The matchups

Bucs at Falcons

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 3.

Records: Buccaneers (9-4); Falcons (8-5)

Bucs: In another key NFC South game, Buccaneers need big game from QB Jeff Garcia, who has 12 TD passes vs. 3 INT in 9 games vs. Falcons. Bucs have won last 3 vs. Falcons.

Falcons: NFC South teams are 9-0 at home against division rivals this season, and Falcons are 5-1 at Georgia Dome.

Fantasy outlook: Bucs’ Antonio Bryant having big season with 66 catches, 5 for TDs. Falcons’ Michael Turner has rushed for 672 yards and 12 TDs in 6 home games.

Injuries: Bucs’ defensive tackles Chris Hovan and Jovan Haye dealing with knee injuries. Falcons safety and special teamer Antoine Harris (groin) out for year.

Redskins at Bengals

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Redskins by 7.

Records: Redskins (7-6); Bengals (1-11-1)

Redskins: Clinton Portis, unhappy with his workload, went off on coach Jim Zorn this week, sarcastically calling him a “genius.” Redskins’ fast start has faded.

Bengals: Hard to see Cincy doing much against the NFC’s No. 2-ranked defense, even at home. Carson Palmer still not ready.

Fantasy outlook: Portis could add to total of 7 rushing TDs. Bengals need big day from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has only 6 TD passes vs. 9 INTs.

Injuries: Redskins’ OT Chris Samuels (triceps) out for the season and their other OT, Jon Jansen, has a sore knee.

Titans at Texans

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 3.

Records: Titans (12-1); Texans (6-7)

Titans: Unbeaten in division, Titans closing in on home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs. They should make it 8 straight against their AFC South rivals.

Texans: Have been more competitive lately, and winning at Green Bay in December is impressive. Titans’ defense too strong.

Fantasy outlook: Titans rookie Chris Johnson has rushed for 242 yards and 3 TDs in last 2 games. Texans rookie Steve Slaton has rushed for 234 yards in last 2 games.

Injuries: Titans defensive end Kyle VandenBosch (groin) may not play.

Lions at Colts

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 17.

Records: Lions (0-13) Colts (9-4)

Lions: It keeps getting sadder for Lions, whose quest to avoid becoming NFL’s first 0-16 team doesn’t get any easier. After facing NFL’s hottest team, they close with Saints and Packers.

Colts: Colts go for 7th straight win with chance to be AFC’s top wild-card team. They haven’t allowed TD in last 2 games, and only 8 since Nov. 1.

Fantasy outlook: Lions’ Calvin Johnson has 56 catches, 9 for TDs. Reggie Wayne leads Colts with 67 catches, 5 for TDs.

Injuries: Lions’ QB Daunte Culpepper won’t start with a shoulder injury. … Colts KR Chad Simpson (ankle) may be out.

Packers at Jaguars

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Packers by 2.

Records: Packers (5-8); Jaguars (4-9)

Packers: Last-second loss to Texans ended realistic playoff hopes, so how will Packers handle rest of season?

Jaguars: It’s been injury-plagued, frustrating season for Jaguars. But they’re catching a team whose season has been almost as disappointing.

Fantasy outlook: Packers’ Aaron Rodgers having solid 1st year as starter with 22 TD passes vs. 11 INTs. Jags’ Maurice Jones-Drew has 12 TDs, 11 rushing, 1 receiving.

Injuries: Packers offensive tackle Mark Tauscher (knee) is out for the year. … Jags receiver Jerry Porter (groin) is questionable, and RB Fred Taylor (thumb) out.

Chargers at Chiefs

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Chargers by 51/2.

Records: Chargers (5-8); Chiefs (2-11)

Chargers: Sorry season winding down for Chargers, who got bad officiating breaks early, and had lost 5 of 6 before beating Raiders last week.

Chiefs: Must address quarterback issue long term, so Tyler Thigpen tryout continues. Encouraging stats – 12 TD passes in last 7 games – don’t make him sure thing.

Fantasy outlook: Chargers’ Philip Rivers leads NFL in passing, with 26 TD passes vs. 10 INTs. Larry Johnson has averaged 117.5 yards rushing with 3 100-yard games in 4 vs. Chargers.

Injuries: Chiefs center Rudy Niswanger (knee) and receiver Mark Bradley (calf) both questionable.

49ers at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Dolphins by 6.

Records: 49ers (5-8); Dolphins (8-5)

49ers: Mike Singletary’s chances of keeping head coaching job growing with 3 wins in last 4 weeks. If RB Frank Gore is out (game-time decision), not much chance here.

Dolphins: Tied for 1st with 3 weeks left? Not bad for team that was 1-15 last season. Need this game because they finish with 2 on road (Chiefs, Jets).

