CARDINALS (3-5) at STEELERS (2-6)
11 a.m.
Picking the Steelers to win is like betting eight-track tapes will stage a comeback. Not only have they lost five in a row, three of those defeats have been at Heinz Field. This is the third of four consecutive games against NFC West teams and usually it might be nice to see Arizona come to town. But the Cardinals, despite appearing to be one of the worst teams in the league, have won more games than the Steelers and also, they have won two in a row, something the Steelers still haven't done in 2003. What's more, the one thing the Cardinals can do well is throw the deep ball, which is bad news for the Steelers. Cardinals quarterback Jeff Blake has had big days against the Steelers and has thrown more touchdowns against them (18) than any team in the NFL. Think it can't get any worse?
Prediction: Steelers, 8-6.
TEXANS (3-5) at BENGALS (3-5)
11 a.m.
Just like Cincinnati. The Bengals finally had a chance to turn the corner, get to .500 and are road favorites probably for the first time since Pete Rose was with the Reds. They had won three of their past four games and were looking like the best team in the division. So what happens? They go went to Arizona and lost to the Cardinals. The Bengals can beat first-place teams — Baltimore, Seattle — but they can't beat the bottom-feeders (Cardinals, Steelers). That might not be good news against Houston, which lists Miami and Carolina among its three victories. The Texans had to play last week without quarterback David Carr, who practiced on a limited basis this week. The Bengals had their highest best offensive output game last season when they beat the Texans in Houston, 38-3.
Prediction: Bengals, 17-10.
BROWNS (3-5) at CHIEFS (8-0)
11 a.m., Ch. 2
Cleveland has put itself in position to repeat its late flurry from surge of last season, when the Browns went 5-3 in the final eight games to make the playoffs at 9-7. Only four teams in the last 10 years have started 3-5 and made the playoffs, so the Browns have some work to do. And they have a tough place to start — Kansas City, where the unbeaten Chiefs are off to their best start in franchise history. Bye weeks have different results for different teams. For struggling teams, they can be a panacea, an extra week to iron out some wrinkles. For winning teams, especially unbeaten teams, they can be a momentum-halter, a week to kick back, relax and lose your winning edge. This has the smell of the The Upset Special.
Prediction: Browns, 24-21.
BUCCANEERS (4-4) at PANTHERS (6-2)
11 a.m., Ch. 13
Tampa Bay has already lost as many games as it did last season, but and the most annoying defeat of all was the 12-9 loss against Carolina in Week 2 when the Panthers blocked an extra point to force overtime. Last week's loss to New Orleans wasn't much easier to swallow, not after the Bucs rallied to tie with 14 points in the final quarter, only to lose on a last-second field goal, 17-14. To be sure, the Bucs can't afford too many more losses, especially to the Panthers. Of course, if the Panthers are going to start repeating their ways of last season, when they started 3-0 and lost their next eight games, Tampa might not have to worry. Things aren't that bad in Carolina, but the Panthers have lost two of their past three.
Prediction: Buccaneers, 16-13.
BEARS (3-5 at LIONS (2-6)
11 a.m.
These teams meet for the second time in three weeks, which is good news for the Bears, who won the last meeting, but bad news for football purists.
Amazingly, both teams are coming off victories - the Bears against the Chargers, Detroit against the Raiders. It was the second win in a row for the Bears, something the Steelers haven't managed this season. The Lions ended a six-game losing streak with a victory against Oakland, getting three interceptions and three field goals from Jason Hanson. Proof that protecting the ball isn't a prerequisite for success: the Lions have lost just two fumbles, tied for fewest in the NFL (with Kansas City).
Prediction: Lions, 24-23.
COLTS (7-1) at JAGUARS (1-7)
11 a.m.
Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio knows Tony Dungy's defensive philosophy very well, having played for him when Dungy was the defensive coordinator in Minnesota. But that Similar knowledge didn't help Jacksonville in last week's 24-17 loss to the Ravens and his another of Del Rio's former bosses, Brian Billick. And it didn't help the Jaguars in the first meeting this year, won by Indianapolis, 23-13 (9/21/03) in September. The Colts have not lost to the Jaguars since Jacksonville entered the league in 1995 and are 7-1 for the first time since 1977. What's more, the Colts appear to like their home in the AFC South. Since realignment, they have been in first place or tied for first place 24 of 26 weeks. Couple more weeks and they can enforce eminent domain.
Prediction: Colts, 24-14.
FALCONS (1-7) at GIANTS (4-4)
11 a.m.
Hard to call New York a bunch of road warriors after back-to-back away victories, mainly because the second win was against the Jets in Giants Stadium. Nonetheless, The victories have kept the Giants from falling too far back in the NFC East. With Detroit beating Oakland, Atlanta now has the distinction of having the longest active losing streak in the league. The Falcons are waiting for quarterback Mike Vick's return, which, as it turns out, might take longer than Dan Reeves winning his 200th career game (he needs one more win). Vick's return has become a contentious subject in Atlanta, perhaps because there are those who think he should have returned by now. But, let's face it — would you want to play for the Falcons if you had an excuse not to?
Prediction: Giants, 24-9.
DOLPHINS (5-3) at TITANS (6-2)
11 a.m.
The good news for Miami is that the game is in Nashville. That's because the Dolphins are one of just four teams unbeaten on the road in 2003. But it doesn't seem to matter where they have played Tennessee — the Dolphins have won the past five meetings. Trends aside, the Titans might be the league's best team and the reason is quarterback Steve McNair, who leads the AFC with a 105.1 passer rating. McNair has helped the Titans score 30 or more points in the past five games, tying the franchise's longest streak, set in 1961.
If he does it again against the Dolphins, who have allowed fewer than 20 points in six of the past seven games, he will officially supplant Shania Twain as Nashville's greatest performer. Without the looks, of course.
Prediction: Titans, 24-17.
SEAHAWKS (6-2) at REDSKINS (3-5)
11 a.m.
Poor Bruce Smith. He's upset because he was benched for Reagan Upshaw during last week's loss to the Cowboys. Smith said he's angry because the demotion prevents him from achieving some team goals he set for himself this season.
Oh really? Maybe it's because Smith needs more two sacks to pass Reggie White for the NFL's all-time record. Smith has been hanging around, like a vulture in a pet cemetery, mainly so he can break White's mark. Perhaps if he were productive, Smith wouldn't have to worry about being benched by Washington coach Steve Spurrier. Perhaps If he had more than 1.5 sacks in eight games, he might get more playing time. After all, it's not like he's a two-dimensional player who's been playing great against the run.
Prediction: Redskins, 21-20.
VIKINGS (6-2) at CHARGERS (1-7)
2 p.m.
They've quelled the fires in San Diego, but now something else is raging — another quarterback controversy? And look who's involved again: Doug Flutie. Flutie resurfaced last week when Drew Brees continued to look as comical as Drew Carey in a 20-7 loss in Chicago. The timing might be pretty good. Minnesota has lost two in a row after a 6-0 start and its defense has been gouged by the run and the pass. In the past 10 quarters, the Vikings have allowed 69 points and more than 1,000 yards, including 261 yards rushing by Green Bay. That being the case, whoever plays quarterback for the Chargers should have one objective: Hand the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson. This is the Chargers' first game in San Diego since Sept. 21. The Upset Special II.
Prediction: Chargers, 24-21.
BILLS (4-4) at COWBOYS (6-2)
2:15 p.m., Ch. 2
Keeping track of Buffalo's Super Bowl conquerors is like remembering Elizabeth Taylor's husbands. But, in case the Bills have forgotten, this is the second of three games this season against teams who have beaten them in the Super Bowl. Say this for the Bills: They couldn't beat those teams when it counted, but they are 8-1 in the regular season against their former Super Bowl foes. However, they have lost three of their past five games, including their past three on the road. Dallas has already won more games than in each of the past three seasons. The reason: Bill Parcells, who owns a Super Bowl victory against the Bills when he was coach of the New York Giants.
Prediction: Cowboys, 28-16.
JETS (2-6) at RAIDERS (2-6)
2:15 p.m.
Where's "Heidi" when you need her? This game needs something to add some spice, because surely the on-field performance of both teams, who met in the 2002 AFC playoffs, is enough to make people turn the station. At least New York had an excuse, losing quarterback Chad Pennington for most of the first half of the season. Oakland? The Raiders have fallen from the AFC representative in the Super Bowl to a team that has lost four in a row and is coming apart at the seams. What's more, they are now down to their third-string quarterback, Rick Mirer, because of injuries. No team, though, is enjoying Oakland's fall from power more than the Steelers. At least it means the Steelers aren't the biggest disappointments of the year.
Prediction: Jets, 28-24.
RAVENS (5-3) at RAMS (5-3)
6:30 p.m., ESPN
No rookie quarterback has started every game and led his team to a division title, but that's what Baltimore's Kyle Boller is trying to do in the AFC North. Right now, he's halfway home. The Ravens have a two-game lead in the division, but their next three games are against teams with a 16-8 record (Rams, Dolphins, Seahawks). The Ravens haven't played St. Louis since Sept. 12, 1999, a game more known for being the first NFL start for Kurt Warner. But Warner has been replaced by Marc Bulger, who is 9-0 at home as a starter. The Rams had their four-game winning streak ended in San Francisco last week, but they get running back Marshall Faulk back for the Ravens.
Prediction: Rams, 24-17.
EAGLES (5-3) at PACKERS (4-4)
7 p.m., Monday, Ch. 4
After an 0-2 start, Philadelphia has won five of the past six to stay within a game of Dallas in the NFC East. What's more, they seem to like playing on the road this time of year, going an NFL-best 12-2 away from home in November and December since 2000. Normally, playing in Green Bay would present a formidable obstacle, but the Packers have already lost twice at Lambeau Field this season. The Packers are in the midst of a difficult grind that saw them lose to the Chiefs and Rams before beating Minnesota on Sunday night. And it's not getting an easier. After the Eagles, they play at Tampa Bay. Brett Favre won't find so many holes in those defenses, not like he did against the Vikings.
Prediction: Eagles, 16-14.