The matchups
Bucs at Falcons
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bucs by 3.
Records: Buccaneers (5-4), Falcons (3-6)
Last meeting: Falcons won 17-6 at Tampa on Dec. 10, 2006.
Key stat: Falcons lead NFC with plus-9 turnover differential.
Fantasy factor: Bucs’ Earnest Graham has averaged 134 yards from scrimmage in last three games. Roddy White, who has 2 scoring catches, has 38 catches in last eight games for Falcons.
The buzz: Falcons haven’t shown they have enough offense to do much against defense ranked No. 1 in NFC and No. 4 in NFL, allowing only 293.1 yards per game. Joey Harrington has been playing better, but not well enough.
Browns at Ravens
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Browns by 2 1/2.
Records: Browns (5-4), Ravens (4-5)
Last meeting: Browns won 27-14 at Cleveland on Sept. 30.
Key stat: Browns have averaged 35.8 points in their five wins.
Fantasy factor: Browns QB Derek Anderson continues out-of-nowhere season with 20 TD passes vs. 9 interceptions. Ravens need to run with Willis McGahee, averaging 4.3 per carry with rushing TD in four straight games.
The buzz: Kyle Boller gets another chance to turn around the Ravens’ offense. Browns are a confident bunch with plenty of weapons. Tight end Kellen Winslow and receiver Braylon Edwards are making big plays.
Cardinals at Bengals
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bengals by 3.
Records: Cardinals (4-5), Bengals (3-6)
Last meeting: Cards won 17-14 at Arizona on Nov. 2, 2003.
Key stat: Cards have minus-8 turnover differential.
Fantasy factor: Kurt Warner having a steady comeback year with 9 TDs vs. 6 INT. Bengals’ Carson Palmer has thrown 16 TD vs. 6 INT.
The buzz: Playing at home, Palmer will be able to move the ball with Kenny Watson’s running and the usual strong passing game.
Giants at Lions
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Giants by 3.
Records: Giants (6-3), Lions (6-3)
Last meeting: Lions won 28-13 at New York on Oct. 24, 2004.
Key stat: Giants lead NFL with 32 sacks; Lions have allowed league-high 40.
Fantasy factor: Giants TE Jeremy Shockey has 43 catches, 3 for TDs. Lions’ Kevin Jones has scored 5 rushing TDs in seven games played and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
The buzz: The Lions’ dream season has slowed down, especially with last week’s loss at Arizona. Giants should move the ball against a shaky defense.
Panthers at Packers
Time: 10 a.m. TV: Fox 28
Line: Packers by 9 1/2.
Records: Panthers (4-5), Packers (8-1)
Last meeting: Panthers won 32-19 at Carolina on Oct. 3, 2005.
Key stat: Packers have won 12 of last 13 going back to last season.
Fantasy factor: Panthers’ Steve Smith has 45 catches, 6 for TDs. Donald Driver has 48 catches, 2 TDs for Packers.
The buzz: Packers have found just enough of a running game to be scary. Panthers struggling with quarterback injuries, among other factors.
Saints at Texans
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Texans by 1 1/2.
Records: Saints (4-5), Texans (4-5)
Last meeting: Saints won 31-10 at New Orleans on Sept. 14, 2003.
Key stat: Saints averaging 354.4 yards of offense, 3rd in NFC.
Fantasy factor: Saints’ Marques Colston has been showing some of his ‘06 style recently with 26 catches, 3 TDs in last three games. Texans’ Kevin Walter, who has 43 catches, 1 TD, has averaged 85.2 receiving yards in last 6 games.
The buzz: Saints were making a move until bowing to Rams last week, so this is another chance.
Chiefs at Colts
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Colts by 14 1/2.
Records: Chiefs (4-5), Colts (7-2)
Last meeting: Colts won 23-8 in AFC wild-card on Jan. 6.
Key stat: Colts have won 5 of last 6 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Second-year QB Brodie Croyle gets his first NFL start after throwing 1 TD, 1 INT in relief roles. Colts’ Joseph Addai, averaging 4.4 yards per carry with 7 rushing TDs, has three straight 100-yard games at home.
The buzz: Bad timing for the Chiefs. After consecutive losses to Pats and Chargers, Colts won’t be hospitable hosts.
Chargers at Jaguars
Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS
Line: Jaguars by 3.
Records: Chargers (5-4), Jaguars (6-3)
Last meeting: Chargers won 34-21 at San Diego on Oct. 10, 2004.
Key stat: Chargers lead NFL with turnover differential of plus-11.
Fantasy factor: LaDainian Tomlinson, averaging 4.2 per carry, has already rushed for 8 TDs. Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew, averaging 5.3, has run for 5 scores.