Fantasy outlook: 49ers’ Shaun Hill has resurrected his career, throwing 10 TD passes vs. 4 INTs in 112 throws. Same goes for Dolphins’ Chad Pennington, who has tossed 9 TDs vs. 4 INTs in 7 home games.

Injuries: 49ers running back Frank Gore dealing with ankle injury.

Bills at Jets

Time: 10 a.m. TV: CBS

Line: Jets by 71/2.

Records: Bills (6-7); Jets (8-5)

Bills: Once promising season has gone so bad that coach Dick Jauron’s future employment now in question. Can they regroup for strong finish?

Jets: Tied with Dolphins and Patriots for 1st, can’t let home game vs. slumping team get away. Brett Favre needs to rally – 9 quarters with no TD pass.

Fantasy outlook: Marshawn Lynch lone bright spot for Bills averaging 90.8 rushing yards in last 4 games, 7 rushing TDs for season. Jets’ Thomas Jones has averaged 108.6 yards rushing in last 4 games, leads AFC with 1,144 yards rushing.

Injuries: Bills quarterback Trent Edwards (groin) is doubtful.

Vikings at Cardinals

Time: 1 p.m.

Line: Cardinals by 3.

Records: Vikings (8-5); Cardinals (8-5)

Vikings: Coming off unimpressive win at Detroit, fighting to keep NFC North lead. They must control ball with run.

Cardinals: With NFC West title clinched, realistic goal now is No. 3 seed in NFC playoffs, and this would give them tiebreaker over Vikings.

Fantasy outlook: Vikings’ Adrian Peterson on roll with 6 100-yard games in last 8 weeks. Cardinals’ Kurt Warner has thrown 25 TD passes vs. 12 INTs.

Injuries: Vikings QB Gus Frerotte (back) is doubtful and Cards’ receiver Steve Breaston (ribs) is questionable.

Steelers at Ravens

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Ravens by 21/2.

Records: Steelers (10-3); Ravens (9-4)

Steelers: Willie Parker getting only 3.9 yards per carry, so running game concern. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall was supposed to help, but shoulder injury in opener ended season.

Ravens: Have won 7 of last 8 with improved offense and NFL’s No. 2 defense (Steelers are No. 1).

Fantasy outlook: Steelers’ Hines Ward having solid year with 60 catches, 6 TDs. Ravens’ Willis McGahee has 5 TDs this season, 3 in 3 games vs. Steelers in career.

Injuries: Steelers fullback Carey Davis (calf) and defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) questionable.

Broncos at Panthers

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

Line: Panthers by 71/2.

Records: Broncos (8-5); Panthers (10-3)

Broncos: Thanks to weak AFC West, Broncos can clinch title with win. With troubled running game, that will be difficult.

Panthers: They may as well hand ball to RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who combined for 301 yards rushing last week, until Broncos stop them.

Fantasy outlook: Tatum Bell (4.2 avg), who was selling cell phones until re-signing recently, healthiest Bronco runner; Panthers receiver Steve Smith has 3 straight 100-yard receiving games, 5 TDs on season.

Injuries: Rookie Peyton Hillis (knee) 5th Denver running back to be lost for season. … Broncos RB Selvin Young (groin) questionable.

Patriots at Raiders

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 7.

Records: Patriots (8-5); Raiders (3-10)

Patriots: Tied for 1st, finishing 2nd West Coast 2-game road trip of season. After 3-point win at Seattle, can’t take even Raiders lightly.

Raiders: Playing out string, set to become only team to lose 11 games in 6 straight seasons.

Fantasy outlook: Matt Cassel, 4 TDs passes and 1 INT in last 2 road games, may not start (bereavement). Raiders rookie Darren McFadden getting 4.6 yards per carry.

Injuries: Raiders’ QB JaMarcus Russell dealing with sore ankle… . Pats may be without linebacker Tedy Bruschi (knee) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (shoulder).

Giants at Cowboys

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

Line: Cowboys by 3.

Records: Giants (11-2); Cowboys (8-5)

Giants: Coming off loss to Eagles, now in race with Panthers, whom they host next week, for No. 1 seed in NFC playoffs. Can they bounce back?

Cowboys: After 4th-quarter collapse vs. Steelers, time to show their mettle or understand they’ll be home for New Year’s. Cowboys desperate team here.

Fantasy outlook: Giants’ Brandon Jacobs, who ran for 117 yards and 1 TD in November win over Cowboys, has 6 rushing TDs in last 5 games but won’t play (knee). Tony Romo has tossed 4 TD passes in each of last 2 vs. Giants.

Injuries: Giants cornerback Aaron Ross dealing with ankle injury.