CAPSULES

INDIANAPOLIS AT CHICAGO 10 a.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 7.

* Key injuries: IND--DT Ellis Johnson (knee, doubtful). CHI--QB Cade McNown (shoulder, out).

* Key elements: Colt RB Edgerrin James needs 26 yards rushing to reach 2,500 in 25th career game, tying Jim Brown for second fastest to 2,500. WR Marvin Harrison has 11 100-yard games in his last 13 contests and QB Peyton Manning has 17 touchdown passes in his last seven games. The Colts are 9-1 when James and Harrison post 100-yard games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS IND CHI Points scored 29.0 (3) 13.8 (29) Points allowed 21.4 (T17) 25.2 (26) Passing Off. 299.4 (2) 184.5 (21) Rushing Off. 122.0 (13) 115.8 (18) Passing Def. 207.1 (17) 213.1 (19) Rushing Def. 123.1 (22) 139.0 (28) Time of Poss. 30:23 (17) 28:01 (28) Turnover Ratio -6 (T23) -5 (22) Red Zone TD% 60.7 (6) 40.0 (23)

*--*

* The pick: Indianapolis. Jim Miller might help Bears while Cade McNown is out, but asking defense to slow Colts is too much.

TAMPA BAY AT ATLANTA 10 a.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Buccaneers look to start their second-half surge after last week’s impressive 41-17 victory over the previously undefeated Vikings. Tampa Bay was 4-4 at the halfway point of last season before winning seven of its last eight games en route to the NFC championship game. The Buccaneers lead the NFL with 37 sacks and are on pace for an NFL record of 74. Falcon rookie CB Darrick Vaughn leads the NFL with a 32.1-yard average on kickoff returns.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TB ATL Points scored 25.6 (7) 18.0 (T21) Points allowed 17.2 (10) 27.8 (28) Passing Off. 191.8 (18) 191.6 (19) Rushing Off. 116.4 (17) 69.4 (29) Passing Def. 183.0 (8) 243.7 (27) Rushing Def. 106.0 (12) 125.4 (24) Time of Poss. 30:15 (18) 29:06 (21) Turnover Ratio +3 (T10) 0 (T16) Red Zone TD% 63.6 (5) 21.7 (31)

*--*

* The pick: Tampa Bay. After victory over Minnesota, Tampa Bay schedule positions Buccaneers for second-half turnaround.

BALTIMORE AT CINCINNATI 10 a.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 6.

* Key injuries: BAL--WR Travis Taylor (clavicle, out). CIN--None.

* Key elements: Carrying the Bengals to back-to-back victories, RB Corey Dillon’s 415 yards over the last two weeks is third-highest total in NFL history (O.J. Simpson, 476; Walter Payton, 467). Dillon faces a Baltimore defense that has not given up a 100-yard rusher in 26 games, best in the NFL. It doesn’t matter whether Tony Banks or Trent Dilfer leads the Ravens, as they have not scored a touchdown in five games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BAL CIN Points scored 15.6 (T27) 10.0 (31) Points allowed 10.9 (2) 20.9 (T15) Passing Off. 177.4 (25) 111.1 (31) Rushing Off. 122.9 (12) 151.5 (1) Passing Def. 180.8 (7) 204.4 (15) Rushing Def. 68.3 (1) 128.3 (25) Time of Poss. 32:22 (4) 26:59 (30) Turnover Ratio +11 (T4) -8 (T25) Red Zone TD% 25.9 (30) 30.8 (29)

*--*

* The pick: Baltimore. Bengals have improved, but it’s too much to expect them to reverse 37-0 loss earlier to Ravens.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT CLEVELAND

* The line: N.Y. Giants by 10.

* Key injuries: NYG--CB Jason Sehorn (rib, doubtful). CLE--None.

* Key elements: Leading the NFC East with a 6-2 record, the Giants are off to their best mark since they started 10-0 in 1990. New York RBs Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne look forward to padding their stats against a Brown defense that has given up 140 or more yards rushing for five consecutive games. The Browns’ anemic offense gets no relief against a Giant defense that has held opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and 14 or fewer points in last three games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYG CLE Points scored 18.0 (21) 10.9 (30) Points allowed 14.0 (4) 23.2 (23) Passing Off. 184.9 (20) 180.6 (24) Rushing Off. 142.3 (3) 68.8 (30) Passing Def. 222.4 (T22) 186.6 (9) Rushing Def. 71.3 (2) 146.1 (29) Time of Poss. 32:08 (5) 26:18 (31) Turnover Ratio +5 (9) -8 (T25) Red Zone TD% 45.8 (17) 50.0 (14)

*--*

* The pick: Giants. Cleveland hasn’t scored a TD since Tim Couch’s injury.

