like they did vs. Bears?

Panthers (9-4) at Saints (3-10)

At Baton Rogue, La.

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 9 1/2 .

Last meeting: Saints won 23-20 at Carolina on Sept. 11, 2005.

Key stat: Panthers have scored only 50 points in last 4 games (2-2).

Fantasy factor: Panthers’ Steve Smith leads NFL in receptions (87) and is tied for 2nd with 10 TD catches. Saints’ Donte’ Stallworth has 19 catches, 3 TDs in last 4 games.

The buzz: Saints going with retread Todd Bouman at QB, a sign they may be giving up on the Aaron Brooks era. It may be a spark, but not enough of one.

Eagles (5-8) at Rams (5-8)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Rams by 3.

Last meeting: Rams won 20-7 in St. Louis on Dec. 27, 2004.

Key stat: Eagles have scored 59 points in 4 games without Donovan McNabb (1-3).

Fantasy factor: Rookie Ryan Moats is Eagles’ new running threat after getting 2 TDs last week. Rams’ Steven Jackson averages 4.2 yards per carry.

The buzz: Not long ago, this would have been a battle of NFC heavyweights. Now, it’s wait until next year.

Bengals (10-3) at Lions (4-9)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Bengals by 8 1/2 .

Last meeting: Bengals won 31-27 at Detroit on Oct. 28, 2001.

Key stat: Lions have scored only 43 points in 4-game losing streak.

Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Rudi Johnson has run for 8 TDs in last 5 games. Roy Williams has 6 TD catches for Lions.

The buzz: Bengals, battling Denver for No. 2 seed and 1st-round bye in AFC, should control weak Lions offense.

Browns (4-9) at Raiders (4-9)

Time: 10:05 a.m.

Line: Raiders by 3.

Last meeting: Browns won 13-7 at Cleveland on Oct. 12, 2003.

Key stat: Browns 1-6 on road.

Fantasy factor: Reuben Droughns getting 4.2 yards per carry for Browns. Raiders’ LaMont Jordan has scored 11 TDs (9 rushing, 2 receiving).

The buzz: Browns look to the future with rookie QB Charlie Frye. Raiders surprisingly give Kerry Collins another chance.

Cowboys (8-5) at Redskins (7-6)

Time: 1:15 p.m. TV: Fox 28

Line: Redskins by 2 1/2 .

Last meeting: Redskins won 14-13 at Dallas on Sept. 19, 2005.

Key stat: Eight of last 9 meetings decided by 7 points or less.

Fantasy factor: Veteran QBs having solid years: Cowboys’ Drew Bledsoe has 20 TDs vs. 11 interceptions; Redskins’ Mark Brunell has 16 TDs vs. 8 interceptions.

The buzz: Redskins rallied late to win 1st meeting, and if they can shake Clinton Portis loose, they’ll tighten AFC East race.

Falcons (8-5) at Bears (9-4)

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

Line: Bears by 3.

Last meeting: Bears won 14-13 at Atlanta on Sept. 15, 2002.

Key stat: Falcons are 4-2 on road.

Fantasy factor: Warrick Dunn 3rd in NFL with 1,247 yards and is averaging 5.2 per carry. Thomas Jones has rushed for 1,077, averaging 4.3.

The buzz: Can Bears rush defense bounce back against NFL’s best running game? On cold night with chance that Michael Vick won’t be healthy, it should happen.

Packers (3-10) at Ravens (4-9)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday TV: ABC

Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 .

Last meeting: Packers won 31-23 at Green Bay on Oct. 14, 2001.

Key stat: Ravens 4-2 at home.

Fantasy factor: Packers rookie Samkon Gado has scored 7 TDs (6 rushing, 1 receiving) in last 7 games. Ravens rookie Mark Clayton has 14 catches, 1 TD in last 2 games.

The buzz: Meaningless Monday game at least gives nation chance to enjoy another Brett Favre show.