CAPSULES

OAKLAND AT NEW ORLEANS, 10 a.m.

* The line: Oakland by 3.

* Key injuries: OAK--K Sebastian Janikowski (ankle, questionable); RB Tyrone Wheatley (ankle, questionable). NO--WR Jake Reed (fibula, out); RB Ricky Williams (fibula, out).

* Key elements: With Williams sidelined, count on the Raiders extending their three-game streak of holding opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. The Saints hold the NFL’s longest current winning streak at six games. The Saint defense leads the NFL with 44 sacks.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS OAK NO Points scored 28.0 (3) 20.3 (15) Points allowed 15.2 (5) 19.9 (13) Passing Off. 216.3 (13) 187.0 (20) Rushing Off. 133.8 (6) 138.6 (4) Passing Def. 257.5 (30) 186.7 (7) Rushing Def. 92.6 (5) 78.2 (4) Time of Poss. 31:52 (8) 32:10 (7) Turnover Ratio +11 (4) +5 (T9) Red Zone TD% 57.1 (7) 51.7 (12)

*--*

* The pick: Oakland. The Saints won’t flop without Williams, but beating Raiders would be asking a lot.

TAMPA BAY AT CHICAGO, 10 a.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 7.

* Key injuries: TB--None. CHI--QB Jim Miller (Achilles, out). QB Cade McNown (shoulder, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Buccaneers have completely dominated the Bears their last three meetings, holding Chicago to nine points and 694 yards of total offense. Tampa Bay QB Shaun King has nine touchdown passes in those games. The Bears are down to their third-string quarterback, Shane Matthews.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TB CHI Points scored 25.2 (5) 14.0 (29) Points allowed 16.7 (9) 24.6 (26) Passing Off. 183.9 (23) 183.8 (24) Rushing Off. 116.5 (18) 116.8 (T16) Passing Def. 189.3 (9) 218.0 (20) Rushing Def. 100.4 (12) 130.7 (26) Time of Poss. 30:25 (14) 28:26 (26) Turnover Ratio +5 (T9) -6 (23) Red Zone TD% 62.1 (4) 41.2 (23)

*--*

* The pick: Tampa Bay. The Bears have quarterback trouble. Of course, they had quarterback trouble before Cade McNown and Jim Miller were injured.

INDIANAPOLIS AT GREEN BAY, 10 a.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: IND--None. GB--RB Dorsey Levens (knee, out); WR Corey Bradford (leg, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Colts’ Peyton Manning needs 50 yards passing to become the only player in NFL history with 3,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. The Colts live and die by the turnover, forcing 13 in seven victories and none in three losses. Favre has started an NFL-record 135 consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS IND GB Points scored 27.9 (4) 20.9 (T12) Points allowed 21.3 (16) 20.7 (15) Passing Off. 288.6 (2) 226.3 (10) Rushing Off. 121.4 (14) 91.3 (25) Passing Def. 215.5 (17) 200.8 (12) Rushing Def. 122.4 (T20) 107.2 (15) Time of Poss. 30:10 (16) 30:00 (17) Turnover Ratio --7 (T25) -6 (T23) Red Zone TD% 58.3 (6) 53.3 (10)

*--*

* The pick: Indianapolis. Packers already are without Levens, and although Favre will tough out a foot injury, he isn’t 100%.

CLEVELAND AT TENNESSEE, 1 p.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 16.

* Key injuries: CLE--None. TEN--RB Eddie George (knee/toe, questionable).

* Key elements: Titan RB Eddie George has 210 yards and four touchdowns in his last two meetings with the Browns. George needs 135 yards to become the fifth player in NFL history to open his career with five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Tennessee has forced 19 turnovers in its last seven games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CLE TEN Points scored 10.9 (30) 20.4 (14) Points allowed 22.2 (21) 14.9 (4) Passing Off. 173.6 (26) 200.4 (16) Rushing Off. 72.6 (29) 118.5 (15) Passing Def. 189.5 (10) 173.1 (4) Rushing Def. 143.5 (29) 98.2 (10) Time of Poss. 26:46 (30) 32:39 (2) Turnover Ratio -4 (20) +4 (11) Red Zone TD% 42.3 (20) 42.4 (19)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee. But Al Del Greco’s kicks today won’t make up for misses in Titan loss last week.

BUFFALO AT KANSAS CITY, 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: BUF--RB Sammy Morris (ankle, questionable). KC--None.

* Key elements: Chief QB Elvis Grbac will be tested by a Bill defense that has not allowed 300-yard passer in 38 games, the longest such span in the NFL. Grbac has averaged 372.3 yards passing in his last three games. Rob Johnson returns from injury to start at QB for the Bills. Bill WR Eric Moulds is tied for the NFL lead with 68 receptions.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BUF KC Points scored 19.9 (16) 25.0 (6) Points allowed 18.9 (11) 23.6 (T24) Passing Off. 225.9 (11) 275.5 (3) Rushing Off. 109.1 (19) 76.6 (28) Passing Def. 188.2 (8) 221.9 (24) Rushing Def. 77.3 (3) 137.0 (28) Time of Poss. 32:21 (6) 27:27 (27) Turnover Ratio +10 (T5) +8 (8) Red Zone TD% 41.9 (T21) 62.9 (3)

*--*

* The pick: Kansas City. The Chiefs stumbled against both Bay Area teams, but they return to Arrowhead to recover against Johnson, who might be riding for a fall.

CAROLINA AT MINNESOTA, 10 a.m.

* The line: Minnesota by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka (toe, questionable). MIN--S Orlando Thomas (shoulder, out).

* Key elements: Viking QB Daunte Culpepper needs one rushing touchdown and 19 rushing yards to break Fran Tarkenton’s club records of 376 yards and five touchdowns. WR Randy Moss has the most touchdowns (38) in the NFL since 1998. Viking defenders have not had an interception in six consecutive games. Carolina’s running game has been held to fewer than 100 yards in each of its last five games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CAR MIN Points scored 19.3 (17) 24.8 (8) Points allowed 17.3 (10) 21.8 (19) Passing Off. 221.0 (12) 244.2 (6) Rushing Off. 79.4 (27) 146.0 (1) Passing Def. 216.2 (18) 225.2 (26) Rushing Def. 122.4 (T20) 101.0 (13) Time of Poss. 30:19 (15) 31:43 (9) Turnover Ratio -5 (22) -11 (28) Red Zone TD% 36.1 (27) 45.5 (17)

*--*

* The pick: Minnesota. Panthers can’t duplicate upset they pulled against Rams.

CINCINNATI AT NEW ENGLAND, 10 a.m.

* The line: New England by 7.

* Key injuries: CIN--None. NE--DE Willie McGinest (calf, questionable); RB J.R. Redmond (ribs, questionable); LB Chris Slade (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Bengal RB Corey Dillon needs 145 yards rushing to become the eighth player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards in his first four seasons. Dillon will face a defense that has allowed 130 or more yards rushing in the last four games. Scott Mitchell takes over at QB for the Bengals, replacing Akili Smith.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN NE Points scored 9.3 (31) 16.7 (25) Points allowed 21.7 (18) 20.6 (14) Passing Off. 107.5 (31) 185.7 (22) Rushing Off. 140.8 (3) 91.6 (24) Passing Def. 217.9 (19) 208.6 (15) Rushing Def. 126.5 (23) 118.9 (19) Time of Poss. 26:43 (31) 29:05 (23) Turnover Ratio -10 (27) -3 (T17) Red Zone TD% 31.3 (30) 43.8 (18)

*--*

* The pick: New England. One of these teams should join the three-victory club.

DETROIT AT NEW YORK GIANTS

* The line: New York by 6.

* Key injuries: DET--WR Germane Crowell (foot, out); T Aaron Gibson (shoulder, doubtful). NYG--G Glenn Parker (calf, out).

* Key elements: The Giants’ two-headed monster of RBs Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne have combined for eight touchdowns and 1,263 yards on 280 carries (4.5 average). The Giants have rushed for 130 or more yards in four consecutive games. Detroit’s 28 takeaways lead the NFC.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DET NYG Points scored 18.2 (21) 19.2 (18) Points allowed 19.7 (12) 15.3 (6) Passing Off. 164.6 (27) 191.3 (17) Rushing Off. 99.0 (22) 142.2 (2) Passing Def. 200.9 (13) 218.7 (21) Rushing Def. 127.5 (24) 75.2 (2) Time of Poss. 29:01 (25) 31:42 (10) Turnover Ratio +9 (7) +3 (12) Red Zone TD% 39.4 (25) 48.2 (16)

*--*

* The pick: Giants. These teams’ records are better than they are, but the Giants still lead the NFC East.

