Bears (5-7) at Packers (6-6)
Time: Noon Sunday, WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780.
Line: Packers by 7.
Last meeting: Packers won 38-23 at Soldier Field on Sept. 29, 2003.
Key stat: Packers have won six of seven vs. Bears under coach Mike Sherman.
Players to watch: Ahman Green is third in NFL with 1,383 yards rushing and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Anthony Thomas averaging 4.3 yards per carry for Bears.
The buzz: Kordell Stewart, coming off his best game as a Bear in throwing for 284 yards in win over Arizona, expected to get a shot at the Packers. He’s shown he can make some big plays, but defense must shut down Green.
Pick: Packers 20, Bears 14.
Bengals (7-5) at Ravens (7-5)
Time: Noon.
Line: Ravens by 3 1/2.
Last meeting: Bengals won 34-26 at Cincinnati on Oct. 19, 2003.
Key stat: Ravens have won four straight at home.
Players to watch: Ravens’ Anthony Wright has thrown 6 TD passes and 1 interception in last two games. Bengals’ Jon Kitna is second in NFL with 22 TD passes.
The buzz: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is Ravens’ former defensive coordinator, so he knows all about Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis. He’ll know more by Sunday night after Ravens take control of AFC North.
Pick: Ravens 27, Bengals 20.
Chargers (2-10) at Lions (4-8)
Time: Noon.
Line: Lions by 3.
Last meeting: Chargers won 20-10 at Detroit on Oct. 10, 1999.
Key stat: Lions have lost only two fumbles, best in the NFL.
Players to watch: Doug Flutie, with 7 TDs and 3 interceptions, stays as Chargers’ starting QB. Cornerback Dre’ Bly leads Lions defense (6 interceptions).
The buzz: Lions, well-rested since their Thanksgiving victory over Green Bay, are starting to feel good about themselves in Steve Mariucci’s first season as coach.
Pick: Lions 24, Chargers 17.
Texans (5-7) at Jaguars (3-9)
Time: Noon.
Line: Off.
Last meeting: Texans won 24-20 at Houston on Sept. 28, 2003.
Key stat: Jaguars’ defense has allowed only 33 points in the last three games.
Players to watch: Texans’ rookies: Andre Johnson leads Houston with 51 catches; Domanick Davis, bothered by thigh injury, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
The buzz: Jaguars have been increasingly competitive in the last month as rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich gains experience. They also remember losing to Texans on last play in September.
Pick: Jaguars 20, Texans 17.
Seahawks (8-4) at Vikings (7-5)
Time: Noon.
Line: Vikings by 1 1/2.
Last meeting: Seahawks won 48-23 at Seattle on Sept. 29, 2002.
Key stat: Seahawks are 1-4 on the road.
Players to watch: The quarterbacks: Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck has thrown 20 TD passes vs. 10 interceptions on the road the last two seasons. Vikings’ Daunte Culpepper is fourth in the NFL with passer rating of 94.6.
The buzz: Two of the league’s hottest quarterbacks meet two of the shakiest defenses. Vikings are at home but reeling with five losses in six games.
Pick: Seahawks 35, Vikings 33.
Bucs (5-7) at Saints (6-6)
Time: Noon.
Line: Saints by 1 1/2.
Last meeting: Saints won 17-14 at Tampa on Nov. 2, 2003.
Key stat: Saints have won three straight vs. Bucs.
Players to watch: Deuce McAllister (5.1 yards per carry) goes for his 10th straight 100-yard rushing game. Keenan McCardell leads Bucs with 66 receptions, 7 for TDs.
The buzz: Saints have a microscopic shot at the playoffs, more than can be said for the Bucs. The Saints always play well against Tampa, and McAllister is playing well against everybody.
Pick: Saints 21, Bucs 17.
Redskins (4-8) at Giants (4-8)
Time: Noon.
Line: Giants by 3.
Last meeting: Giants won 24-21 in OT at Washington on Sept. 21, 2003.
Key stat: Giants have won five of last six vs. Redskins.
Players to watch: Laveranues Coles had 7 catches for 105 yards in first game against Giants. New York’s Michael Strahan tied for NFL lead with 12 sacks.
The buzz: Based on schedules, it’s the last, best chance for both teams to get a fifth win.
Pick: Giants 13, Redskins 7.
Cowboys (8-4) at Eagles (9-3)
Time: Noon.
Line: Eagles by 5 1/2.
Last meeting: Cowboys won 23-21 at Dallas on Oct. 12, 2003.
Key stat: Eagles are NFL-best 26-5 in November and December since 2000.
Players to watch: Brian Westbrook averaging 5.2 yards per carry for Eagles. Troy Hambrick averaging 3.2 for Cowboys.
The buzz: Eagles, winners of seven straight, are surging. Cowboys, who have lost two of last three overall, have been shut out in last two road games. This one will probably decide NFC East title.
Pick: Eagles 20, Cowboys 10.
Raiders (3-9) at Steelers (4-8)
Time: Noon.
Line: Steelers by 5.
Last meeting: Raiders won 30-17 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 15, 2002.
Key stat: Raiders are 0-6 on the road, losing by an average of 8 points.
Players to watch: Steelers’ Hines Ward leads AFC with 78 catches, 9 for TDs. Jerry Rice paces Raiders with 46 catches, but just one TD.
The buzz: This isn’t a great year for these old AFC rivals. Both had playoff hopes but are already thinking about next season. Coach Bill Callahan’s tirade against his team didn’t help things.
Pick: Steelers 24, Raiders 17.
Cardinals (3-9) at 49ers (5-7)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 10.
Last meeting: Cardinals won 16-13 in OT at Arizona on Oct. 26, 2003.
Key stat: 49ers have won five of last six meetings.
Players to watch: Cards’ tight end Freddie Jones has 46 catches, fourth among NFL tight ends. Kevan Barlow, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, replaces injured Garrison Hearst for 49ers.
The buzz: These NFC West rivals have fallen out of the playoff picture. Cardinals have lost 11 straight on the road. Make it 12.
Pick: 49ers 30, Cardinals 17.
Jets (5-7) at Bills (5-7)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Bills by 3.
Last meeting: Jets won 30-3 at New York on Oct. 12, 2003.
Key stat: Jets have won eight of last 11 meetings, including three in a row.
Players to watch: Bills’ Travis Henry has averaged 99.5 yards rushing in last four games vs. Jets. Jets’ Chad Pennington has thrown 12 TD passes vs. 6 interceptions.
The buzz: Jets showed resilience by beating Titans. Bills’ long season can’t end soon enough.
Pick: Jets 21, Bills 17.
Chiefs (11-1) at Broncos (7-5)
Time: 3:15 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Broncos by 2 1/2.
Last meeting: Chiefs won 24-23 at Kansas City on Oct. 5, 2003.
Key stat: Broncos’ defense has allowed only 2 TDs in last 12 quarters (vs. Raiders, Bears, Chargers).
Players to watch: The running backs: Chiefs’ Priest Holmes averaging 4.7 yards per carry, Broncos’ Clinton Portis getting 5.4.
The buzz: Chiefs have all but wrapped up AFC West title and are going for top seed in the AFC. They haven’t been blowing out teams on the road, and Broncos will be ready for a division rival. Denver’s defense the difference.
Pick: Broncos 23, Chiefs 20.
Dolphins (8-4) at Patriots (10-2)
Time: 3:15 p.m., WMVP-AM 1000.
Line: Patriots by 3.
Last meeting: Patriots won 19-13 at Miami on Oct. 19, 2003.
Key stat: Dolphins are 5-1 on the road.
Players to watch: Kevin Faulk averaging 3.7 yards per carry for Patriots. Dolphins’ Ricky Williams getting 3.4 yards per carry.
The buzz: With a healthy Jay Fiedler back in the lineup, Dolphins can beat just about anybody. But the Pats have won NFL-best eight straight games and are playing for a first-round bye. A win here clinches AFC East title.
Pick: Patriots 27, Dolphins 21.
Panthers (8-4) at Falcons (2-10)
Time: 7:30 p.m., ESPN, WMVP-AM 1000.
Line: Panthers by 1.
Last meeting: Panthers won 23-3 at Carolina on Sept. 28, 2003.
Key stat: Panthers have lost last two road games (Texans, Cowboys).
Players to watch: A healthy Michael Vick makes his first start of the season for the Falcons. Panthers’ Stephen Davis averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
The buzz: The Falcons’ season effectively ended when Vick was injured in exhibition season. Panthers cruising to NFC South title.
Pick: Panthers 21, Falcons 17.
Rams (9-3) at Browns (4-8)
Time: 8 p.m. Monday, WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Rams by 4.
Last meeting: Rams won 34-3 at St. Louis on Oct. 21, 1999.
Key stat: Marshall Faulk going for fourth straight 100-yard game. Rams are 22-0 when Faulk rushes for 100 yards.
Players to watch: Rams’ Marc Bulger has 16 TD passes vs. 18 interceptions; Browns’ Kelly Holcomb has 9 TD passes vs. 10 INTs.
The buzz: Rams are surging toward their NFC West showdown with Seattle next week but have to take care of business here first.
Pick: Rams 24, Browns 17.
GAME OF WEEK: COLTS (9-3) AT TITANS (9-3)
NFL’s top arms duke it out for AFC South
Time: Noon, WBBM-Ch. 2.
Line: Titans by 3 1/2.
Last meeting: Colts won 33-7 at Indianapolis on Sept. 14, 2003.
Key stat: Titans have won 11 in a row at home.
Players to watch: Titans’ Steve McNair leads NFL in passing (103.5 rating). Colts’ Peyton Manning leads in yards (3,383) and TD passes (23).
The buzz: This is the battle for the AFC South title and a first-round bye. McNair has inviting targets in Derrick Mason (70 catches) and Northern Illinois’ Justin McCareins (36, 6 for TDs).
Pick: Titans 27, Colts 24
Last week (straight up): 9-7.
Season (straight up): 127-65.
