CAPSULES

MIAMI at BUFFALO

* The line: Buffalo by 3.

* Key injuries: MIA--Quarterback Dan Marino (cervical nerve root, out).

* Key elements: Dolphin defense has not allowed a touchdown in 14 quarters, tops in club history. Buffalo quarterback Doug Flutie is 14-2 as a starter at home.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Mia Buf Points scored 23.6 20.1 Points allowed 17.9 16.2 Passing O 220.0 205.9 Rushing O 99.1 129.8 Total O 319.1 335.7 Passing D 175.0 194.4 Rushing D 80.0 84.0 Total D 255.0 278.4

*--*

The pick: Miami. Buffalo’s favored, and the Bills have already beaten Miami, but it’s time for the Dolphins to dine on shrimp, a.k.a. Flutie.

MINNESOTA at CHICAGO

* The line: Minnesota by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIN--Wide receiver Jake Reed (groin, questionable); CHI--Quarterback Shane Matthews (hamstring, out).

* Key elements: Bears’ 24 turnovers are worst in NFL. Viking quarterback Jeff George has 10 touchdown passes in last 14 quarters. Bear running back Curtis Enis leads NFC with 195 rushes.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Min Chi Points scored 23.3 15.9 Points allowed 19.4 19.3 Passing O 245.8 237.9 Rushing O 101.1 97.3 Total O 346.9 335.2 Passing D 234.8 222.8 Rushing D 114.6 117.2 Total D 349.3 340.0

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. Bears have just as many wins as the Chargers, proving that bad teams can win four games, but no more.

INIDANAPOLIS at N.Y. GIANTS

* The line: Indianapolis by 3.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Giants’ five fumble giveaways tie for second fewest in NFC. Colt running back Edgerrin James is tied for first in AFC with 746 yards rushing and has NFL-best five 100-yard games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ind NYG Points scored 27.9 17.3 Points allowed 20.3 17.3 Passing O 277.4 194.5 Rushing O 95.6 84.5 Total O 373.0 279.0 Passing D 219.0 194.6 Rushing D 99.8 83.3 Total D 318.8 277.9

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. Some might be tempted to pick the upset here with the Giants coming off a bye, but the Giants are horrible, the worst team to ever start the season 5-3.

CLEVELAND at PITTSBURGH

* The line: Pittsburgh by 14 1/2.

* Key injuries: PIT--Center Dermontti Dawson (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Browns’ 45 penalties tie for fewest in AFC. Steelers red-zone offense is second in AFC (15 touchdowns in 26 trips) and defense also ranks second (six touchdowns allowed in 20 trips).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Cle Pit Points scored 9.2 19.6 Points allowed 26.4 13.5 Passing O 126.3 156.4 Rushing O 74.1 122.3 Total O 200.4 278.6 Passing D 216.8 154.6 Rushing D 172.9 101.9 Total D 389.7 256.5

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. Kordell Stewart is going to think his throwing accuracy ranks right up there with Johnny Unitas’. No sense bursting his bubble and reminding him these are the Browns.

SAN FRANCISCO at NEW ORLEANS

* The line: San Francisco by 1.

* Key injuries: SF--Quarterback Steve Young (concussion, out). NO--Quarterback Billy Joe Hobert (neck, doubtful).

* Key elements: Saint running back Ricky Williams is on pace for a 1,000-yard season, first for team since 1989. 49ers are 15-4 in the ‘90s against Saints, including five straight at New Orleans.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

SF NO Points scored 18.8 15.4 Points allowed 29.3 22.4 Passing O 174.6 203.0 Rushing O 122.4 118.4 Total O 297.0 321.4 Passing D 240.3 184.6 Rushing D 107.5 109.8 Total D 347.8 294.4

*--*

The pick: New Orleans. The 49ers are favored too, and taking a team that insists on not playing a quarterback on offense is tough to defend, but Ricky Williams runs 40 times to crush the 49ers.

CAROLINA at ST. LOUIS

* The line: St. Louis by 10.

* Key injuries: CAR--Running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Rams are 4-0 at home and have outscored opponents, 138-40. Panthers have won last three games in St. Louis. Ex-Ram Kevin Greene has 5 1/2 sacks in his career against former team.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Car StL Points scored 23.4 33.1 Points allowed 21.1 14.8 Passing O 240.0 260.0 Rushing O 101.1 124.1 Total O 341.1 384.1 Passing D 191.9 207.9 Rushing D 136.1 69.9 Total D 328.0 277.8

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Two losses in a row are nothing new for the Rams, but two wins in a row for the Panthers would demand an investigation.

KANSAS CITY at TAMPA BAY

* The line: Tampa Bay by 3.

* Key injuries: KC--Wide receiver Andre Rison (ankle, questionable). TB--Quarterback Eric Zeier (rib, doubtful).

* Key elements: Chiefs are second in AFC with 14 interceptions and their plus-14 turnover differential is best in NFL. Buccaneers’ minus-10 turnover differential is tied for last in NFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

KC TB Points scored 23.4 15.3 Points allowed 14.9 14.8 Passing O 196.0 156.4 Rushing O 124.0 125.9 Total O 320.0 282.3 Passing D 204.1 177.0 Rushing D 85.6 82.8 Total D 289.8 259.8

*--*

The pick: Tampa Bay. The Chiefs are a poor man’s version of the Dolphins facing a mirror image in the Buccaneers. Tampa’s home, and that’s good for one more field goal than the Chiefs.

TENNESSEE at CINCINNATI

* The line: Tennessee by 10.