MIAMI AT DETROIT 10 a.m.

* The line: Detroit by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIA--LB Zach Thomas (ankle, out); WR Tony Martin (foot, doubtful). DET--WR Germane Crowell (foot, out); WR Herman Moore (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: Opposing offenses have found a weakness in a Dolphin defense that has given up 60 points in the last two games. The key to the Lions success this season is their +11 turnover ratio. Dolphin RB Lamar Smith is 49 yards short of matching his career high of 680 yards set in 1996.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIA DET Points scored 22.1 (11) 20.1 (16) Points allowed 13.9 (3) 20.5 (13) Passing Off. 156.3 (30) 172.1 (27) Rushing Off. 131.5 (8) 98.0 (22) Passing Def. 201.5 (14) 225.1 (24) Rushing Def. 106.1 (13) 121.5 (21) Time of Poss. 30:56 (11) 29:19 (19) Turnover Ratio +9 (T6) +11 (T4) Red Zone TD% 60.0 (7) 37.9 (26)

*--*

* The pick: Miami. When in doubt, go with the better defense.

PITTSBURGH AT TENNESSEE 10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: PIT--None. TEN--RB Eddie George (knee/toe, questionable); QB Steve McNair (back, questionable); WR Derrick Mason (back/ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: The Steelers look to tarnish the Titans’ perfect 12-0 record at Adelphia Coliseum. Pittsburgh’s defense has been dominant as they have not given up a touchdown in 16 quarters and a total of only nine points over that span. Titan QB Steve McNair is 5-1 against the Steelers.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT TEN Points scored 16.2 (26) 21.5 (12) Points allowed 10.5 (1) 14.8 (5) Passing Off. 156.9 (29) 195.5 (16) Rushing Off. 135.4 (6) 121.9 (14) Passing Def. 172.4 (3) 172.5 (4) Rushing Def. 91.0 (5) 100.6 (9) Time of Poss. 32:40 (2) 32:39 (3) Turnover Ratio +12 (T1) +3 (T10) Red Zone TD% 38.5 (24) 48.0 (16)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee. Whatever it takes--defense, Eddie George, Steve McNair--Titans usually find a way.

BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: BUF--QB Rob Johnson (shoulder, questionable). NE--LB Andy Katzenmoyer (back, doubtful); DE Willie McGinest (back, questionable).

* Key elements: With a poor running game at his disposal, Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe will rely on his arm against a Buffalo defense that has not given up a 300-yard passer in 36 games, the most in the NFL. Buffalo RB Sammy Morris looks to tie Joe Cribbs’ club-rookie record with a fifth consecutive game with a touchdown run.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BUF NE Points scored 20.4 (15) 17.9 (23) Points allowed 21.6 (19) 21.4 (T17) Passing Off. 236.4 (6) 196.6 (15) Rushing Off. 105.6 (20) 90.6 (26) Passing Def. 205.9 (16) 222.4 (T22) Rushing Def. 73.1 (3) 113.6 (17) Time of Poss. 32:03 (6) 32:01 (7) Turnover Ratio +6 (8) 0 (T16) Red Zone TD% 44.0 (T19) 52.2 (13)

*--*

* The pick: Buffalo. Doug Flutie is 11-1 at Foxboro Stadium, going back to his days at Boston College.

