The matchups
Jets at Bills
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bills by 5
Records: Jets (4-3); Bills (5-2)
Jets: Getting accustomed to Brett Favre’s way – throw interceptions, then make comeback, as they did against Chiefs last week. That’s dangerous against good teams.
Bills: Are 3-0 at home and have beaten Jets three straight, albeit without Favre. Last week’s loss at Miami should be wake-up call.
Fantasy outlook: Jets’ Thomas Jones has scored four TDs in last three games. Bills’ Lee Evans, who has three 100-yard receiving games, has averaged 102 yards in last four vs. Jets.
Lions at Bears
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bears by 12 1/2
Records: Lions (0-7); Bears (4-3)
Lions: It’s hard to envision Lions getting their first win against a team in running for the playoffs, although they were competitive vs. Redskins last week.
Bears: After week off they’re confident on offense, for change. Averaging 28 points per game, tied for second in NFL.
Fantasy outlook: Kevin Smith, averaging 4.8 yards per carry with three rushing TDs, is Lions’ best hope. Bears’ Kyle Orton has thrown 10 TD passes, only four INTs.
Jaguars at Bengals
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Jaguars by 7 1/2
Records: Jaguars (3-4); Bengals (0-8)
Jaguars: This team is at least consistent – every game has been decided by seven points or less, and they’ve won two straight on road. They just can’t take anyone, even Bengals, too lightly.
Bengals: Best chance for win is at home, but they’re still playing without injured QB Carson Palmer. What if RB Cedric Benson ever figures it out?
Fantasy outlook: Jags’ David Garrard continues to play consistent football, with five TD passes and no INTs in last four games. Same goes for Bengals’ T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who is second in NFL with 54 catches, three TDs.
Ravens at Browns
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Browns by 1 1/2
Records: Ravens (4-3); Browns (3-4)
Ravens: Rookie QB Joe Flacco is making progress, at least giving Ravens’ passing game a chance. NFL’s No. 2-ranked defense makes difference here.
Browns: Offense has been disappointment, and getting healthy against Ravens isn’t likely.
Fantasy outlook: Flacco has completed 61.7 percent and tossed two TD passes and no INTs in Ravens’ two-game winning streak. Browns may have to pass, and Braylon Edwards has averaged 106.5 yards with two TD catches in two home games vs. Ravens.
Bucs at Chiefs
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Bucs by 9
Records: Buccaneers (5-3); Chiefs (1-6)
Bucs: Should be able to keep it simple in this one, following running of Earnest Graham.
Chiefs: They have pretty much hit bottom as leading rusher Larry Johnson faces league suspension for off-field issue. They’ve lost 15 of last 16 games.
Fantasy outlook: Bucs’ Jeff Garcia plays well on road, with four TD passes and no INTs in last two outings. Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe has at least five receptions in last four games.
Texans at Vikings
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 5
Records: Texans (3-4); Vikings (3-4)
Texans: Have played way back into playoff race and are going for their first four-game winning streak (in same season) in franchise history.
Vikings: Awaiting word of possible league suspensions of DLs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, a distraction they don’t need.
Fantasy outlook: Texans’ Andre Johnson has 41 catches for 593 yards in last four games, and leads NFL with 56 catches. Bernard Berrian had TD catch in each of last two games.
Cardinals at Rams
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Cardinals by 3
Records: Cardinals (4-3); Rams (2-5)
Cardinals: It seems strange to see Cardinals atop NFC West by two games at midseason, but Kurt Warner has them there. Now he returns to face his old team.
Rams: Have improved under Jim Haslett, and may get RB Steven Jackson back from injury this week. But can they play defense?
Fantasy outlook: Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald burned Rams for 20 catches for 15.3 avg. and three TDs in two meetings last year. Rams WR Donnie Avery had six receptions for 163 yards, TD last week.
Packers at Titans
Time: 10 a.m.
Line: Titans by 4 1/2
Records: Packers (4-3); Titans (7-0)
Packers: Tied for first in NFC North with Bears, they take on NFL’s last undefeated team. But can they run enough to control this game?
Titans: Will try to control the game with rookie RB Chris Johnson, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Fantasy outlook: Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has thrown six TDs vs. one INT in last three games. Titans’ LenDale White leads NFL with 10 rushing TDs, five in last two games.
Dolphins at Broncos
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 3 1/2
Records: Dolphins (3-4); Broncos (4-3)
Dolphins: Upset of Bills last week gives Dolphins momentum, but Denver still difficult place to play. QB Chad Pennington is playing well.
Broncos: Need to improve on defense. Offense can’t cover for everything.
Fantasy outlook: Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown had eight TDs (seven rushing, one receiving). In four home games, Broncos’ Jay Cutler has thrown nine TDs vs. three INTs.
Cowboys at Giants
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Giants by 9
Records: Cowboys (5-3); Giants (6-1)
Cowboys: In shaky state as they take on NFC East leaders, still with QB Brad Johnson and without injured Tony Romo. Tall order for slumping team.
Giants: Can turn up pressure on anyone, leading NFL with 26 sacks, including six by DE Justin Tuck. They’re playing like they intend to repeat.
Fantasy outlook: Cowboys’ Terrell Owens needs big game, and he had four TD catches in last two vs. Giants. Eli Manning has thrown nine TDs vs. three INTs in last four games vs. Cowboys.
Falcons at Raiders
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 3
Records: Falcons (4-3); Raiders (2-5)
Falcons: Fast start has yielded to reality for Falcons, now long trip west. Offense must get its act together again.
Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell has been effective at home, throwing four TDs in three games. Raiders can score enough in this one.
Fantasy outlook: Falcons’ Roddy White has five TD receptions, tied for second in NFL. Raiders rookie Darren McFaddden averages 5.1 yards per carry but may be limited by sore toe.
Patriots at Colts
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Line: Colts by 6
Records: Patriots (5-2); Colts (3-4)
Patriots: Despite losing Tom Brady for season, Patriots are tied for first in AFC East and may be division’s best after all. Taking care of business in game like this will be big indicator.
Colts: They’re running out of time to jump back into AFC playoff race. If RB Joseph Addai can return from hamstring injury, they’ll have chance.
Fantasy outlook: Pats’ Matt Cassel continues to improve, completing 68.4 percent for 452 yards with four TD passes and two INTs in last two games. Peyton Manning has five TDs, four INTs in last three games – two losses.