CAPSULES

NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO, 10 a.m.

* The line: Buffalo by 5.

* Key injuries: NE--RB J.R. Redmond (ribs, questionable). BUF--LB Sam Cowart (ankle, out); LB Sam Rogers (groin, out).

* Key elements: With apologies to Tim Russert, both teams have packed it in and are already thinking about next season. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by fewer than five points, and the last two games have gone into overtime. The Bills are looking for a fourth consecutive win vs. the Patriots. Bills’ WR Eric Moulds needs three catches to break Andre Reed’s club season record of 90 in 1994.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NE BUF Points scored 17.1 (25) 18.8 (23) Points allowed 21.5 (16) 22.4 (19) Passing Off. 194.9 (20) 217.2 (12) Rushing Off. 83.1 (25) 109.4 (19) Passing Def. 220.7 (20) 181.4 (6) Rushing Def. 114.7 (18) 88.9 (3) Time of Poss. 29:10 (21) 32:06 (4) Turnover Ratio 0 (T16) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 43.5 (25) 46.5 (21

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. At this point, the Bills are awful. Patriots are worse.

JACKSONVILLE AT CINCINNATI, 10 a.m.

* The line: Jacksonville by 10 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Jaguars are out of the playoff picture despite six wins in their last seven games. Jaguar RB Fred Taylor has eight consecutive 100-yard games and aims to become the fourth player in NFL history to rush for nine. Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell is 4-0 with a 100.6 passer rating (eight touchdowns and one interception) in his last four games vs. the Bengals. Led by RB Corey Dillon, the Bengals are averaging 173.4 rushing yards over the past 11 games (1,907 yards).

*--*

THE MATCHUPS JAC CIN Points scored 23.4 (8) 11.5 (30) Points allowed 20.1 (T14) 23.5 (23) Passing Off. 231.4 (9) 115.7 (31) Rushing Off. 132.0 (8) 150.4 (1) Passing Def. 193.6 (10) 229.8 (24) Rushing Def. 107.1 (12) 119.5 (25) Time of Poss. 31:41 (T7) 27:51 (27) Turnover Ratio -1 (18) -12 (29) Red Zone TD% 45.1 (22) 39.3 (27)

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. At 7-7, Jaguars can’t make playoffs--but they’re playing well enough to win a postseason game.

TENNESSEE AT CLEVELAND, 10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 16.

* Key injuries: TEN--RB Eddie George (toe, questionable); QB Steve McNair (ankle/knee, questionable); WR Yancey Thigpen (knee, questionable). CLE--WR Dennis Northcutt (ankle, out).

* Key elements: The Titans can clinch the franchise’s first division crown since 1993 with a win over Cleveland and a Baltimore loss or tie. The Titans can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a Miami loss or tie.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TEN CLE Points scored 20.8 (14) 10.7 (31) Points allowed 13.6 (3) 26.3 (26) Passing Off. 211.2 (13) 158.8 (27) Rushing Off. 122.4 (12) 69.0 (30) Passing Def. 167.9 (T3) 203.0 (14) Rushing Def. 89.6 (4) 152.9 (29) Time of Poss. 33:30 (3) 26:19 (31) Turnover Ratio -2 (T19) -2 (T19) Red Zone TD% 46.8 (20) 46.9 (19)

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. After scoring 35 points last week against Cincinnati, Titans get another chance to tune up the offense for the playoffs.

GREEN BAY AT MINNESOTA, 10 a.m.

* The line: Minnesota by 8 1/2.

* Key injuries: GB--RB Dorsey Levens (knee, out). MIN--WR Matthew Hatchette (thoracic, questionable); CB Robert Tate (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Minnesota can wrap up an NFC Central title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win. Packer QB Brett Favre is 1-7 as a starter at the Metrodome. The Vikings have gained 300 yards of total offense in 29 consecutive games, tying the 1949-51 L.A. Rams for the NFL record.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS GB MIN Points scored 21.6 (12) 25.6 (6) Points allowed 20.1 (14) 21.9 (18) Passing Off. 229.6 (10) 237.9 (6) Rushing Off. 96.7 (24) 142.4 (4) Passing Def. 208.1 (16) 239.3 (27) Rushing Def. 105.9 (11) 107.6 (13) Time of Poss. 30:16 (15) 30:12 (16) Turnover Ratio -3 (21) -8 (T22) Red Zone TD% 48.9 (15) 53.5 (10)

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. Vikings should bounce back from loss to St. Louis and exact revenge for Antonio Freeman’s miracle catch in Packers’ Monday night victory.

ATLANTA AT NEW ORLEANS, 10 a.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 10.

* Key injuries: ATL--None. NO--RB Chad Morton (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: The Saints could sew up their first NFC West title since 1991 with a win over Atlanta and a St. Louis loss. With his 108-yard rushing performance against the 49ers last Sunday, Saint QB Aaron Brooks became the first player in NFL history to rush for 100 yards in a game and pass for 400 yards in another in the same season. Led by DT La’Roi Glover, the Saints lead the NFL with 58 sacks.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ATL NO Points scored 15.4 (27) 22.1 (11) Points allowed 26.9 (T27) 19.4 (11) Passing Off. 180.3 (24) 203.7 (16) Rushing Off. 72.8 (29) 135.9 (7) Passing Def. 223.8 (22) 196.0 (11) Rushing Def. 131.6 (27) 97.3 (8) Time of Poss. 28:52 (24) 31:53 (5) Turnover Ratio -8 (T22) +7 (8) Red Zone TD% 35.1 (31) 51.1 (14)

*--*

The pick: New Orleans. Falcons are straggling at the finish, and Saints clinch a playoff berth with a victory as long as St. Louis-Tampa Bay doesn’t end in a tie.

SAN DIEGO AT CAROLINA, 10 a.m.

* The line: Carolina by 8 1/2.

* Key injuries: SD--none. CAR--RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: These teams have little else but pride to play for. The Panthers have totaled 16 takeaways in their last three games and will find the perfect victim in Charger QB Ryan Leaf. Carolina has limited the opposition to fewer than 16 points for three consecutive games. Over the last three games, Panther WR Muhsin Muhammad has 29 catches for 328 yards and two touchdowns.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SD CAR Points scored 16.1 (26) 19.4 (20) Points allowed 26.9 (27) 16.9 (8) Passing Off. 202.9 (18) 220.9 (11) Rushing Off. 66.5 (31) 78.3 (28) Passing Def. 228.1 (23) 230.3 (25) Rushing Def. 91.4 (5) 118.9 (23) Time of Poss. 28:27 (26) 31:00 (10) Turnover Ratio -27 (31) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 39.4 (26) 38.9 (29)

*--*

The pick: Carolina. Turnover alert: Chargers lead the league in lost fumbles; Carolina is second to Baltimore in recoveries.

CHICAGO AT SAN FRANCISCO, 1:05 p.m.

* The line: San Francisco by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: CHI--None. SF--S Lance Schulters (knee, out); RB Garrison Hearst (ankle, doubtful).

* Key elements: While this game has no bearing on the postseason, it’s significance is unquestionable as it is likely to be the last time Jerry Rice wears a 49er uniform at home. Niner QB Jeff Garcia needs 483 passing yards over the last two games to break Steve Young’s club record of 4,170 yards set in 1998. The Bears have won three of their last six games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CHI SF Points scored 13.8 (29) 25.9 (5) Points allowed 22.7 (T21) 27.4 (29) Passing Off. 182.8 (23) 265.3 (5) Rushing Off. 115.7 (17) 119.9 (14) Passing Def. 206.3 (15) 260.5 (31) Rushing Def. 117.9 (22) 114.0 (16) Time of Poss. 29:01 (22) 29:43 (19) Turnover Ratio -9 (T25) +16 (T13) Red Zone TD% 44.0 (23) 63.6 (1)

*--*

The pick: San Francisco. Era ends with Rice’s last home game, but 49ers are rebuilding in a hurry.

INDIANAPOLIS AT MIAMI, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Miami by 3.

* Key injuries: IND--None. MIA--CB Terrance Shaw (knee, out); WR Leslie Shepherd (knee, out); QB Jay Fiedler (shoulder, probable).

* Key elements: Miami is in the playoffs with a win or tie, while the Colts need a win to stay alive. Miami has won four of last five meetings vs. Colts. Colt RB Edgerrin James has 34 touchdowns in 30 career games and needs one to pass Eric Dickerson and Gale Sayers for the most in the first two seasons.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS IND MIA Points scored 27.0 (4) 20.2 (16) Points allowed 21.6 (17) 13.0 (2) Passing Off. 271.7 (3) 155.1 (28) Rushing Off. 114.2 (16) 121.9 (13) Passing Def. 222.9 (21) 171.0 (5) Rushing Def. 123.4 (26) 111.9 (15) Time of Poss. 28:56 (23) 30:56 (11) Turnover Ratio -8 (T22) +13 (4) Red Zone TD% 59.6 (3) 53.9 (9)

*--*

The pick: Miami. Hard to believe Fiedler will make as many mistakes as he did in loss to Tampa Bay.

BALTIMORE AT ARIZONA, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 15 1/2.

* Key injuries: BAL--DT Sam Adams (back, questionable); T Harry Swayne (thigh, questionable). ARI--QB Jake Plummer (ribs, questionable).

* Key elements: QB Trent Dilfer and RB Jamal Lewis are largely responsible for the Ravens’ five-game winning streak. During the streak Lewis has rushed for 646 yards and four touchdowns and Dilfer has thrown for two or more touchdown passes in each game. Arizona QB Jake Plummer is expected to return from injury and will be facing a Raven defense that has not given up a touchdown pass in three games.

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THE MATCHUPS BAL AZ Points scored 20.4 (15) 14.3 (28) Points allowed 9.9 (1) 29.3 (30) Passing Off. 192.9 (21) 203.6 (17) Rushing Off. 139.9 (5) 80.2 (27) Passing Def. 161.9 (1) 208.3 (17) Rushing Def. 62.0 (1) 163.7 (30) Time of Poss. 33:48 (1) 26:41 (30) Turnover Ratio +17 (T1) -19 (30) Red Zone TD% 39.1 (28) 36.8 (30)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. Rookie running back Lewis makes the Raven offense go.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS, 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Pick ‘em.

* Key injuries: NYG--WR Joe Jurevicius (knee, out). DAL--QB Troy Aikman (concussion, out); C Mark Stepnoski (knee-injured reserve, out); S Darren Woodson (arm, doubtful).

* Key elements: With a win, the Giants clinch the NFC East title. However, the Cowboys have won eight of the past nine matchups at Texas Stadium vs. New York. Dallas RB Emmitt Smith needs 169 yards to tie Barry Sanders (15,269) for second place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYG DAL Points scored 20.2 (T16) 20.1 (18) Points allowed 14.9 (4) 22.4 (19) Passing Off. 210.6 (14) 174.5 (26) Rushing Off. 130.7 (9) 128.0 (11) Passing Def. 218.8 (18) 167.9 (T3) Rushing Def. 72.2 (2) 169.9 (31) Time of Poss. 31:40 (9) 29:15 (20) Turnover Ratio +4 (12) -11 (28) Red Zone TD% 52.4 (12) 47.8 (17)

*--*

The pick: Giants. No. 3 Dallas quarterback Anthony Wright against a Giant defense that has given up no more than 10 points in the last three games is a losing proposition.

DENVER AT KANSAS CITY, 10 a.m.

* The line: Denver by 3.

* Key injuries: DEN--QB Brian Griese (shoulder, out); RB Terrell Davis (leg, out); CB Ray Crockett (hamstring, questionable). KC--RB Donnell Bennett (knee, out).

* Key elements: The Broncos have been rolling behind RB Mike Anderson’s 577 yards and eight touchdowns in the last three games. Always a battle, three of the last four meetings have been decided by six points or fewer. Kansas City has won four of the last five games vs. Denver at Arrowhead Stadium.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DEN KC Points scored 31.4 (2) 23.0 (9) Points allowed 24.3 (25) 22.7 (T21) Passing Off. 272.5 (2) 269.9 (4) Rushing Off. 149.9 (2) 82.3 (26) Passing Def. 260.0 (30) 220.6 (19) Rushing Def. 92.0 (6) 116.1 (21) Time of Poss. 33:36 (2) 27:50 (28) Turnover Ratio +17 (T1) +5 (9) Red Zone TD% 56.6 (7) 51.9 (13)

*--*

The pick: Denver. Chiefs’ advantage at Arrowhead isn’t that strong with only a 4-3 record at home.

DETROIT AT NEW YORK JETS

* The line: New York by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: DET--S Kurt Schulz (ankle, doubtful); WR Desmond Howard (ribs, questionable). NYJ--None.

* Key elements: This is an important game for both squads as the Lions are fighting for a wild-card spot while the Jets are looking to win the AFC East. Detroit RB James Stewart is on a six-game touchdown streak, and needs 37 rushing yards for his first 1,000-yard season. Jet FB Richie Anderson leads AFC RBs with 72 receptions.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DET NYJ Points scored 19.8 (19) 21.0 (13) Points allowed 19.8 (T12) 19.8 (T12) Passing Off. 175.5 (25) 233.0 (8) Rushing Off. 102.6 (21) 97.8 (23) Passing Def. 202.9 (13) 198.3 (12) Rushing Def. 119.1 (24) 115.3 (20) Time of Poss. 29:49 (18) 30:47 (T12) Turnover Ratio +9 (7) 0 (T16) Red Zone TD% 43.8 (24) 57.5 (6)

*--*

The pick: Jets. Vinny Testaverde at less than 100% figures to be better than Charlie Batch at less than 100%.

ST. LOUIS AT TAMPA BAY, MONDAY, 6 p.m.

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

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: A repeat of last season’s NFC championship game. Both squads need wins to secure postseason berths. Buccaneer RB Warrick Dunn has picked up the slack for injured RB Mike Alstott, rushing for 375 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games. The Buccaneers have won three consecutive games, and four in a row at home.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS STL TB Points scored 34.2 (1) 24.0 (7) Points allowed 29.4 (31) 15.5 (5) Passing Off. 336.1 (1) 152.6 (30) Rushing Off. 107.6 (20) 128.1 (10) Passing Def. 240.0 (28) 190.7 (8) Rushing Def. 101.4 (9) 101.6 (10) Time of Poss. 30:35 (14) 29:57 (17) Turnover Ratio -9 (T25) +12 (5) Red Zone TD% 61.4 (2) 57.9 (4)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. No team defends the Ram attack better than the Buccaneers, but it’s too much to expect to hold down the resurgent Rams as well as they did in 11-6 loss in NFC title game.