SAN FRANCISCO AT NEW ORLEANS 10 a.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: SF--None. NO--WR Joe Horn (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: New Orleans is 3-13 in its last 16 games against the 49ers. 49er WR Terrell Owens leads the NFL with 11 touchdown catches and has 10 in his last six games. RB Ricky Williams has scored at least one touchdown in four consecutive games and is 179 yards short of being the Saints’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 1989. Saint WR Joe Horn leads the NFC with 17 third-down grabs. DT La’Roi Glover leads the NFL with 13 sacks.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SF NO Points scored 26.4 (5) 19.0 (18) Points allowed 32.4 (31) 15.9 (8) Passing Off. 266.9 (4) 182.0 (22) Rushing Off. 126.1 (9) 139.8 (4) Passing Def. 289.9 (31) 168.9 (2) Rushing Def. 119.8(20) 80.6 (4) Time of Poss. 29:16 (20) 32:01 (7) Turnover Ratio +2 (T12) 0 (T16) Red Zone TD% 69.7 (1) 52.2 (13)

*--*

* The pick: New Orleans. Strange as it sounds, a 49er victory would be an upset.

CAROLINA AT ST. LOUIS 5:20 p.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 13 1/2.

* Key injuries: CAR--DE Reggie White (shoulder, questionable). STL--QB Kurt Warner (finger, out); CB Todd Lyght (hamstring/Achilles’, doubtful); RB Marshall Faulk (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: The maligned Ram defense could right the ship against a Panther squad that has been held under 100 yards rushing and given up three or more sacks in each of the last three games. St. Louis has won 21 consecutive games against NFC West opponents.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CAR STL Points scored 19.5 (17) 41.2 (1) Points allowed 16.1 (9) 31.5 (30) Passing Off. 222.3 (12) 366.9 (1) Rushing Off. 81.4 (28) 124.5 (11) Passing Def. 200.3 (13) 268.1 (30) Rushing Def. 129.5 (26) 92.1 (6) Time of Poss. 30:24 (16) 31:57 (8) Turnover Ratio -2 (T19) -2 (T19) Red Zone TD% 37.0 (27) 67.5 (2)

*--*

* The pick: St. Louis. Panthers scored 12 points last week in one-point loss to Atlanta.

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY MONDAY, 6 p.m.

* The line: Minnesota by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIN--S Orlando Thomas (shoulder, out). GB--RB Dorsey Levens (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Minnesota is 1-5 in the last six trips to Lambeau Field, but 2-1 on Monday nights against the Packers. In four games against Green Bay, Viking WR Randy Moss has 20 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns. QB Daunte Culpepper ranks third in NFC with 15 touchdown passes and second with a 119.4 fourth-quarter QB rating.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIN GB Points scored 24.6 (8) 21.0 (13) Points allowed 22.2 (T20) 20.9 (T15) Passing Off. 236.3 (7) 230.1 (8) Rushing Off. 143.1 (2) 91.9 (25) Passing Def. 231.0 (26) 199.3 (12) Rushing Def. 108.4 (15) 100.9 (10) Time of Poss. 30:54 (12) 30:32 (15) Turnover Ratio -6 (T23) -11 (28) Red Zone TD% 44.0 (T19) 56.0 (T8)

*--*

* The pick: Minnesota. Vikings get back on track for second half with only three games against winning teams--Detroit, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

SAN DIEGO AT SEATTLE 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Seattle by 4.

* Key injuries: SD--None. SEA--QB Brock Huard (concussion, doubtful); RB Ricky Watters (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: Barring a tie, one of these teams is going to leave Husky Stadium with a sigh of relief as the Chargers are winless and the Seahawks have lost five consecutive games. The Chargers have lost their last two games by a total of five points. San Diego QB Jim Harbaugh has passed for 1,094 yards in the last four games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SD SEA Points scored 16.2 (25) 15.6 (T27) Points allowed 27.4 (27) 24.9 (25) Passing Off. 204.5 (14) 166.0 (28) Rushing Off. 60.3 (31) 111.1 (19) Passing Def. 243.9 (28) 246.3 (29) Rushing Def. 99.1 (7) 138.6 (27) Time of Poss. 28:23 (24) 27:30 (29) Turnover Ratio -12 (29) -15 (30) Red Zone TD% 38.1 (25) 45.8 (18)

*--*

* The pick: San Diego. After losing last two games by a field goal, here’s the Chargers’ best chance to break through for first victory.

DENVER AT NEW YORK JETS 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Jets by 3.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Jets have won seven of their last eight games at the Meadowlands. New York is an impressive 13-4 in its last 17 games after starting the 1999 season at 1-6. Comeback king Vinnie Testaverde leads the NFL with a 123.5 fourth-quarter QB rating. RB Curtis Martin hopes to exploit a Denver defense that gave up 407 yards rushing to the Bengals two weeks ago. Denver QB Brian Griese has an NFL-best 8-1 touchdown-interception ratio (16/2).

