CAPSULES

OAKLAND at KANSAS CITY 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: OAK--None. KC: RB Donnell Bennett (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: The Raiders are 3-13 in their last 16 trips to Arrowhead Stadium (including playoffs) dating to 1985. Oakland WR Tim Brown (796) needs four catches to become the eighth player in NFL history with 800 career receptions. Raiders rookie K Sebastian Janikowski is 0 for 4 from 40-plus yards.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS OAK KC Points scored 28.2 (4) 23.4 (8) Points allowed 21.6 (20) 18.6 (14) Passing Off. 199.8 (16) 210.4 (14) Rushing Off. 123.8 (9) 87.6 (12) Passing Def. 242.8 (26) 187.4 (11) Rushing Def. 118.4 (21) 124.0 (25) Time of Poss. 30:47 (11) 29:28 (20) Turnover Ratio +6 (7) +7 (3) Red Zone TD% 56.5 (7) 68.8 (3)

*--*

* The pick: Oakland. Chiefs rank 25th against the run, and Raiders are solid.

ATLANTA at ST. LOUIS 10 a.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 18.

* Key injuries: ATL--QB Chris Chandler (ribs, doubtful). STL--DT Ray Agnew (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: The Falcon offense isn’t firing on any cylinders; Atlanta has gone eight quarters without a TD. St. Louis has scored 30 or more points in an NFL-record 11 consecutive games. The Rams have given up 145 points (29.0) after giving up only 135 points (13.5) in their first 10 games of 1999.

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THE MATCHUPS ATL STL Points scored 16.8 (24) 43.4 (1) Points allowed 28.7 (27) 29.0 (28) Passing Off. 189.8 (T18) 394.6 (1) Rushing Off. 65.3 (31) 110.8 (16) Passing Def. 251.0 (29) 270.4 (30) Rushing Def. 112.7 (19) 95.6 (10) Time of Poss. 29:50 (19) 30:26 (16) Turnover Ratio -2 (T18) +3 (T10) Red Zone TD% 7.7 (31) 59.3 (5)

*--*

* The pick: St. Louis. But can Falcons hold Rams to 41 again?

BALTIMORE at WASHINGTON 10 a.m.

* The line: Washington by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: BAL--T Jonathan Ogden (ankle, questionable). WAS--WR Irving Fryar (neck, out).

* Key elements: Matt Stover’s nine field goals are all the Ravens have managed in last two games, both wins. They are 5-1 for the first time in five-year history. The Redskin defense has limited foes to 17 points or fewer and fewer than 100 yards rushing in three consecutive games.

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THE MATCHUPS BAL WAS Points scored 20.8 (T11) 17.3 (20) Points allowed 10.8 (2) 16.0 (8) Passing Off. 182.5 (24) 237.0 (6) Rushing Off. 127.8 (8) 128.2 (7) Passing Def. 211.7 (18) 172.0 (5) Rushing Def. 50.7 (1) 95.2 (8) Time of Poss. 32.42 (4) 33:17 (3) Turnover Ratio +14 (1) +3 (T10) Red Zone TD% 30.4 (27) 45.0 (17)

*--*

* The pick: Washington. Would like to pick Ravens, but touchdowns matter.

CAROLINA at NEW ORLEANS 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: CAR--DE Chuck Smith (knee, out), QB Steve Beuerlein (flu, questionable). NO--WR Jake Reed (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: The Saint defense has given up only six touchdowns. The Carolina defense has yielded 17 points or fewer in three consecutive games. Saint RB Ricky Williams has topped 100 yards rushing in three consecutive games, surpassing his total of two for 1999.

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THE MATCHUPS CAR NO Points scored 20.8 (T11) 17.2 (T21) Points allowed 15.2 (4) 18.4 (12) Passing Off. 235.2 (7) 182.0 (25) Rushing Off. 102.6 (19) 123.6 (10) Passing Def. 190.6 (12) 149.6 (1) Rushing Def. 119.2 (22) 87.0 (6) Time of Poss. 31:26 (9) 31:56 (6) Turnover Ratio -4 (24) -1 (16) Red Zone TD% 38.8 (25) 50.0 (10)

*--*

* The pick: New Orleans. Saints lead NFL in total defense--and Steve Beuerlein is fighting flu.

CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH 10 a.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 8.

* Key injuries: CIN--LB Brian Simmons (knee, out). PIT--None.

* Key elements: The Bengals have given up 150 or more yards rushing in three consecutive games. Cincinnati’s woeful offense has been shut out in three of its past seven games. The Bengals are 0-5 for the fourth time in the past 10 seasons.

