Last week’s record (straight up): 9-5 Season to date (straight up): 62-40.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Giants (3-3) at Eagles (4-2)
TV/radio: WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670, 8 p.m. Monday.
Line: Eagles by 7.
Last meeting: Eagles won 24-21 at Philadelphia on Dec. 30, 2001.
Key stat: Eagles have scored in 21 of 24 quarters.
Worth watching: Eagles’ Duce Staley, who rushed for 152 yards in last week’s win over Tampa Bay, is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. If he can keep running like that, Philadelphia will have the running game it has been missing. Tiki Barber is averaging 3.7 for Giants, whose running offense can use some work, too. Barber also leads the Giants in receiving with 31 catches.
Outlook: This game will determine whether there will be an interesting NFC East race. Eagles have a chance to take a two-game lead over the Giants, their only threat in the division. Since opening day, Eagles’ only loss was a three-pointer at Jacksonville. Giants are rested, but not enough to contain Donovan McNabb..
Bannon’s pick: Eagles 24, Giants 20.
Bears (2-4)at Vikings (1-5)
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780, noon.
Line: Vikings by 1.
Last meeting: Bears won 27-23 at Champaign on Sept. 8.
Key stats: It’s Vikings’ No. 4 offense vs. Bears’ No. 27 defense.
Worth watching: Marty Booker had 8 of his 38 catches in season opener vs. Vikings; Randy Moss had 6 of his 40 catches in same game.
Outlook: The Bears have allowed a gaudy 30 points per game in their four-game losing streak. Vikings have struggled on offense, but Bears won’t be able to score enough.
Bannon’s pick: Vikings 30, Bears 27.
Seahawks (1-5) at Cowboys (3-4)
Time: Noon.
Line: Cowboys by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Seahawks won 29-3 at Seattle on Dec., 16, 2001.
Key stat: Seattle coach Mike Holmgren has a 1-5 team for the first time in 11 seasons as a head coach.
Worth watching: Emmitt Smith needs just 93 yards–which would be a season high– to break Walter Payton’s NFL rushing record.
Outlook: This is likely Smith’s only chance to get Payton’s record at home, and Cowboys may be determined to do it. They couldn’t have picked a better opponent–Seahawks can’t stop the run or pass.
Bannon’s pick: Cowboys 27, Seahawks 17.
Lions (2-4) at Bills (4-3)
Time: Noon.
Line: Bills by 7.
Last meeting: Bills won 22-13 at Buffalo on Oct. 5, 1997.
Key stats: It’s Buffalo’s No. 3 offense vs. Detroit’s No. 28 defense.
Worth watching: Bills’ Travis Henry (4.8 yards per carry) is going for his third straight 100-yard rushing game. James Stewart’s 172-yard day vs. Bears boosted his average per carry to 4.9 yards.
Outlook: Young Lions are 0-3 on the road this year, and the Bills have too tough an offense. Drew Bledsoe and Henry could both be in for big days.
Bannon’s pick: Bills 30, Lions 23.
Browns (3-4) at Jets (2-4)
Time: Noon.
Line: Jets by 3.
Last meeting: First meeting of these franchises.
Key stats: It’s Browns’ No. 20 offense vs. Jets’ No. 31 defense.
Worth watching: New Jets starter Chad Pennington has competed 68 percent of his passes with three TD passes and three interceptions. Browns Tim Couch has thrown five TD passes vs. six interceptions.
Outlook: Pennington has made the Jets instantly competitive. And with running back Curtis Martin getting healthy, Jets can score.
Bannon’s pick: Jets 27, Browns 17.
Raiders (4-2) at Chiefs (3-4)
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2, noon.
Line: Raiders by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Raiders won 28-26 at Oakland on Dec. 9, 2001.
Key stat: Average score of Chiefs game this season: Opponent 34, Chiefs 31.
Worth watching: The hot quarterbacks: Raiders’ Rich Gannon has thrown 14 TD passes vs. six interceptions; Chiefs Trent Green has 15 TD passes, eight interceptions.
Outlook: Chiefs have learned teams can’t win by counting on outscoring the opponent. Raiders can name the score–their points, anyway–as they try to extend their winning streak vs. Chiefs to six.
Bannon’s pick: Raiders 40, Chiefs 30.
Bucs (5-2) at Panthers (3-4)
Time: Noon.
Line: Bucs by 7.
Last meeting: Bucs won 16-13 at Tampa on Oct. 18, 1998.
Key stat: Panthers have been outscored 77-40 in four-game losing streak.
Worth watching: Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks is just one short of NFL record for TDs off turnovers (5). Panthers rookie Julius Peppers leads NFL with seven sacks.
