The matchups

Bears at Lions

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Bears by 31/2

Records: Bears (2-2); Lions (0-3)

Bears: After 3-TD game, QB Kyle Orton’s confidence is growing. Bears are majoring in close games and showed mettle with goal-line stand vs. Eagles on Sunday night.

Lions: The post-Matt Millen era is under way, and at least for this season, it doesn’t appear things will change quickly. Lions’ veterans may be looking over their shoulders instead of ahead.

Fantasy outlook: Bears rookie Matt Forte, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, should find running room. Lions’ Roy Williams has at least 5 catches in last 5 games vs. Bears.

Injuries: Bears WR Brandon Lloyd (knee) may not play… . Lions G Stephen Peterman has broken hand.

Titans at Ravens

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 21/2

Records: Titans (4-0); Ravens (2-1)

Titans: Titans will use overwhelming defense – league-high 12 takeaways and plus-6 turnover differential – to control game. Kerry Collins effective, if unspectacular, running offense.

Ravens: Can match Titans’ defense, but rookie QB Joe Flacco too inexperienced. Can’t overlook that Ravens’ wins have been over lowly Bengals and Browns.

Fantasy outlook: Titans may have to go through air and unless sore knee slows him, Justin Gage (12 catches, 1 TD) will play key role. Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain has rushed for 3 TDs in last 2 games.

Injury: Ravens RB Willis McGahee has sore ribs.

Chiefs at Panthers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Panthers by 91/2

Records: Chiefs (1-3); Panthers (3-1)

Chiefs: Chiefs ended 12-game losing streak with win over Broncos, but now they hit road vs. NFC contender. If they can run, they have chance.

Panthers: Carolina has good balance in its offense now that Steve Smith (6 catches, 96 yards, TD last week) is in sync and aging Muhsin Muhammad (22 catches, TD) keeps making plays.

Fantasy outlook: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson is going for 3rd straight 100-yard game. Panthers rookie RB Jonathan Stewart has 4 rushing TDs in last 3 games.

Injuries: Panthers’ 6th-year OT Jordan Gross (concussion) could miss 1st game of career. … Chiefs OT Branden Albert (elbow) is out.

Falcons at Packers

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Packers by 4

Records: Falcons (2-2); Packers (2-2)

Falcons: Falcons’ young offense, with only 18 points in 2 road losses, has to show it can get it done away from home.

Packers: Concern abounds in Wisconsin that Brett Favre’s successor is too fragile – Aaron Rodgers has sore shoulder. If he plays, Packers will have enough. If not, it’s up to rookie Matt Flynn from LSU.

Fantasy outlook: Falcons’ Michael Turner tied for NFL lead with 5 rushing TDs while getting 5.5 yards per carry. Somebody will have to get ball to Packers WR Greg Jennings (league-leading 482 yards).

Injuries: Packers DE Cullen Jenkins (chest) is out for season. … Falcons OT Sam Baker still dealing with concussion and S Lawyer Milloy is questionable with rib injury.

Colts at Texans

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Colts by 3

Records: Colts (1-2); Texans (0-3)

Colts: Desperate for AFC South win. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but pressure is on.

Texans: Hurricane Ike delayed Houston’s home opener until this one, the 1st of 4 straight at Reliant Stadium, where roof will be open. Texans need some home cookin’.

Fantasy outlook: Colts’ Reggie Wayne had 14 catches, TD in 2 wins over Texans last season. Houston rookie Steve Slaton has TD in each of last 2 games, and is getting 4.7 yards per carry.

Injuries: Colts OT Tony Ugoh (groin, knee) is questionable. … Texans safety C. C. Brown is out for year with broken arm.

Chargers at Dolphins

Time: 10 a.m.

TV: CBS

Line: Chargers by 61/2

Records: Chargers (2-2); Dolphins (1-2)

Chargers: Have won 2 in row by combined 76-47 score and have found their rhythm after another slow start. LaDainian Tomlinson’s toe injury is behind him, and he has rushed for 4 TDs in last 2 games.

Dolphins: Had week off to savor win at New England, but Chargers are biggest challenge of season. Limited offense spells trouble.

Fantasy outlook: Chargers TE Antonio Gates has TD in last 2 games. Dolphins TE Anthony Fasano has growing role with 11 catches, 2 TDs.

Injury: Chargers LB Jyles Tucker (hamstring) may not play.

Redskins at Eagles

Time: 10 a.m.

