The NFL matchups

Dolphins at Bills

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bills by 7.

Records: Dolphins (0-12), Bills (6-6)

Last meeting: Bills won 13-10 at Miami on Nov. 11.

Key stat: Bills have won 6 of last 7 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Marty Booker has 38 catches, but only 1 TD for punchless Dolphins. Bills’ Lee Evans, who has 45 catches this season, averaging 20.6 yards per catch in his career vs. Dolphins.

The buzz: Hard to expect Dolphins to win a game until they do. Bills don’t have much going on offense – 6 of last 7 less than 20 points – but they don’t need much.

Rams at Bengals

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 9 1/2.

Records: Rams (3-9), Bengals (4-8)

Last meeting: Rams won 27-10 at St. Louis at Dec. 21, 2003.

Key stat: Rams have won 3 of 4 since their week off.

Fantasy factor: Rams’ Torry Holt (72 catches, 6 TDs) and Bengals’ T.J. Houshmandzadeh (88 catches, 11 TDs) having big years.

The buzz: 2 teams playing out the string, but at least they should be able to throw the ball around a little bit.

Cowboys at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Cowboys by 10 1/2.

Records: Cowboys (11-1), Lions (6-6)

Last meeting: Lions won 39-31 at Dallas on Dec. 31, 2006.

Key stat: Lions have lost 4 straight by an average of 14.8 points.

Fantasy factor: Cowboys’ Terrell Owens rolling along with 71 catches, 14 for TDs (second in NFL). Lions rookie Calvin Johnson has 32 catches, 4 for TDs.

The buzz: A few weeks ago, this game looked like it could be challenging for the Cowboys. But the Lions can’t run the ball and their confidence is shot.

Raiders at Packers

Time: 10 a.m. . TV: CBS

Line: Packers by 10 1/2.

Records: Raiders (4-8), Packers (10-2)

Last meeting: Packers won 41-7 at Oakland on Dec. 22, 2003.

Key stat: Raiders have averaged 25.3 points in last 3 games, winning last 2.

Fantasy factor: Raiders’ Justin Fargas getting 4.8 yards per carry with 3 rushing TDs. Ryan Grant averaging 4.9 with 4 TDs for Packers.

The buzz: The running backs may decide outcome as both teams deal with QB issues. Will rookie JaMarcus Russell get a chance for Raiders? How effective will Packers’ Brett Favre be after suffering shoulder and elbow injuries last week?

Buccaneers at Texans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 3.

Records: Buccaneers (8-4), Texans (5-7)

Last meeting: Bucs won 16-3 at Tampa on Dec. 14, 2003.

Key stat: Bucs lead NFC with plus-11 turnover differential.

Fantasy factor: Bucs’ Joey Galloway has 49 catches, 6 TDs. Texans’ Ron Dayne may get more work, averaging 3.9 yards with 3 rushing TDs.

The buzz: Buccaneers are pulling away in the NFC South, and without a winning team left on the schedule, they probably won’t be caught. That kind of momentum leads to road wins, even if QB Jeff Garcia can’t go.

Panthers at Jaguars

Time: 10 a.m. .

Line: Jaguars by 10 1/2.

Records: Panthers (5-7), Jaguars (8-4)

Last meeting: Panthers won 24-23 at Carolina on Sept. 7, 2003.

Key stat: Jags have scored at least 24 points in 6 straight games (4 wins).

Fantasy factor: Steve Smith having another solid year for Panthers with 59 catches, 6 for TDs. Jaguars’ David Garrard having big 1st year as starter with 11 TD passes, 1 INT.

The buzz: Jaguars in good shape for a wild-card berth behind Garrard.

Giants at Eagles

Time: 10 a.m. .

Line: Eagles by 3.

Records: Giants (8-4), Eagles (5-7)

Last meeting: Giants won 16-3 at New York on Sept. 30.

Key stat: Giants have won 4 of last 5 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Can Eli Manning keep playing as he did in the fourth quarter last week, leading a rally against the Bears? He has thrown 17 TDs and 17 INTs, not a good ratio. Donovan McNabb, expected back from injury, has thrown 9 TDs and 0 INTs in last 5 vs. Giants.

The buzz: Giants have gone 5 games without scoring more than 21 points, putting too much pressure on defense. Throw in Giants’ injury problems at running back and the Eagles are in good shape.

Chargers at Titans

Time: 10 a.m. .

Line: Pick ‘em.

Records: Chargers (7-5), Titans (7-5)

Last meeting: Chargers won 40-7 at San Diego on Sept. 17, 2006.

Key stat: Chargers lead NFL with 20 INTs.

