WEEK 16

Cowboys (8-6) at Panthers (10-4)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Panthers by 5.
Last meeting: Panthers won 29-10 in an NFC wild-card playoff game at Carolina on Jan. 3, 2004.
Key stat: Panthers are third in NFL with turnover differential of plus-13.
Fantasy factor: Cowboys’ Marion Barber is fourth among NFL rookies with 500 yards rushing. Panthers’ DeShaun Foster an all-purpose threat with 1,005 yards (646 rushing, 359 receiving).
The buzz: Panthers can wrap up NFC South title with a win and a Buccaneers loss or tie, taking pressure off for regular-season finale in Atlanta. Will Cowboys feel effect of blowout loss to Redskins?
Bills (4-10) at Bengals (11-3)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Bengals by 13 1/2 .
Last meeting: Bills won 33-17 at Cincinnati on Dec. 19, 2004.
Key stat: Since losing to Colts, Bengals have won 4 straight by average of 11.8 points.
Fantasy factor: Bills’ Eric Moulds, coming off 9-catch game, has 63 receptions, 3 for TDs. Bengals’ Rudi Johnson has rushed for 283 yards in last 2 home games.
The buzz: The Bills, one of season’s big disappointments, have lost 5 straight. Bengals play for playoff positioning.
Steelers (9-5) at Browns (5-9)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Steelers by 7.
Last meeting: Steelers won 34-21 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 13.
Key stat: Steelers have won last 4 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Steelers’ Hines Ward, who had 8 catches for 124 yards in last meeting, has 10 TD receptions. Rookie Charlie Frye has thrown 3 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions in 3 starts.
The buzz: Browns are 1-2 with Frye at QB, but Steelers come to town fighting for playoffs. Steelers should be able to run and win.
Jaguars (10-4) at Texans (2-12)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Jaguars by 6.
Last meeting: Jaguars won 21-14 at Jacksonville on Nov. 6.
Key stat: Texans have held last 3 opponents to fewer than 20 points (16.0 average).
Fantasy factor: Jaguars’ Greg Jones has rushed for 407 yards in last 6 games. Texans’ Andre Johnson has caught at least 8 passes in 3 of 5 games vs. Jaguars.
The buzz: Jaguars have been unimpressive in 3 games since QB Byron Leftwich went down, barely beating 49ers last week. Texans playing out season, but defense has been getting better.
Chargers (9-5) at Chiefs (8-6)
Time: 10 a.m. today (CBS).
Line: Chiefs by 1.
Last meeting: Chargers won 28-20 at San Diego on Nov. 30.
Key stat: Chiefs have outscored Chargers 232-107 in last 8 meetings in K.C.
Fantasy factor: Chargers TE Antonio Gates has 82 catches, 9 TDs. Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez has 68 catches, 2 TDs.
The buzz: Loser seems certain to fall out of playoffs. Chiefs have had problems but are 5-1 at home with only loss to Eagles before problems surfaced.
Titans (4-10) at Dolphins (7-7)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Dolphins by 5 1/2 .
Last meeting: Titans won 17-10 at Miami on Sept. 11, 2004.
Key stat: Titans 1-5 on road, winning only at Houston.
Fantasy factor: Titans’ Chris Brown has scored 7 TDs (5 rushing, 2 receiving). Dolphins’ Chris Chambers, who has 9 TD catches, has 4 in the last 3 games.
The buzz: Dolphins are out of playoff picture but are finishing strongly in Nick Saban’s first season. They’re going for first 5-game winning streak since ‘99.
Lions (4-10) vs. Saints (3-11) at San Antonio
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Saints by 3.
Last meeting: Lions won 26-21 at Detroit on Sept. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Saints are league-worst minus-21 in turnover differential.
Fantasy factor: Lions’ Roy Williams has 6 of his 7 TD catches in last 6 games. Saints’ Donte’ Stallworth has 62 catches, 7 TDs (all in last 9 games).
The buzz: 2 of worst teams, playing out string with quarterback issues. Lions go back to Joey Harrington.
49ers (2-12) at Rams (5-9)
Time: 10 a.m. today.
Line: Rams by 9.
Last meeting: 49ers won 28-25 at San Francisco on Sept. 11.
Key stat: Teams have combined for 10 straight losses (49ers 7, Rams 3).
Fantasy factor: 49ers rookie Frank Gore becoming double threat – he had 79 yards rushing and 57 receiving Sunday. Rams’ Steven Jackson has rushed for 1,018 yards (4.3 avg.)
The buzz: San Francisco’s offense hasn’t scored TD in last 2 games, both on the road. Why start now?
Falcons (8-6) at Bucs (9-5)
Time: 10 a.m., today.
Line: Bucs by 3.
Last meeting: Bucs won 30-27 at Atlanta on Nov. 20.
Key stat: Falcons have scored only 9 points in last 2 road games (3 vs. Bears, 6 vs. Panthers).
Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Warrick Dunn, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, is third in NFC with 1,328 yards. Bucs’ rookie Cadillac Williams getting 4.0 per carry.
The buzz: Bucs could control game with Williams’ running, minimizing damage Michael Vick can do. Bucs can clinch playoff spot with win and some help.
Giants (10-4) at Redskins (8-6)
Time: 10 a.m. today (Fox).
Line: Redskins by 3.
Last meeting: Giants won 36-0 at New York on Oct. 30.
Key stat: Giants are third in NFL with turnover differential of plus-12.
Fantasy factor: Giants’ Tiki Barker has had huge year, second in NFL with 1,577 yards rushing, averaging 5.0. Redskins’ Santana Moss second in NFL with 1,240 receiving yards (16.5 avg.).
The buzz: Giants can go as far as Barber can carry them, which he’ll have to do as Eli Manning struggles. Redskins own 3-game winning streak.
Eagles (6-8) at Cardinals (4-10)
Time: 1:05 p.m. today.
Line: Cardinals by 1.
Last meeting: Eagles won 38-14 at Philadelphia on Nov. 17, 2002.
Key stat: Eagles have won 4 of last 5 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Rookie Ryan Moats continues to make mark with Eagles, rushing for 192 yards and 3 TDs in last 2 games. Cards going back to Josh McCown, who has 1 TD pass in each of his last 4 starts.
The buzz: Moats has given Eagles spark, which should be enough to beat Cardinals.
Raiders (4-10) at Broncos (11-3)
Time: 1:15 p.m. today.
Line: Broncos by 13.
Last meeting: Broncos won 31-17 at Oakland on Nov. 13.
Key stat: Broncos 16-5 vs. Raiders under Mike Shanahan, ex-Raiders coach.
Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Randy Moss finishing up so-so year with 48 catches, 6 TDs. Broncos’ Rod Smith having big year with 79 catches, 6 TDs.
The buzz: Broncos are chasing first-round bye and Raiders don’t have weapons to stop them.
Bears (10-4) at Packers (3-11)
Time: 2 p.m. Sunday (Fox).
Line: Bears by 6 1/2 .
Last meeting: Bears won 19-7 at Soldier Field on Dec. 4.
Key stat: Bears go for first sweep of Packers since ‘91.
Fantasy factor: In his first start of season, Rex Grossman could ignite Bears’ passing offense. Donald Driver has 74 catches, 5 TDs for Packers.
The buzz: With Grossman in lineup and healthy No. 1-ranked defense, Packers face quite a challenge.
Vikings (8-6) at Ravens (5-9)
Time: 5:30 p.m. Sunday (ESPN).
Line: Ravens by 3.
Last meeting: Ravens won 19-3 at Baltimore on Jan. 7, 2001.
Key stat: Vikings 2-0 outdoors with Brad Johnson at QB (Giants, Packers).
Fantasy factor: Michael Bennett, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, getting another chance to spark Vikings. Ravens’ Mark Clayton leads rookies with 36 catches.
The buzz: Vikings aren’t as afraid of cold as they have been, but Ravens have been tough at home in disappointing season. Does Kyle Boller have second straight good game in him?
Patriots (9-5) at Jets (3-11)
Time: 6 p.m. Monday (ABC).
Line: Patriots by 5.
Last meeting: Patriots won 16-3 at New England on Dec. 4.
Key stat: Pats have won 3 straight by combined score of 79-10.
Fantasy factor: Pats’ Corey Dillon averages modest 3.6 yards per carry but has rushed for 10 TDs. Laveranues Coles quietly having solid season for Jets with 64 catches, 3 TDs.
The buzz: Tom Brady is having superb season, Patriots’ defense is playing as well as it has all season, and Patriots are building playoff momentum. Jets won’t get in way.
Chicago Tribune