* Key injuries: CIN--Quarterback Akili Smith (toe, out).

* Key elements: Titans have won 10 consecutive division games, most ever by an AFC Central team. Bengals committed season-high 16 penalties for 107 yards last week.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Tenn Cin Points scored 20.8 12.9 Points allowed 19.6 30.9 Passing O 233.6 196.6 Rushing O 88.0 118.8 Total O 321.6 315.3 Passing D 220.8 217.8 Rushing D 101.3 111.3 Total D 322.0 329.1

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. Another upset opportunity here because the Bengals aren’t that bad, are they? Maybe not, but then you pick them.

WASHINGTON at PHILADELPHIA

* The line: Washington by 6.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Matchup features two of top three NFC rushers, Eagles’ Duce Staley (No. 2) and Redskins’ Stephen Davis (No. 3). Redskins’ 14 interceptions tie for second in NFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Wash Phi Points scored 32.4 12.7 Points allowed 27.8 20.4 Passing O 254.1 127.1 Rushing O 119.3 100.6 Total O 373.4 227.7 Passing D 274.9 196.6 Rushing D 127.4 127.6 Total D 402.3 324.1

*--*

The pick: Washington. The Redskins don’t play well in Philadelphia, and games are almost always close. But not this time. Washington in a romp.

BALTIMORE at JACKSONVILLE

* The line: Jacksonville by 13.

* Key injuries: BAL--Linebacker Peter Boulware (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: Matchup features AFC’s top two defenses (Jaguars No. 1, Ravens No. 2). Ravens have not allowed 100-yard rusher or receiver this season. Jaguars have won 23 of last 27 at home.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Bal Jac Points scored 17.0 22.5 Points allowed 18.0 8.6 Passing O 152.9 198.4 Rushing O 121.4 141.9 Total O 274.3 340.3 Passing D 164.3 151.6 Rushing D 86.9 85.8 Total D 251.1 237.4

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. The Jaguars are allowing fewer than 10 points a game, and the Ravens start Tony Banks. Enough said.

SAN DIEGO at OAKLAND

* The line: Oakland by 7.

* Key injuries: SD--Running back Natrone Means (knee, out); running back Terrell Fletcher (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: Both games last season between Chargers and Raiders were decided by seven points or fewer. Chargers’ minus-seven turnover differential is worst in AFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

SD Oak Points scored 15.9 19.6 Points allowed 20.8 19.1 Passing O 187.6 219.9 Rushing O 68.3 129.6 Total O 255.9 349.5 Passing D 192.6 223.8 Rushing D 83.8 92.8 Total D 276.4 316.5

*--*

The pick: Oakland. The Raiders are playing the Chargers.

DETROIT at ARIZONA

* The line: Detroit by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: DET--Quarterback Charlie Batch (thumb, questionable). ARI--Quarterback Jake Plummer (finger, out).

* Key elements: Lions have not allowed a rushing touchdown in last three games. Cardinals’ Simeon Rice leads NFL with nine sacks and is on pace for career-high 18.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Det Ari Points scored 22.8 11.5 Points allowed 18.5 21.0 Passing O 200.3 161.9 Rushing O 96.9 67.9 Total O 297.1 229.8 Passing D 237.3 171.0 Rushing D 81.8 143.1 Total D 319.0 314.1

*--*

The pick: Detroit. Another key spot for an upset, but the Cardinals have shown no life, and the Lions appear touched by an angel.

GREEN BAY at DALLAS

* The line: Green Bay by 3.

* Key injuries: DAL--Quarterback Troy Aikman (head, out); running back Emmitt Smith (hand, out). GB--Running back Dorsey Levens (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Cowboys have won last seven at home vs. Packers. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre has started 117 straight games, breaking Ron Jaworski’s record for consecutive starts by a quarterback.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

GB Dal Points scored 19.1 24.9 Points allowed 20.6 19.5 Passing O 244.5 194.6 Rushing O 96.8 125.5 Total O 341.3 320.1 Passing D 196.0 217.3 Rushing D 128.0 96.1 Total D 324.0 313.4

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. The Packers are playing the Cowboys’ second-string, which gives them a fighting chance.

DENVER at SEATTLE

* The line: Seattle by 6.

* Key injuries: DEN--Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Last three meetings between Seahawks and Broncos decided by seven points or fewer. Broncos are second in NFL with 29 sacks. Seahawks are 6-0 when running back Ricky Watters has 100-yard rushing day.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Den Sea Points scored 19.7 23.1 Points allowed 20.6 16.0 Passing O 223.3 195.9 Rushing O 108.4 96.5 Total O 331.8 292.4 Passing D 180.8 229.1 Rushing D 104.3 111.0 Total D 285.1 340.1

*--*

The pick: Seattle. Could be ugly if the Seahawks’ pass rush bounces Chris Miller’s head off the artificial turf.

N.Y. JETS at NEW ENGLAND

* The line: New England by 6.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Jet Coach Bill Parcells has won 10 of last 13 at New England. Patriots have won 13 of last 15 AFC East games in New England. Six of Patriots’ eight games decided by three points or fewer.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NYJ NE Points scored 15.8 23.9 Points allowed 15.8 18.8 Passing O 164.5 270.9 Rushing O 129.8 89.8 Total O 294.3 360.6 Passing D 230.4 205.5 Rushing D 112.9 103.1 Total D 343.3 308.6

*--*

The pick: New England. How about that--Bill Parcells loses Vinny Testaverde and suddenly he’s not a genius.

*

Picks by T.J. SIMERS

Research by JIM BARRERO