Today’s matchups

Dolphins at Bears

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bears by 13 1/2

Records: Dolphins (1-6), Bears (7-0)

Last meeting: Dolphins won, 27-9, at Miami on Dec. 9, 2002.

Key stat: Bears tied for NFL lead with turnover differential of plus-11.

Fantasy factor: Dolphins’ Joey Harrington will have to throw, but he has only 3 TD passes vs. 7 INTs. Bears’ Desmond Clark leads NFL tight ends with 15-yard average (26 catches, 3 TDs).

The buzz: Average score of Bears’ 4 home games: Bears 38, Visitors 8. This won’t be average game, as NFL’s best hosts worst.

Falcons at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 5

Records: Falcons (5-2), Lions (1-6)

Last meeting: Falcons won, 27-7, at Detroit on Nov. 24, 2005.

Key stat: Falcons 2-1 on road, beating Panthers and Bengals.

Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Michael Vick showing progress in passing game with 7 of his 10 TD passes in last 2 games. Roy Williams trying to carry Lions (38 catches, 3 TDs).

The buzz: Falcons building confidence as passing game complements running game. Lions had week off, so they should at least be fresh.

Cowboys at Redskins

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Cowboys by 3

Records: Cowboys (4-3), Redskins (2-5)

Last meeting: Cowboys won, 27-10, at Dallas on Sept. 17.

Key stat: Redskins only 1-2 at home (beat Jaguars in OT).

Fantasy factor: Terrell Owens not-so-quietly having decent season with 37 catches, 5 TDs. Santana Moss has 28 catches, 3 TDs for Redskins.

The buzz: After leading upset win at Carolina, QB Tony Romo steps into one of NFL’s top rivalries. Redskins have lost 3 straight, had last week off.

Texans at Giants

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Giants by 13

Record: Texans (2-5), Giants (5-2)

Last meeting: Texans won, 16-14, at Houston on Nov. 24, 2002.

Key stat: Giants 4-0 since week off, winning by 14.3 per game.

Fantasy factor: Texans rookie Wali Lundy has rushed for 209 yards, 1 TD in last 2 games. Giants’ Eli Manning, 3rd in NFL with 14 TD passes, has thrown at least 1 in 11 straight games.

The buzz: Giants should move ball at will, letting NFL’s leading rusher Tiki Barber add to his 715 yards. Texans progressing but not here.

Packers at Bills

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bills by 3

Records: Packers (3-4), Bills (2-5)

Last meeting: Packers won, 10-0, at Green Bay on Dec. 22, 2002.

Key stat: Packers 2-1 on road (wins over Lions, Dolphins).

Fantasy factor: Packers’ Ahman Green has rushed for 224 yards and 3 TDs in last 2 games. Willis McGahee getting 3.8 yards per carry for Bills.

The buzz: Brett Favre and Green both healthy and playing well, while Bills have lost 3 in row.

Chiefs at Rams

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Rams by 2

Records: Chiefs (4-3), Rams (4-3)

Last meeting: Chiefs won, 49-10, at Kansas City on Dec. 8, 2002.

Key stat: Chiefs 1-2 on road, beating only Cardinals.

Fantasy factor: Two hot quarterbacks: Chiefs’ Damon Huard has thrown 8 TDs vs. 1 INT; Rams’ Marc Bulger has thrown 12 TDs vs. 1 INT.

The buzz: Rams’ offense on roll, scoring at least 23 in last 4 games. If their defense can at least slow down Chiefs RB Larry Johnson, they should win battle of Missouri.

Titans at Jaguars

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 9 1/2

Records: Titans (2-5), Jaguars (4-3)

Last meeting: Jaguars won, 40-13, at Jacksonville on Jan. 1, 2006.

Key stat: Jaguars have won 3 of last 4 meetings, including both last season.

Fantasy factor: Titans rookie QB Vince Young has thrown 4 TD passes and 4 INTs. Jags rookie RB Maurice Jones-Drew has scored 5 TDs.

The buzz: Young has guided Titans to consecutive wins over Redskins and Texans, but this will be difficult road trip.

Bengals at Ravens

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Ravens by 3

Records: Bengals (4-3), Ravens (5-2)

Last meeting: Bengals won, 42-29, at Cincinnati on Nov. 27, 2005.

Key stat: Bengals have won last 3 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Carson Palmer has completed 76.1 percent in last 3 vs. Ravens with 8 TDs and 2 INTs. Ravens’ Jamal Lewis has 3 100-yard rushing games vs. Bengals.

The buzz: Bengals have lost 3 of 4, and trip into Ravens’ perch isn’t what they need. Ravens should be able to control game with Lewis’ running.

Saints at Buccaneers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Saints by 1

Records: Saints (5-2), Buccaneers (2-5)

Last meeting: Saints won, 24-21, at New Orleans on Oct. 8.

Key stat: Saints 2-1 on road (Browns, Packers).

Fantasy factor: Saints’ Deuce McAllister averaging 100.1 yards rushing in 7 games vs. Bucs. Cadillac Williams, averaging 3.7 for Bucs, rushed for 111 (5.5 avg.) in 1st meeting.

The buzz: Reggie Bush’s punt return beat Bucs last time. It shouldn’t be that close at end this time. Bucs running out of miracle finishes.

Vikings at 49ers

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Vikings by 4 1/2

Records: Vikings (4-3), 49ers (2-5)

Last meeting: Vikings won, 35-7, at Minnesota on Sept. 28, 2003.

Key stat: Vikings lead NFL with 4 defensive TDs.

Fantasy factor: Troy Williamson has 24 catches for Vikes but no TDs. Alex Smith has thrown 6 of his 9 TD passes in last 3 games.

The buzz: Vikings still searching for more offensive punch. 49ers have shown progress, but they’ve lost 2 in row by combined score of 89-29 (Chargers, Bears).

Broncos at Steelers

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 3

Records: Broncos (5-2), Steelers (2-5)

Last meeting: Steelers won, 34-17, at Denver on Jan. 22 in AFC title game.

Key stat: Steelers’ biggest loss has been by 10 points.

Fantasy factor: Broncos’ Tatum Bell has rushed for 100 yards in all 3 road games this year. Hines Ward, having big year with 34 catches, tied for AFC lead with 5 TD catches.

The buzz: After tough home loss to Colts, can Broncos get it together for trip to Pittsburgh? Last chance for desperate Steelers to be factor in AFC.

Browns at Chargers

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 12 1/2

Records: Browns (2-5), Chargers (5-2)

Last meeting: Chargers won, 21-10, at Cleveland on Dec. 19, 2004.

Key stat: Chargers 3-0 at home, winning by 19 per game.

Fantasy factor: TE Kellen Winslow leads Browns with 40 catches, 3 for TDs. Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson leads NFL with 9 rushing TDs, has 2 more receiving.

The Buzz: Chargers’ offense has been all but unstoppable recently, and Browns won’t reverse trend.

Colts at Patriots

Time: 5:15 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 3

Records: Colts (7-0), Patriots (6-1)

Last meeting: Colts won, 40-21, at New England on Nov. 7, 2005.

Key stat: Pats have won 4 straight by average of 20.3 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Peyton Manning has thrown 10 TD passes vs. 3 INTs in last 4 games vs. Patriots. Tom Brady enters game on hot streak with at least 2 TD passes in each of last 4 games.

The buzz: Until last year, Pats had won 6 straight against former AFC East rivals. Brady & Co. playing like champions again, figure to win memorable game.

Raiders at Seahawks

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Line: Seahawks by 7

Records: Raiders (2-5), Seahawks (4-3)

Last meeting: Raiders won, 31-17, at Oakland on Sept. 8, 2002.

Key stat: Raiders 0-3 on road, losing by 15.3 per game.

Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Justin Fargas has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in last 5 games. Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace, coming off 3-TD performance, may add to total.

The buzz: Raiders have won 2 in row, but both were at home. Wallace has shown Seahawks will have chance with him until Matt Hasselbeck returns from foot injury.

BYES: N.Y. Jets, Arizona, Philadelphia, Carolina

Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune