BUFFALO (7-5) AT CINCINNATI (2-10)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Bengals lead 9-8.
LAST TIME MET: Bills beat Bengals 31-17 on Nov. 17, 1996, at Cincinnati.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Bills WR Eric Moulds had 8 catches for 177 yards and 1 TD. Bengals RB Corey Dillon had 107 yards on 16 carries.
OFFENSE: BILLS -- RUSH (No. 4), PASS (No. 13), OVERALL (No. 7); BENGALS -- RUSH (No. 20), PASS (No. 20), OVERALL (No. 23)
DEFENSE: BILLS -- RUSH (No. 10), PASS (No. 17), OVERALL (No. 11); BENGALS -- RUSH (No. 30), PASS (No. 16), OVERALL (No. 30)
FANTASIZING: Antowain Smith should play well against poor Bengals' run defense. Play Eric Moulds as well, and consider Doug Flutie and Andre Reed. Consider Corey Dillon for Cincinnati. Carl Pickens too, if you don't need him to score touchdowns. Neil O'Donnell returns at QB.
THE LOWDOWN: Bills are looking to get back on track after last week's loss to Patriots. A Cincy team that ranks last in the NFL in total defense should fit the bill.
BEST GUESS: Bills 31, Bengals 17
DALLAS (8-4) AT NEW ORLEANS (5-7)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 14-3.
LAST TIME MET: Cowboys beat Saints 24-16 on Dec. 19, 1994, at New Orleans.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Cowboys QB Troy Aikman was 34-for-57 for 1 TD and career-high 455 yards. Saints S Rob Kelly returned INT 79 yards for TD.
OFFENSE: COWBOYS -- RUSH (No. 3), PASS (No. 6), OVERALL (No. 4); SAINTS -- RUSH (No. 28), PASS (No. 23T), OVERALL (No. 28)
DEFENSE: COWBOYS -- RUSH (No. 6), PASS (No. 23), OVERALL (No. 15); SAINTS -- RUSH (No. 17), PASS (No. 30), OVERALL (No. 27)
FANTASIZING: Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin could make a good pair again this week, although Irvin still isn't finding the end zone. Emmitt Smith has regained his must-play status. Don't play any Saints.
THE LOWDOWN: Dallas is 6-0 against division foes this season and only 2-4 against rest of the league. Saints, on the other hand, are 8-4
against the spread.
BEST GUESS: Saints 20, Cowboys 17
DETROIT (5-7) AT JACKSONVILLE (9-3)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Lions lead 1-0.
LAST TIME MET: Lions beat Jaguars 44-0 on Dec. 17, 1995, at Detroit.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Lions K Jason Hanson kicked 3 FGs, including game-winning 42-yarder in OT. Jaguars QB Mark Brunell was 19-for-35 for 244 yards and career-high 4 TDs.
OFFENSE: LIONS -- RUSH (No. 5), PASS (No. 19), OVERALL (No. 12); JAGUARS -- RUSH (No. 8), PASS (No. 11), OVERALL (No. 8)
DEFENSE: LIONS -- RUSH (No. 16), PASS (No. 15), OVERALL (No. 13); JAGUARS -- RUSH (No. 19), PASS (No. 26), OVERALL (No. 26)
FANTASIZING: Herman Moore looks good, and Johnnie Morton is a consideration though he's scored just twice this year. Barry Sanders is a must-play. Fred Taylor (shoulder) will be back after leaving Sunday's game. Play him, Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell and Mark Brunell.
THE LOWDOWN: Lions have won three straight behind QB Charlie Batch to get back in wild card hunt, but beating Jacksonville on road is a tough task. Jaguars have won 19 of past 21 games at home, including all five this season.
BEST GUESS: Jaguars 27, Lions 17
INDIANAPOLIS (2-10) AT ATLANTA (10-2)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Colts lead 10-0.
LAST TIME MET: Colts beat Falcons 13-9 on Sept. 24, 1989, at Indianapolis.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Colts RB Marshall Faulk had team-record 267 total yards and 2 TDs. Falcons RB Jamal Anderson had career-high 188 yards and 1 TD on 31 carries.
OFFENSE: COLTS -- RUSH (No. 23), PASS (No. 7), OVERALL (No. 11); FALCONS -- RUSH (No. 10), PASS (No. 12), OVERALL (No. 9)
DEFENSE: COLTS -- RUSH (No. 28), PASS (No. 19), OVERALL (No. 28); FALCONS -- RUSH (No. 2), PASS (No. 25), OVERALL (No. 9)
FANTASIZING: Play Marshall Faulk. Torrance Small is a good play as replacement for Marvin Harrison (shoulder), though Atlanta pass defense is getting stronger. Consider Peyton Manning too. Steve DeBerg will start for Falcons if Chris Chandler can't. Jamal Anderson could have big day against weak Indy rush defense. Consider Terrance Mathis and Tony Martin.
THE LOWDOWN: Atlanta has averaged 30 points in a five-game win streak. With QB Chris Chandler uncertain, Falcons offense will skip a beat and that helps Colts stay close.
BEST GUESS: Falcons 24, Colts 20
NEW ENGLAND (7-5) AT PITTSBURGH (7-5)
11 a.m. (TV: Ch. 2)
SERIES RECORD: Steelers lead 11-3.
LAST TIME MET: Steelers beat Patriots 24-21 in OT on Dec. 13, 1997, at New England.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe was 28-for-43 for 246 yards and 3 TDs. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart was 21-for-36 for 225 yards and 1 TD.
OFFENSE: PATRIOTS -- RUSH (No. 29), PASS (No. 4), OVERALL (No. 13); STEELERS -- RUSH (No. 7), PASS (No. 27), OVERALL (No. 17)
DEFENSE: PATRIOTS -- RUSH (No. 5), PASS (No. 28), OVERALL (No. 20); STEELERS -- RUSH (No. 9), PASS (No. 12), OVERALL (No. 8)
FANTASIZING: Terry Glenn's return is adding value to Drew Bledsoe, even with his broken finger. Play both as well as Ben Coates. Robert Edwards has slipped badly in yardage and points, yet is still well worth thinking about. Consider Kordell Stewart, Charles Johnson and Courtney Hawkins. Jerome Bettis (knee) has been a major disappointment.
THE LOWDOWN: Patriots have won two straight on last-minute touchdowns. Steelers are a different team at home, beating Green Bay and Jacksonville in last two at Three Rivers, and need to bounce back from Thanksgiving loss to Lions.
BEST GUESS: Steelers 23, Patriots 17
SAN DIEGO (5-7) AT WASHINGTON (3-9)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Redskins lead 5-0.
LAST TIME MET: Redskins beat Chargers 26-21 on Dec. 10, 1989, at Washington.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Chargers RB Terrell Fletcher had 123 total yards and 1 TD. Redskins RB Stephen Davis had 7 catches for 110 yards and 1 TD.
OFFENSE: CHARGERS -- RUSH (No. 17), PASS (No. 28), OVERALL (No. 27); REDSKINS -- RUSH (No. 16), PASS (No. 10), OVERALL (No. 14)
DEFENSE: CHARGERS -- RUSH (No. 1), PASS (No. 10), OVERALL (No. 1); REDSKINS -- RUSH (No. 29), PASS (No. 6), OVERALL (No. 24)
FANTASIZING: Terrell Fletcher looks like a decent play against the generous Skins ground defense. This looks like a good time to rest Craig Whelihan and Co., though, as Washington has done well against the pass. Sit Skip Hicks and weigh your other options against Michael Westbrook and Trent Green.
THE LOWDOWN: Redskins have given up the most points in NFL but won't be hurt by Chargers, who've scored the second-fewest.
BEST GUESS: Redskins 29, Chargers 13
SAN FRANCISCO (9-3) AT CAROLINA (2-10)
11 a.m. (TV: Ch. 13)
SERIES RECORD: 49ers lead 4-3.
LAST TIME MET: 49ers beat Panthers on Nov. 11 at San Francisco.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: 49ers RB Garrison Hearst had 166 yards and 1 TD on 20 carries. Panthers RB Fred Lane had 2 TD runs.
OFFENSE: 49ERS -- RUSH (No. 2), PASS (No. 1), OVERALL (No. 1); PANTHERS -- RUSH (No. 30), PASS (No. 9), OVERALL (No. 24)
DEFENSE: 49ERS -- RUSH (No. 8), PASS (No. 27), OVERALL (No. 18); PANTHERS -- RUSH (No. 24), PASS (No. 29), OVERALL (No. 29)
FANTASIZING: Play all your 49ers -- Steve Young, Garrison Hearst, Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes -- against Carolina's poor defense. Fred Lane won't play because of a team suspension. Consider Steve Beuerlein, Raghib Ismail, Wesley Walls and Muhsin Muhammad.
THE LOWDOWN: Panthers have played close games at home this year, with three of their four losses by seven or less points.
BEST GUESS: 49ers 24, Panthers 17
SEATTLE (6-6) AT N.Y. JETS (8-4)
11 a.m.
SERIES RECORD: Seahawks lead 8-5.
LAST TIME MET: Jets beat Seahawks 41-3 on Aug. 31, 1997, at Seattle.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Seahawks QB Jon Kitna, AFC offensive player of week, was 24-for-39 for 298 yards and 2 TDs. Jets RB Curtis Martin had 110 yards and 2 TDs on 21 carries.
OFFENSE: SEAHAWKS -- RUSH (No. 24), PASS (No. 22), OVERALL (No. 25); JETS -- RUSH (No. 11), PASS (No. 5), OVERALL (No. 6)
DEFENSE: SEAHAWKS -- RUSH (No. 26), PASS (No. 14), OVERALL (No. 25); JETS -- RUSH (No. 11), PASS (No. 7), OVERALL (No. 4)
FANTASIZING: Consider Ricky Watters and Joey Galloway, though both have been somewhat disappointing. James McKnight is a better play now that he's healthy. Curtis Martin and the Jets run-blocking unit should fare well this week. Can't ignore Keyshawn Johnson, if he plays (questionable, hamstring)--or Wayne Chrebet.
THE LOWDOWN: Jets looking for sixth straight home victory. Seahawks have switched to John Kitna as starting QB for rest of season as they try to keep shrinking playoff hopes alive.
BEST GUESS: Jets 24, Seahawks 13
N.Y. GIANTS (4-8) ATARIZONA (6-6)
2 p.m.
SERIES RECORD: Giants lead 72-37-2.
LAST TIME MET: Giants beat Cardinals 34-7 on Oct. 18 at New York.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Giants WR Ike Hilliard had 6 catches for career-high 141 yards. Cardinals WR Rob Moore had 7 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD.
OFFENSE: GIANTS -- RUSH (No. 22), PASS (No. 29), OVERALL (No. 29); CARDINALS -- RUSH (No. 21), PASS (No. 14), OVERALL (No. 18)
DEFENSE: GIANTS -- RUSH (No. 25), PASS (No. 13), OVERALL (No. 23); CARDINALS -- RUSH (No. 20), PASS (No. 18), OVERALL (No. 17)
FANTASIZING: Ike Hilliard, Chris Calloway and Gary Brown are worth considering for the Giants. Adrian Murrell is looking better as of late, and could be poised for a fine game. Jake Plummer, Frank Sanders and Rob Moore are worth considering. Mario Bates still looks good in a scoring league. PK Joe Nedney (knee surgery) was replaced by veteran Chris Jacke.
THE LOWDOWN: Arizona holds the final NFC playoff spot and this game starts a string of four straight against sub-.500 teams to close season.
BEST GUESS: Cardinals 31, Giants 13
KANSAS CITY (5-7) AT DENVER (12-0)
2 p.m. (TV: Ch. 2)
SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 43-33.
LAST TIME MET: Broncos beat Chiefs 30-7 on Nov. 16 at Kansas City.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Chiefs QB Rich Gannon was 21-for-28 for 231 yards and 3 TDs. Broncos WR Rod Smith had 8 catches for 101 yards and 1 TD.
OFFENSE: CHIEFS -- RUSH (No. 25), PASS (No. 15), OVERALL (No. 22); BRONCOS -- RUSH (No. 1), PASS (No. 8), OVERALL (No. 3)
DEFENSE: CHIEFS -- RUSH (No. 22), PASS (No. 1), OVERALL (No. 7); BRONCOS -- RUSH (No. 3), PASS (No. 20), OVERALL (No. 12)
FANTASIZING: Rich Gannon and Derrick Alexander could put up good numbers if KC is playing from behind. Terrell Davis could have big game. John Elway, Ed McCaffrey, Rod Smith and Shannon Sharpe are good plays as always, though Chiefs are No. 1 in pass defense.
THE LOWDOWN: A win would make the Broncos the third team in NFL history to go 13-0 and would also clinch a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Although Chiefs snapped a losing streak last week, they're still struggling.
BEST GUESS: Broncos 34, Chiefs 13
BALTIMORE (5-7) ATTENNESSEE (6-6)
2 p.m.
SERIES RECORD: Oilers lead 3-2.
LAST TIME MET: Oilers beat Ravens 12-8 on Oct. 11 at Baltimore.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Ravens RB Priest Holmes had 103 yards and 2 TDs on 22 carries. Oilers K Al Del Greco kicked 4 FGs.
OFFENSE: RAVENS -- RUSH (No. 14), PASS (No. 25), OVERALL (No. 20); OILERS -- RUSH (No. 6), PASS (No. 17), OVERALL (No. 10)
DEFENSE: RAVENS -- RUSH (No. 18), PASS (No. 22), OVERALL (No. 21T); OILERS -- RUSH (No. 14), PASS (No. 24), OVERALL (No. 21T)
FANTASIZING: The Oilers shut down Priest Holmes in first meeting and could do it again; 503 of his 790 rushing yards have come in three games against poor run defenses. Jermaine Lewis (ankle) and Michael Jackson (foot) are out, replaced by Floyd Turner and James Roe. Steve McNair is risky because of turf toe, as is Yancey Thigpen. Continue to go with Eddie George.
THE LOWDOWN: Ravens playing better of late, with three wins in past four games, while Oilers have dropped two straight. However, Baltimore will be hurt by loss of WR Jermaine Lewis, and talented Oiler offense should be able to score points against questionable Ravens' defense.
BEST GUESS: Oilers 27, Ravens 10
CHICAGO (3-9) AT MINNESOTA (11-1)
6 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
SERIES RECORD: Vikings lead 40-32-2.
LAST TIME MET: Vikings beat Bears 31-28 on Sept. 27 at Chicago.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Bears LB Barry Minter had 10 tackles, 8 solo, and forced fumble. Vikings WR Randy Moss had 3 catches, all TDs, for 163 yards.
OFFENSE: BEARS -- RUSH (No. 18), PASS (No. 18), OVERALL (No. 19); VIKINGS -- RUSH (No. 12), PASS (No. 3), OVERALL (No. 2)
DEFENSE: BEARS -- RUSH (No. 23), PASS (No. 9), OVERALL (No. 16); VIKINGS -- RUSH (No. 15), PASS (No. 21), OVERALL (No. 19)
FANTASIZING: Don't play any Bears. Leroy Hoard could have a big game with Robert Smith out 2-3 weeks. Continue to play Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter and Randy Moss.
THE LOWDOWN: Keep waiting for the Vikings to stumble but all they do is win big. With QB Erik Kramer out the past four games, Bears have had trouble scoring, averaging just over 11 points.
BEST GUESS: Vikings 31, Bears 10
MONDAY'S GAME
GREEN BAY (8-4) AT TAMPA BAY (5-7)
6 p.m. (TV: Ch. 4)
SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 25-13-1.
LAST TIME MET: Packers beat Buccaneers 23-15 on Sept. 13 at Green Bay.
LAST WEEK'S STARS: Packers RB Darick Holmes had career-high 163 yards on 26 carries. Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber, NFC special teams player of week, had 4 tackles and returned blocked punt 23 yards for TD.
OFFENSE: PACKERS -- RUSH (No. 26), PASS (No. 2), OVERALL (No. 5); BUCCANEERS -- RUSH (No. 9), PASS (No. 26), OVERALL (No. 16)
DEFENSE: PACKERS -- RUSH (No. 4), PASS (No. 11), OVERALL (No. 6); BUCCANEERS -- RUSH (No. 12), PASS (No. 8), OVERALL (No. 5)
FANTASIZING: Antonio Freeman (jaw) and Robert Brooks (hamstring) are questionable, and Mark Chmura (ankle) is banged up. This increases the value of Bill Schroeder, and also Derrick Mayes and Tyrone Davis. Brett Favre should be played and Darick Holmes considered. Though Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott are at home, they may find things tough against Packer run defense. Play them if you have to and consider Reidel Anthony.
THE LOWDOWN: Green Bay has won 12 of last 13 in this series and four of five in Tampa.
BEST GUESS: Packers 31, Bucs 20