Last week’s record: 8-8
Season to date: 89-55
GRAY SCREEN = BANNON’S BEST GAMES
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
MATCHUP:
BEARS (8-1) AT JETS (5-4)
Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bears by 7
Last meeting: Bears won 20-13 In Champaign on Dec. 15, 2002
KEY STAT: Bears lead NFL with average point differential of 16.9 per game.
FANTASY FACTOR: Thomas Jones workhorse for Bears, getting 3.8 yards per carry and 4 TDs. Jet to stop is Laveranues Coles, who has 51 catches, 15 for 1st downs on 3rd-down plays.
THE BUZZ: Jets have won 3 of last 4, including Sunday’s stunner at New England. Can they beat 1 of NFL’s elite 2 weeks in row? Only if they can put lot of pressure on Rex Grossman.
THE PICK: BEARS 27 JETS 17
MATCHUP:
VIKINGS (4-5) AT DOLPHINS (3-6)
Noon Sunday
Line: Dolphins by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Vikings won 20-17 at Minnesota on Dec. 21, 2002
KEY STAT: Dolphins’ 2-game win streak accomplished vs. teams that had been combined 12-3 (Bears, Chiefs).
FANTASY FACTOR: Chester Taylor leads Vikings in both rushing (783 yards) and receiving (34 catches). Ronnie Brown has rushed for 120 or more yards twice in last 4 games.
THE BUZZ: Vikings, who appear lost on offense, have dropped 3 straight and Dolphins finally playing like many expected before season. They can control this one with Brown’s running.
THE PICK: DOLPHINS 20 VIKINGS 10
MATCHUP:
RAMS (4-5) AT PANTHERS (5-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Panthers by 7
Last meeting: Panthers won 20-7 at Charlotte on Dec. 12, 2004
KEY STAT: Rams have lost 4 straight, allowing at least 24 points in each game.
FANTASY FACTOR: Steven Jackson, 3rd in NFL with 1,326 yards from scrimmage, has 5 rushing TDs, 1 in each of last 4 games. Steve Smith having another huge year with 53 catches, 3 TDs after missing first 2 games.
THE BUZZ: Panthers regrouped with Monday night win over Bucs but may have to throw to win this one. They can do it.
THE PICK: PANTHERS 27 RAMS 16
MATCHUP:
STEELERS (3-6) AT BROWNS (3-6)
Noon Sunday
Line: Steelers by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Steelers won 41-0 at Cleveland on Dec. 24, 2005
KEY STAT: Steelers have won 10 of last 11 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: In a tough season in Pittsburgh, Willie Parker just keeps on running, 4.6 yards per carry and 8 TDs. Browns must continue to get ball to TE Kellen Winslow (56 catches, 3 TDs).
THE BUZZ: Steelers showed some mettle in beating Saints last week, but inconsistency has been their byword this season. Can Browns actually win 2 in row?
THE PICK: STEELERS 20 BROWNS 14
MATCHUP:
PATRIOTS (6-3) AT PACKERS (4-5)
Noon Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Patriots by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Packers won 28-10 at New England on Oct. 13, 2002
KEY STAT: Pats 4-0 on road, winning by average of 17.
FANTASY FACTOR: Pats rookie Laurence Maroney averaging 5.4 yards per carry on road. Packers’ Donald Driver 2nd in NFL with 56 catches, 4 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: After losing 2 straight at home, Pats will party on way to airport. It’s Brett Favre vs. Tom Brady, but visitor has more help.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 30 PACKERS 21
MATCHUP:
BILLS (3-6) AT TEXANS (3-6)
Noon Sunday
Line: Texans by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Bills won 22-7 at Buffalo on Sept. 11, 2005
KEY STAT: Bills 1-3 on road, winning only at Miami.
FANTASY FACTOR: Ex-Bear Anthony Thomas has run for 204 yards in last 2 games for Bills. Texans’ Andre Johnson leads NFL with 68 catches, 4 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Bills showed some road toughness Sunday, losing to Colts by 1. Texans still struggling on offense.
THE PICK: BILLS 17 TEXANS 14
MATCHUP:
RAIDERS (2-7) AT CHIEFS (5-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Chiefs by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Chiefs won 27-23 at Kansas City on Nov. 6, 2005
KEY STAT: Chiefs have won last 6 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Raiders’ Andrew Walter getting better but has only 3 TD passes vs. 9 INTs. Larry Johnson, averaging 4.1 per carry, is 2nd in NFL with 10 rushing TDs.
THE BUZZ: QB Trent Green returns from concussion for Chiefs and faces defense that hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in last 5 games. Johnson will have to carry big load again.
THE PICK: CHIEFS 20 RAIDERS 13
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
MATCHUP:
FALCONS (5-4) AT RAVENS (7-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Ravens by 4
Last meeting: Falcons won 20-17 at Atlanta on Nov. 3, 2002
KEY STAT: It’s Falcons’ No. 1 rushing offense vs. Ravens’ No. 2 Rushing defense.
FANTASY FACTOR: Falcons TE Alge Crumpler has 34 receptions, and 5 of his 6 TDs have been in last 4 games. Ravens’ Mark Clayton has 41 catches, 3 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Ravens’ offense has hit higher gear with head coach Brian Billick calling plays. They’ve won 3 in row, scoring 88 points. Falcons’ offense not diversified enough to pull this one out.
THE PICK: RAVENS 24 FALCONS 16
MATCHUP:
BENGALS (4-5) AT SAINTS (6-3)
Noon Sunday
Line: Saints by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Bengals won 20-13 at Cincinnati on Dec. 22, 2002
KEY STAT: Bengals have allowed 34.7 points per game in 3-game losing streak.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bengals’ Carson Palmer always threat with 15 TD passes vs. 6 INTs. Saints’ Drew Brees has 15 TD passes vs. 7 INTs.
THE BUZZ: Bengals can’t stop anybody these days, and Brees is making good use of rookies Marques Colston (54 catches, 21 in last 2 games) and Reggie Bush (53 catches).
THE PICK: SAINTS 37 BENGALS 28
MATCHUP:
TITANS (2-7) AT EAGLES (5-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Eagles by 13
Last meeting: Titans won 27-24 at Tennessee on Sept. 8, 2002
KEY STAT: Titans 1-4 on road, winning only at Washington.
FANTASY FACTOR: Titans’ Travis Henry averaging 4.1 yards per carry with 4 rushing TDs. Eagles’ Brian Westbrook getting 5.2 per carry with 4 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Eagles’ league-leading offense has been held under 21 points only once all season, and Titans don’t have defense to make this one any different.
THE PICK: EAGLES 30 TITANS 14
MATCHUP:
REDSKINS (3-6) AT BUCS (2-7)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bucs by 3
Last meeting: Redskins won 17-10 at Tampa on in NFC wild-card round on Jan. 7
KEY STAT: Redskins 1-4 on road, but they won in Tampa in last year’s playoffs.
FANTASY FACTOR: Redskins’ Ladell Betts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, takes over as starter for done-for-year Clinton Portis. Bucs’ Cadillac Williams could improve on his 3.6-yard average against this defense.
THE BUZZ: QB Jason Campbell, Redskins’ first-round pick last season, takes over for Mark Brunell. He didn’t light it up in preseason play, but it’s time for Redskins to find out what they have.
THE PICK: BUCS 21 REDSKINS 20
MATCHUP:
LIONS (2-7) AT CARDINALS (1-8)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Cardinals by 2
Last meeting: Lions won 29-21 at Detroit on Nov. 13, 2005
KEY STAT: Lions 0-4 on road, losing by 12.5 per game.
FANTASY FACTOR: Lions’ Jon Kitna, with 11 TDs, 11 INTs, could have decent day against weak secondary. Cards’ Larry Fitzgerald, healthy again, would like to repeat showing against Lions last year: 9 catches for 141 yards, TD.
THE BUZZ: With 8 straight losses, it’s hard to believe in Cardinals, even at home with Fitzgerald back. If Lions can get RB Kevin Jones going, they can win.
THE PICK: LIONS 24 CARDINALS 20
MATCHUP:
SEAHAWKS (6-3) AT 49ERS (4-5)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Seahawks by 4 1/2
Last meeting: Seahawks won 41-3 at Seattle on Dec. 11, 2005
KEY STAT: Seahawks have won last 6 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Seahawks’ Darrell Jackson, who leads NFL with 7 TD catches, had 2 in last game vs. 49ers. Frank Gore getting 5.0 yards per carry for 49ers.
THE BUZZ: Seahawks have a chance to get RB Shaun Alexander back from broken foot, and maybe QB Matt Hasselbeck (knee) too. Without them, 49ers have chance at 2nd straight upset win.
THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 21 49ERS 17
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
MATCHUP:
COLTS (9-0) AT COWBOYS (5-4)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WBBM-Ch. 2,
WCKG-FM 105.9
Line: Colts by 1
Last meeting: Colts won 20-3 at Indianapolis on Nov. 17, 2002
KEY STAT: Colts 4-0 on road, but no wins by more than 7.
FANTASY FACTOR: Marvin Harrison leads Colts with 54 catches, 5 for TDs. Cowboys’ Terrell Owens has 49 catches and league-leading 7 receiving TDs.
THE BUZZ: Can Tony Romo lead Cowboys to upset? Colts have developed habit of playing just well enough to win at times, but until proven otherwise, they’re NFL’s best.
THE PICK: COLTS 27 COWBOYS 21
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
GAME OF THE WEEK
MATCHUP:
CHARGERS (7-2) AT BRONCOS (7-2)
7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WMAQ-Ch. 5
Line: Broncos by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Broncos won 23-7 at San Diego on Dec. 31, 2005
KEY STAT: Broncos have won 5 of last 6 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has scored 15 TDs in last 5 games. Broncos’ Tatum Bell, averaging 4.3 per carry, has 3 rushing TDs.
THE BUZZ: Big showdown for 1st place in AFC West, and they’ll do it again in 3 weeks. Tough assignment for Chargers after come-from-behind win at Cincinnati. Broncos have big home-field advantage.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 31 CHARGERS 27
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
MATCHUP:
GIANTS (6-3) AT JAGUARS (5-4)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670 (joined in progress at 8 p.m.)
Line: Jaguars by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 24-17 at New York on Nov. 3, 2002
KEY STAT: Jaguars 4-1 at home, losing only to Texans.
FANTASY FACTOR: Giants’ Plaxico Burress has 35 catches, 5 for TDs. Fred Taylor getting 4.7 yards per carry for Jags.
THE BUZZ: Jaguars are 6-2 in games QB David Garrard has started, but they still need to find a way to score more points. Their defense will have to win this one.
THE PICK: JAGUARS 21 GIANTS 20