Outlook: The Bucs’ defense, which has allowed only six TDs, is No. 1 in the NFL; the Panthers’, No. 4. The Bucs are going with second-string QB Rob Johnson. Panthers may have to go with third-string rookie Randy Fasani. Touchdowns will be hard to come by.
Bannon’s pick: Bucs 16, Panthers 12.
Falcons (3-3) at Saints (6-1)
Time: Noon.
Line: Saints by 4.
Last meeting: Saints won 28-10 at Atlanta on Dec. 9, 2001.
Key stat: Saints have won three of last four vs. Falcons.
Worth watching: Quarterbacks Michael Vick (139 passes without an interception) and Aaron Brooks (league-leading 16 TD passes) meet for the first time as starters.
Outlook: Vick and Brooks are cousins, and the Saints’ Brooks was a mentor for Vick when they were growing up together in Virginia. Vick may have the better career eventually, but Brooks plays on the better team now.
Bannon’s pick: Saints 27, Falcons 24.
Titans (2-4) at Bengals (0-6)
Time: Noon.
Line: Titans by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: Bengals won 23-21 at Tennessee on Jan. 6.
Key stat: Bengals have scored more than seven points only once all season.
Worth watching: Titans’ Kevin Carter is second in NFL with six sacks. In last two games vs. Titans, Corey Dillon has averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
Outlook: Bengals are well on the way to the first pick in the draft. If Titans keep it simple, they pick up an easy win.
Bannon’s pick: Titans 20, Bengals 7.
Steelers (3-3) at Ravens (3-3)
Time: Noon.
Line: Steelers by 2.
Last meeting: Steelers won 26-21 at Baltimore on Dec. 16, 2001.
Key stat: Steelers have won five straight at Baltimore.
Worth watching: Tommy Maddox has thrown seven TD passes vs. five interceptions for Steelers. In last four games (three Baltimore wins), Ravens’ Chris Redman has thrown 6 TD passes vs. only one interception.
Outlook: Ravens expect to go without Ray Lewis (shoulder) again, but Western Illinois alum Ed Hartwell has filled in admirably. Steelers are coming off an emotional Monday night win.
Bannon’s pick: Ravens 20, Steelers 17.
Cardinals (4-2) at 49ers (4-2)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 8.
Last meeting: 49ers won 27-0 at San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2000.
Key stat: Teams are tied for second in NFL with turnover differential of plus-6.
Worth watching: Garrison Hearst is averaging 5.3 yards per carry for 49ers. Thomas Jones averaging 4.2 for Cardinals.
Outlook: Who would have thought their first meeting as NFC West rivals would be for first place? Dave McGinnis has the Cardinals playing tough, but 49ers will be tougher at home.
Bannon’s pick: 49ers 30, Cardinals 20.
Broncos (5-2) at Patriots (3-3)
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2, 3:15 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 3.
Last meeting: Broncos won 31-20 at Denver on Oct. 28, 2001.
Key stat: Patriots have been outscored 75-37 in three-game losing streak.
Worth watching: Patriots’ Tom Brady has thrown only 5 TD passes vs. 7 interceptions in last three games. For the season, Broncos’ Brian Griese has thrown 12 TD passes vs. eight interceptions.
Outlook: Patriots are playing like they did in the first half of last season, which is to say not like a Super Bowl championship team. Did a week off help the Pats shake out of their funk? Broncos a solid team.
Bannon’s pick: Broncos 20, Patriots 17.
Texans (1-5) at Jaguars (3-3)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 10 1/2.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Key stats: Texans are 32nd in offense, ninth in defense.
Worth watching: Texans’ Corey Bradford has 20 receptions, 5 for TDs. Jimmy Smith leads Jaguars with 29 catches, but only one TD.
Outlook: Smith has complained about not getting the ball enough, so that could change this week. Until the Texans find some stability in their offensive line, their problems scoring won’t change.
Bannon’s pick: Jaguars 28, Texans 17.
Colts (4-2) at Redskins (2-4)
TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
Line: Pick ’em.
Last meeting: Colts won 24-21 at Indianapolis on Dec. 19, 1999.
Key stat: Redskins have been outscored 73-36 in last two games.
Worth watching: Colts’ Marvin Harrison leads NFL with 52 receptions, three for TDs. Ex-Bear Shane Matthews gets another chance as Redskins’ QB.
Outlook: Redskins coach Steve Spurrier’s continuing quarterback roulette is taking a toll on his team. Now first-round pick Patrick Ramsey gets to watch again. He’ll see Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Harrison score some points.
Bannon’s pick: Colts 27, Redskins 20.
