WEEK 5

Bears (1-2) at Browns (1-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Browns by 3.

Last meeting: Bears won 27-21 (OT) at Soldier Field on Nov. 4, 2001.

Key stat: It’s Bears’ No. 27 offense vs. Browns’ No. 30 defense.

Fantasy factor: Thomas Jones, with 4 rushing TDs in 3 games, continues to carry load for Bears. Rookie Braylon Edwards averaging 18.4 yards per catch for Browns.

The buzz: Cleveland’s porous pass defense should provide openings for Bears’ rookie combination of Kyle Orton and Mark Bradley to make plays.

Patriots (2-2) at Falcons (3-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 2½.

Last meeting: Patriots won 24-10 at Atlanta on Nov. 4, 2001.

Key stat: Falcons have won 12 of last 13 home games, including 7 in row.

Fantasy factor: Pats need Corey Dillon, who is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry but has run for 5 TDs. Warrick Dunn getting 5.6 yards per carry for Falcons.

The buzz: If Michael Vick’s knee is sound, he can run and pass against injury-weakened New England defense. But he was downgraded to questionable on Saturday.

Dolphins (2-1) at Bills (1-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bills by 3.

Last meeting: Bills won 42-32 at Miami on Dec. 5, 2004.

Key stat: Bills averaging only 12 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Gus Frerotte has been efficient in first 3 games with 5 TD passes. Bills depending on Willis McGahee (4.8 yards per carry).

The buzz: New coach Nick Saban has Dolphins playing with confidence. Bills shaping up as one of season’s biggest disappointments.

Ravens (1-2) at Lions (1-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 1 1/2 .

Last meeting: Ravens won 19-10 at Baltimore on Dec. 27, 1998.

Key stat: It’s Ravens’ No. 2 defense vs. Lions’ No. 29 offense.

Fantasy factor: Ravens’ Derrick Mason averaging 7 catches per game and has TD in 6 of last 8 road games. Lions’ Kevin Jones, averaging only 3.3 yards per rush, must carry load.

The buzz: Both teams off to disappointing starts, but Ravens should be able to rely on their defense.

Saints (2-2) at Packers (0-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Packers by 3.

Last meeting: Saints won 35-20 at New Orleans on Sept. 15, 2002.

Key stat: Packers have lost 4 straight home games.

Fantasy factor: Deuce McAllister, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, getting lot of work from Saints. Despite Packers’ woes, Brett Favre 2nd in NFL with 9 TD passes.

The buzz: Packers battling injuries all over roster and Saints should be able to do enough on offense to control game.

Titans (1-3) at Texans (0-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Texans by 3.

Last meeting: Texans won 31-21 at Houston on Nov. 28, 2004.

Key stat: Texans averaging league-worst 8 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Drew Bennett getting 17.6 yards per catch for Titans but has yet to score. Texans may try to control game with running of Domanick Davis (3.9 per carry).

The buzz: Texans, looking more like expansion team than fourth-year franchise, have desperation factor and home field in their favor. Will that be enough?

Bucs (4-0) at Jets (1-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 3.

Last meeting: Jets won 21-17 at Tampa on Sept. 24, 2000.

Key stat: It’s Bucs’ No. 1 defense vs. Jets’ No. 28 offense.

Fantasy factor: Jets turn to 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde at quarterback. Joey Galloway off to big start for Bucs (17 catches, 3 TDs).

The buzz: Everything’s falling into place for Bucs. Everything falling apart for Jets, who made a desperation move in signing Testaverde.

Colts (4-0) at 49ers (1-3)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Colts by 15.

Last meeting: 49ers won 40-21 at Indianapolis on Nov. 25, 2001.

Key stat: 49ers have been outscored by league-worst average of 14 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Colts’ Edgerrin James leads NFL with 520 yards from scrimmage (404 rushing, 106 receiving). San Francisco gives QB Alex Smith, No. 1 pick in draft, his first start.

The buzz: It’ll be tough baptism for Smith. Colts haven’t allowed more than 10 points in a game this season. They won’t in this one.

Panthers (2-2) at Cardinals (1-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Panthers by 3.

Last meeting: Panthers won 35-10 at Carolina on Nov. 21, 2004.

Key stat: Teams have split 4 meetings in last 4 years.

Fantasy factor: Panthers’ Steve Smith tied for 2nd in NFL with 4 TD receptions. Cards’ biggest weapon is kicker Neil Rackers, whose 16 FGs are record in first 4 games.

The buzz: Although Rackers won’t be kicking in Mexico City’s thin air again, he’s weapon. Tough trip for Panthers after Monday night win.

Eagles (3-1) at Cowboys (2-2)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Eagles by 3.

Last meeting: Eagles won 12-7 at Philadelphia on Dec. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Eagles have won 9 of last 10 meetings, including 3 straight.

Fantasy factor: Terrell Owens should add to his league-leading totals of 32 catches and 506 yards. Cowboys need Julius Jones to average more than 3.5 per carry.

The buzz: Eagles, scoring 34 points per game in 3-game winning streak, just rolling along. Cowboys need big plays to stop them.

Redskins (3-0) at Broncos (3-1)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Broncos by 7.

Last meeting: Redskins won 17-10 at Denver on Nov. 15, 2001.

Key stat: Redskins’ 3 wins have come by total of 6 points (43-37).

Fantasy factor: Santana Moss (15 catches, 2 TDs) biggest threat for Redskins’ weak offense. Jake Plummer has thrown 27 TD passes in 16 home games for Broncos.

The buzz: Redskins are about 3 plays away from being 0-3 instead of 3-0. Visit to Mile High gets them back down to earth.

Bengals (4-0) at Jaguars (2-2)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Jaguars by 3.

Last meeting: Jaguars won 29-15 at Cincinnati on Dec. 15, 2002.

Key stat: Bengals winning by league-best average of 16.5 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Carson Palmer everything Bengals hoped for – 9 TD passes already. Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith still going strong (17 receptions, 4 TDs) at 36.

The buzz: Both teams dealing with injuries on offensive line. Who will handle problem better? Home-field edge matters here.

Steelers (2-1) at Chargers (2-2)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday

Line: Chargers by 3.

Last meeting: Steelers won 40-24 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 21, 2003.

Key stat: Steelers have won 8 straight road games.

Fantasy factor: Quarterbacks both capable of big days: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has 6 TDs and no interceptions; Chargers’ Drew Brees has 6 TDs vs. 3 interceptions.

The buzz: Chargers’ upset of Pats last week showed they’ll be in playoff hunt, but Steelers are rested and ready after week off after loss to New England.

Bye week: Chiefs, Raiders, Giants, Vikings.