ARIZONA AT PHILADELPHIA, 10 a.m.

* The line: Philadelphia by 7.

* Key injuries: ARI--WR David Boston (hamstring, questionable); RB Michael Pittman (ribs, questionable). PHI--None.

* Key elements: Philadelphia has won four of five, including the last two in overtime. The Eagles have had three or more sacks in the last four games, led by the NFL sack co-leader Hugh Douglas (13.0) and Corey Simon (7.0). Cardinal QB Jake Plummer has thrown 39 interceptions in his last 22 games. Arizona has lost seven in a row on the road.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ARI PHI Points scored 16.1 (26) 20.9 (T12) Points allowed 27.7 (29) 15.5 (7) Passing Off. 208.9 (14) 187.5 (19) Rushing Off. 88.0 (26) 122.0 (13) Passing Def. 212.6 (16) 168.5 (2) Rushing Def. 150.6 (30) 128.3 (25) Time of Poss. 27:23 (28) 29:03 (24) Turnover Ratio -15 (30) +1 (T13) Red Zone TD% 41.5 (T21) 50.0 (14)

*--*

* The pick: Philadelphia. Eagles could be atop NFC East in short order.

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

* The line: Denver by 9.

* Key injuries: SD--WR Reggie Jones (knee, questionable); QB Moses Moreno (knee, doubtful). DEN--QB Brian Griese (shoulder, out).

* Key elements: The Chargers have lost five games by three points or fewer. San Diego is 0-10 for the first time since 1975, when it went 2-12. San Diego RB Jermaine Fazande has 244 yards rushing in past two games vs. the Broncos. Denver WR Ed McCaffrey has eight touchdown catches in the past six games vs. Chargers.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SD DEN Points scored 15.2 (28) 29.5 (2) Points allowed 25.3 (27) 22.5 (22) Passing Off. 207.4(15) 275.3 (4) Rushing Off. 68.0 (31) 129.1 (8) Passing Def. 218.9 (22) 234.9 (27) Rushing Def. 92.7 (6) 9.9 (11) Time of Poss. 29:25 (T19) 33:54 (1) Turnover Ratio -18 (31) +15 (2) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (24) 51.4 (13)

*--*

* The pick: Denver. Griese injury would give Chargers a glimmer of hope--anywhere but Mile High.

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI, 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Miami by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: NYJ--None. MIAMI--WR Oronde Gadsden (knee, questionable); LB Zach Thomas (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: These teams have combined for 146 points and 1,600 yards in their past two meetings. In 10 career games vs. Miami, Jet RB Curtis Martin has rushed for 100 or more yards twice. Miami DEs Trace Armstrong and Travis Taylor (22.5 combined sacks) face a Jet OL which has yielded an NFL-low nine sacks.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYJ MIA Points scored 22.3 (10) 21.7 (11) Points allowed 21.6 (17) 12.6 (3) Passing Off. 236.8 (8) 151.4 (29) Rushing Off. 95.6 (23) 132.5 (7) Passing Def. 208.5 (14) 192.2 (11) Rushing Def. 116.7 (18) 103.0 (14) Time of Poss. 29:25 (T19) 31:24 (12) Turnover Ratio -3 (T17) +16 (1) Red Zone TD% 52.8 (11) 60.0 (5)

*--*

* The pick: Miami. Dolphins haven’t lost since Monday Night Miracle. Jets haven’t won since then.

ATLANTA AT SAN FRANCISCO, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: San Francisco by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: ATL--WR Tim Dwight (ribs/leg, questionable). SF--WR Terrell Owens (toe, questionable).

* Key elements: 49er WR Jerry Rice needs 24 receiving yards to reach 19,000 for his career. The 49ers have totaled 845 yards in offense in their last two games vs. Falcons. Niner RB Charlie Garner leads the NFC with 1,420 total yards from scrimmage. Atlanta’s Ashley Ambrose (4) and Ray Buchanan (6) have the most interceptions among starting CB duos.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ATL SF Points scored 16.9 (23) 24.9 (7) Points allowed 26.4 (28) 30.0 (30) Passing Off. 186.5 (21) 264.0 (5) Rushing Off. 72.5 (30) 124.4 (11) Passing Def. 222.6 (25) 281.6 (31) Rushing Def. 123.8 (22) 112.6 (16) Time of Poss. 29:18 (22) 29:20 (21) Turnover Ratio -3 (T17) +1 (T13) Red Zone TD% 30.8 (31) 68.3 (2)

*--*

* The pick: San Francisco. The 49ers actually seem to be a bad team that is getting better instead of worse.

DALLAS AT BALTIMORE, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 7.

* Key injuries: DAL--DT Leon Lett (knee, out). BAL--T Harry Swayne (thigh, out).

* Key elements: Baltimore RB Jamal Lewis has rushed for 738 yards. Raven QB Trent Dilfer has 525 yards, .657 completion percentage, five touchdowns and one interception for a 106.0 QB rating his last two games. Emmitt Smith faces a Raven defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher for an NFL-best 28 consecutive games. Four of Dallas’ six losses have been by six points or fewer.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DAL BAL Points scored 22.7 (9) 17.4 (22) Points allowed 21.9 (20) 11.6 (1) Passing Off. 180.5 (25) 190.1 (18) Rushing Off. 125.4 (T9) 122.8 (12) Passing Def. 168.7 (3) 180.1 (6) Rushing Def. 163.2 (31) 65.5 (1) Time of Poss. 29:28 (18) 32:37 (3) Turnover Ratio -7 (T25) +13 (3) Red Zone TD% 54.6 (9) 35.3 (29)

*--*

* The pick: Baltimore. Formidable Raven run defense should handle Emmitt Smith.

JACKSONVILLE AT PITTSBURGH, 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 3.

* Key injuries: JAC--LB Hardy Nickerson (knee, out). PIT--C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring, out).

* Key elements: The Steelers keep finding ways to lose, dropping their last two games by a total of five points. Three of Pittsburgh’s losses have come after the two-minute warning. Jaguar RB Fred Taylor is going for his fifth 100-yard rushing game in a row. Steeler RB Jerome Bettis needs 131 yards for his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Nine of the 11 games in this series have been won by the home team.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS JAC PIT Points scored 18.6 (19) 16.0 (27) Points allowed 23.5 (23) 11.9 (2) Passing Off. 237.9 (7) 148.8 (30) Rushing Off. 103.9 (21) 133.9 (5) Passing Def. 219.8 (23) 179.7 (5) Rushing Def. 113.3 (17) 96.4 (9) Time of Poss. 30:47 (13) 31:30 (11) Turnover Ratio -4 (T20) +10 (T5) Red Zone TD% 35.5 (28) 39.3 (26)

*--*

* The pick: Pittsburgh. There’s very little to keep 3-7 Jaguars battling now.

WASHINGTON AT ST. LOUIS, MONDAY, 6 p.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 6.

* Key injuries: WAS--QB Brad Johnson (knee, doubtful); CB Darrell Green (calf, questionable). STL--QB Kurt Warner (finger, out) RB Marshall Faulk (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Game features the NFL’s top-ranked offense (Rams 475.4) vs. the NFC’s top-ranked defense (Redskins 255.3). The Rams have scored 49 touchdowns and are on pace for an NFL-record 78.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS WAS STL Points scored 18.5 (20) 39.2 (1) Points allowed 15.8 (8) 30.3 (31) Passing Off. 227.0 (9) 358.6 (1) Rushing Off. 125.4 (T9) 116.8 (T16) Passing Def. 160.8 (1) 253.6 (28) Rushing Def. 94.5 (7) 96.2 (8) Time of Poss. 32:27 (4) 32:22 (5) Turnover Ratio 0 (T15) 0 (T15) Red Zone TD% 48.5 (15) 69.4 (1)

*--*

* The pick: St. Louis--although the Redskins are one of the few teams with a secondary deep enough to match up with Ram receivers.