The matchups

Falcons at Panthers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 3 1/2.

Records: Falcons (2-6), Panthers (4-4)

Last meeting: Panthers won 27-20 at Atlanta on Sept. 23.

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

Fantasy factor: Falcons’ Joey Harrington had his best game in 1st meeting, throwing for 361 yards and 2 TDs. DeShaun Foster, who has averaged 114.8 yards rushing in last 5 vs. Atlanta, may have to carry load.

The buzz: Panthers are dealing with injured QBs, unproductive WRs, etc. Good week for visit from Falcons.

Vikings at Packers

Time: 10 a.m.

TV: Fox 28

Line: Packers by 6.

Records: Vikings (3-5), Packers (7-1)

Last meeting: Packers won 23-16 at Minnesota on Sept. 30.

Key stat: Packers have won last 3 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Vikings’ Adrian Peterson can pile up yards against anybody, leading league with 1,036 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs. Brett Favre has thrown 18 TD passes against 6 INTs in last 8 games vs. Minnesota.

The buzz: Thanks to another tremendous year from Favre, Packers keep winning without a running game. Unless Peterson makes a bunch of big plays, the trend continues.

Broncos at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m.

TV: CBS

Line: Chiefs by 3.

Last meeting: Chiefs won 19-10 at Kansas City on Nov. 23, 2006.

Records: Broncos (3-5), Chiefs (4-4)

Key stat: Broncos are minus-8 in turnover differential.

Fantasy factor: Travis Henry, averaging 4.5 per carry, has rushed for 100 yards in last 2 vs. Chiefs. TE Tony Gonzalez, who has 52 catches and 4 TDs, has averaged 94.3 yards in last 4 games for Chiefs.

The buzz: With Larry Johnson likely out with a foot injury, Chiefs may have to throw the ball more. Broncos dealing with an injury to QB Jay Cutler’s leg, so Chiefs should prevail.

Bills at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bills by 3.

Records: Bills (4-4), Dolphins (0-8)

Last meeting: Bills won 21-0 at Buffalo on Dec. 17, 2006.

Key stat: Bills have allowed only 318 yards per game in last 5 after yielding 458 in 1st 3.

Fantasy factor: J.P. Losman has completed 58.7 percent with 7 TDs and 1 INT in 3 games vs. Dolphins. Ex-Bear Marty Booker has 26 catches, 1 TD for Dolphins.

The buzz: Dick Jauron’s Bills are on roll with 4 wins in last 5 games, thanks to improving defense. Dolphins are sticking with Cleo Lemon at QB – for now.

Rams at Saints

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Saints by 10 1/2.

Records: Rams (0-8), Saints (4-4)

Last meeting: Rams won 28-17 at St. Louis on Oct. 23, 2005.

Key stat: Saints averaging 30.5 points in last 4 games.

Fantasy factor: Torry Holt hanging in there for Rams with 46 catches, 4 TDs. Drew Brees on incredible run, completing 71.5 percent with 11 TDs and only 1 INT in Saints’ 4-game winning streak.

The buzz: Rams are beaten down by injuries, though RB Steven Jackson is due to return from back injury. Saints are mounting a charge toward playoffs. Beginning with this game, their 2nd-half schedule features only 1 team with winning record.

Browns at Steelers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 10.

Records: Browns (5-3), Steelers (6-2)

Last meeting: Steelers won 34-7 at Cleveland on Sept. 9.

Key stat: Steelers have won 13 of last 14 meetings.

Fantasy factor: Braylon Edwards having huge year for Browns with 42 catches, 9 TDs. Steelers answer with Santonio Holmes: 30 catches, 6 TDs.

The buzz: Browns have made great strides since losing to Steelers, and may be able to match them pass-for-pass. Derek Anderson has thrown 17 TD passes, Ben Roethlisberger 20 for Steelers. More to come for both.

Jaguars at Titans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 4.

Records: Jaguars (5-3), Titans (6-2)

Last meeting: Titans won 13-10 at Jacksonville on Sept. 9.

Key stat: Titans have won 3 straight at home, allowing only 29 points.

