WEEK 4

By Terry Bannon /

Chicago Tribune

Texans (0-2) at Bengals (3-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 9 1/2 .

Last meeting: Bengals won 34-27 at Cincinnati on Nov. 9, 2003.

Key stat: Bengals’ No. 3 offense vs. Texans’ No. 25 defense.

Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Rudi Johnson, who has averaged 100.8 yards in last 9 games, faces No. 31 rushing defense. Texans’ David Carr off to terrible start (1 TD vs. 3 INT).

The buzz: Cincinnati’s high-powered offense should roll. Looks like long year for Texans.

Broncos (2-1) at Jaguars (2-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 4.

Last meeting: Jaguars won 7-6 at Jacksonville on Sept. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Broncos’ No. 13 offense vs. Jaguars’ No. 2 defense.

Fantasy factor: Broncos’ Jake Plummer (2 TDs vs. 3 INT) faces tough challenge from Jaguars’ defense. Jaguars WR Reggie Williams has 13 catches, at least 4 in each game.

The buzz: Byron Leftwich plays well at home, and Jaguars should be able to do just enough on offense to back up tough defense.

Chargers (1-2) at Patriots (2-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Patriots by 5 1/2 .

Last meeting: Chargers won 21-14 at San Diego on Sept. 29, 2002.

Key stat: Patriots have won 21 straight at home.

Fantasy factor: Chargers’ Keenan McCardell could add to his NFL-leading 4 TD catches against troubled secondary. Patriots’ Tom Brady has thrown 38 TDs vs. 11 interceptions in 25 regular-season home games.

The buzz: Brady and Chargers’ Drew Brees could stage shootout, but as always, Patriots will find a way to make the plays at the end.

Bills (1-2) at Saints (1-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Pick ‘em.

Last meeting: Saints won 24-6 at Buffalo on Sept. 9, 2001.

Key stat: Bills are 32nd in rushing defense, Saints 26th.

Fantasy factor: Bills’ Willis McGahee (4.7 yards per carry) and Saints’ Deuce McAllister (3.2) will both get chance to control game.

The buzz: Saints struggling since emotional opening-day win over Carolina. First of 3 home games Saints will play at Alamodome in San Antonio in wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Rams (2-1) at Giants (2-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Giants by 3.

Last meeting: Giants won 23-13 at New York on Sept. 7, 2003.

Key stat: Giants lead NFL with 30.7 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Rams’ Marc Bulger has thrown 6 TD passes vs. 3 INT. Giants rookie Brandon Jacobs from Southern Illinois is getting short-yardage work – rushing for 2 TDs in first 3 games.

The buzz: Eli Manning has figured some things out in his 2nd season, as Rams will find out.

Lions (1-1) at Bucs (3-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 6 1/2 .

Last meeting: Bucs won 23-20 at Detroit on Dec. 15, 2002.

Key stat: Mismatch: Bucs’ league-leading defense vs. Lions’ No. 30 offense.

Fantasy factor: Lions rookie WR Mike Williams could become crucial if Detroit can’t run. Lions’ leaky run defense won’t contain rookie Carnell Williams, who leads NFL with 434 yards rushing.

The buzz: Lions have had 2 weeks to mull over getting blown out by Bears. Bucs will keep on rolling with old-fashioned combination of running offense and running defense.

Colts (3-0) at Titans (1-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 7.

Last meeting: Colts won 51-24 at Indianapolis on Dec. 5, 2004.

Key stat: Colts’ 3 wins have come by combined score of 47-16.

Fantasy factor: Colts temporarily low-scoring team, but at some point Peyton Manning will throw his 3rd TD pass. Chris Brown ran for 256 yards and 5.7 avg. vs. Colts in ‘04.

The buzz: Led by Dwight Freeney (4 sacks), the Colts are winning with defense. Titans are tough but undermanned.

Jets (1-2) at Ravens (0-2)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Ravens by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Ravens won 20-17 (OT) at New York on Nov. 14, 2004.

Key stat: Ravens’ 32nd in rushing offense; Jets’ 29th in rushing defense.

Fantasy factor: This should be the week Ravens’ Jamal Lewis, who has only 57 yards rushing, comes around. Jets’ QB injuries may make things tough for Curtis Martin.

The buzz: Jets are down to third-stringer QB Brooks Bollinger from Wisconsin, who will make his first NFL start. Not an ideal debut against Ray Lewis & Co.

Vikings (1-2) at Falcons (2-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Falcons by 6.

Last meeting: Vikings won 39-26 at Atlanta on Oct. 5, 2003.

Key stat: Falcons’ No. 1 rushing offense vs. Vikings’ No. 30 rushing defense.

Fantasy factor: Mewelde Moore is Vikings’ latest hope at RB. Warrick Dunn, off to his fastest start with 268 yards in 3 games, faces weak rushing defense.

The buzz: Michael Vick is progressing as passer. That’s trouble for Minnesota’s disappointing defense, which is hurt by injuries in secondary.

Eagles (2-1) at Chiefs (2-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Chiefs by 2.

Last meeting: Eagles won 23-10 at Kansas City on Nov. 29, 2001.

Key stat: Eagles’ No. 1-ranked offense vs. Chiefs’ No. 27 defense.

Fantasy factor: Eagles’ L.J. Smith leads tight ends with 17 catches. Priest Holmes averages 4.0 per carry for Chiefs.

The buzz: Chiefs got wake-up call at Denver on Monday night, and their defense will decide this potential Super Bowl preview. K.C. will have trouble with Brian Westbrook.

Cowboys (2-1) at Raiders (0-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Raiders by 3.

Last meeting: Raiders won 28-21 at Oakland on Oct. 7, 2001.

Key stat: Cowboys’ No. 4 offense vs. Raiders’ No. 29 defense.

Fantasy factor: Cowboys WR Terry Glenn, averaging 24 yards per catch with 1 TD, goes for 3rd straight 100-yard game. Lamont Jordan leads Raiders in rushing (148) and receiving (16 catches, 125 yards).

The buzz: Cowboys not as tough as their record indicates and may be out of sync from spending week in Bay Area after beating 49ers. Raiders have to win at some point. Don’t they?

49ers (1-2) vs. Cardinals (0-3) at Mexico City

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 2 1/2 .

Last meeting: 49ers won 31-28 (OT) at Arizona on Dec. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Cards trying to avoid first 0-4 start since ‘86, when they still were in St. Louis.

Fantasy factor: Can the unsung QBs come through? 49ers’ Tim Rattay had 3 TD passes last week. Cards’ Josh McCown has 5 TDs in 3 games vs. 49ers.

The buzz: Cards, last in ‘04 attendance with 37,533 per game, gave up home game for cash and international exposure. Did fans in Mexico expect Patriots-Eagles-caliber matchup?

Packers (0-3) at Panthers (1-2)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday.

Line: Panthers by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Packers won 24-14 at Carolina on Sept. 13, 2004.

Key stat: Packers haven’t started 0-4 since ‘88.

Fantasy factor: Robert Ferguson leads Packers with 2 TD receptions. Panthers’ Steve Smith leads NFL with 4 TD catches after getting 3 last week.

The buzz: This matchup looked good in April, looks dreadful in September. Brett Favre era is fading away in Green Bay.

Bye week: Bears, Browns, Dolphins, Steelers