Today’s matchups

Giants at Panthers

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Panthers by 2.

Records: Giants (6-6), Panthers (6-6)

Last meeting: Panthers won 23-20 at New York on Jan. 8, 2006, in NFC wild-card game.

Key stat: Giants have lost 4 straight, last 2 by 3 points each.

Fantasy factor: Tiki Barber getting 4.7 yards per carry for Giants. Steve Smith always factor against Giants, scoring 2 TDs in last year’s playoff game.

The buzz: Can Giants Eli Manning get act together? Panthers’ Jake Delhomme missed key days of practice, so Chris Weinke will likely get call.

Raiders at Bengals

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bengals by 11.

Records: Raiders (2-10), Bengals 7-5

Last meeting: Raiders won 23-20 at Oakland on Sept. 14, 2003.

Key stat: Raiders last in NFL with minus-13 turnover differential.

Fantasy factor: Raiders giving Justin Fargas, averaging 3.5 yards per carry, more work. Bengals’ Chad Johnson leads NFL with 1,146 receiving yards, and has 7 TD catches.

The buzz: Bengals are playing well on both sides of ball, winning 3 straight by average of 17 points. Raiders can’t do enough on offense.

Vikings at Lions

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Lions by 1 1/2.

Records: Vikings (5-7), Lions (2-10)

Last meeting: Vikings won 26-17 at Minnesota on Oct. 8.

Key stat: Vikings have won last 9 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Vikes’ Chester Taylor, enjoying first 1,000-yard year, averaging 4.1 yards per carry with 5 rushing TDs. Lions’ Jon Kitna has 13 TD passes vs. 16 INTs.

The buzz: Lions, who have lost 4 straight, were competitive before losing to New England last week. Vikings have little choice but to stick with slumping QB Brad Johnson.

Titans at Texans

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Texans by 1.

Records: Titans (5-7) at Texans (4-8)

Last meeting: Titans won 28-22 at Tennessee on Oct. 29.

Key stat: Titans have won last 3 meetings and 7 of 9 overall.

Fantasy factor: Titans’ Travis Henry has rushed for at least 120 yards in 3 of last 4 road games. Texans’ Andre Johnson leads NFL with 85 catches, 5 for TDs.

The buzz: Vince Young’s stats are modest – completing half his passes with as many INTs as TDs (10). But Titans are 5-4 in his starts, with 3 straight wins.

Colts at Jaguars

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Pick ‘em.

Records: Colts (10-2), Jaguars (7-5)

Last meeting: Colts won 21-14 at Indianapolis on Sept. 24.

Key stat: Colts have lost last 2 road games (Cowboys, Titans).

Fantasy factor: Peyton Manning has thrown 20 TDs vs. 5 INTs in 10 games vs. Jaguars (8 wins). Jags’ Fred Taylor could do better than his 4.5-yard average.

The buzz: Colts are last in rushing defense, a sign this may not be Super Bowl team. Colts may have to light it up to win this one.

Ravens at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chiefs by 3.

Records: Ravens (9-3), Chiefs (7-5)

Last meeting: Chiefs won 27-24 at Baltimore on Oct. 4, 2004.

Key stat: Ravens lead NFL with plus-14 turnover differential.

Fantasy factor: Tight end Todd Heap leads Ravens with 55 catches, 6 TDs. Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez has 57 catches, 5 TDs.

The buzz: Chiefs have won 5 straight at home. Trent Green will make enough plays against NFL’s No. 1 defense.

Patriots at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Patriots by 3 1/2.

Records: Patriots (9-3), Dolphins (5-7)

Last meeting: Patriots won 20-10 at New England on Oct. 8.

Key stat: Pats are 1 of 3 NFL teams to rank in top 10 in both offense (6) and defense (9).

Fantasy factor: Pats’ Tom Brady has thrown 20 TD passes vs. 12 INTs and has won 13 of last 14 December starts. Dolphins’ Chris Chambers has 3 TD receptions in last 3 home games vs. Pats.

