CAPSULES

PITTSBURGH AT CINCINNATI, 10 a.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 4.

* Key injuries: PIT--C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring, out); RB Jerome Bettis (leg, questionable). CIN--QB Scott Mitchell (knee, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Steelers have surrendered six touchdowns in the last two games after not allowing any in the previous five contests. The Steelers’ red-zone defense (22.6% TD) is the best in the NFL. Bengal RB Corey Dillon needs only 66 yards to become the eighth player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT CIN Points scored 16.7 (25) 9.6 (31) Points allowed 13.9 (3) 21.2 (17) Passing Off. 148.8 (29) 118.5 (31) Rushing Off. 135.1 (5) 140.5 (2) Passing Def. 179.5 (6) 221.0 (20) Rushing Def. 109.5 (15) 118.5 (19) Time of Poss. 30:58 (13) 27:15 (28) Turnover Ratio +7 (7) -11 (28) Red Zone TD% 41.4 (23) 30.0 (30)

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. Surge sputtered, but not so much Steelers can’t handle Bengals.

NEW ORLEANS AT ST.LOUIS, 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: NO--QB Jeff Blake (foot, injured reserve, out); RB Ricky Williams (fibula, out) STL--QB Kurt Warner (finger, doubtful).

* Key elements: Saint DL Joe Johnson and La’Roi Glover lead the NFL’s best pass rush (49 sacks) against a Ram offensive line that has allowed 31. Saint QB Aaron Brooks played in his NFL game last Sunday vs. Oakland, completing 14 of 22 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. QB Trent Green might be making last start for Rams.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NO STL Points scored 20.5 (14) 37.5 (1) Points allowed 16.6 (8) 30.5 (31) Passing Off. 188.2 (21) 357.3 (1) Rushing Off. 138.1 (3) 110.7 (19) Passing Def. 182.3 (7) 254.4 (29) Rushing Def. 85.5 (4) 100.0 (12) Time of Poss. 31:45 (8) 31:54 (7) Turnover Ratio +5 (9) -2 (T18) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (15) 65.5 (1)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Too bad this game wasn’t played before Williams and Blake were injured.

CHICAGO AT NEW YORK JETS, 10 a.m.

* The line: New York Jets by 7.

* Key injuries: CHI--QB Cade McNown (shoulder, questionable). NYJ--WR Laveranues Coles (knee, out); RB Curtis Martin (gluteus maximus, questionable).

* Key elements: Martin needs 138 yards to become the third player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his six seasons. Jet QB Vinnie Testaverde has thrown at least two interceptions in each of the last five games. Bear LB and defensive rookie of the year candidate Brian Urlacher has 87 tackles and six sacks in only nine starts. Chicago leads the all-time series, 4-2.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CHI NYJ Points scored 13.9 (29) 22.1 (9) Points allowed 23.3 (22) 19.9 (13) Passing Off. 181.6 (22) 223.9 (12) Rushing Off. 113.7 (18) 99.0 (22) Passing Def. 203.6 (13) 200.2 (12) Rushing Def. 133.8 (27) 113.6 (17) Time of Poss. 28:35 (26) 29:39 (18) Turnover Ratio -4 (22) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 38.9 (25) 53.9 (10)

*--*

The pick: Jets. It’s must-win time, so maybe Jets will rev engines earlier.

BUFFALO AT TAMPA BAY, 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: BUF--RB Sammy Morris (ankle, questionable). TB--FB Mike Alstott (knee, out); S John Lynch (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: The Buccaneers may have a rough time without Alstott against a Bill defense that has yielded fewer than 100 yards rushing in nine of 11 games. Bill WR Eric Moulds leads the NFL with 76 catches. Tampa Bay ranks second in the NFL with 43 sacks and needs two to set break the team record. The Buccaneers lead the all-time series, 4-2--with all six games in Tampa.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BUF TB Points scored 20.0 (T15) 23.8 (8) Points allowed 18.7 (11) 16.4 (7) Passing Off. 225.8 (10) 172.6 (25) Rushing Off. 105.9 (20) 120.9 (14) Passing Def. 196.1 (11) 186.6 (9) Rushing Def. 79.6 (3) 98.8 (11) Time of Poss. 32:15 (5) 30:22 (16) Turnover Ratio +12 (4) +3 (10) Red Zone TD% 47.1 (18) 61.3 (3)

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. Buccaneers inspired no confidence with Chicago loss.

PHILADELPHIA AT WASHINGTON, 10 a.m.

* The line: Washington by 7.

* Key injuries: PHI--T Jon Runyan (ankle, questionable). WAS--QB Brad Johnson (knee, doubtful); CB Darrell Green (calf, questionable).

* Key elements: Eagles have won three in a row and five of six to move atop the NFC East. The Redskins have given up only three rushing touchdowns. Five of the last six games in this series have been decided by seven points or less.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PHI WAS Points scored 22.0 (10) 19.8 (18) Points allowed 14.9 (5) 16.2 (6) Passing Off. 188.9 (20) 230.2 (9) Rushing Off. 123.0 (13) 126.5 (9) Passing Def. 167.4 (2) 177.5 (5) Rushing Def. 122.1 (23) 90.5 (5) Time of Poss. 29:32 (20) 32:29 (4) Turnover Ratio 0 (15) +2 (T11) Red Zone TD% 51.4 (14) 48.7 (16)

*--*

The pick: Washington. Redskin defense showed its worth against Rams. Eagles aren’t quite the same challenge.

CLEVELAND AT BALTIMORE, 10 a.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 16.

* Key injuries: CLE--WR Darrin Chiaverini (knee, questionable); WR David Patten (shoulder, questionable). BAL--None.

* Key elements: Brown QB Doug Pederson will be facing a Raven defense that tops the NFL in fewest yards per carry (2.8), run defense (64.7), total defense (241.2). The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 28 games. Baltimore leads the NFL with four shutouts, the most since the 1976 Steelers posted five. Raven RB Jamal Lewis needs 75 yards to become the 37th rookie to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CLE BAL Points scored 10.8 (30) 18.2 (22) Points allowed 22.3 (20) 10.7 (1) Passing Off. 165.8 (27) 193.3 (18) Rushing Off. 70.3 (30) 133.4 (7) Passing Def. 191.2 (10) 176.5 (4) Rushing Def. 146.8 (29) 64.7 (1) Time of Poss. 26:21 (31) 33:06 (3) Turnover Ratio +2 (T11) +14 (T1) Red Zone TD% 42.3 (20) 35.1 (29)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. Ravens not the team anyone will want to see in playoffs.

ATLANTA AT OAKLAND, 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 11.

* Key injuries: ATL--None. OAK--RB Tyrone Wheatley (knee/ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Raider QB Rich Gannon has passed for 792 yards and seven touchdowns the last three games. With RB Tyrone Wheatley out, RB Zack Crockett has picked up the slack with five touchdown runs in the last three games. RB Jamal Anderson has been struggling, as the Falcons have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 10 of 12 games this season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ATL OAK Points scored 16.0 (27) 28.3 (3) Points allowed 25.5 (27) 20.1 (15) Passing Off. 180.8 (23) 208.8 (14) Rushing Off. 74.3 (29) 136.1 (4) Passing Def. 221.6 (21) 252.3 (28) Rushing Def. 124.1 (24) 96.3 (8) Time of Poss. 29:09 (T22) 31:55 (6) Turnover Ratio -3 (21) +11 (T5) Red Zone TD% 29.6 (31) 57.8 (7)

*--*

The pick: Oakland. Raiders with home-field advantage? It could happen.

MIAMI AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 6.

* Key injuries: MIA--QB Jay Fiedler (shoulder, questionable); RB Lamar Smith (hamstring, questionable); DE Jason Taylor (back, questionable); LB Zach Thomas (ankle, questionable). IND--None.

* Key elements: These teams have combined for 136 points in the last two meetings. Manning is only QB in the NFL to pass for touchdown in each game this season. Indianapolis’ offensive line (14 sacks allowed, second in AFC) will be tested by the top sack combo in the conference, DEs Trace Armstrong (13.5) and Jason Taylor (10.0).

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIA IND Points scored 20.0 (T15) 27.5 (4) Points allowed 13.3 (2) 21.7 (19) Passing Off. 148.3 (30) 286.6 (3) Rushing Off. 128.0 (8) 116.8 (16) Passing Def. 183.4 (8) 222.0 (22) Rushing Def. 105.7 (14) 124.5 (25) Time of Poss. 31:05 (12) 29:46 (17) Turnover Ratio +14 (T1) -8 (T25) Red Zone TD% 60.0 (T4) 59.0 (6)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. Injuries to Fiedler and Smith make Miami suspect.

KANSAS CITY AT SAN DIEGO, 1:15 p.m.

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

* Key injuries: KC--QB Elvis Grbac (finger, questionable). SD--RB Kenny Bynum (hamstring, questionable); S Rodney Harrison (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Grbac has averaged 364 yards passing over the last four games, yet all but one of those games were losses. The Chiefs have outscored Chargers, 76-10, in past two games. The Chargers’ last five losses have been by 18 points. Charger QB Ryan Leaf passed for a career-high 311 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC SD Points scored 24.3 (6) 17.2 (23) Points allowed 23.4 (23) 26.5 (28) Passing Off. 275.5 (4) 215.7 (13) Rushing Off. 79.0 (28) 69.6 (31) Passing Def. 222.2 (23) 239.3 (26) Rushing Def. 131.3 (26) 92.7 (6) Time of Poss. 27:34 (27) 29:09 (T22) Turnover Ratio +6 (8) -16 (31) Red Zone TD% 60.0 (T4) 35.7 (28)

*--*

The pick: San Diego. It’s time, plus Chiefs’ probable starting quarterback Warren Moon is 44.