Line: Eagles by 6

Records: Redskins (3-1); Eagles (2-2)

Redskins: Coach Jim Zorn’s offense has averaged 26.3 points as Redskins have won 3 straight. But this week, they face NFC’s No. 1 defense, which isn’t letting anybody run effectively.

Eagles: Eagles’ defense, allowing only 245.5 yards with NFL-best 17 sacks, must dominate unless Brian Westbrook (ankle) is healthy enough to return.

Fantasy outlook: QB Jason Campbell has thrown 6 TD passes and zero INTs in 124 throws. Eagles’ DeSean Jackson leads rookies with 327 receiving yards.

Injury: Redskins DE Jason Taylor appears likely to miss 2nd straight game as he recovers from calf surgery.

Bucs at Broncos

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Broncos by 3

Records: Bucs (3-1); Broncos (3-1)

Bucs: Must think they’ve won 3 straight because of switch to ex-Broncos QB Brian Griese. He’s thrown 6 INTs in last 2 games, so Jeff Garcia should stay loose.

Broncos: Have won 5 straight home games, but 2 this season have been by combined margin of 73-70. Jay Cutler-to-Brandon Marshall combo leads NFL’s No. 1 offense (435.5 yards per game).

Fantasy outlook: Bucs’ Earnest Graham dependable back, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 2 TDs. Marshall has 31 catches, 3 TDs (and he missed opener).

Injury: Bucs WR Joey Galloway (foot) remains questionable.

Bills at Cardinals

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Cardinals by 11/2

Records: Bills (4-0); Cardinals (2-2)

Bills: Buffalo’s defense faces its biggest challenge of the year, but Bills only have to stay close – they’ve won 4th quarters by 45-10 score.

Cardinals: Big chance for pivotal home win for Cardinals, who are getting good year from Kurt Warner (8 TD passes).

Fantasy outlook: Bills’ Marshawn Lynch has rushed for 4 TDs. Cards’ WR Steve Breaston playing a larger role with 9 catches, 122 yards last week.

Injuries: Cards WR Anquan Boldin, who leads NFL with 5 TD receptions, likely out with fractured sinus membrane. S Adrian Wilson recovering from hamstring injury. … Bills CB Terrence McGee may be out with knee injury.

Bengals at Cowboys

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 161/2

Records: Bengals (0-4); Cowboys (3-1)

Bengals: QB Carson Palmer, late scratch last week with sore elbow, has vowed to play. It’s Bengals’ only hope; they’re 2-8 on road last 2 seasons.

Cowboys: Losing to Redskins at home last week should send Dallas back to basics. Terrell Owens has started complaining – he has only 17 catches, but 4 TDs – so trouble could loom.

Fantasy outlook: T.J. Houshmandzadeh has 24 catches, but only 1 TD for Bengals’ weak attack. Cowboys’ Marion Barber could improve on his total of 4 rushing TDs.

Injuries: Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle) may not play. … Cowboys G Kyle Kosier is questionable with foot injury.

Patriots at 49ers

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

Line: Patriots by 3

Records: Patriots (2-1); 49ers (2-2)

Patriots: Pats had week off to retool offense that is averaging just 16.3 points per game and hasn’t scored more than 19. They need to find running game to take pressure off QB Matt Cassel.

49ers: RB Frank Gore, who leads NFC with 525 yards from scrimmage, will be problem for Patriots.

Fantasy outlook: Pats’ Wes Welker still dependable, with at least 6 catches in each game and 19 for season. 49ers’ J.T. O’Sullivan has thrown 4 TD passes vs. 3 INTs.

Injury: 49ers LB Manny Lawson unlikely to play because of hamstring injury.

Steelers at Jaguars

Time: 5:15 p.m.

TV: NBC

Line: Jaguars by 5

Records: Steelers (3-1); Jaguars (2-2)

Steelers: Steelers were devastated by injuries vs. Ravens last week, leaving Mewelde Moore as only RB who’s been with them for more than week. Ben Roethlisberger will have to compensate.

Jaguars: Have beaten Steelers 4 straight since 2005, including playoff game at Pittsburgh last season. For a change, Jaguars healthier team.

Fantasy outlook: Steelers’ Hines Ward had 10 catches vs. Jaguars in last season’s playoff loss, and has 17 catches, 3 TDs already. Jaguars’ Matt Jones has at least 5 catches in each of last 4 games.

Injuries: Steelers lost RB Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) and G Kendall Simmons (Achilles) for season vs. Ravens, and RB Carey Davis (ankle) is questionable. … Jaguars S Reggie Nelson (knee) unlikely to play.