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DEN NYJ Points scored 29.8 (2) 23.1 (10) Points allowed 22.2 (T20) 20.4 (12) Passing Off. 272.3 (3) 225.5 (10) Rushing Off. 136.3 (5) 96.5 (24) Passing Def. 210.4 (18) 194.8 (10) Rushing Def. 107.9 (14) 111.1 (16) Time of Poss. 34:04 (1) 30:37 (14) Turnover Ratio +12 (T1) 0 (T16) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T14) 53.6 (11)

*--*

* The pick: Jets. Just can’t erase image of Broncos giving up 31 points to Cincinnati.

KANSAS CITY AT OAKLAND 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 3.

* Key injuries: KC--RB Donnell Bennett (foot, questionable); WR Sylvester Morris (shoulder, questionable). OAK--RB Tyrone Wheatley (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: The last four games between these teams have been decided by seven points or less. Having posted three consecutive games of 100 or more yards receiving, the Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez will set an NFL record for tight ends if he goes over the century mark today. The Raiders are shooting for their first 8-1 start since 1977.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC OAK Points scored 26.5 (4) 25.9 (6) Points allowed 20.8 (14) 17.6 (11) Passing Off. 254.5 (5) 193.5 (17) Rushing Off. 84.8 (27) 133.6 (7) Passing Def. 217.1 (20) 230.4 (25) Rushing Def. 123.8 (23) 102.0 (11) Time of Poss. 28:39 (23) 31:15 (10) Turnover Ratio +12 (T1) +9 (T6) Red Zone TD% 64.3 (3) 53.1 (12)

*--*

* The pick: Oakland. Intense rivalry often decided by a field goal. Sebastian Janikowski makes it Oakland by a foot.

WASHINGTON AT ARIZONA 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Washington by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: WAS--CB Darrell Green (calf, questionable); QB Brad Johnson (knee, questionable). ARI--None.

* Key elements: Arizona’s weak run defense will be tested by Redskin RB Stephen Davis, who rolled up 280 yards rushing in two games against the Cardinals last season. Jeff George will make his Redskin debut at QB for the injured Brad Johnson. Washington WR Albert Connell leads the NFL with 22.2 yards a catch. Arizona is 9-5 against the Redskins since 1993.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS WAS AR Points scored 18.9 (19) 16.4 (24) Points allowed 15.8 (7) 28.9 (29) Passing Off. 223.6 (11) 221.0 (13) Rushing Off. 121.1 (15) 96.6 (23) Passing Def. 163.9 (1) 195.8 (11) Rushing Def. 100.0 (8) 148.0 (30) Time of Poss. 31:53 (9) 28:10 (26) Turnover Ratio +1 (T14) -16 (31) Red Zone TD% 55.6 (10) 44.0 (T19)

*--*

* The pick: Washington. Jeff George starts and Redskins get a glimpse of future vs. the sorry Cardinals.

DALLAS AT PHILADELPHIA 10 a.m.

* The line: Philadelphia by 3.

* Key injuries: DAL--DT Chad Hennings (neck, out); QB Troy Aikman (back, questionable). PHI--None.

* Key elements: The Eagles look to get their running game back on track against a Cowboy defense that has given up 1,364 yards rushing in only eight games. Cowboy RB Emmitt Smith has averaged 100.6 yards over 21 games against the Eagles. Eagle DE Hugh Douglas is on pace for 21 sacks, which would tie Reggie White’s club record.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DAL PHI Points scored 23.9 (9) 20.9 (14) Points allowed 24.6 (24) 14.9 (6) Passing Off. 175.8 (26) 181.4 (23) Rushing Off. 119.1 (16) 125.0 (10) Passing Def. 175.5 (5) 180.2 (6) Rushing Def. 170.5 (31) 133.9 (18) Time of Poss. 28:04 (27) 28:22 (25) Turnover Ratio -8 (T25) +1 (T14) Red Zone TD% 64.0 (4) 56.0 (T8)

*--*

* The pick: Dallas. Sure, Eagles won behind Duce Staley in first meeting. Now he’s injured, and Cowboys are bringing Randall Cunningham back to Philadelphia.