Fantasy factor: Maurice Jones-Drew has career average of 4.7 yards per carry vs. Titans. LenDale White, who has rushed for 5 scores this season, goes for 4th straight 100-yard game.

The buzz: Titans had great 1st half on strength of their defense, 2nd in NFL allowing only 270.8 yards per game. Jags have problems on offense and in locker room – coach Jack Del Rio ripped into his team for off-the-field behavior.

Eagles at Redskins

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Redskins by 3.

Records: Eagles (3-5), Redskins (5-3)

Last meeting: Redskins won 20-12 at Philadelphia on Sept. 17.

Key stat: Eagles 9-14 in Donovan McNabb’s last 23 starts.

Fantasy factor: Eagles’ Brian Westbrook (6 TDs this season) has averaged 146 yards from scrimmage in last 3 vs. Redskins. Clinton Portis, coming off 196-yard game, is getting 4.2 yards per carry.

The buzz: Redskins’ running game is in a groove. Can Eagles bounce back from last week’s thorough beating by the Cowboys?

Bengals at Ravens

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Line: Ravens by 3 1/2.

Records: Bengals (2-6), Ravens (4-4)

Last meeting: Bengals won 27-20 at Cincinnati on Sept. 10.

Key stat: Bengals have won 5 of last 6 meetings, 2 in row.

Fantasy factor: Bengals’ T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Ravens’ Derrick Mason share NFL lead with 62 catches. Houshmandzadeh has 10 scores, Mason 2.

The buzz: Both of these teams are in trouble, but Bengals are worse off. Ravens find themselves with aging QB Steve McNair, but they should be able to move ball against this defense.

Lions at Cardinals

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 1 1/2.

Records: Lions (6-2), Cardinals (3-5)

Last meeting: Cardinals won 17-10 at Arizona on Nov. 19, 2006.

Key stat: Lions lead NFL in takeaways (24) and INTs (14).

Fantasy factor: Lions’ Jon Kitna, who has completed 67.2 percent, has thrown 10 TD passes vs. 6 INTs. Cards’ Edgerrin James averaging 3.8 yards per carry with 5 rushing TDs.

The buzz: Lions have allowed only 30 points in going 3-0 since their week off, and Cards haven’t had much offense in last month. Cards are more desperate, but Lions are playing with swagger.

Cowboys at Giants

Time: 1:15 p.m.

TV: Fox 28

Line: Cowboys by 1.

Records: Cowboys (7-1), Giants (6-2)

Last meeting: Cowboys won 45-35 at Dallas on Sept. 9.

Key stat: Giants have won 3 straight at home by average of 14 points.

Fantasy factor: Cowboys’ Marion Barber has rushed for 6 TD this season, and has 3 in last 2 games vs. Giants. Brandon Jacobs of Giants has averaged 106 yards rushing in last 4 games, and is averaging 5.6 per carry for the season.

The buzz: Cowboys’ only loss has been to Patriots; will they be challenged before Packers visit Dallas on Nov. 29?

Bears at Raiders

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Bears by 3 1/2.

Records: Bears (3-5), Raiders (2-6)

Last meeting: Bears won 24-21 at Soldier Field on Oct. 5, 2003.

Key stat: Raiders haven’t scored more than 17 points in a game during current 4-game losing streak.

Fantasy factor: Bernard Berrian has 38 catches for 13.6-yard average and 1 TD. Justin Fargas playing larger role for Raiders, averaging 5.4 per carry with 2 100-yard rushing games.

The buzz: We’ll see if week off did the Bears any good. Raiders are sticking with Josh McCown at QB. Bears should be able to move ball.

Colts at Chargers

Time: 5:15 p.m.

TV: NBC

Line: Colts by 3 1/2.

Records: Colts (7-1), Chargers (4-4)

Last meeting: Chargers won 26-17 at Indianapolis on Dec. 18, 2005.

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

Fantasy factor: Reggie Wayne emerging as Colts’ key WR with 49 catches, 5 for TDs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates has 47 catches, 5 TDs.

The buzz: This looked like great matchup in August. At least it still features 2 1st-place teams. It’s 1st of 4 out of 6 on road for Colts, who should withstand tough challenge.