The NFL matchups

49ers at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 3.

Records: 49ers (2-5), Falcons (1-6)

Last meeting: Falcons won 21-19 at San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2004.

Key stat: 49ers have lost 5 straight by average of 16.4 points.

Fantasy factor: 49ers TE Vernon Davis coming around after 6-catch, 1-TD game last week. Falcons WR Roddy White has 2 100-yard games but only 2 TD catches.

The Buzz: Falcons have been getting more competitive as season goes on, while 49ers are going other way. Just a solid game from Falcons QB Joey Harrington should get it done.

Bengals at Bills

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 1.

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

Last meeting: Bills won 37-27 at Cincinnati on Dec. 24, 2005.

Key stat: Bills going for 1st 3-game winning streak since ‘04.

Fantasy factor: Carson Palmer having another fine season with 14 TD passes vs. 9 INTs. Bills’ Lee Evans, who has 10 catches, 2 TDs in 2 games vs. Bengals, is coming off 138-yard, 1-TD game last week.

The Buzz: With 3 wins in last 4, Bills on top of game. Simple ball-control offense should be enough to beat Bengals, whose only win since opener was over lowly Jets. Bengals haven’t held opponent under 20 points.

Broncos at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 3.

Records: Broncos (3-4), Lions (5-2)

Last meeting: Broncos won 20-16 at Denver on Sept. 28, 2003.

Key stat: Lions going for 1st 6-2 start since ‘99, last time they made playoffs.

Fantasy factor: Broncos’ QB Jay Cutler has thrown 8 TD passes vs. 8 INTs. Lions’ Kevin Jones has rushed for 4 TDs, 1 in last week’s 105-yard game vs. Bears.

The Buzz: Lions should control ball with running game. Lions have 1 of league’s best receiving corps, but Broncos boast 1 of top secondaries.

Packers at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chiefs by 2.

Record: Packers (6-1), Chiefs (4-3)

Last meeting: Chiefs won 40-34 (OT) at Green Bay on Oct. 12, 2003.

Key stat: Chiefs haven’t yielded more than 20 points.

Fantasy factor: Packers QB Brett Favre just keeps rolling along with NFC-leading 2,046 passing yards, 11 TD throws. Chiefs’ Larry Johnson has rushed for 2 scores, is going for 3rd consecutive 100-yard game.

The Buzz: Packers coming off emotional OT victory in Denver, but weak running game will be exposed by Chiefs.

Chargers at Vikings

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Chargers by 7.

Records: Chargers (4-3), Vikings (2-5)

Last meeting: Chargers won 42-28 at San Diego on Nov. 9, 2003.

Key stat: Chargers have won 3 straight by average score of 35-9 (Broncos, Raiders, Texans).

Fantasy factor: Chargers TE Antonio Gates having another big year with 46 catches, including 2 TDs last week. Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson, who leads NFL with 740 rushing yards, has run for 5 TDs.

The Buzz: Chargers may have to throw ball because of Vikings’ rush defense, and Vikings can’t throw it with any consistency.

Jaguars at Saints

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Saints by 31/2.

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

Last meeting: Jaguars won 20-19 at Jacksonville on Dec. 21, 2003.

Key stat: Saints have won 3 in row by 12.7 per game (Seahawks, Falcons, 49ers).

Fantasy factor: Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew has rushed for TD in 3 of last 4 games. Saints’ Drew Brees, who has 9 TD passes, has thrown 5 vs. 0 INTs in 2 games vs. Jaguars.

The Buzz: Saints beginning to return to ‘06 form thanks to improving offense. But Jaguars can play defense. Sometimes it’s good to be at home.

Redskins at Jets

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Redskins by 31/2.

Records: Redskins (4-3), Jets (1-7)

Last meeting: Redskins won 16-13 at Washington on Sept. 4, 2003.

Key stat: Jets have lost 5 in row by average of 7.6 points.

Fantasy factor: Redskins TE Chris Cooley has 5 TD catches in last 6 games. Jets’ Thomas Jones having tough year but is getting 4.5 yards per carry at home.

The Buzz: Jets are turning QB job over to Kellen Clemens, who will be making 2nd career start. Their only hope for upset hinges on getting running game going.

Cardinals at Bucs

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bucs by 31/2.

Records: Cardinals (3-4), Bucs (4-4)

Last meeting: Cardinals won 12-7 at Arizona on Jan 2. 2005.

Key stat: Cardinals have held only 1 opponent under 20 points.

Fantasy factor: Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin has 22 catches, 4 TDs in last 2 games he’s played. Bucs’ Earnest Graham, who has rushed for 3 TDs, has 265 yards from scrimmage in last 2 games (154 rushing, 111 receiving).

The Buzz: Cardinals come in rested after week off, and Bucs will be hungry after last week’s 1-point loss to Jaguars, their only defeat at Raymond James in 4 games. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia having good year; will Cardinals QB Kurt Warner’s sore left elbow hold up?

Panthers at Titans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 4.

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

Last meeting: Titans won 37-17 at Carolina on Oct. 19, 2003.

Key stat: Panthers 4-0 on road (Rams, Falcons, Saints, Cards).

Fantasy factor: Panthers’ Steve Smith has 37 catches, 6 for TDs. Titans’ LenDale White, who has rushed for 4 TDs, goes for 3rd straight 100-yard game.

The Buzz: With 4 wins in last 5, Titans have hit groove using formula of running ball, playing good defense. Panthers’ injury problems continue as Vinny Testaverde recovers from Achilles’ injury suffered last week. Their road magic ends.

Texans at Raiders

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Raiders by 3.

Records: Texans (3-5), Raiders (2-5)

Last meeting: Texans won 23-10 at Oakland on Dec. 3, 2006.

Key stat: Texans 1-3 on road, losing 3 straight (Falcons, Jaguars, Chargers).

Fantasy factor: Kevin Walter leads Texans with 40 catches, 1 for TD. Raiders RB LaMont Jordan has been struggling lately but averages 5.6 per carry vs. Texans.

The Buzz: Raiders’ defense has been playing well lately and Texans have not been scoring on road.

Cowboys at Eagles

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

Line: Cowboys by 31/2.

Records: Cowboys (6-1), Eagles (3-4)

Last meeting: Eagles won 23-7 at Dallas on Dec. 25, 2006.

Key stat: Eagles have won 11 of last 14 meetings, including both in ‘06.

Fantasy factor: Game features 2 hot quarterbacks: Cowboys’ Tony Romo has thrown 16 TD passes vs. 9 INTs; Donovan McNabb has 8 and 2.

The Buzz: Romo takes field for 1st time since signing $67.5 million contract, but McNabb is getting better every week and Brian Westbrook has accounted for 881 yards and 5 TDs.

Ravens at Steelers

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

Line: Steelers by 9.

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

Last meeting: Ravens won 31-7 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 24, 2006.

Key stat: Ravens won both ‘06 meetings, by combined score of 58-7.

Fantasy factor: Ravens RB Willis McGahee averaging 113 yards from scrimmage. Santonio Holmes has 26 catches, 4 TDs for Steelers.

The Buzz: Steelers are kind of team that bothers Ravens, 1 that also plays defense – they’re ranked No. 1 in NFL.

BYES: Miami, N.Y. Giants, Chicago, St. Louis