The NFL matchups
49ers at Panthers
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 3.
Records: 49ers (3-8), Panthers (4-7)
Last meeting: Panthers won 37-27 at San Francisco on Nov. 14, 2004.
Key stat: Panthers have lost six games by 13 or more points.
Fantasy factor: 49ers’ Arnaz Battle, who has at least 1 catch in 31 straight games, has 39 with 3 TDs this season. Panthers’ Steve Smith has 51 catches, 6 TDs.
The buzz: Vinny Testaverde was late scratch last week, so who knows about this time? Panthers’ running game should control game anyway.
Jaguars at Colts
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Colts by 7.
Records: Jaguars (8-3), Colts (9-2)
Last meeting: Colts won 29-7 in Jacksonville on Oct. 22.
Key stat: Colts have held 5 of last 7 foes to 14 points or fewer.
Fantasy factor: Fred Taylor gets healthy 4.5 yards per carry for Jaguars. Colts’ Joseph Addai gets 4.3 and leads NFL with 9 rushing TDs.
The buzz: This is Jaguars’ chance to make mess of AFC South, but Colts are at home and getting healthier with possible return of WR Marvin Harrison. Running games should decide this one.
Chargers at Chiefs
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Chargers by 6.
Records: Chargers (6-5), Chiefs (4-7)
Last meeting: Chiefs won 30-16 at San Diego on Sept. 30.
Key stat: Chiefs have lost 4 straight, 3 of them at home.
Fantasy factor: Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has rushed for 331 yards in last 2 meetings. Chiefs rookie RB Kolby Smith comes off 150-yard, 2-TD breakout game.
The buzz: Chargers keep acting like they’re ready to make move, but they’ve lost 4 of 5 on road. This is chance to snap out of it now that Arrowhead isn’t helping Chiefs like it once did.
Jets at Dolphins
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Dolphins by 1.
Records: Jets (2-9), Dolphins (0-11)
Last meeting: Jets won 31-28 at New York on Sept. 23
Key stat: Jets have won 6 of last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Jets’ Thomas Jones, who ran for 110 yards in 1st meeting, should find room to run again. Dolphins go with rookie QB John Beck, who’s still looking for 1st TD pass.
The buzz: Dolphins have to win at some point, don’t they? This may be best shot, but seeing is believing.
Lions at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 4.
Records: Lions (6-5), Vikings (5-6)
Last meeting: Lions won 20-17 (OT) at Detroit on Sept. 16.
Key stat: Lions’ remaining opponents are 35-20, league’s toughest schedule.
Fantasy factor: Lions rookie receiver Calvin Johnson, coming off 83-yard day, getting more work. Vikes rookie Adrian Peterson, averaging 6.4 per carry with 8 TDs, returns after missing 2 weeks because of knee injury.
The buzz: With 3 wins in last 4 weeks, Vikings are hot at right time. Their defense has become force, scoring NFL-high 7 TDs.
Falcons at Rams
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Rams by 3.
Records: Falcons (3-8), Rams (2-9)
Last meeting: Falcons won 34-17 at Atlanta on Sept. 19, 2004.
Key stat: Falcons have lost 2 straight by combined score of 62-20.
Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Joey Harrington has thrown 7 TD passes and 7 INTs. Rams’ Steven Jackson should improve on his 3.7-yard average, 3 TDs against weak rushing defense.
The buzz: By sticking to basics – running game – Rams should run up some yards and points against fading Falcons.
Texans at Titans
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Titans by 3 1/2.
Records: Texans (5-6), Titans (6-5)
Last meeting: Titans won 38-36 at Houston on Oct. 21.
Key stat: Titans have lost 3 straight by average of 19.3 points per game.
Fantasy factor: Texans’ Matt Schaub on mini-hot streak, completing 62.3 percent with 4 TDs and 2 INTs in last 2 games. Justin Gage has 36 catches, 1 TD for Titans.
The buzz: Is absence of injured DT Albert Haynesworth reason Titans have struggled? Their problems run deeper, giving Texans chance, though Titans have won last 5 meetings.
Bills at Redskins
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Redskins by 6.
Records: Bills (5-6), Redskins (5-6)
Last meeting: Bills won 24-7 at Buffalo on Oct. 19, 2003.
Key stat: Bills have lost 2 straight by combined score of 92-24 (Patriots, Jaguars).
Fantasy factor: Bills going back to Trent Edwards, who has only 1 TD pass vs. 5 INTs in 121 throws. Redskins’ Jason Campbell, who has 12 TD passes, goes for 3rd straight 300-yard game.
The buzz: Redskins will try to play through grief of murder of teammate Sean Taylor.
Browns at Cardinals
Time: 1:05 p.m. TV: CBS
Line: Cardinals by 1.
Records: Browns (7-4), Cardinals (5-6)
Last meeting: Browns won 44-6 at Arizona on Nov. 16, 2003.
Key stat: Browns have won 4 of 5 since week off.
Fantasy factor: Browns’ Jamal Lewis continues fine year, averaging 4.1 yards per carry with 8 rushing TDs. Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald, going for 11th straight game with at least 70 yards, leads NFC with 75 catches and has 6 TDs.
The buzz: Browns’ offense has been rolling up points, scoring at least 24 against everyone but Steelers and Patriots. Cards are learning how to stop people.
Broncos at Raiders
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 3 1/2.
Records: Broncos (5-6), Raiders (3-8)
Last meeting: Broncos won 23-20 (OT) at Denver on Sept. 16.
Key stat: Broncos have won 8 of last 9 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Broncos’ Jay Cutler continues to grow into starting job with 13 TD passes vs. 10 INTs. Justin Fargas gets 4.8 yards per carry for Raiders.
The buzz: Broncos don’t have to attempt to tackle Devin Hester, and at least 1 of their running backs should be healthy. That should be enough.
Giants at Bears
Time: 1:15 p.m. TV: Fox 28
Line: Giants by 1 1/2.
Records: Giants (7-4), Bears (5-6)
Last meeting: Bears won 38-20 at New York on Nov. 12, 2006.
Key stat: Giants 1-2 since their week off, winning only at Detroit.
Fantasy factor: Adrian Peterson, taking over as starting tailback after Cedric Benson’s season-ending injury, gets 3.6 yards per carry for Bears. Playing hurt, WR Plaxico Burress still has managed 52 catches, 9 for TDs for Giants.
The buzz: Bears still playoff long shot, but Giants haven’t been sharp in recent weeks. If Good Rex shows up, Bears are back to .500.
Buccaneers at Saints
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Saints by 3.
Records: Buccaneers (7-4), Saints (5-6)
Last meeting: Bucs won 31-14 at Tampa on Sept. 16.
Key stat: Bucs have won 3 in row, allowing only 10 points per game.
Fantasy factor: Bucs RB Earnest Graham has 594 yards from scrimmage, 3 TDs in last 5 games. Saints’ Marques Colston has 42 catches for 584 yards and 4 TDs in last 5 games.
The buzz: Bucs could be forced to go with Bruce Gradkowski for 2nd week in row if Jeff Garcia’s back isn’t healthy.
Bengals at Steelers
Time: 5:15 p.m. TV: NBC
Line: Steelers by 7.
Records: Bengals (4-7), Steelers (8-3)
Last meeting: Steelers won 24-13 at Cincinnati on Oct. 28.
Key stat: It’s Bengals’ No. 5 offense vs. Steelers’ No. 1 defense.
Fantasy factor: Bengals’ Chad Johnson, who has 71 catches and 6 TDs, is 4th in NFL with 94.6 receiving yards per game. Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger is NFL’s No. 2 passer with 23 TDs vs. 9 INTs.
The buzz: Bengals couldn’t do much against this defense at home, so there isn’t much reason to think they can do anything against it on road.
Patriots at Ravens
Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday
TV: ESPN
Line: Patriots by 20.
Records: Patriots (11-0), Ravens (4-7)
Last meeting: Patriots won 24-3 at New England on Nov. 28, 2004.
Key stat: Patriots have scored 442 points this season, Ravens 182.
Fantasy factor: Patriots’ Randy Moss leads NFL with 16 TD catches and 1,095 receiving yards. Ravens’ Derrick Mason is 3rd in NFL with 79 catches, 2 for TDs.
The buzz: A couple of months ago, this looked like good Monday night game. But Ravens have lost 5 straight, scoring more than 14 points only once during skid. Patriots can’t name their score, but …
Thursday’s recap
Cowboys 37, Packers 27
Tony Romo threw four touchdown passes to send the Cowboys (11-1) to their sixth straight win.
The Packers (10-2) ended a six-game winning streak and are essentially two games behind Dallas in the chase for the conference’s top spot with only four games left.
After Dallas took a 27-10 lead, the Packers cut it to 27-24 behind backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who took over after Brett Favre was injured in the second quarter.
But Dallas extended the lead to 34-24 on a Romo pass to Patrick Crayton and the teams traded field goals after that.