CAPSULES

ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA, 10 a.m., Channel 11

* The line: Minnesota by 13.

* Key injuries: ARI-None. MIN--S Orlando Thomas (shoulder, out) CB Cris Dishman (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: The Vikings have lost two in a row. Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper threw six interceptions in those games. While Cardinal QB Jake Plummer has thrown 39 interceptions in his last 21 games, look for him to have success against the Vikings’ injury-depleted secondary. Arizona has lost six consecutive road games dating to last season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ARI MIN Points scored 16.3 (25) 24.1 (8) Points allowed 27.3 (28) 22.7 (20) Passing Off. 211.2 (14) 237.8 (6) Rushing Off. 90.9 (24) 144.7 (1) Passing Def. 203.7 (12) 229.4 (26) Rushing Def. 149.8 (30) 105.3 (T12) Time of Poss. 27:33 (28) 31:27 (10) Turnover Ratio -15 (31) -11 (28) Red Zone TD% 41.4 (T21) 42.9 (20)

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. Cardinals’ winning streak ends at two--Redskins and stadium initiative.

CHICAGO AT BUFFALO, 10 a.m.

* The line: Buffalo by 7.

* Key injuries: CHI--QB Cade McNown (shoulder, doubtful). BUF--DE Phil Hansen (knee, out); QB Rob Johnson (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: Bear WR Marcus Robinson and QB Jim Miller have hooked up for 25 completions, 462 yards and three touchdowns in Miller’s four starts. The Bills have not allowed a 300-yard passer in 37 games, the NFL’s longest streak. Doug Flutie is 11-3 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CHI BUF Points scored 15.2 (28) 19.9 (17) Points allowed 25.1 (26) 20.7 (12) Passing Off. 189.2 (18) 229.4 (8) Rushing Off. 118.8 (15) 109.6 (19) Passing Def. 220.7 (23) 194.1 (10) Rushing Def. 133.6 (26) 74.9 (3) Time of Poss. 28:50 (24) 32:02 (8) Turnover Ratio -3 (T21) +7 (8) Red Zone TD% 43.8 (17) 41.4 (T21)

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. The Bills’ ready-to-boil-over quarterback controversy beats the Bears’ still-brewing quarterback controversy.

NEW ENGLAND AT CLEVELAND, 10 a.m.

* The line: New England by 7.

* Key injuries: NE--QB Drew Bledsoe (thumb, questionable); DE Willie McGinest (calf, questionable). CLE--WR David Patten (toe, out).

* Key elements: Without injured QBs Tim Couch and Ty Detmer, the Browns have scored 10 points or fewer in four consecutive games. Cleveland’s defense has yielded more than 140 yards rushing six games in a row.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NE CLE Points scored 17.3 (23) 10.1 (30) Points allowed 20.8 (T13) 23.3 (22) Passing Off. 185.9 (23) 177.7 (25) Rushing Off. 90.4 (26) 66.0 (31) Passing Def. 217.0 (19) 190.0 (9) Rushing Def. 116.7 (19) 147.7 (29) Time of Poss. 29:28 (20) 26:01 (31) Turnover Ratio +1 (T13) -8 (T24) Red Zone TD% 43.3 (19) 43.5 (18)

*--*

The pick: New England. Browns haven’t scored a touchdown since Couch broke his thumb. Patriots can win even if Bledsoe’s thumb keeps him out.

CINCINNATI AT DALLAS, 10 a.m.

* The line: Dallas by 8.

* Key injuries: CIN--None. DAL--DT Chad Hennings (neck,out); WR Raghib Ismail (knee, out); DT Leon Lett (knee, out); QB Troy Aikman (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Dallas’ beat-up run defense (worst in NFL) will be tested by the Bengals’ running game, which has averaged 178.3 yards rushing in last six games. Bengal QBs have not thrown a touchdown pass in five consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN DAL Points scored 9.7 (31) 22.7 (10) Points allowed 21.6 (17) 23.7 (23) Passing Off. 113.2 (31) 166.3 (27) Rushing Off. 141.0 (4) 128.6 (T8) Passing Def. 207.9 (14) 181.3 (7) Rushing Def. 129.8 (25) 165.9 (31) Time of Poss. 26:57 (29) 28:49 (25) Turnover Ratio -9 (27) -8 (T24) Red Zone TD% 35.7 (28) 60.7 (5)

*--*

The pick: Dallas. But Bengals’ Corey Dillon goes against NFL’s worst rushing defense and Cowboys have been hit with another wave of injuries.

