Today’s matchups

Steelers at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 21/2.

Records: Steelers (2-3), Falcons (3-2).

Last meeting: Teams tied 34-34 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 10, 2002.

Key stat: Falcons are 1st in rushing offense (232 ypg) and last in passing offense (114).

Fantasy factor: Can Ben Roethlisberger build on his 2-TD pass game last week? Michael Vick having so-so passing year with 3 TDs, 3 INTs.

The Buzz: Steelers started to get act together with last week’s blowout of Chiefs. Falcons must stop Steelers running game to win.

Patriots at Bills

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Patriots by 51/2.

Records: Patriots (4-1), Bills (2-4).

Last meeting: Pats won 19-17 at New England on Sept. 10.

Key stat: Pats have won last 5 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Tom Brady quietly having another fine year, with 8 TD passes vs. 3 INTs. Willis McGahee, getting modest 3.9 per carry, will get chance to control ball.

The Buzz: Bills haven’t been able to generate consistent offense all season, and have allowed 14 sacks in last 4 games. That’s no way to beat Patriots.

Panthers at Bengals

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 3.

Records: Panthers (4-2), Bengals (3-2).

Last meeting: Panthers won 53-31 at Carolina on Dec. 8, 2002.

Key stat: Panthers’ 4 wins have come by total of 15 points.

Fantasy factor: DeShaun Foster, averaging modest 3.8, could run against Bengals. Bengals’ T. J. Houshmandzadeh has 23 catches, 3 TDs in last 3 games.

The Buzz: Panthers have won 4 straight since WR Steve Smith returned from injury, but visit to Cincinnati is toughest assignment yet. If Bengals can give Carson Palmer time, they can win.

Jaguars at Texans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jaguars by 91/2.

Records: Jaguars (3-2), Texans (1-4).

Last meeting: Jaguars won 38-20 at Houston on Dec. 24, 2005.

Key stat: It’s Texans’ No. 30 offense vs. Jaguars’ 7th-ranked defense.

Fantasy factor: Jaguars’ Fred Taylor has 4.5-yard career average vs. Texans. Texans’ David Carr has completed 69.4 percent in 8 previous meetings.

The Buzz: Jaguars are coming off open date to face struggling offense that has fine quarterback but no running game. Carr could make it interesting.

Chargers at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chargers by 5.

Records: Chargers (4-1), Chiefs (2-3).

Last meeting: Chiefs won 20-7 at Kansas City on Dec. 24, 2005.

Key stat: It’s Chiefs’ No. 26 offense vs. Chargers’ No. 1 defense.

Fantasy factor: Chargers’ Philip Rivers is NFL’s No. 2 passer with 7 TD passes vs. 2 INTs. Larry Johnson at just 3.4 yards per carry for Chiefs.

The Buzz: Chargers just keep rolling along, playing well on both sides of ball. Can Damon Huard jump-start Chiefs offense?

Packers at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Dolphins by 51/2.

Records: Packers (1-4), Dolphins (1-5).

Last meeting: Packers won 24-10 at Green Bay on Nov. 4, 2002.

Key stat: Dolphins have not allowed more than 20 points in last 5 games.

Fantasy factor: Donald Driver leads Packers with 26 catches but only 1 TD. Dolphins’ Joey Harrington struggling with 1 TD vs. 4 INTs.

The Buzz: Dolphins defense has been keeping them in games, and Packers have running problems unless Noah Herron can run for 106 yards for 2nd game in row.

Lions at Jets

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Jets by 31/2.

Records: Lions (1-5), Jets (3-3).

Last meeting: Jets won 31-14 at Detroit on Nov. 17, 2002.

Key stat: Lions 0-3 on road, losing by 14.3 points per game.

Fantasy factor: Lions’ Roy Williams leads NFL in receiving yards (552 on 36 catches, 2 TDs). Laveranues Coles (38 catches, 3 TDs) could feast on Lions defense.

The Buzz: Lions will have to get Kevin Jones and running game going to have chance. Chad Pennington could have big day.

Eagles at Bucs

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 51/2.

Records: Eagles (4-2), Bucs (1-4).

Last meeting: Bucs won 17-0 at Philadelphia on Sept. 8, 2003.

Key stat: Bucs 1-1 without QB Chris Simms.

Fantasy factor: After slow start, Bucs’ Cadillac Williams has rushed for 205 yards (5.3 per carry) last 2 weeks. Donovan McNabb continues to lead NFL in passing (13 TDs vs. 2 INTs).

The Buzz: Rookie Bruce Gradkowski guided Bucs past Bengals last week, but can he pull off upset 2 weeks in a row? Eagles have too many offensive weapons.

Broncos at Browns

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Broncos by 41/2.

Records: Broncos (4-1), Browns (1-4).

Last meeting: Broncos won 23-20 (OT) at Denver on Dec. 14, 2003.

Key stat: Broncos have won last 6 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Tatum Bell, getting 4.7 yards per carry, has rushed for more than 100 yards in both road games. Browns’ Charlie Frye has thrown for 5 TDs, rushed for 3.

The Buzz: Broncos have allowed only 19 points in last 4 games. How long can they keep that up? At least 1 more week. Browns are 31st in offense.

Redskins at Colts

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Colts by 81/2.

Records: Redskins (2-4), Colts (5-0).

Last meeting: Redskins won 26-21 at Washington on Oct. 27, 2002.

Key stat: Colts have won by 9 points per game at home.

Fantasy factor: Redskins’ Clinton Portis, who has rushed for 6 TDs and is getting 4.3 yards per carry, could have big game. Colts’ Marvin Harrison has 32 catches but seems poised to add to TD total (1).

The Buzz: Redskins’ only hope is to control ball with Portis. Otherwise, Peyton Manning will have his way.

Cardinals at Raiders

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 3.

Records: Cardinals (1-5), Raiders (0-5).

Last meeting: Raiders won 41-20 at Arizona on Nov. 24, 2002.

Key stat: Three of Cards’ losses have been by 3 points or fewer.

Fantasy factor: Cards’ Anquan Boldin leads NFL with 40 catches, 3 for TDs. LaMont Jordan, getting 3.7 yards per carry, must carry load for Raiders.

The Buzz: Hard to see Cardinals bouncing back from “Monday Night Meltdown” vs. Bears this quickly. Raiders have to win eventually, don’t they?

Giants at Cowboys

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Line: Cowboys by 31/2.

Records: Giants (3-2), Cowboys (3-2).

Last meeting: Giants won 17-10 at New York on Dec. 4, 2005.

Key stat: Giants have won 3 of last 4 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Giants’ talkative tight end, Jeremy Shockey (18 catches, 3 TDs) and Cowboys’ talkative receiver, Terrell Owens (22 catches, 4 TDs) will make it interesting.

The Buzz: Giants have shown they can beat quality teams on road (Falcons, Eagles), and Eli Manning will win quarterback battle.

BYES: Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, San Francisco, Baltimore, Tennessee

Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune