CAPSULES

GREEN BAY at CHICAGO

10 a.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Packers’ Dorsey Levens leads all running backs with 56 catches but is bothered by sore ribs. Bear quarterback Jim Miller is out for violating league’s drug policy.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

GB Chi Points scored 19.3 (16) 17.2 (21) Points allowed 19.3 (14) 20.2 (19) Passing O 263.8 (5) 269.8 (3) Rushing O 86.1 (26) 87.7 (25) Total O 349.9 (10) 357.5 (7) Passing D 207.9 (10) 261.0 (30) Rushing D 129.1 (28) 111.1 (21) Total D 337.0 (20) 372.1 (28)

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. Quarterback confusion continues to disrupt the Bears. With Miller out, Shane Matthews is back in. Which still leaves Chicago outclassed against the Packers, especially with Brett Favre apparently back at full strength. The Pack is 17-3 in December since 1994.

INDIANAPOLIS at MIAMI

10 a.m., Channel 2

* The line: Miami by 2.

* Key injuries: MIA--Wide receiver O.J. McDuffie (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: Colts have scored 25 or more points in nine of first 11 games for first time since ’68. Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino has 22 wins against Colts, most against any team.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ind Mia Points scored 27.9 (3) 19.9 (15) Points allowed 18.5 (11) 18.5 (12) Passing O 270.9 (2) 210.6 (22) Rushing O 106.4 (18) 94.5 (21) Total O 377.3 (4) 305.1 (22) Passing D 216.9 (15) 194.2 (5) Rushing D 105.9 (18) 92.7 (9) Total D 322.8 (12) 286.9 (6)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. With Marino struggling because of injuries (five interceptions on Thanksgiving) and rookie J.J. Johnson shouldering the rushing load for the Dolphins, it is the Colts who should be favored.

NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

10 a.m.

* The line: Atlanta by 4.

* Key injuries: NO--Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver (knee, doubtful).

* Key elements: Saint running back Ricky Williams has 524 yards rushing in his last five games. Falcons held Saints to 71 yards rushing, had three sacks and two interceptions in Week 5.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NO Atl Points scored 16.5 (23) 14.1 (30) Points allowed 24.5 (27) 24.5 (26) Passing O 227.1 (16) 227.8 (15) Rushing O 118.0 (12) 70.4 (30) Total O 345.1 (11) 298.2 (25) Passing D 216.0 (14) 203.1 (7) Rushing D 112.7 (24) 126.5 (26) Total D 328.7 (15) 329.5 (16)

*--*

The pick: Atlanta. Penalties killed the Falcons last week, but the Saints are too busy self-destructing to do much damage to anyone else. Even the return of Williams, who was out last week because of a toe injury, won’t make a difference for Saints.

NEW YORK JETS at NEW YORK GIANTS

10 a.m.

* The line: Jets by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Jet quarterback Ray Lucas has completed 62% of passes (46 for 74) in last three games. Giants’ Jessie Armstead ranks second in NFC among linebackers with career-high seven sacks.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NYJ NYG Points scored 15.7 (26) 17.6 (20) Points allowed 17.0 (8) 20.2 (18) Passing O 168.8 (30) 231.6 (12) Rushing O 131.5 (1) 86.1 (27) Total O 300.4 (24) 317.7 (18) Passing D 230.8 (21) 209.6 (12) Rushing D 104.5 (16) 95.0 (11) Total D 335.4 (19) 304.6 (8)

*--*

The pick: Jets. This may be a big game in the Big Apple but nowhere else. With an ever-improving Lucas at quarterback and the best rushing average (131.5 yards) in the league, the Jets appear to have the edge. For Giants, Kerry Collins no solution at QB.

ST. LOUIS at CAROLINA

10 a.m., Channel 11

* The line: St. Louis by 7.

* Key injuries: STL--Defensive tackle D’Marco Farr (thigh, questionable).

* Key elements: Rams need win or tie to clinch first NFC West title since ’85. Panther defensive end Kevin Greene had 4 1/2 sacks in November. He has 5 1/2 sacks in career vs. Rams.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

StL Car Points scored 33.3 (1) 23.7 (6) Points allowed 13.4 (3) 22.6 (23) Passing O 264.9 (4) 259.5 (7) Rushing O 124.1 (7) 107.4 (17) Total O 389.0 (1) 366.9 (5) Passing D 233.6 (23) 230.5 (20) Rushing D 80.1 (1) 116.5 (25) Total D 313.7 (10) 346.9 (25)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Only Greene stands between the Rams and their division title and he won’t be enough. In an earlier meeting this season, it was Ram defense that was dominant with six sacks and two interceptions.

SAN FRANCISCO at CINCINNATI

10 a.m.

* The line: Cincinnati by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: 49er wide receiver Jerry Rice has 23 catches for 351 yards in four regular-season games vs. Bengals. In last three games, on third down, Bengal quarterback Jeff Blake is 16 for 30 for 262 yards with five touchdowns.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

SF Cin Points scored 15.1 (28) 15.7 (25) Points allowed 27.4 (30) 29.7 (31) Passing O 188.7 (24) 221.8 (17) Rushing O 119.6 (10) 118.3 (11) Total O 308.4 (21) 340.2 (13) Passing D 247.3 (27) 229.8 (18) Rushing D 112.4 (23) 109.8 (20) Total D 359.6 (27) 339.7 (23)

*--*

The pick: San Francisco. How bad are the 49ers? They are underdogs to a 2-10 team. But in a shootout, reinstated starting San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia wins a high-scoring, sloppy game.

TENNESSEE at BALTIMORE

10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 3.

* Key injuries: BAL--Running back Errict Rhett (calf, questionable).

* Key elements: Titan running back Eddie George has 607 yards rushing in last six games and has 368 in last four vs. Ravens. Raven defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Tenn Bal Points scored 21.7 (11) 17.8 (19) Points allowed 18.4 (10) 19.2 (13) Passing O 215.6 (18) 184.0 (26) Rushing O 102.1 (20) 108.7 (15) Total O 317.7 (19) 292.7 (28) Passing D 234.5 (24) 195.5 (6) Rushing D 96.7 (14) 82.2 (2) Total D 331.3 (17) 277.6 (4)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. High-flying Titans, winners of 13 consecutive division games, are ripe for an upset. This is it, as Raven defense shuts George down.

WASHINGTON at DETROIT

10 a.m.

* The line: Detroit by 3.

* Key injuries: DET--Cornerback Bryant Westbrook (hamstring, doubtful).

* Key elements: Redskins’ plus-six turnover differential is second in NFC. Lion quarterback Gus Frerotte is third in NFC with 96.3 rating. Charlie Batch is not fully recovered from a thumb injury.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Wash Det Points scored 30.0 (2) 21.7 (12) Points allowed 26.1 (28) 19.5 (15) Passing O 253.6 (8) 244.7 (9) Rushing O 125.7 (4) 91.6 (23) Total O 379.4 (3) 336.4 (15) Passing D 252.7 (28) 255.2 (29) Rushing D 130.2 (29) 84.5 (5) Total D 382.9 (31) 339.6 (22)

*--*

The pick: Detroit. With both teams fighting for division titles, this one may come down to the goal line, where the Lions’ rush defense, fifth best in the league, will try to stop Stephen Davis, who has 16 rushing touchdowns.

PHILADELPHIA at ARIZONA

1 p.m.

* The line: Arizona by 7.

* Key injuries: PHI--Cornerback Troy Vincent (concussion, questionable); ARI--Running back Michael Pittman (toe, doubtful).

* Key elements: Eagles’ 29 takeaways lead NFC and their 19 interceptions rank second. Cardinals are averaging 110 yards rushing per game in last three vs. 65.5 in previous two.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Phi Ari Points scored 15.2 (27) 14.7 (29) Points allowed 23.0 (25) 20.0 (17) Passing O 144.2 (31) 227.8 (15) Rushing O 111.7 (14) 79.4 (28) Total O 255.9 (30) 263.6 (29) Passing D 225.3 (17) 205.3 (8) Rushing D 131.0 (30) 126.8 (27) Total D 356.3 (26) 332.1 (18)

*--*

The pick: Arizona. Cardinal quarterback Jake Plummer came on strong in the second half last week against the Giants and he should come on even stronger against the Eagles.

CLEVELAND at SAN DIEGO

1:15 p.m.

* The line: San Diego by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: SD--Running back Natrone Means (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: In last five games, Brown quarterback Tim Couch has completed 30 of 48 third-down passes for 301 yards. Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh has completed 61.5% of his passes and thrown for 881 yards in last three games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Cle SD Points scored 11.4 (31) 16.6 (22) Points allowed 26.4 (29) 22.9 (24) Passing O 172.6 (29) 231.0 (13) Rushing O 72.6 (29) 65.9 (31) Total O 245.2 (31) 296.9 (26) Passing D 214.4 (13) 241.8 (26) Rushing D 167.8 (31) 95.2 (12) Total D 382.0 (29) 337.0 (21)

*--*

The pick: San Diego. Finally a breather for the Chargers. But the way their season has been going, look for them to make it tough on themselves.

KANSAS CITY at DENVER

1:15 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: DEN--Quarterback Chris Miller (concussion, out).

* Key elements: Chief defensive end Leslie O’Neal has 13 1/2 career sacks vs. Broncos. Broncos have won 13 consecutive AFC West games at Mile High Stadium and are 8-2 after bye weeks.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

KC Den Points scored 23.3 (7) 20.1 (14) Points allowed 18.3 (9) 20.5 (20) Passing O 215.0 (20) 234.7 (11) Rushing O 114.4 (13) 107.5 (16) Total O 329.4 (16) 342.3 (12) Passing D 230.3 (19) 205.7 (9) Rushing D 93.3 (10) 96.3 (13) Total D 323.5 (13) 302.0 (7)

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. The Chiefs still have faint hopes of getting into the playoffs. The Broncos have nothing left this season but their memories of past glory. That won’t be enough. The greater motivation will propel Kansas City to the win.

SEATTLE at OAKLAND

1:15 p.m., Channel 2

* The line: Seattle by 2.

* Key injuries: OAK--Quarterback Rich Gannon (quadriceps-wrist, questionable).

* Key elements: Teams have combined for 450 points in last nine meetings (50.0 per game). Ten of Raiders’ 11 games have been decided by seven points or less.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Sea Oak Points scored 21.7 (10) 21.8 (9) Points allowed 16.4 (6) 20.5 (21) Passing O 215.3 (19) 235.7 (10) Rushing O 94.1 (22) 127.0 (3) Total O 309.4 (20) 362.7 (6) Passing D 237.9 (25) 232.8 (22) Rushing D 105.1 (17) 90.7 (8) Total D 343.0 (24) 323.5 (14)

*--*

The pick: Seattle. The Seahawks will regain their form after a poor outing against Tampa Bay last week. Be assured, Jon Kitna won’t be throwing five interceptions against the Raider secondary.

DALLAS at NEW ENGLAND

5:15 p.m., ESPN

* The line: New England by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: NE--Tight end Ben Coates (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: Last three meetings between the teams have been decided by six points or less. Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith has rushed for 100 yards or more in three consecutive games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Dal NE Points scored 23.2 (8) 21.1 (13) Points allowed 16.5 (7) 19.8 (16) Passing O 198.5 (23) 262.7 (6) Rushing O 128.2 (2) 90.2 (24) Total O 326.7 (17) 352.9 (9) Passing D 223.5 (16) 208.3 (11) Rushing D 89.1 (7) 111.1 (22) Total D 312.6 (9) 319.4 (11)

*--*

The pick: Dallas. The oddsmakers are wrong. Drew Bledsoe and his Patriots are struggling, while the Cowboys, with Troy Aikman back on the field, Smith staying on the field despite a broken hand and the defense coming off a shutout, are soaring.

MINNESOTA at TAMPA BAY

Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7

* The line: Minnesota by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: TB--Quarterback Trent Dilfer (shoulder, out).

* Key elements: Viking defense leads league in opponents’ red-zone touchdown percentage, 25.8 (eight out of 31 possessions). Buccaneers are 7-1 when holding opponents below 20 points and have given up 23 points in last three games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Min TB Points scored 24.7 (5) 15.8 (24) Points allowed 20.5 (22) 12.8 (2) Passing O 282.9 (1) 174.6 (28) Rushing O 104.5 (19) 121.0 (9) Total O 387.4 (2) 295.6 (27) Passing D 278.9 (31) 189.2 (3) Rushing D 103.8 (15) 83.1 (3) Total D 382.7 (30) 272.3 (2)

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. Buccaneer rookie quarterback Shaun King gets his first NFL start in front of a Monday night audience. There is some hope. Vikings are last in the league in pass defense.