ATLANTA AT DETROIT, 10 a.m.

* The line: Detroit by 8.

* Key injuries: ATL--QB Chris Chandler (concussion, doubtful). DET--WR Germane Crowell (foot, out).

* Key elements: Former Michigan coach Gary Moeller takes over for the departed Bobby Ross. Danny Kanell is expected to start at QB for Atlanta in place of the injured Chris Chandler. Atlanta rookie KR Darrick Vaughn leads the NFL with a 30.9-yard kickoff-return average. Detroit leads NFC with 26 takeaways.

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THE MATCHUPS ATL DET Points scored 17.6 (22) 18.8 (18) Points allowed 27.7 (29) 20.8 (T13) Passing Off. 194.8 (17) 170.1 (26) Rushing Off. 68.4 (29) 98.1 (22) Passing Def. 233.4 (27) 211.7 (17) Rushing Def. 125.5 (23) 129.0 (24) Time of Poss. 29:10 (21) 28:58 (22) Turnover Ratio -2 (T17) +8 (7) Red Zone TD% 28.0 (31) 38.7 (24)

*--*

The pick: Detroit. Lions have been so mistake-prone a burned-out Bobby Ross quit--but Falcons are mistake-prone too, and Chandler won’t play.

BALTIMORE AT TENNESSEE, 10 a.m., Channel 2

* The line: Tennessee by 3 1/2.

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

* Key elements: The Titans’ 13-0 record at home could be in jeopardy as RB Eddie George faces a Raven defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 27 games. Baltimore has given up five touchdowns in the last seven games. The Ravens lost first meeting, 14-6, because of seven fumbles.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BAL TEN Points scored 16.7 (24) 20.1 (16) Points allowed 10.5 (2) 13.9 (5) Passing Off. 183.3 (24) 197.8 (16) Rushing Off. 124.8 (12) 124.8 (13) Passing Def. 175.7 (4) 163.7 (2) Rushing Def. 65.9 (1) 97.7 (10) Time of Poss. 32:27 (T5) 33:25 (2) Turnover Ratio +12 (T2) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 32.9 (30) 40.0 (23)

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. First game was a defensive battle won by Tennessee. Remember: Titans have never lost at Adelphia Coliseum.

PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH, 10 a.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: PHI--None. PIT--C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring, out).

* Key elements: The battle of Pennsylvania is likely to be a low-scoring one. Eagle KR Brian Mitchell needs only 14 return yards to be No. 1 in NFL history. The Steelers’ red zone defense (13.0 yards) leads the NFL.

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THE MATCHUPS PHI PIT Points scored 20.4 (13) 15.2 (28) Points allowed 14.7 (6) 10.3 (1) Passing Off. 186.1 (22) 149.8 (30) Rushing Off. 125.4 (T10) 128.6 (T8) Passing Def. 171.3 (3) 177.2 (5) Rushing Def. 122.9 (21) 97.3 (9) Time of Poss. 28:51 (23) 31:19 (11) Turnover Ratio +1 (T13) +10 (5) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T11) 38.5 (25)

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. Steelers haven’t given up a touchdown in five games, and Jerome Bettis should be able to run over Eagle defense.

NEW ORLEANS AT CAROLINA, 10 a.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 1.

* Key injuries: NO--WR Jake Reed (fibula, out). CAR--None.

