CAPSULES

CLEVELAND at JACKSONVILLE

* The line: Jacksonville by 17 1/2.

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

* Key elements: Jaguar pass defense holds quarterbacks to a 55.0 rating, tops in AFC. Jaguars are 22-4 in last 26 home games.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Cle Jac Points scored (Rank) 8.6 (31) 23.0 (9) Points allowed 24.6 (28) 10.4 (1) Passing O 106.8 (30) 191.2 (20) Rushing O 68.4 (30) 139.4 (2) Total O 175.2 (31) 330.6 (14) Passing D 254.4 (28) 147.2 (1) Rushing D 161.6 (31) 87.6 (11) Total D 416.0 (31) 234.8 (1)

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. If Tom Coughlin coaches this game as he does the others, the Jaguars win by 10 points. But don’t be surprised if he tries to silence critics by running up the score.

INDIANAPOLIS at N.Y. JETS

* The line: Indianapolis by 3.

* Key injuries: NYJ--Receiver Wayne Chrebet (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: Colt receiver Marvin Harrison has receptions in all 48 of his games and touchdown catches in four straight. Colt quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown touchdown passes in 17 consecutive games. Jets’ red-zone defense is tied for second in AFC (six touchdowns in 16 attempts).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ind NYJ Points scored (Rank) 29.3 (3) 15.6 (23) Points allowed 24.5 (27) 20.6 (19) Passing O 293.8 (4) 186.6 (23) Rushing O 90.5 (19) 104.2 (14) Total O 384.3 (4) 290.8 (23) Passing D 284.5 (30) 227.6 (22) Rushing D 81.5 (8) 124.6 (22) Total D 366.0 (28) 352.2 (25)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. Colts are explosive but young, which makes them unpredictable and vulnerable. But Jets start Rick Mirer.

MIAMI at NEW ENGLAND

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

* Key injuries: MIA--Receiver Yatil Green (hamstring, doubtful), quarterback Dan Marino (shoulder, probable). Cornerback Terrell Buckley (ankle, out).

* Key elements: Marino needs seven yards to become first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 60,000 yards. Patriots have won last three at home against Dolphins.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Mia NE Points scored (Rank) 27.3 (5) 22.0 (11) Points allowed 22.8 (26) 18.6 (12) Passing O 265.5 (7) 303.6 (2) Rushing O 82.3 (23) 79.4 (25) Total O 347.8 (9) 383.0 (5) Passing D 200.3 (14) 210.0 (17) Rushing D 79.5 (7) 98.8 (16) Total D 279.8 (8) 308.8 (15)

*--*

The pick: Miami. Going against Drew Bledsoe’s hot hand and taking the coach who has the playoff formula down. You want Pete Carroll over Jimmy Johnson?

MINNESOTA AT DETROIT

* The line: Minnesota by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Vikings’ minus-five turnover differential is third worst in NFC. Lion quarterback Charlie Batch is third in NFC with 101.7 passer rating on third down.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Min Det Points scored (Rank) 19.4 (19) 20.5 (16) Points allowed 19.4 (14) 21.5 (21) Passing O 262.0 (8) 195.8 (18) Rushing O 96.0 (18) 101.0 (17) Total O 358.0 (7) 296.8 (18) Passing D 274.2 (29) 219.3 (20) Rushing D 99.8 (18) 101.0 (19) Total D 374.0 (29) 320.3 (19)

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. These might be the last days of Randall Cunningham, but he gets a reprieve against the cowardly Lions, who have shown no willingness to protect Batch.

OAKLAND at BUFFALO

* The line: Buffalo by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Raiders’ three losses have been by a total of eight points. Raider defense has not allowed a touchdown rushing this season. Bill quarterback Doug Flutie has not thrown an interception in 74 passes and leads quarterbacks with 191 yards rushing.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Oak Buf Points scored (Rank) 20.8 (13) 20.8 (13) Points allowed 20.0 (17) 14.6 (4) Passing O 232.0 (10) 210.2 (15) Rushing O 129.0 (7) 129.2 (6) Total O 361.0 (6) 339.4 (12) Passing D 251.6 (26) 197.4 (13) Rushing D 63.0 (2) 62.4 (1) Total D 314.6 (17) 259.8 (5)

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. Oakland has been pushed to the limit in every game. How many pro athletes do you know who can stay motivated week in and week out without a letdown?

PHILADELPHIA at CHICAGO

* The line: Chicago by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: CHI--Quarterback Shane Matthews (hamstring, out); receiver Curtis Conway (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Eagles and Bears lead NFL with 15 takeaways each. Eagles were last in NFC with nine interceptions last season. They already have 11 this year. Bears’ red-zone defense leads NFL (four touchdowns in 14 possessions).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Phi Chi Points scored (Rank) 11.4 (30) 17.6 (20) Points allowed 19.2 (13) 17.4 (7) Passing O 101.8 (31) 238.2 (9) Rushing O 86.6 (22) 88.6 (20) Total O 188.4 (30) 326.8 (15) Passing D 183.8 (9) 244.2 (25) Rushing D 136.6 (28) 116.6 (21) Total D 320.4 (20) 360.8 (26)

*--*

The pick: Philadelphia. Hard to pick a team that can’t score, but what if rookie Cade McNown helps the Eagles’ defense to score?

PITTSBURGH at CINICINNATI

* The line: Pittsburgh by 5.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Steeler quarterback Kordell Stewart has completed 65.9% of his third-down passes. Bengal running back Corey Dillon leads NFL with 423 yards rushing.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Pit Cin Points scored (Rank) 20.0 (17) 14.6 (25) Points allowed 18.0 (9) 30.4 (31) Passing O 176.2 (25) 188.4 (22) Rushing O 119.2 (9) 136.8 (3) Total O 295.4 (19) 325.2 (16) Passing D 156.6 (3) 235.2 (24) Rushing D 91.9 (13) 91.8 (12) Total D 248.5 (2) 327.0 (21)

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. A loss to the Bengals and the jaw of Steeler Coach Bill Cowher will probably be locked forever in a scowl. Akili Smith is 1-0 as Bengal starter, which already makes him a miracle-worker. A 2-0 start would go down as the greatest single feat of the millennium.

ST. LOUIS at ATLANTA

* The line: St. Louis by 4.

* Key injuries: STL--Running back Marshall Faulk (hip, questionable).

* Key elements: Rams are only team in NFL with a punt and kickoff return for a touchdown. Falcons held Ram quarterback Kurt Warner to 275 yards passing in Week 3, his lowest output of the season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

StL Atl Points scored (Rank) 35.5 (2) 12.2 (29) Points allowed 11.8 (2) 22.4 (24) Passing O 299.8 (3) 215.0 (13) Rushing O 102.0 (16) 78.0 (26) Total O 401.8 (3) 293.0 (23) Passing D 181.5 (6) 207.8 (16) Rushing D 73.0 (5) 126.2 (24) Total D 254.5 (4) 334.0 (23)

*--*

The pick: Atlanta. The Falcons were behind by 21 before they had run their fifth play in losing by 28 to the Rams earlier this season. It only makes sense that St. Louis would win again, but what has made sense this season?

TENNESSEE at NEW ORLEANS

* The line: Tennessee by 3.

* Key injuries: TEN--Quarterback Steve McNair (back, out). NO--Quarterback Billy Joe Hobert (neck, questionable); running back Ricky Williams (elbow, ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Titan receiver Yancey Thigpen has 11 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns in last two games. The Saints have not scored a point in the fourth quarter this season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Ten NO Points scored (Rank) 23.6 (6) 16.8 (21) Points allowed 19.6 (15) 18.0 (9) Passing O 277.6 (6) 195.5 (19) Rushing O 66.6 (31) 114.0 (12) Total O 344.2 (11) 309.5 (17) Passing D 188.0 (11) 185.8 (10) Rushing D 115.0 (20) 97.3 (15) Total D 303.0 (13) 283.0 (9)

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. A Titan win sets up a matchup with the Rams, who might be 6-0, Oct. 31. Should be the game of the year.

SEATTLE at SAN DIEGO

* The line: Seattle by 1 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Series is tied 20-20, with a one-point scoring difference--Chargers 853, Seahawks 852. Seahawk receiver Derrick Mayes has 15 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns in four games, more than halfway to matching career highs of 30-394-3.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Sea SD Points scored (Rank) 21.3 (12) 23.5 (7) Points allowed 18.0 (9) 14.5 (3) Passing O 218.8 (12) 159.5 (28) Rushing O 74.0 (27) 72.5 (28) Total O 292.8 (22) 232.0 (29) Passing D 205.5 (15) 230.5 (23) Rushing D 128.3 (26) 67.3 (4) Total D 333.8 (22) 297.8 (12)

*--*

The pick: Seattle. If the Chargers win, they are 4-1, in first place, and playing Green Bay next week in what will be touted as a meeting of potential Super Bowl foes. Do you believe in miracles? No.

CAROLINA at SAN FRANCISCO

* The line: San Francisco by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: SF--Quarterback Steve Young (concussion, out), wide receiver Terrell Owens (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Panther running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka leads the NFL with 10.8 yards a carry. Panther Coach George Seifert had a 108-35 record in seven years with 49ers, best winning percentage ever.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Car SF Points scored (Rank) 23.3 (8) 19.8 (18) Points allowed 20.5 (18) 27.2 (29) Passing O 220.5 (11) 184.0 (24) Rushing O 118.3 (10) 110.0 (13) Total O 338.8 (13) 294.0 (20) Passing D 214.8 (19) 254.0 (27) Rushing D 150.0 (30) 92.6 (14) Total D 364.8 (27) 346.6 (24)

*--*

The pick: San Francisco. Shaky pick here. The 49ers aren’t any good, and the Panthers are on the improve with Seifert, who knows a thing or two about winning in San Francisco.

GREEN BAY at DENVER

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

* Key injuries: DEN--Tight end Shannon Sharpe (collarbone, out); quarterback Bubby Brister (hip, questionable); running back Derek Loville (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Packer defense has allowed 34 first downs passing, second-fewest in NFC. Bronco defense is tied for first in AFC with 18 sacks.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

GB Den Points scored (Rank) 23.0 (9) 14.0 (28) Points allowed 22.5 (25) 22.2 (23) Passing O 310.5 (1) 191.0 (21) Rushing O 103.5 (15) 88.6 (21) Total O 414.0 (1) 279.6 (25) Passing D 183.8 (8) 180.8 (5) Rushing D 126.3 (25) 125.8 (23) Total D 310.0 (16) 306.6 (14)

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. The Seahawks versus the Chargers is now bigger than the Packers versus the Broncos. That’s what this season has come to, or what Mike Shanahan has done to the Broncos.

WASHINGTON at ARIZONA

* The line: Washington by 3.

* Key injuries: ARI--Quarterback Jake Plummer (hip, ribs, questionable).

* Key elements: Redskins are only team not to have thrown an interception.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Was Ari Points scored (Rank) 37.5 (1) 14.4 (26) Points allowed 29.5 (30) 21.0 (20) Passing O 286.3 (5) 169.4 (26) Rushing O 126.3 (8) 78.0 (26) Total O 412.5 (2) 238.4 (28) Passing D 292.0 (31) 154.0 (2) Rushing D 141.5 (29) 130.4 (27) Total D 433.5 (31) 284.4 (10)

*--*

The pick: Washington. The Redskins have no defense, but then the Cardinals don’t have a quarterback who can resist throwing the ball to the opposition, even when Plummer is healthy. This week, he’s not.

DALLAS at N.Y. GIANTS

* The line: Dallas by 3.

* Key injuries: DAL--Wide receiver Michael Irvin (neck, out).

* Key elements: Cowboys are 6-0 against Giants on “Monday Night Football.” Deion Sanders had a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown, a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 55-yard reception last year against Giants on Monday night.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Dal NYG Points scored (Rank) 27.5 (4) 14.2 (27) Points allowed 15.5 (5) 21.6 (22) Passing O 203.8 (16) 196.2 (17) Rushing O 141.0 (1) 80.6 (24) Total O 344.8 (10) 276.8 (26) Passing D 221.0 (21) 179.2 (4) Rushing D 99.0 (17) 84.6 (10) Total D 320.0 (18) 263.8 (6)

*--*

The pick: Dallas. Looks like a setup with the Giants trying to make their season with a Monday night redemption win. But that means Kent Graham will have to be on target. Nice try, guys.

*

Research by HOUSTON MITCHELL