Bears (3-7) at Broncos (6-4)
Time: 3 p.m. Sunday; WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780.
Line: Broncos by 10 1/2.
Last meeting: Broncos won 17-12 at Denver on Nov. 10, 1996.
Key stat: Under Mike Shanahan, Broncos are 75-11 when leading after three quarters.
Players to watch: The running backs: Clinton Portis averaging 4.9 yards per carry for Broncos; Anthony Thomas 4.5 for Bears.
The buzz: If Bears can run the ball against this defense, they have a chance for an upset. The goal is to keep the ball away from Jake Plummer, who can hurt the Bears with his legs as well as his arm.
Pick: Broncos 27, Bears 13.
Seahawks (7-3) at Ravens (5-5)
Time: Noon.
Line: Ravens by 3.
Last meeting: Ravens won 31-24 at Baltimore on Dec. 7, 1997.
Key stat: Seahawks are 1-3 on the road, beating only Arizona.
Players to watch: Ravens’ Ray Lewis leads NFL linebackers with three interceptions, all in last four games. Seahawks linebacker Chad Brown has five sacks.
The buzz: Making their second trip to the East Coast in three weeks doesn’t make this any easier for the Seahawks, who will struggle against the NFL’s third-ranked defense. Ravens’ Jamal Lewis averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Pick: Ravens 19, Seahawks 17.
Patriots (8-2) at Texans (4-6)
Time: Noon.
Line: Patriots by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: First meeting,
Key stat: Patriots have allowed only 9.6 points per game the last five weeks.
Players to watch: Ex-Bears defensive tackle Ted Washington returned to the Pats last week after missing six games and made four tackles. Tony Banks has thrown 3 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions.
The buzz: Banks starts again for the injured David Carr, but he’ll have trouble putting together drives against this defense. Patriots’ offense needs to do more.
Pick: Patriots 20, Texans 13.
Jaguars (2-8) at Jets (3-7)
Time: Noon.
Line: Jets by 4.
Last meeting: Jaguars won 28-3 at New York on Sept. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Jaguars are 0-5 on road.
Players to watch: The quarterbacks from Marshall U.: Jets’ Chad Pennington has thrown 31 TDs vs. 6 interceptions as the starter; Jaguars’ Byron Leftwich has thrown 8 TDs vs. 11 interceptions this year.
The buzz: Jets’ Santana Moss has 47 catches, including AFC-high nine TDs. Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, averaging 4.3 yards, has a sore knee.
Pick: Jets 20, Jaguars 14.
Colts (8-2) at Bills (4-6)
Time: Noon, WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Colts by 3.
Last meeting: Colts won 30-14 at Buffalo on Nov. 4, 2001.
Key stat: Bills had more safeties (2) than TDs (0) last week.
Players to watch: Will Peyton Manning continue his great season (19 TD passes)? Will Drew Bledsoe continue his nightmarish season (6 TDs vs. 8 interceptions)?
The buzz: Now that RB Travis Henry is questionable with a leg injury, will the Bills even get into position to score field goals? They have no TDs in last three weeks. Manning and Edgerrin James (3.6 yards per carry) can do enough.
Pick: Colts 17, Bills 11.
49ers (5-5) at Packers (5-5)
Time: Noon.
Line: Packers by 4 1/2.
Last meeting: Packers won 20-14 at San Francisco on Dec. 15, 2002.
Key stat: Packers have lost 4 of last 6 home games.
Players to watch: 49ers’ Terrell Owens has 56 catches, 5 for TDs. Running back Ahman Green top Pack receiver (41 catches, 4 TDs).
The buzz: Packers have won two tough road games in the last three weeks (Vikings, Bucs) with home loss to Eagles in between. If Brett Favre’s thumb isn’t bothering him too much, Packers will score enough. Tim Rattay makes third straight start for 49ers.
Pick: Packers 24, 49ers 17.
Lions (3-7) at Vikings (6-4)
Time: Noon.
Line: Vikings by 10 1/2.
Last meeting: Vikings won 23-13 at Detroit on Sept. 21, 2003.
Key stat: Vikings have won seven of last eight vs. Lions.
Players to watch: Daunte Culpepper has 16 TD passes vs. 6 interceptions for Vikings. Lions’ Joey Harrington has 11 TDs, 15 INTs.
The buzz: Vikings have allowed 129 points during four-game losing streak, including two on West Coast (San Diego, Oakland). Getting home will help. So will Lions.
Pick: Vikings 31, Lions 17.
Steelers (3-7) at Browns (4-6)
Time: Noon.
Line: Browns by 3.
Last meeting: Browns won 33-13 at Pittsburgh on Oct. 5, 2003.
Key stat: Steelers are 1-3 on road.
Players to watch: In his last four games, Browns’ Kelly Holcomb has thrown 6 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions. Steelers’ Hines Ward leads AFC with 64 catches, 8 for TDs.
The buzz: Given the woebegone state of the AFC North, the Bengals’ schedule and the Ravens’ offense, the winner of this game still will have an outside shot at the division title. Blame realignment.
Pick: Browns 23, Steelers 17.
Saints (5-5) at Eagles (7-3)
Time: Noon.
Line: Eagles by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: Eagles won 21-7 at New Orleans on Sept. 24, 2000.
Key stat: Eagles haven’t allowed more than 17 points in five games.
Players to watch: Eagles’ Brian Westbrook averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Saints’ Deuce McAllister averaging 4.7 and has rushed for 100 yards seven straight games.
The buzz: Both teams are playing like they belong in the playoffs: Saints have won four of five, Eagles seven of last eight.
Pick: Eagles 24, Saints 20.
Rams (7-3) at Cardinals (3-7)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Rams by 8.
Last meeting: Rams won 37-13 at St. Louis on Sept. 28, 2003.
Key stat: Rams have won three straight vs. Cardinals.
Players to watch: Can Rams’ Marshall Faulk build on his 103-yard rushing day against the Bears? Marcel Shipp averaging 4.0 yards per carry for Cardinals.
The buzz: Cardinals have won three of their last four home games, and not against patsies (Bengals, 49ers, Packers). Cardinals’ poor pass rush will make it easier on Marc Bulger.
Pick: Rams 23, Cardinals 16.
Titans (8-2) at Falcons (2-8)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Titans by 6 1/2.
Last meeting: Titans won 30-17 at Tennessee on Dec. 19, 1999.
Key stat: Titans have won five straight, never allowing more than 17 points.
Players to watch: Falcons’ Warrick Dunn is averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Titans’ Eddie George gaining 3.0 yards per attempt.
The buzz: Michael Vick still out, so Falcons offense will continue to struggle even as Doug Johnson replaces Kurt Kittner. Titans barely got by lowly Jaguars last week (10-3), and Falcons may pay for it.
Pick: Titans 21, Falcons 16.
Raiders (3-7) at Chiefs (9-1)
Time: 3:10 p.m.; WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Chiefs by 11.
Last meeting: Chiefs won 17-10 at Oakland on Oct. 20, 2003.
Key stat: Chiefs have won all five at home by an average of 17.8 points per game.
Players to watch: Ex-Bear Rick Mirer has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for Raiders, with 1 TD and 2 interceptions. Chiefs’ Trent Green has thrown 16 TD passes vs. 7 interceptions.
The buzz: Chiefs return home after suffering first loss of the season, knowing they have to keep winning to maintain top seed in AFC. Priest Holmes averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Raiders 17.
Bengals (5-5) at Chargers (2-8)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Bengals by 3.
Last meeting: Chargers won 34-6 at San Diego on Sept. 8, 2002.
Key stat: Chargers have won last four vs. Bengals at home.
Players to watch: Bengals’ Jon Kitna, the only QB to take every snap this season, has thrown 15 TD passes vs. 9 interceptions. Doug Flutie, making his third straight start, has 3 TDs vs. 1 interception.
The buzz: Can Bengals follow their upset of unbeaten Chiefs against lowly Chargers? Flutie led upset of Vikings two weeks ago.
Pick: Chargers 24, Bengals 21.
Redskins (4-6) at Dolphins (6-4)
Time: 7:30 p.m.; ESPN, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Dolphins by 6 1/2.
Last meeting: Redskins won 21-10 at Washington on Jan. 2, 2000.
Key stat: Dolphins are only NFL team that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher.
Players to watch: Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain has six interceptions. Redskins’ biggest offensive weapon is receiver Laveranues Coles with 55 catches for 14.9-yard average.
The buzz: Dolphins have scored only 33 points in the last three weeks as Jay Fiedler’s knee injury heals. Miami’s defense should dominate, especially if quarterback Patrick Ramsey (foot) can’t play.
Pick: Dolphins 16, Redskins 13.
Giants (4-6) at Bucs (4-6)
Time: 8 p.m. Monday, WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Bucs by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: Giants won 17-13 at Tampa Bay on Sept. 12, 1999.
Key stat: Bucs’ three straight losses have been by total of 13 points.
Players to watch: Bucs’ Simeon Rice leads NFL with 11 sacks; Giants’ Michael Strahan has 10.
The buzz: A national television audience gets to watch two losing teams with only microscopic chances of making the playoffs.
Pick: Bucs 23, Giants 16.
GAME OF WEEK: PANTHERS (8-2) AT COWBOYS (7-3)
If Davis rumbles, Dallas likely loses
Time: Noon Sunday.
Line: Cowboys by 3.
Last meeting: Cowboys have won four straight at home after opening loss to Atlanta
Key stat: Both defenses have held opponents without TDs twice.
Players to watch: Jake Delhomme has been steady as the Panthers’ quarterback, with 10 TD passes and 10 interceptions. Quincy Carter has 9 TD passes vs. 12 interceptions.
The buzz: If Panthers can run Stephen Davis at his season clip of 4.9 yards per carry, they can pull off the upset and remain headed for top seed in NFC playoffs. But the Cowboys’ defense has been tough all season and will make the difference.
Pick: Cowboys 17, Panthers 13.
Last week (straight up): 12-4.
Season (straight up): 105-55.
