Week 3

By Terry Bannon / Chicago Tribune

Bengals (2-0) at Bears (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 3.

Last meeting: Bears won 24-0 at Cincinnati on Oct. 21, 2001.

Key stat: Bears have allowed only 15 points.

Fantasy factor: Rudi Johnson (216 yards) averaging 4.5 yards per carry for Bengals. Thomas Jones averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 145.5 yards per game for Bears.

The buzz: Bears not likely to score 38 again, but their defense is establishing itself as formidable unit. Offense just needs to take care of ball.

Falcons (1-1) at Bills (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Off.

Last meeting: Falcons won 33-30 at Atlanta on Dec. 23, 2001.

Key stat: Falcons have won 3 of last 4 after loss.

Fantasy factor: Warrick Dunn averaging 4.6 yards per carry for Falcons. Bills’ J.P. Losman has not been intercepted but has thrown only one TD.

The buzz: Michael Vick isn’t healthy, and the offense is largely designed around his ability. Bills’ defense among NFL’s best.

Bucs (2-0) at Packers (0-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 3.

Last meeting: Packers won 20-13 at Tampa on Nov. 16, 2003.

Key stat: Packers have won last 12 home games vs. Bucs.

Fantasy factor: Bucs rookie Carnell Williams leads NFL with 276 yards rushing (5.4 per carry). Brett Favre has thrown more interceptions (4) than TDs (3).

The buzz: Packers are desperate team, playing at home. A 0-3 start ends the Brett Favre era.

Browns (1-1) at Colts (2-0)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 13 1/2 .

Last meeting: Colts won 9-6 at Cleveland on Sept. 7, 2003.

Key stat: Colts have allowed league-low 10 points.

Fantasy factor: Browns rookie WR Braylon Edwards, coming off 107-yard game, could become star. Peyton Manning off to modest start (for him) – 2 TDs vs. 1 INT.

The buzz: At last, Colts can win with defense as well as offense. Only big plays can save Browns.

Panthers (1-1) at Dolphins (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 3 1/2 .

Last meeting: Dolphins won 23-6 at Miami on Nov. 4, 2001.

Key stat: Dolphins have won 3 straight at home, including home opener.

Fantasy factor: Panthers’ Stephen Davis getting it done near goal line with 4 rushing TDs. Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael has 14 catches, 2 for TDs.

The buzz: Panthers clearly better, but after emotional win over Patriots, this could be tough trip. They have to control the ball with Davis.

Saints (1-1) at Vikings (0-2)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Vikings by 4.

Last meeting: Vikings won 38-31 at New Orleans on Oct. 17, 2004.

Key stat: Vikings have been outscored 61-21.

Fantasy factor: Saints’ Deuce McAllister, averaging only 2.7 per carry, could improve his numbers here. Vikings’ leading rusher is Michael Bennett with only 35 yards.

The buzz: The Vikings’ new-look defense has been a flop, and offense still adjusting to losing Randy Moss. They’re desperate, but they’re at home.

Jaguars (1-1) at Jets (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Off.

Last meeting: Jets won 13-10 at New York on Nov. 23, 2003.

Key stat: Jaguars are second with plus-6 turnover differential.

Fantasy factor: Jets’ Laveranues Coles, who has 11 catches, figures to be busy again. Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith off to fast start (10 catches, 2 TDs).

The buzz: If QB Byron Leftwich is healthy, Jaguars will have just enough offense.

Raiders (0-2) at Eagles (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 7 1/2 .

Last meeting: Raiders won 20-10 at Philadelphia on Oct. 28, 2001.

Key stat: Eagles have NFL’s No. 2 offense (442.0 yards) and No. 3 defense (230.5).

Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Randy Moss leads NFL with 257 receiving yards (10 catches). Controversy aside, Eagles’ Terrell Owens off to good start with 12 catches, 2 TDs.

The buzz: Flamboyant receivers may steal spotlight, but Donovan McNabb and Eagles’ defense will decide the game.

Titans (1-1) at Rams (1-1)

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Rams by 6 1/2 .

Last meeting: Rams won 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Key stat: Rams held first two foes under 100 yards rushing.

Fantasy factor: Titans may continue to play both Travis Henry and Chris Brown at running back. Steven Jackson (153 yards, 4.1 avg.) getting bulk of work for Rams.

The buzz: Titans showed energy of youth in winning at home last week, but Rams’ defense has been effective.

Cowboys (1-1) at 49ers (1-1)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Cowboys by 6 1/2 .

Last meeting: 49ers won 31-27 at Dallas on Dec. 8, 2002.

Key stat: 49ers go for first 2-0 home start since ‘99.

Fantasy factor: Cowboys’ Julius Jones, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, has rushed at least 20 times in 9 career starts. 49ers receiver Arnaz Battle off to fast start (9 catches).

The buzz: Cowboys reeling after late loss to Redskins, but trip to San Francisco is one way to get well.

Cardinals (0-2) at Seahawks (1-1)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Seahawks by 6 1/2 .

Last meeting: Seahawks won 24-21 at Seattle on Dec. 26, 2004.

Key stat: Cards have scored only 31 points in 2 games.

Fantasy factor: Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck has thrown 18 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions in last 10 home games. In 3 games vs. Seattle, Cards’ Anquan Boldin has 25 catches for 291 yards.

The buzz: We’re still waiting for that scheduled Cardinals resurgence. Hasselbeck could have big day against this defense.

Patriots (1-1) at Steelers (2-0)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 3.

Last meeting: Pats won AFC title game at Pittsburgh 41-27 on Jan. 18, 2005.

Key stat: Steelers have won 16 straight regular-season games, 2 short of record set by Pats in ‘04.

Fantasy factor: Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch off to fast start with 15 catches. Steelers’ Hines Ward (8 receptions) could have a good day against so-so secondary.

The buzz: Patriots looking surprisingly beatable, at least against tough early schedule. Like last year, this may be 1st of 2 meetings.

Giants (2-0) at Chargers (0-2)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 6.

Last meeting: Giants won 34-16 at San Diego on Sept. 27, 1998.

Key stat: Giants have scored NFL-high 69 points in 2 games.

Fantasy factor: Big-name, struggling quarterbacks: Eli Manning has completed less than half of his passes (23 of 47), Drew Brees has more interceptions than TD passes (3-2).

The buzz: Emotional edge to San Diego fans, who can boo Manning, who refused to play for Chargers. Slow start makes you wonder if last year’s big season for Chargers was fluke.

Chiefs (2-0) at Broncos (1-1)

Time: 5 p.m. Monday

Line: Broncos by 3.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 45-17 at Kansas City on Dec. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Broncos have won last 4 meetings in Denver.

Fantasy factor: Chiefs’ Trent Green has 8 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions and has completed 58.9 percent in 5 games vs. Broncos. Mike Anderson may get another chance to ignite Denver running game.

The buzz: It’s not easy to win in Denver, but Chiefs are living up to hype. New-look defense has allowed only 24 points in 2 games.

Bye weeks: Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Washington