* Key elements: The Panthers’ offensive line (36 sacks allowed) will have its hands full with the Saints’ defensive line (36 sacks). New Orleans has won five consecutive games, its best winning streak since 1993. RB Ricky Williams has rushed for 907 yards.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NO CAR Points scored 20.3 (14) 20.3 (14) Points allowed 15.8 (8) 17.0 (10) Passing Off. 188.0 (20) 217.3 (12) Rushing Off. 138.0 (5) 82.3 (27) Passing Def. 179.2 (6) 221.9 (24) Rushing Def. 81.0 (4) 118.6 (19) Time of Poss. 32:33 (4) 30:12 (16) Turnover Ratio +2 (12) -2 (T17) Red Zone TD% 57.7 (9) 37.5 (T26)

*--*

The pick: New Orleans. Saints’ shot at sixth in a row is solid. The defense held Panthers to eight first downs in a 24-6 victory in first meeting.

SEATTLE AT JACKSONVILLE, 10 a.m.

* The line: Jacksonville by 7 1/2.

* Key injuries: SEA--QB Brock Huard (concussion, questionable); WR Sean Dawkins (quadriceps, questionable). JAC--LB Hardy Nickerson (knee, out).

* Key elements: This game features two of last season’s AFC playoff teams undergoing equally disappointing seasons. The Seahawks have turned over the ball 43 times in their last 17 games (4-13). After tying for the NFL lead with 57 sacks last season, the Jaguars have only 15 sacks in nine games.

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THE MATCHUPS SEA JAC Points scored 15.7 (27) 18.3 (21) Points allowed 23.9 (T24) 23.0 (21) Passing Off. 157.2 (28) 229.3 (9) Rushing Off. 105.0 (20) 101.9 (21) Passing Def. 249.9 (28) 218.7 (20) Rushing Def. 136.3 (28) 115.2 (17) Time of Poss. 26:46 (30) 30:47 (13) Turnover Ratio -13 (29) -3 (T21) Red Zone TD% 48.2 (15) 33.3 (29)

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. Battered Mark Brunell finally gets a break against weak Seahawk pass rush.

MIAMI AT SAN DIEGO, 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Miami by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIA--LB Zach Thomas (ankle, out). SD--QB Jim Harbaugh (mild hernia/thigh bruise, questionable).

* Key elements: Miami RB Lamar Smith will be running into the teeth of a Charger defense that has limited opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games. Smith has 351 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the last three games. Dolphin DE Trace Armstrong leads the AFC with 11 1/2 sacks.

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THE MATCHUPS MIA SD Points scored 22.2 (11) 16.1 (26) Points allowed 13.2 (4) 26.2 (27) Passing Off. 150.4 (29) 213.1 (13) Rushing Off. 137.9 (6) 66.4 (30) Passing Def. 196.2 (11) 225.4 (25) Rushing Def. 105.3 (T12) 93.7 (6) Time of Poss. 31:15 (12) 29:39 (19) Turnover Ratio +12 (T2) -14 (30) Red Zone TD% 59.1 (7) 37.5 (T26)

*--*

The pick: Miami. Chargers have been close in last three games, but Dolphin pass rush against inexperienced Moses Moreno doesn’t bode well.

KANSAS CITY AT SAN FRANCISCO, 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Kansas City by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: KC--None. SF--WR Terrell Owens (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: Forty-niner QB Jeff Garcia leads NFL with 24 touchdown passes; Chief QB Elvis Grbac has thrown for 846 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games. Kansas City is averaging 36.3 points in its last three games. Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez has four consecutive 100-yard games, an NFL record for TEs.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC SF Points scored 27.0 (5) 25.3 (7) Points allowed 23.9 (T24) 32.2 (31) Passing Off. 278.9 (3) 266.4 (5) Rushing Off. 79.7 (28) 121.9 (14) Passing Def. 219.9 (22) 284.5 (31) Rushing Def. 135.7 (27) 120.2 (20) Time of Poss. 27:51 (27) 28:39 (26) Turnover Ratio +9 (6) 0 (T15) Red Zone TD% 63.6 (3) 67.6 (1)

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. Grbac passed for 504 yards against Oakland. Now he faces San Francisco’s 31st-ranked pass defense. Watch out.

ST. LOUIS AT NEW YORK GIANTS, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11

* The line: St. Louis by 2.

* Key injuries: STL--RB Marshall Faulk (knee, out); QB Kurt Warner (finger, out) NYG--None.

* Key elements: The Ram offense might face its toughest test against a Giant defense that has held eight of nine opponents to fewer than 20 points. The Rams have 44 touchdowns and are on a record-setting pace for 78. The Giants are off to their best start since they went 13-3 on the way to winning Super Bowl XXV in 1990.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS STL NYG Points scored 39.3 (1) 18.7 (19) Points allowed 31.0 (30) 12.8 (3) Passing Off. 370.0 (1) 118.9 (19) Rushing Off. 114.1 (18) 143.0 (3) Passing Def. 258.1 (30) 214.6 (18) Rushing Def. 91.9 (5) 67.9 (2) Time of Poss. 31:54 (9) 32:38 (3) Turnover Ratio -2 (T17) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 66.7 (2) 48.0 (16)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. It’s tempting to count Rams out without Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, but Giant offense will still be hard-pressed to keep up.

GREEN BAY AT TAMPA BAY, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 9.

* Key injuries: GB--DE Vonnie Holliday (ankle, out); RB Dorsey Levens (knee, out); WR Corey Bradford (leg, doubtful). TB--None.

* Key elements: Buc QB Shaun King has thrown for seven touchdowns in the last two games. Tampa Bay leads the NFL with 41 sacks. Green Bay QB Brett Favre is 13-3 in 16 career starts against the Bucs.

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THE MATCHUPS GB TB Points scored 21.6 (12) 25.8 (6) Points allowed 20.8 (T13) 16.9 (9) Passing Off. 228.7 (10) 186.1 (21) Rushing Off. 90.7 (25) 117.4 (17) Passing Def. 204.9 (13) 187.6 (8) Rushing Def. 107.1 (15) 100.8 (11) Time of Poss. 30:14 (15) 30:15 (14) Turnover Ratio -6 (23) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 55.2 (10) 59.3 (6)

*--*

The pick: Tampa Bay. Combination of injury to Packers’ Dorsey Levens and short week of preparation after miraculous Monday night is too much to expect Green Bay to win on road.

NEW YORK JETS AT INDIANAPOLIS, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

* The line: Indianapolis by 6.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: RB Curtis Martin might be the key to the Jets’ ball-control game plan as the Colts have surrendered 140 or more yards on the ground in three consecutive games. Jet QB Vinny Testaverde leads the AFC in fourth-quarter passing rating (116.1). Colt RB Edgerrin James has scored at least one touchdown in four consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYJ IND Points scored 23.1 (9) 28.4 (3) Points allowed 21.4 (16) 22.0 (18) Passing Off. 233.0 (7) 297.3 (2) Rushing Off. 95.6 (23) 118.4 (16) Passing Def. 208.3 (15) 209.3 (16) Rushing Def. 113.2 (16) 125.3 (22) Time of Poss. 29:48 (17) 29:44 (18) Turnover Ratio -2 (T17) -8 (T24) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T11) 61.3 (4)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. But Colts need to get going earlier on offense and limit turnovers to withstand seemingly inevitable Jet comeback.

OAKLAND AT DENVER, MONDAY, 6 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 3.

* Key injuries: OAK--Sebastian Janikowski (ankle, questionable); RB Tyrone Wheatley (ankle, questionable). DEN--None.

* Key elements: Led by RBs Mike Anderson and Terrell Davis, the Broncos have rushed for more than 130 yards in three consecutive games. Oakland is going for its seventh consecutive victory and a 9-1 start. The last time Raiders were 9-1 was Super Bowl title season of 1976.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS OAK DEN Points scored 28.4 (4) 29.8 (2) Points allowed 19.1 (11) 22.3 (19) Passing Off. 198.9 (15) 277.2 (4) Rushing Off. 144.4 (2) 135.6 (7) Passing Def. 257.4 (29) 219.6 (21) Rushing Def. 95.0 (8) 105.7 (14) Time of Poss. 32:03 (7) 34:21 (1) Turnover Ratio +12 (T2) +14 (1) Red Zone TD% 57.9 (8) 50.0 (T11)

*--*

The pick: Oakland. Four Raider turnovers contributed to 33-24 loss to Broncos in September, and Rich Gannon is on a roll.