CAPSULES

ARIZONA at DALLAS 10 a.m., Channel 11

* The line: Dallas by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: ARI--Wide receiver Rob Moore (hamstring, out).

* Key elements: Quarterback Jake Plummer is 50 for 92 for 678 yards and five touchdowns in last two games against Cowboys. The Cardinal defense has held running back Emmitt Smith to 89.9 yards rushing a game, lowest of any NFC East team.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ari Dal Points scored (Rank) 17.0 (22) 32.5 (2) Points allowed 22.3 (20) 21.0 (16) Passing O 178.3 (23) 226.5 (12) Rushing O 81.0 (25) 160.0 (1) Total O 259.3 (26) 386.5 (5) Passing D 133.3 (2) 304.0 (31) Rushing D 143.7 (28) 110.0 (19) Total D 277.0 (8) 414.0 (30)

*--*

* The pick: Dallas beats up Plummer. The Cowboys may even have Deion Sanders back, which means Plummer will be throwing to him.

BALTIMORE at ATLANTA 10 a.m.

* The line: Atlanta by 3.

* Key injuries: BAL--Running back Priest Holmes (knee, questionable). ATL--Quarterback Chris Chandler (hamstring, doubtful), wide receiver Tim Dwight (hamstring, doubtful).

* Key elements: Raven running back Errict Rhett has two consecutive 100-yard rushing games. The Falcons have won 10 of last 11 at home.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Bal Atl Points scored (Rank) 15.7 (25) 9.3 (30) Points allowed 20.0 (14) 25.3 (26) Passing O 160.0 (27) 227.3 (11) Rushing O 123.0 (12) 78.0 (26) Total O 283.0 (23) 305.3 (18) Passing D 164.7 (6) 192.0 (13) Rushing D 102.7 (17) 128.7 (25) Total D 267.3 (6) 320.7 (20)

*--*

* The pick: Atlanta rocks Stoney. Baltimore sticks with Stoney Case, the first quarterback to play in NFL without an arm.

JACKSONVILLE at PITTSBURG 10 a.m., Channel 2

* The line: Jacksonville by 3.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Steelers are 45-12 at home under Coach Bill Cowher. Steeler back Jerome Bettis has 429 yards rushing in last four games against Jaguars. Steeler receiver Troy Edwards leads NFL rookies in receptions (15) and yards receiving (155).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Jac Pit Points scored (Rank) 27.3 (6) 25.3 (10) Points allowed 14.3 (4) 16.3 (6) Passing O 226.3 (13) 191.7 (18) Rushing O 149.3 (3) 143.7 (4) Total O 275.7 (7) 335.3 (12) Passing D 165.3 (7) 149.7 (3) Rushing D 77.3 (7) 74.7 (6) Total D 242.7 (4) 224.3 (2)

*--*

* The pick: Jacksonville has a chance to deliver Pittsburgh’s fourth consecutive loss at home. If so, get a load of the look on Bill Cowher’s face.

NEW ENGLAND at CLEVELAND 10 a.m.

* The line: New England by 12.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Game features two No. 1 overall draft picks, Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe (‘93) and Brown quarterback Tim Couch (‘99). Browns have fewest penalties (8), penalty yards (50) and points (19) in NFL.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NE Cle Points scored (Rank) 25.7 (9) 6.3 (31) Points allowed 23.3 (22) 28.7 (30) Passing O 280.3 (3) 70.0 (31) Rushing O 81.7 (23) 64.0 (31) Total O 362.0 (9) 134.0 (31) Passing D 227.0 (20) 235.7 (23) Rushing D 94.7 (12) 167.7 (31) Total D 321.7 (17) 403.3 (29)

*--*

* The pick: New England gets a day on the Couch. It’s as good as a bye, playing the Browns, because Tim Couch & Co. are not ready for prime time.

NEW ORLEANS at CHICAGO 10 a.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 1.

* Key injuries: NO--Running back Ricky Williams (elbow, questionable).

* Key elements: Saint Coach Mike Ditka coached the Bears from ‘82-’92 and has a 62-22 regular-season record at Soldier Field. Saint wide receiver Keith Poole has five catches for 158 yards, a 31.6 average, tops in NFL. Bears’ eight fumble take-aways lead NFL and nine total take-aways lead NFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NO Chi Points scored (Rank) 20.0 (16) 16.7 (24) Points allowed 19.0 (12) 18.3 (10) Passing O 165.5 (26) 233.7 (9) Rushing O 124.0 (11) 76.7 (27) Total O 289.5 (22) 310.3 (17) Passing D 192.0 (14) 270.0 (28) Rushing D 86.5 (9) 93.3 (11) Total D 278.5 (9) 363.3 (26)

*--*

* The pick: Chicago beats New Orleans in Ditka-like fashion. The Bears run over their former coach’s team with Curtis Enis.

PHILADELPHIA at N.Y. GIANTS 10 a.m.

* The line: Giants by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Eagles have not won a road game since December of 1996. They are 0-17-1 in last 18 road games. Giant quarterback Kent Graham is one of three quarterbacks with one or fewer interceptions.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Phi NYG Points scored (Rank) 9.7 (29) 17.3 (21) Points allowed 23.3 (22) 26.3 (28) Passing O 93.3 (30) 190.0 (20) Rushing O 81.3 (24) 56.0 (31) Total O 174.7 (30) 246.0 (28) Passing D 172.0 (8) 210.3 (17) Rushing D 141.7 (27) 102.7 (16) Total D 313.7 (14) 313.0 (12)

*--*

* The pick: The Giants don’t have any offense, but Philadelphia really doesn’t have any offense, so Giants win because they are less bad.

ST. LOUIS at CINCINNATI 10 a.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: CIN--Running back Ki-Jana Carter (knee, out).

* Key elements: Ram quarterback Kurt Warner is second player in the last 50 years with three touchdown passes in each of his first two starts. Bengal kick returner Willie Jackson tops the AFC with 29.2-yard return average.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

StL Cin Points scored (Rank) 31.0 (3) 15.0 (26) Points allowed 8.5 (1) 32.3 (31) Passing O 279.5 (4) 191.0 (19) Rushing O 113.0 (14) 125.7 (10) Total O 392.5 (4) 316.7 (15) Passing D 164.0 (5) 235.3 (22) Rushing D 64.0 (4) 102.0 (15) Total D 228.0 (3) 337.3 (23)

*--*

* The pick: St. Louis carries Georgia off the field. The Rams are ripe for an upset, but not by a college team.

TAMPA BAY at MINNESOTA 10 a.m.

* The line: Minnesota by 7.

* Key injuries: TB--Defensive tackle Warren Sapp (hand, questionable).

* Key elements: Buccaneers have won six of last eight overall, three of four on the road. Viking receiver Jake Reed has two consecutive 100-yard games, and defensive end Duane Clemons leads team with three sacks, more than last season’s 2 1/2.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

TB Min Points scored (Rank) 15.0 (26) 18.0 (20) Points allowed 10.7 (2) 19.7 (13) Passing O 106.3 (29) 245.0 (7) Rushing O 132.7 (7) 82.0 (22) Total O 239.0 (29) 327.0 (13) Passing D 88.3 (1) 269.0 (27) Rushing D 55.0 (2) 104.7 (18) Total D 88.3 (1) 373.7 (28)

*--*

* The pick: Minnesota in a squeaker. Tampa Bay has the defense to extend Vikings’ offensive frustration, but Metrodome noise will rattle Trent Dilfer.

CAROLINA at WASHINGTON 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Washington by 8.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Panther running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka had 174 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against Redskins last time. Redskins’ plus-six turnover differential is tied for first in NFL.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Car Was Points scored (Rank) 19.0 (17) 37.3 (1) Points allowed 14.7 (5) 27.3 (29) Passing O 184.7 (22) 279.0 (5) Rushing O 290.7 (16) 131.7 (8) Total O 321.5 (12) 410.7 (1) Passing D 183.7 (12) 280.0 (30) Rushing D 163.3 (30) 137.0 (24) Total D 347.0 (25) 417.0 (31)

*--*

* The pick: Washington gets a defensive test--and barely passes. Carolina is improving with George Seifert, but Panthers lack knockout punch.

KANSAS CITY at SAN DIEGO 1:15 p.m.

* The line: San Diego by 1.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Chief wide receiver Derrick Alexander has 46 catches for 927 yards and four touchdowns in last nine games and tops AFC with 22.7 yards a catch. Chargers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in NFL-best 21 games and are giving up 2.8 yards a carry, best in the NFL.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

KC SD Points scored (Rank) 24.7 (11) 26.5 (8) Points allowed 17.0 (7) 17.0 (7) Passing O 227.7 (10) 177.0 (24) Rushing O 138.0 (6) 93.0 (20) Total O 365.7 (8) 270.0 (25) Passing D 218.7 (19) 268.5 (26) Rushing D 95.7 (13) 55.5 (3) Total D 314.3 (15) 324.0 (19)

*--*

* The pick: Kansas City wishes it could move to San Diego, but Chiefs will settle for a victory.

N.Y. JETS at DENVER 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: JETS--Wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (foot, out).

* Key elements: Rematch of last year’s AFC championship game and each team is last in its division. Running backs Curtis Martin (Jets) and Terrell Davis (Broncos) have four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NYJ Den Points scored (Rank) 17.0 (23) 13.7 (28) Points allowed 24.7 (25) 25.7 (27) Passing O 189.3 (21) 172.0 (25) Rushing O 107.3 (15) 84.7 (21) Total O 296.7 (20) 256.7 (27) Passing D 241.0 (24) 156.7 (4) Rushing D 130.0 (23) 154.7 (29) Total D 371.0 (27) 311.3 (11)

*--*

* The pick: Denver starts Super Bowl rally. Time for Terrell Davis to start lugging the Broncos around on his back. If that fails, Rick Mirer should help Denver cause.

TENNESSE at SAN FRANCISCO 1:15 p.m., Channel 2

* The line: San Francisco by 1 1/2.

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

* Key elements: Titans are aiming for their first 4-0 start in franchise history and have sole possession of first place in AFC Central for first time since final weekend of ‘93, a span of 83 weeks.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ten SF Points scored (Rank) 27.3 (6) 18.3 (19) Points allowed 21.0 (16) 24.0 (24) Passing O 278.3 (6) 148.0 (28) Rushing O 74.0 (28) 130.7 (9) Total O 352.3 (11) 278.7 (24) Passing D 173.0 (9) 206.3 (16) Rushing D 140.3 (26) 99.7 (14) Total D 313.3 (13) 306.0 (10)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee lives the charmed life. 49ers don’t have Young, which means they don’t have a chance. Neil O’Donnell takes apart 49er defense.

OAKLAND at SEATTLE 5:15 p.m., ESPN

* The line: Seattle by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: SEA--Safety Merton Hanks (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Raiders have won seven of last nine games in Seattle. Raider quarterback Rich Gannon is fourth in AFC with 90.7 third-down passing rating. Seahawk defense is giving up 3.6 yards per first-down play, best in AFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Oak Sea Points scored (Rank) 23.3 (13) 21.0 (15) Points allowed 20.7 (15) 17.0 (7) Passing O 244.3 (8) 224.7 (14) Rushing O 141.3 (5) 73.7 (29) Total O 385.7 (6) 298.3 (19) Passing D 278.7 (29) 201.7 (15) Rushing D 53.0 (1) 115.7 (22) Total D 331.7 (21) 317.3 (16)

*--*

* The pick: Seattle silences Rich Gannon. Oakland’s defense will keep the Raiders alive all season, but sooner or later they have to try to score.

BUFFALO at MIAMI Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7

* The line: Miami by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Bills are the only AFC East team with a winning record against Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino (16-13). Buffalo’s defense has not given up a touchdown in nine quarters. Dolphins have given up only 11.2 points a game in last 10 at home.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Buf Mia Points scored (Rank) 19.0 (17) 28.5 (5) Points allowed 11.3 (3) 18.5 (11) Passing O 206.7 (16) 218.0 (15) Rushing O 154.0 (2) 97.0 (19) Total O 360.7 (10) 315.0 (16) Passing D 182.3 (11) 180.0 (10) Rushing D 68.3 (5) 88.5 (10) Total D 250.7 (5) 268.5 (7)

*--*

* The pick: Miami flattens Doug Flutie. The Dolphins are loaded with speed on defense, which gives them what they need to run down the Bills’ quarterback.