Fantasy factor: Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has 61 catches, 8 for TDs. Titans’ Chris Brown has been playing more lately, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

The buzz: Can the Titans stop LaDainian Tomlinson? Game may come down to that.

Vikings at 49ers

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Vikings by 8 1/2.

Records: Vikings (6-6), 49ers (3-9)

Last meeting: 49ers won 9-3 at San Francisco on Nov. 5, 2006.

Key stat: Vikings lead NFL in rushing with 176.8 yards per game.

Fantasy factor: Vikes rookie Adrian Peterson, who returned from injury to gain 116 yards last week, should improve on his league-leading 1,197 yards. 49ers’ Arnaz Battle has 43 catches, 4 TDs.

The buzz: Vikings have won 4 of last 5 behind improving QB Tarvaris Jackson, and with Peterson back and running, they appear playoff-bound. 49ers not offering much resistance, with 1 win in last 10.

Chiefs at Broncos

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Broncos by 7.

Records: Chiefs (4-8), Broncos (5-7)

Last meeting: Broncos won 27-11 at Kansas City on Nov. 11.

Key stat: Broncos have won last 6 vs. Chiefs at home.

Fantasy factor: Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe leads rookies in receptions (54) and yards (786). In last three home games, Broncos’ Jay Cutler has thrown 6 TD passes and 2 INTs.

The buzz: Chiefs have lost 5 in a row, and haven’t scored more than 17 in the last 4. Not enough of an offense to challenge a weak defense.

Steelers at Patriots

Time: 1:15 p.m. TV: CBS

Line: Patriots by 10 1/2.

Records: Steelers (9-3), Patriots (12-0)

Last meeting: Pats won 23-20 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 25, 2005.

Key stat: Pats have won 15 straight regular-season games.

Fantasy factor: In most games, Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger is the best QB on the field (25 TDs vs. 11 INTs). Not this week. Pats’ Tom Brady keeps building amazing TD-INT ratio, now at 41-5.

The buzz: Patriots keep winning, though 3 of last 4 opponents have made it interesting. The Steelers should, too, but Brady just keeps finding a way.

Browns at Jets

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Browns by 3.

Records: Browns (7-5), Jets (3-9)

Last meeting: Browns won 20-13 at Cleveland on Oct. 29, 2006.

Key stat: Browns have been held to less than 20 points only twice, none in the last 7 games.

Fantasy factor: Browns tight end Kellen Winslow having a big year with 65 catches, 5 TDs. Jets need a 2nd consecutive good game from QB Kellen Clemens, who has 4 TDs vs. 7 INTs.

The buzz: Although the Jets are coming off a 27-point win, it was against the Dolphins, which hardly counts. Browns’ offense will find plenty of ways to score.

Colts at Ravens

Time: 5:15 p.m. TV: NBC

Line: Colts by 9.

Records: Colts (10-2), Ravens (4-8)

Last meeting: Colts won 15-6 at Baltimore in AFC playoffs on Jan 13.

Key stat: Colts 5-1 on the road.

Fantasy factor: Colts’ Reggie Wayne, who has averaged 126.3 yards receiving in last 4 road games, has 76 catches, 8 TDs. Ravens’ Derrick Mason second in NFL with 85 catches, 3 TDs.

The buzz: After taking Patriots down to the final minute Monday night, will the Ravens have enough left to challenge the Colts? Colts’ defense will prevent it.

Saints at Falcons

Time: 5:30 p.m. Monday. TV: ESPN

Line: Saints by 3 1/2.

Records: Saints (5-7), Falcons (3-9)

Last meeting: Saints won 22-16 at New Orleans on Oct. 21.

Key stat: Saints have won last 3 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Saints’ Drew Brees continues a good year after a slow start, with 20 TD passes vs. 15 INTs. Falcons’ Roddy White, who has 62 catches and 4 TDs, had 8 catches for 110 yards and 1 TD in last game vs. Saints.

The buzz: Saints all but out of playoff contention and Falcons haven’t been able to mount offense. Depends on how badly the Saints want it.

Thursday wrapup

Todd Collins came on for the injured Jason Campbell and threw for two touchdowns Thursday night at Landover, Md., leading Washington to a 24-16 victory over the fading Chicago Bears that ended the Redskins’ four-game losing streak.

In a rough-and-tumble game befitting two teams that entered on the very fringe of the playoff chase in the so-so NFC, both lost their starting quarterbacks in the first half.

Campbell left for good with a dislocated left kneecap a few plays after hurting his throwing elbow, while Rex Grossman never returned from a left knee injury on Chicago’s second possession.

The reigning NFC champion Bears fell

to 5-8.

Associated Press