DENVER AT SEATTLE, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 3.

* Key injuries: DEN--CB Ray Crockett (hamstring, out); QB Brian Griese (shoulder, out); RB Terrell Davis (leg, questionable). SEA--None.

* Key elements: The Broncos have won seven of eight games against Seahawks, with the last five decided by seven points or less. Denver WRs Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith are the top tandem in the NFL, having combined for 149 catches. Seattle RB Ricky Watters has seven touchdowns in six games vs. Denver.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DEN SEA Points scored 30.3 (2) 16.8 (24) Points allowed 23.8 (26) 23.6 (25) Passing Off. 290.5 (2) 163.8 (28) Rushing Off. 125.8 (10) 104.2 (21) Passing Def. 240.7 (27) 255.8 (30) Rushing Def. 97.7 (9) 135.0 (28) Time of Poss. 33:52 (1) 26:59 (30) Turnover Ratio +13 (3) -12 (29) Red Zone TD% 53.7 (11) 54.8 (8)

*--*

The pick: Denver. Gus Frerotte won’t have to do another John Elway impression to win this one.

TENNESSEE AT JACKSONVILLE, 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 3.

* Key injuries: TEN--Eddie George (toe, questionable), Steve McNair (thumb, questionable). JAC--LB Hardy Nickerson (knee).

* Key elements: The Titans are 22-3 in their last 25 division games. The Titans are shooting for a fifth consecutive win vs. the Jaguars. George needs one yard to become the fifth player in NFL history to open his career with five consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. The Jaguars have averaged 26 points over their last three games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TEN JAC Points scored 20.7 (12) 20.0 (T15) Points allowed 14.5 (4) 23.5 (24) Passing Off. 201.3 (17) 232.4 (7) Rushing Off. 124.3 (12) 116.3 (17) Passing Def. 164.6 (1) 213.4 (18) Rushing Def. 93.4 (7) 116.4 (18) Time of Poss. 33:10 (2) 31:07 (11) Turnover Ratio -2 (T18) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 46.0 (19) 37.1 (26)

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. The way the Titans have dominated Jaguars, does anyone even need to ask who’ll win?

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

* The line: New York Giants by 7.

* Key injuries: NYG--WR Ike Hilliard (sternum/lung, out). ARI--QB Jake Plummer (thumb/ribs).

* Key elements: When these teams met in Week 1, the Giants ran for 223 yards in a 21-16 win. The Giants have scored at least 21 points for four consecutive games. Cardinal S Pat Tillman has totaled 66 tackles and a sack in the last four games. Arizona QB Dave Brown will start against his former team. New York has won 15 of the last 21 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYG ARI Points scored 19.4 (T19) 15.5 (28) Points allowed 16.7 (9) 28.3 (30) Passing Off. 203.0 (16) 205.0 (15) Rushing Off. 134.1 (6) 83.9 (26) Passing Def. 218.7 (19) 211.8 (17) Rushing Def. 77.0 (2) 149.1 (30) Time of Poss. 31:12 (10) 27:11 (29) Turnover Ratio +1 (T13) -14 (30) Red Zone TD% 53.3 (12) 40.6 (24)

*--*

The pick: Giants. They’re not as good as their record, but they’re better than Arizona.

GREEN BAY AT CAROLINA, MONDAY 6 p.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 1.

* Key injuries: GB--RB Dorsey Levens (knee, out). CAR--RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka (toe, questionable); WR Donald Hayes (groin, questionable).

* Key elements: Packer QB Brett Favre needs 374 passing yards to post his ninth consecutive 3,000-yard season, which will tie him with Dan Marino for the all-time NFL record. QB Steve Beuerlein has been taking a beating as Carolina has yielded five or more sacks in its last four games. Carolina DE Reggie White faces his former team.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS GB CAR Points scored 21.4 (11) 19.1 (21) Points allowed 21.0 (16) 18.5 (10) Passing Off. 231.8 (8) 224.2 (11) Rushing Off. 96.2 (24) 79.3 (27) Passing Def. 206.8 (14) 226.5 (24) Rushing Def. 103.9 (13) 121.9 (22) Time of Poss. 30:23 (15) 30:34 (14) Turnover Ratio -5 (23) -6 (24) Red Zone TD% 51.4 (13) 36.6 (27)

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. Favre is indestructible--or at least he’d play anyway.