The buzz: Pats have won 3 in row – all vs. NFC North teams – and can clinch AFC East with win and Jets loss. Dolphins on another late-season surge.

Falcons at Bucs

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Falcons by 3.

Records: Falcons (6-6), Bucs (3-9)

Last meeting: Falcons won 14-3 at Atlanta on Sept. 17.

Key stat: Bucs minus-11 in turnover differential, next-to-last in NFL.

Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Alge Crumpler, who has 7 TD catches, leads tight ends with 11 catches of 20 or more yards.

The buzz: Bucs have lost 5 of last 6 . Falcons trying to make run at wild-card berth.

Eagles at Redskins

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles by 1 1/2.

Records: Eagles (6-6), Redskins (4-8)

Last meeting: Eagles won 27-3 at Philadelphia on Nov. 12.

Key stat: Eagles have won 8 of last 10 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Jeff Garcia settling in as Donovan McNabb’s replacement with 6 TD passes and no INTs. Redskins’ Jason Campbell has thrown 5 TD passes vs. 3 INTs.

The buzz: Redskins’ Ladell Betts, who ran for career-high 155 yards last week, can have success against Eagles’ soft rushing defense. Big game from Eagles’ Brian Westbrook could make difference.

Packers at 49ers

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: 49ers by 4.

Records: Packers (4-8), 49ers (5-7)

Last meeting: Packers won 20-10 at Green Bay on Nov. 23, 2003.

Key stat: Packers have lost 3 straight by average of 24.3 points.

Fantasy factor: Donald Driver having another solid year for Packers with 64 catches, 6 for TDs. 49ers’ Antonio Bryant has 37 catches for gaudy 18.3-yard average.

The buzz: 49ers have won last 2 home games (Vikings, Seahawks), while Packers are fading. QB Alex Smith can do some damage against soft Green Bay defense.

Bills at Jets

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Jets by 4.

Records: Bills (5-7), Jets (7-5)

Last meeting: Jets won 28-20 at Buffalo on Sept. 24.

Key stat: Jets have won last 4 meetings at home.

Fantasy factor: Willis McGahee has averaged 134.5 yards rushing in last 4 vs. Jets. Laveranues Coles 5th in NFL with 71 catches, 4 for TDs.

The buzz: Jets have won 3 of 4 since week off, losing only to Bears, as they chase wild-card berth. Another big game from Bills WR Lee Evans, who had 8 catches in 1st meeting, could lead to upset.

Broncos at Chargers

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Chargers by 7 1/2.

Records: Broncos (7-5), Chargers (10-2)

Last meeting: Chargers won 35-27 at Denver on Nov. 19.

Key stat: Chargers have won 6 straight, never scoring less than 21 points.

Fantasy factor: Broncos rookie Jay Cutler will have hands full in 2nd start, after making poor decisions on 2 interceptions last week. Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has 26 TDs and needs 3 to break record set by Shaun Alexander last year.

The buzz: Cutler and Broncos offense are in over their heads in this one. Chargers lead NFL with 44 sacks, with LBs Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips picking up 10 1/2 each.

Saints at Cowboys

Time: 5:15 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 7 1/2.

Records: Saints (8-4), Cowboys (8-4)

Last meeting: Saints won 27-13 at Dallas on Dec. 12, 2004.

Key stat: Saints lead NFL in total offense (400.2 yards per game).

Fantasy factor: Drew Brees continues big year with 20 TD passes vs. 10 INTs. Cowboys’ Marion Barber emerges as big factor, averaging 5.2 yards per rush and is 3rd in NFL with 13 TDs, 11 rushing.

The buzz: Division leaders driving for No. 2 seed in NFC playoffs makes for intriguing matchup, including hot quarterbacks Brees and Cowboys’ Tony Romo.

Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune