Week 7

By Terry Bannon /

Chicago Tribune

Colts (6-0) at Texans (0-5)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 16.

Last meeting: Colts won 23-14 at Houston on Dec. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Colts have won all 6 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Peyton Manning loves facing Texans: He’s completed 69.6 percent of his passes with 14 TDs vs. 3 INTs. Texans’ David Carr has thrown 4 TD passes vs. 4 INTs.

The buzz: You don’t see matchups like this often: NFL’s best team visits worst. On any given Sunday … nah.

Saints (2-4) at Rams (2-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Rams by 3

Last meeting: Saints won 28-25 (OT) at St. Louis on Sept. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Saints have lost 4 of 5 since opening-day win.

Fantasy factor: Saints’ Donte Stallworth, with 28 catches and 1 TD, has become key. Rams’ Torry Holt has 5 100-yard receiving games in his last 9.

The buzz: QB Marc Bulger (shoulder) expected out until after St. Louis’ week off (Nov. 6), which will give Saints chance.

Lions (2-3) at Browns (2-3)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Browns by 3

Last meeting: Browns won 24-14 at Cleveland on Sept. 23, 2001.

Key stat: Lions have lost 7 straight road games.

Fantasy factor: Kevin Johnson leads Lions with 17 catches, but no TDs. Antonio Bryant leads Browns with 25 catches, 2 TDs.

The buzz: Two of NFL’s worst offenses will try to get something going. Browns QB Trent Dilfer will find way to make play or two, which should be enough.

49ers (1-4) at Redskins (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Redskins by 11 1/2

Last meeting: Redskins won 26-16 at San Francisco on Dec. 18, 2004.

Key stat: Niners seek 4th straight win vs. Redskins at Washington.

Fantasy factor: 49ers’ Brandon Lloyd has 17 catches, 3 for TDs. Redskins’ Santana Moss 2nd in NFL with 631 receiving yards, and has 4 TDs.

The buzz: San Francisco rookie QB Alex Smith makes his 2nd start, and against tough, aggressive defense. Sometimes, life just isn’t fair.

Steelers (3-2) at Bengals (5-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 1

Last meeting: Steelers won 19-14 at Cincinnati on Nov. 21, 2004.

Key stat: Steelers have won 9 straight road games.

Fantasy factor: NFL’s top-ranked passers go for it: Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 7 TD passes and no INTs; Bengals’ Carson Palmer leads NFL with 13 TD passes vs. 2 INTs.

The buzz: Despite quarterbacks, Steelers’ ability to exploit Bengals’ soft run defense with Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker will decide it.

Chargers (3-3) at Eagles (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 4

Last meeting: Eagles won 24-14 at Philadelphia on Dec. 9, 2001.

Key stat: Eagles have won six straight after bye weeks.

Fantasy factor: Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson, who has 11 TDs, goes for NFL record 19th straight game with TD. Eagles’ Donovan McNabb has thrown 11 TD passes, tied for 3rd in NFL.

The buzz: Both offenses capable of big days against soft defenses. Will Eagles’ Terrell Owens outscore Tomlinson?

Packers (1-4) at Vikings (1-4)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: OFF

Last meeting: Packers won 34-31 at Minnesota on Dec. 24, 2004.

Key stat: Last 5 regular-season meetings decided by 5 points or fewer.

Fantasy factor: Donald Driver, with 23 catches and 2 TDs, leads Packers receivers. Tight end Jermaine Wiggins, who had 6-catch game vs. Packers last year, leads Vikings with 26 receptions.

The buzz: Packers are rested and healthier after week off, and Vikings look like team that can’t beat anybody.

Ravens (2-3) at Bears (2-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Bears by 1

Last meeting: Ravens won 17-6 at Baltimore on Sept. 9, 2001.

Key stat: Ravens No. 2 in defense, Bears No. 3.

Fantasy factor: Who’s better replacement QB? Ravens’ Anthony Wright has 5 TDs vs. 7 interceptions; Bears’ Kyle Orton has 4 TDs vs. 7 interceptions.

The buzz: Defenses will dominate, but Thomas Jones (4.6 yards per carry, 6 TDs) can carry Bears into field-goal position.

Broncos (5-1) at Giants (3-2)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Giants by 2

Last meeting: Broncos won 31-20 at Denver on Sept. 10, 2001.

Key stat: Giants average 29.8 points per game, most in NFL.

Fantasy factor: Tatum Bell leads Broncos with 395 rushing yards, 3 TDs. Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey has two 100-yard receiving days in last 3 weeks.

The buzz: Giants, with struggling defense, haven’t shown they can beat playoff caliber team, which Denver is. Will Broncos suffer letdown after beating Pats?

Titans (2-4) at Cardinals (1-4)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 3

Last meeting: Houston Oilers won 41-14 at Arizona on Oct. 26, 1997.

Key stat: Titans have won 18 of past 25 vs. NFC. It’s Cardinals’ No. 2 passing offense vs. Titans’ No. 20 passing defense. But Titans will be without QB Steve McNair because of back and ankle injuries. Backup Billy Volek will start.

Fantasy factor: Larry Fitzgerald has 36 catches, 3 for TDs for Cardinals.

The buzz: Cardinals’ inability to run ball could hurt them in this one.

Bills (3-3) at Raiders (1-4)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Raiders by 3

Last meeting: Raiders won 13-10 at Oakland on Sept. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Bills 0-2 on road and have been outscored 38-10

Fantasy factor: Bills’ Kelly Holcomb has thrown 3 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions in two starts. Raiders’ Lamont Jordan has 5 TDs – 4 rushing, 1 receiving.

The buzz: Holcomb has guided Bills to 2 straight wins, but on road is another matter. Jordan can attack Bills’ soft run defense.

Jets (2-4) at Falcons (4-2)

Time: 6 p.m. Monday

Line: Falcons by 7

Last meeting: Jets won 28-3 at New York on Oct. 25, 1998.

Key stat: Jets have won 7 of last 10 on MNF.

Fantasy factor: Laveranues Coles leads Jets with 26 catches, 1 TD. Warrick Dunn having big year with 577 yards rushing, 5.2 avg.

The buzz: Falcons, averaging 29 points in their last 4 games (3 wins), should move ball at will against this defense. And move it into end zone.

Bye: Patriots, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Panthers

Friday’s result: Kansas City 30, Miami 20