The buzz: Chargers got a jolt of confidence by hanging on to beat the Colts last week. Now they have a tough assignment on the road. They have enough offense to pull off the upset.
Raiders at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Vikings by 5.
Records: Raiders (2-7), Vikings (3-6)
Last meeting: Raiders won 28-13 at Oakland on Nov. 16, 2003.
Key stat: Raiders’ rushing game (136.3 per game) is 5th in NFL.
Fantasy factor: Ronald Curry, 1 of Raiders’ few weapons, has 34 catches, 3 for TDs. Vikings’ Chester Taylor, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, moves back into starting job.
The buzz: Vikings go without lock rookie of the year Adrian Peterson, but Taylor should give them a decent running game. Can QB Tarvaris Jackson keep up his end of the deal? He’s won his last two home starts.
Dolphins at Eagles
Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles by 9 1/2.
Records: Dolphins (0-9), Eagles (4-5)
Last meeting: Eagles won 34-27 at Miami on Dec. 15, 2003.
Key stat: Dolphins losing by average score of 29-20.
Fantasy factor: Rookie QB John Beck, a second-round pick from Brigham Young, gets his first start. Eagles’ Donovan McNabb, coming off 4-TD pass game vs. Redskins, has thrown 13 on season.
The buzz: Beck is 12th starting quarterback the Dolphins have tried since Dan Marino retired in 1999. At this point, Dolphins have nothing to lose but the first pick in the draft.
Steelers at Jets
Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Steelers by 9 1/2.
Records: Steelers (7-2), Jets (1-8)
Last meeting: Steelers won 20-17 at Pittsburgh in AFC divisional playoffs on Jan. 16, 2005.
Key stat: Steelers have won 6 of last 7 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Ben Roethlisberger, who has thrown 7 TD passes in last 2 games, has 22 on the season and is NFL’s No. 2 passer behind Tom Brady. In 2 starts, Jets’ Kellen Clemens has thrown 2 TD passes.
The buzz: Steelers’ league-leading defense will overwhelm the Jets, given Clemens’ inexperience and the fact that Thomas Jones is getting just 3.8 yards per carry (4.4 at home).
Redskins at Cowboys
Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 11.
Records: Redskins (5-4), Cowboys (8-1)
Last meeting: Redskins won 22-19 at Washington on Nov. 5, 2006.
Key stat: Cowboys have won 15 of last 19 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Redskins’ Clinton Portis, who has rushed for 6 scores this season, has gained 333 yards in the last 2 games. Terrell Owens, 4th in NFL with 8 TD catches, has 50 receptions for 17.1-yard average.
The buzz: Except for 1 game, the Cowboys have answered every challenge. Redskins had a chance to make a move last week but blew it against Eagles. Can they bounce back?
Rams at 49ers
Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Rams by 3.
Records: Rams (1-8), 49ers (2-7)
Last meeting: 49ers won 17-16 at St. Louis on Sept. 16.
Key stat: 49ers are last in total offense, passing offense, scoring (11.6 points per game).
Fantasy factor: 49ers’ offensive problems have slowed down Frank Gore, though he has averaged 102.5 yards rushing and scored 6 TDs in last 4 games vs. Rams. Torry Holt having good year for Rams with 54 catches, 4 for TDs.
The buzz: This once-great rivalry has hit bit of a bump in road, and both teams have crashed.
Patriots at Bills
Time: 5:15 p.m. TV: NBC
Line: Patriots by 16.
Records: Patriots (9-0), Bills (5-4)
Last meeting: Patriots won 38-7 at New England on Sept. 23.
Key stat: Patriots have won 13 of last 14 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Patriots’ Wes Welker has 61 catches, 7 for TDs, at least 1 score in last 4 games. Bills’ Lee Evans, who has 35 catches and 2 scores, averaging 116.5 receiving yards in last 4 games.
The buzz: Bills are going for their 1st 5-game winning streak since ‘04, but Patriots are going for a perfect season. Bills’ chances for upset dim, especially with RB Marshawn Lynch likely out with ankle injury.
Titans at Broncos
Time: 7:30 p.m. Monday. TV: ESPN
Line: Broncos by 2.
Records: Titans (6-3), Broncos (4-5)
Last meeting: Broncos won 37-16 at Tennessee on Dec. 25, 2004.
Key stat: Titans have won last two road Monday night games.
Fantasy factor: LenDale White averaging 3.5 per carry with 5 rushing TDs for Titans. Broncos’ Brandon Marshall is averaging 80.8 receiving yards in last 5, and has 2 TDs on the season.
The buzz: Broncos, traditionally tough at home, are 10-4 in Monday night home games under Mike Shanahan. Titans QB Vince Young going through a sophomore slump.