ATLANTA at TAMPA BAY, 10 a.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 7.

* Key injuries: TB--Quarterback Eric Zeier (rib, doubtful).

* Key elements: Falcons’ minus-10 turnover differential is second worst in NFL. Buccaneers have given up 37 first downs rushing, second fewest in NFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Atl TB Points scored 13.0 15.4 Points allowed 24.0 14.2 Passing O 205.3 169.0 Rushing O 70.4 123.0 Total O 275.8 292.0 Passing D 187.8 177.8 Rushing D 127.3 83.2 Total D 315.1 261.0

*--*

The pick: Tampa Bay. The feeble Buccaneer offense has scored only 139 points this season. Think that’s bad? The Falcons have totaled only 117. Quarterback Trent Dilfer’s revival has invigorated the Bucs. Atlanta is beyond revival.

BALTIMORE at CINCINNATI, 1 p.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: BAL--Wide receiver Justin Armour (leg, doubtful). CIN--Quarterback Akili Smith (toe, out).

* Key elements: Raven defense has given up only two touchdowns in last 12 quarters, one touchdown rushing in last 19 quarters. Bengals’ minus-nine turnover differential is worst in AFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Bal Cin Points scored 15.4 13.0 Points allowed 16.7 30.2 Passing O 153.0 196.6 Rushing O 117.7 113.6 Total O 270.7 310.2 Passing D 155.4 205.8 Rushing D 82.4 115.1 Total D 237.9 320.9

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. With league’s best defense, the Ravens should be a lock. But no team with Tony Banks at quarterback can ever be considered a lock.

BUFFALO at NEW YORK JETS, 10 a.m.

* The line: Buffalo by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Matchup pits NFL’s top rushing game (Jets) against AFC’s top run defense (Bills). Bills have no turnovers in last two games. Jets have plus-six turnover differential in last six games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Buf NYJ Points scored 20.4 16.7 Points allowed 14.9 18.6 Passing O 201.0 163.2 Rushing O 134.5 136.2 Total O 335.5 299.4 Passing D 179.1 221.4 Rushing D 81.6 109.1 Total D 260.7 330.6

*--*

The pick: New York. Cautious with his new quarterback, Ray Lucas, Coach Bill Parcells leaned on running back Curtis Martin last week. That may not work against the Bills, the best in the conference against the run. No matter, Lucas will do it himself.

CAROLINA AT CLEVELAND, 10 a.m.

* The line: Carolina by 5 1/2.

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

* Key elements: Carolina quarterback Steve Beuerlein is 45 for 73 for 567 yards and four touchdowns with a 92.7 rating over last two games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Car Cle Points scored 21.8 9.9 Points allowed 22.7 25.3 Passing O 242.2 129.8 Rushing O 102.9 74.1 Total O 345.1 203.9 Passing D 202.0 208.1 Rushing D 129.8 172.4 Total D 331.8 380.5

*--*

The pick: Carolina. Cleveland’s euphoria over last week’s upset over Pittsburgh will fade as soon as Beuerlein starts picking apart the Browns’ secondary. The Browns may also have to worry about Biakabutuka, who is expected back after an ankle injury.

CHICAGO at SAN DIEGO, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Pick ‘em.

* Key injuries: CHI--Wide receiver Curtis Conway (ankle, questionable). SD--Running back Natrone Means (knee, doubtful).

* Key elements: Bear quarterback Jim Miller’s 422 yards passing is most in NFL this season, most for a Bear QB since ’62 and fourth-highest in team history. Charger run defense second in NFC, yielding 3.1 yards a carry.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Chi SD Points scored 16.7 15.1 Points allowed 20.1 21.6 Passing O 254.8 188.1 Rushing O 92.5 64.3 Total O 347.3 252.4 Passing D 235.4 198.3 Rushing D 116.5 93.7 Total D 351.9 292.0

*--*

The pick: Chicago. Don’t expect Miller to throw for 400 yards every week. But don’t give up on him this week against the Chargers.

DALLAS at ARIZONA, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Dallas by 2.

* Key injuries: DAL--Quarterback Troy Aikman (concussion, doubtful). ARI--Running back Michael Pittman (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: Cowboys have given up only 16 sacks and not one to the Cardinals since 1997. Arizona’s Simeon Rice leads NFL with 10 sacks, which matches last season’s total.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Dal Ari Points scored 25.1 12.8 Points allowed 18.8 20.8 Passing O 194.6 164.3 Rushing O 128.1 78.0 Total O 322.7 242.3 Passing D 220.2 188.8 Rushing D 89.9 131.9 Total D 310.1 320.7

*--*

The pick: Dallas. Any chance the Cardinals had of an upset faded when Emmitt Smith put that protective cast on his broken hand in order to play.

DETROIT at TAMPA BAY, 10 a.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 4.

* Key injuries: DET--Quarterback Charlie Batch (thumb, questionable), linebacker Chris Claiborne (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Lions’ plus-seven turnover differential and their five fumbles and 12 total giveaways are fewest in NFC. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre is 51-8 at home as a starter in the regular season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Det GB Points scored 22.3 18.4 Points allowed 19.0 21.3 Passing O 214.8 244.4 Rushing O 90.4 90.4 Total O 305.2 334.9 Passing D 231.3 195.3 Rushing D 90.3 130.3 Total D 321.7 325.7

*--*

The pick: Detroit. Thumbs up for Lions. Favre, who has struggled, will play with an injured thumb. Gus Frerotte will replace Batch, who also has an injured thumb.

INDIANAPOLIS at PHILADELPHIA, 10 a.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 7.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Colts have won last three games on road. Eagles’ 25 take-aways (17 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) lead NFC. Eagles’ Duce Staley has five 100-yard games this season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ind Phi Points scored 27.8 14.9 Points allowed 20.1 21.2 Passing O 272.9 118.2 Rushing O 96.7 110.3 Total O 369.6 228.5 Passing D 221.0 206.3 Rushing D 105.0 127.8 Total D 326.0 334.1

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. Shut down Peyton Manning? The Colts will simply give the ball to Edgerrin James. Too many weapons for the Eagles to handle, especially with rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb still getting his feet wet.

NEW ENGLAND at MIAMI, 10 a.m., Channel 2

* The line: Miami by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIA--Running back Cecil Collins (leg, out), quarterback Dan Marino neck, doubtful).

* Key elements: Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe has three 400-yard games against Dolphins. Miami defense yields first down on only 28% of third-down conversion attempts, tops in NFL.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NE Mia Points scored 23.1 21.3 Points allowed 19.3 18.4 Passing O 257.4 200.1 Rushing O 88.6 94.8 Total O 346.0 294.9 Passing D 199.7 173.0 Rushing D 112.6 90.8 Total D 312.2 263.8

*--*

The pick: Miami. Can the Dolphins defeat the Patriots with Damon Huard at quarterback? They’ve already done that, Huard beating New England in Week 6 on a late touchdown pass.

NEW ORLEANS at JACKSONVILLE, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

* The line: Jacksonville by 12 1/2.

* Key injuries: JAC--Running back Fred Taylor (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Saints’ 12 fumble take-aways tie for second in NFC. Jaguars have won six in a row, NFL’s longest current winning streak, and they have outscored opponents in first quarter, 40-3.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NO Jac Points scored 16.3 24.0 Points allowed 20.6 8.8 Passing O 205.1 185.8 Rushing O 121.1 131.3 Total O 326.2 317.1 Passing D 179.7 151.9 Rushing D 108.0 86.0 Total D 287.7 237.9

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver can’t be as good as he looked against the 49ers last week. He isn’t, and neither are his Saints. With Taylor hurting, look for Mark Brunell to have a big day.

N.Y. GIANTS at WASHINGTON, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Washington by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: WASH--Wide receiver Michael Westbrook (wrist, doubtful).

* Key elements: Matchup features NFC’s No. 2 offense (Redskins) against No. 2 defense (Giants). Redskins’ plus-four turnover differential and 14 interceptions are second best in NFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NYG Wash Points scored 17.4 31.9 Points allowed 18.3 28.6 Passing O 199.2 258.6 Rushing O 91.4 120.4 Total O 290.7 379.0 Passing D 199.3 248.6 Rushing D 85.7 135.2 Total D 285.0 383.8

*--*

The pick: Washington. The Redskins scored 50 points when these two met earlier in the season. It won’t be that bad for New York this time, but it will be bad.

PITTSBURGH at TENNESSEE, 10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 5.

* Key injuries: TEN--Wide receiver Yancey Thigpen (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Steelers’ red-zone offense is tops in AFC (16 touchdowns in 28 attempts) and defense is second (seven touchdowns allowed in 21 trips). Titan quarterback Steve McNair is 3-1 as a starter against Steelers.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Pit Tenn Points scored 19.1 21.1 Points allowed 13.8 19.0 Passing O 153.4 218.6 Rushing O 127.3 94.8 Total O 280.8 313.3 Passing D 155.3 218.1 Rushing D 98.8 97.4 Total D 254.1 315.6

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. The Titans are 21st in the league against the pass. Fortunately for them, they are facing a team without a bona fide quarterback.

SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY, 10 a.m.

* The line: Kansas City by 3.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Matchup features two of NFL’s top clubs in take-aways: Chiefs have 29 (first) and Seahawks 25 (tied for second).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Sea KC Points scored 22.8 22.2 Points allowed 16.1 15.1 Passing O 199.7 194.7 Rushing O 90.3 119.9 Total O 290.0 314.6 Passing D 229.9 211.4 Rushing D 108.3 87.2 Total D 338.2 298.7

*--*

The pick: Seattle. The Seahawks made it to the top of the AFC West without holdout receiver Joey Galloway. It’s only going to get better now that he’s back. The Chiefs have won 17 of their last 20 at home and are unbeaten (4-0) at Arrowhead this season. Until now.

ST. LOUIS at SAN FRANCISCO, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11

* The line: St. Louis by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: SF--Quarterback Steve Young (concussion, out).

* Key elements: Ram quarterback Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes against 49ers in Week 5, and his 26 touchdowns lead NFL. 49ers have won eight straight at home against Rams and have scored at least 30 points in last six.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

StL SF Points scored 33.3 17.3 Points allowed 14.2 28.7 Passing O 262.6 170.8 Rushing O 119.1 119.2 Total O 381.7 290.0 Passing D 213.7 238.2 Rushing D 74.8 111.4 Total D 288.4 349.7

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Can the 49ers reach back to their glorious past and pull off a major upset of the opponent they once routinely whipped? No way. Not without a quarterback.

OAKLAND at DENVER, Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7

* The line: Denver by 1 1/2.

* Key injuries: DEN--Quarterback Bubby Brister (ribs, questionable), quarterback Brian Griese (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: Raider wide receiver Tim Brown has 30 catches for 403 yards and two touchdowns in last four Monday night games. Broncos have won 12 consecutive AFC West games at home.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Oak Den Points scored 20.6 19.4 Points allowed 18.0 20.5 Passing O 222.6 224.6 Rushing O 134.4 106.3 Total O 357.0 330.9 Passing D 220.2 185.7 Rushing D 86.1 98.0 Total D 306.3 283.7

*--*

The pick: Oakland. Rich Gannon against Chris Miller at QB. Not exactly John Elway against Jim Plunkett. And not exactly the kind of game that is going to keep those ABC ratings up.