Week 9

By Terry Bannon /

Chicago Tribune

Bengals (6-2) at Ravens (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 3.

Last meeting: Bengals won 27-26 at Baltimore on Dec. 5, 2004.

Key stat: Bengals lead NFL with turnover differential of plus-20.

Fantasy factor: Ravens’ Derrick Mason has 24 catches in last three games vs. Bengals. Bengals’ Chad Johnson, who has 5 receiving TDs this season, had 2 in last game vs. Ravens.

The buzz: Will Ravens start packing it in after 1-point loss to Steelers? They’ll put up fight, but Bengals have too many weapons.

Titans (2-6) at Browns (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Browns by 3.

Last meeting: Browns won 31-28 (OT) at Tennessee on Sept. 22, 2002.

Key stat: Titans 1-3 on the road, beating only Houston. Browns’ Reuben Droughns averaging 5.1 yards on 39 carries.

The buzz: Both of these young teams still figuring out how to win, and the road has not been kind to Titans.

Texans (1-6) at Jaguars (4-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 13.

Last meeting: Texans won 21-0 at Jacksonville on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Texans have won last 2 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Texans’ Domanick Davis rushed for 158 yards in last meeting with Jacksonville. Jags’ Fred Taylor one of NFL’s hottest backs with 297 yards in last 2 games.

The buzz: It’s doubtful last week’s win over Browns will start Texans on winning streak, certainly not on road against playoff contender.

Raiders (3-4) at Chiefs (4-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chiefs by 4.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 23-17 at Oakland on Sept. 18.

Key stat: Chiefs have won last 5 meetings, all by less than 7 points.

Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Jerry Porter has 19 catches in last 4 games vs. Chiefs. KC’s Trent Green has thrown 6 TD passes and only 2 INT in last 4 vs. Oakland.

The buzz: Raiders bit of surprise with 3 wins in 4 weeks, but Chiefs will move ball at Arrowhead.

Falcons (5-2) at Dolphins (3-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 2.

Last meeting: Dolphins won 21-14 at Miami on Dec. 30, 2001.

Key stat: Falcons lead NFL with 188.1 rushing yards per game.

Fantasy factor: Warrick Dunn getting 5.4 yards per carry for Falcons, with 2 TDs. Miami rookie Ronnie Brown getting 4.8 (3 TDs).

The buzz: Running combination of Brown and Ricky Williams is enough to keep Dolphins in game against anyone. Falcons’ passing game still AWOL.

Lions (3-4) at Vikings (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Vikings by 1

Last meeting: Vikings won 28-27 at Detroit on Dec. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Vikings have won last 7 meetings in Minnesota, 6 overall.

Fantasy factor: Lions’ Kevin Jones averaging only 3.0 per carry, but has 4 TDs. Backup Brad Johnson takes over at QB for Vikings.

The buzz: Both teams a mess, but Vikings have to try to clean up without Daunte Culpepper.

Chargers (4-4) at Jets (2-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chargers by 6.

Last meeting: Jets won 20-17 (OT) at San Diego in wild-card playoff game on Jan. 8.

Key stat: Chargers’ 4 losses have been by total of 12 points.

Fantasy factor: Chargers tight end Antonio Gates having a big year with 43 catches, 6 TDs. Jets’ Justin McCareins has 7 catches in last 2 games.

The buzz: Chargers lead league in better-than-their-record competition. Jets offense injury-riddled quagmire.

Panthers (5-2) at Bucs (5-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 1 1/2

Last meeting: Panthers won 37-20 at Tampa on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Bucs 3-0 at home, winning by 11.3 per game.

Fantasy factor: Joey Galloway, with 39 catches and 5 TDs, key for Bucs. Panthers’ Steven Smith leads NFL in catches (50) and TD receptions (8).

The buzz: Bucs’ defense is best in league, but they haven’t done much with Chris Simms at QB. Can Cadillac Williams return to early-season form? Winner stays in 1st place in NFC South.

Bears (4-3) vs. Saints (2-6)

At Baton Rouge, La.

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Bears by 3

Last meeting: Saints won 20-13 at New Orleans on Oct. 12, 2003.

Key stat: Saints have lost 6 of last 7.

Fantasy factor: Muhsin Muhammad leads Bears with 34 catches, 2 for TDs. Saints’ Joe Horn is back and healthy after 7 catches last week.

The buzz: Solid defense and efficient offense should be enough for Bears to get 4th straight win. Antowain Smith must break some long runs for Saints to have chance.

Giants (5-2) at 49ers (2-5)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Giants by 10 1/2

Last meeting: 49ers won 39-38 at San Francisco in wild-card playoff game on Jan. 5, 2003.

Key stat: Giants 2nd in NFL with turnover differential of plus-12.

Fantasy factor: Giants’ Plaxico Burress having big year with 40 catches, 5 TDs. 49ers’ Brandon Lloyd has 21 catches, 3 TDs.

The buzz: Cody Pickett gets start at quarterback for 49ers, but he’s not about to scare Giants, who have rejoined NFL’s elite thanks to Eli Manning.

Steelers (5-2) at Packers (1-6)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2

Last meeting: Steelers won 27-20 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 1998.

Key stat: Steelers 3-0 on road, winning by average of 12 points.

Fantasy factor: Willie Parker has 3 100-yard games in past 4 on road. Brett Favre has TD pass in 24 straight home games, longest active streak in NFL.

The buzz: Even though Ben Roethlisberger is out for the game, Steelers can control ball with Parker and Jerome Bettis. We now know Favre can’t do it alone.

Eagles (4-3) at Redskins (4-3)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Redskins by 3

Last meeting: Eagles won 17-14 at Washington on Dec. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Eagles have allowed 113 points in last 3 road games (1-2).

Fantasy factor: Eagles’ Brian Westbrook has scored 5 TDs, 1 rushing and 4 receiving. Redskins’ Mark Brunell having great bounce-back season with 12 TDs vs. 3 INTs.

The buzz: Eagles are struggling to run ball or stop anyone. Brunell is hotter than Donovan McNabb and Redskins’ confidence is growing.

Colts (7-0) at Patriots (4-3)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday

Line: Colts by 3 1/2

Last meeting: Patriots won 20-3 at New England in AFC semifinal on Jan. 16.

Key stat: Pats have won 6 straight meetings, last 3 at home.

Fantasy factor: Edgerrin James, who has 5 100-yard rushing efforts in 8 games vs. Pats, leads NFL with 801 yards on ground (7 TDs). Pats’ Deion Branch has 40 catches, 2 for TDs.

The buzz: Pats have lost some of their magic, but they know how to play Colts. If they can control James, they win again – though it will be different story in January.

Bye: Buffalo, Denver, Dallas, St. Louis