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THE MATCHUPS CIN PIT Points scored 7.4 (31) 16.8 (T24) Points allowed 25.6 (24) 15.6 (T6) Passing Off. 140.4 (31) 173.6 (27) Rushing Off. 101.2 (20) 143.4 (2) Passing Def. 195.6 (14) 214.6 (19) Rushing Def. 145.4 (30) 84.8 (5) Time of Poss. 25:36 (31) 31:41 (8) Turnover Ratio -7 (T25) +4 (T8) Red Zone TD% 25.0 (30) 50.0 (T10)

*--*

* The pick: Pittsburgh. Jerome Bettis could start at quarterback and Steelers would win this one.

DALLAS at NEW YORK GIANTS 10 a.m.

* The line: New York Giants by 4.

* Key injuries: DAL--WR Raghib Ismail (ankle, questionable). NYG--None.

* Key elements: Cowboy RB Emmitt Smith is a Giant killer. In his past 15 games vs. New York, Smith has carried 324 times for 1,494 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching 60 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns. After rushing for 562 yards in their first three games (3-0), the Giants have been limited to 221 in their past three (1-2).

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THE MATCHUPS DAL NYG Points scored 22.4 (10) 16.8 (T24) Points allowed 29.6 (30) 15.2 (5) Passing Off. 171.8 (28) 189.8 (T18) Rushing Off. 111.8 (14) 130.5 (6) Passing Def. 179.6 (9) 244.3 (27) Rushing Def. 178.2 (31) 70.3 (3) Time of Poss. 26:35 (30) 30:41 (13) Turnover Ratio -3 (T21) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 69.2 (2) 43.8 (20)

*--*

* The pick: Giants. Defenses look forward to facing Cowboys.

SAN DIEGO at BUFFALO 10 a.m.

* The line: Buffalo by 10.

* Key injuries: SD--QB Ryan Leaf (wrist, questionable). BUF--TE Jay Riemersma (knee, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Bills have been limited to 16 points or fewer in four games. The Chargers are 0-6 for the first time since 1975, when they finished 2-12. Freddie Jones has been the Chargers’ lone offensive bright spot, topping NFL tight ends with 30 catches and 311 yards receiving.

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THE MATCHUPS SD BUF Points scored 15.5 (28) 17.2 (T21) Points allowed 29.5 (29) 19.6 (16) Passing Off. 198.3 (17) 204.8 (13) Rushing Off. 66.8 (30) 108.8 (18) Passing Def. 246.2 (28) 171.8 (4) Rushing Def. 102.5 (T14) 77.0 (4) Time of Poss. 27:39 (26) 30:57 (10) Turnover Ratio -9 (29) 0 (T13) Red Zone TD% 29.4 (28) 42.9 (22)

*--*

* The pick: Buffalo. Riley’s quarterback choice is new grocery store dilemma: wet paper or torn plastic?

CLEVELAND at DENVER 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 12.

* Key injuries: CLE--None. DEN--RB Howard Griffith (knee, out); RB Terrell Davis (ankle, doubtful).

* Key elements: Drafting DE Courtney Brown No. 1 overall has paid off, as the Browns have 17 sacks in six games after totaling an NFL-low 25 in 1999. Denver has lost its past two games at Mile High Stadium. Bronco kicker Jason Elam has converted on 274 consecutive PATs, second-longest streak in NFL history.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CLE DEN Points scored 14.2 (T29) 28.8 (2) Points allowed 21.8 (21) 22.8 (23) Passing Off. 200.3 (15) 244.5 (4) Rushing Off. 79.7 (26) 133.7 (4) Passing Def. 193.3 (13) 238.2 (T24) Rushing Def. 141.2 (28) 69.7 (2) Time of Poss. 27:29 (28) 33:51 (2) Turnover Ratio -2 (T18) +11 (2) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T10) 47.8 (15)

*--*

* The pick: Denver. Another injury? No problem. Broncos have endless supply of running backs.

INDIANAPOLIS at SEATTLE 4:05 p.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: IND--DE Bernard Whittington (groin, out) SEA--WR Derrick Mayes (finger, questionable).

* Key elements: Colt RB Edgerrin James has been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in each of the past four games, the longest such streak in his young career. Including the playoffs, the Seahawks have turned over the ball 32 times in their past 13 games (3-10). Seattle quarterbacks have been sacked three or more times in the past six meetings.

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THE MATCHUPS IND SEA Points scored 27.0 (5) 15.7 (27) Points allowed 21.2 (18) 22.0 (22) Passing Off. 313.2 (2) 148.0 (29) Rushing Off. 97.6 (21) 109.2 (17) Passing Def. 198.8 (15) 238.2 (T24) Rushing Def. 123.4 (24) 124.3 (26) Time of Poss. 30:20 (17) 27:26 (28) Turnover Ratio -7 (25) -10 (T30) Red Zone TD% 55.6 (8) 40.0 (T23)

*--*

* The pick: Indianapolis. Brock Huard was 11-4 at Husky Stadium for Washington. Make it 0-1 for Seahawks.

NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND 1:05 p.m.

* The line: New England by 3.

* Key injuries: NYJ--DT Jason Ferguson (ankle, questionable); QB Vinny Testaverde (neck, questionable). NE--None.

* Key elements: The Jets have yielded only seven sacks in their past nine games. Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe has not been quite as fortunate, as his banged-up offensive line has given up 72 sacks in the past 18 games (6-12). The Jets are aiming for a third straight victory at New England for the first time since 1989-91.

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THE MATCHUPS NYJ NE Points scored 18.2 (19) 17.2 (T21) Points allowed 17.2 (10) 17.8 (11) Passing Off. 202.4 (14) 189.7 (20) Rushing Off. 95.6 (22) 87.5 (25) Passing Def. 174.6 (6) 230.2 (23) Rushing Def. 110.8 (18) 102.5 (T14) Time of Poss. 29:22 (21) 28:34 (23) Turnover Ratio 0 (T13) +7 (T3) Red Zone TD% 43.8 (20) 40.0 (T23)

*--*

* The pick: New England. Road back from 0-4 continues. Won’t blow 19-7 lead against Jets again.

SAN FRANCISCO at GREEN BAY 4:15 p.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 4.

* Key injuries: SF--None. GB--WR Corey Bradford (leg, questionable); DB Antuan Edwards (knee, questionable); CB Mike McKenzie (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Including the playoffs, San Francisco has lost three in a row at Lambeau Field dating to 1996. 49er QB Jeff Garcia has thrown nine touchdown passes in the past three games to take over the NFL lead with 15. Packer quarterback Brett Favre is 6-1 vs. the 49ers, throwing for 1,812 yards and 12 touchdowns.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SF GB Points scored 28.3 (3) 19.5 (15) Points allowed 32.2 (31) 18.5 (T13) Passing Off. 261.2 (3) 234.8 (8) Rushing Off. 136.7 (3) 78.3 (27) Passing Def. 295.5 (31) 186.3 (10) Rushing Def. 116.5 (20) 95.3 (9) Time of Poss. 30:32 (14) 30:03 (18) Turnover Ratio +3 (T10) -10 (T30) Red Zone TD% 73.1 (1) 47.4 (16)

*--*

* The pick: San Francisco. It’s a mild upset. Just remember: The Packers lost to the Bears.

PHILADELPHIA at ARIZONA 4:15 p.m.

* The line: Philadelphia by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: PHI--RB Duce Staley (injured reserve-foot, out); DE Mike Mamula (quadriceps, questionable); LB Jeremiah Trotter (ankle, questionable). AZ--None.

* Key elements: Philadelphia is 1-6 in last seven trips to Sun Devil Stadium. The Eagles are 3-23-1 in last 27 regular-season road games. Cardinal RB Michael Pittman has 428 yards from scrimmage, compared to 485 in 1999.

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THE MATCHUPS PHI AZ Points scored 22.5 (9) 20.0 (14) Points allowed 14.5 (3) 25.8 (25) Passing Off. 181.7 (26) 225.0 (11) Rushing Off. 131.3 (5) 88.2 (23) Passing Def. 170.5 (3) 208.4 (16) Rushing Def. 110.2 (17) 144.6 (29) Time of Poss. 28:05 (25) 28:28 (24) Turnover Ratio 0 (T13) -7 (T25) Red Zone TD% 52.9 (9) 44.4 (T18)

*--*

* The pick: Philadelphia. Eagles almost beat Washington without Staley, so they ought to be able to handle Cardinals.

MINNESOTA at CHICAGO 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Minnesota by 6.

* Key injuries: MIN--None. CHI--RB Curtis Enis (shoulder, questionable); WR Marcus Robinson (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: The Vikings are 7-1 in last eight trips to the Windy City. Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper has thrown two or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games. Bear rookie LB Brian Urlacher leads team with 60 tackles and has one sack in each of the last four games.

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THE MATCHUPS MIN CHI Points scored 25.0 (T6) 14.2 (T29) Points allowed 18.8 (15) 26.8 (26) Passing Off. 232.0 (9) 186.7 (22) Rushing Off. 151.6 (1) 119.0 (T12) Passing Def. 221.0 (20) 221.2 (21) Rushing Def. 99.4 (12) 137.3 (27) Time of Poss. 32:38 (5) 27:05 (29) Turnover Ratio -2 (T18) -7 (T25) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T10) 50.0 (T10)

*--*

* The pick: Minnesota. Vikings have been winning close ones. This one won’t be.

JACKSONVILLE at TENNESSEE, MONDAY, 6 p.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 6.

* Key injuries: JAC--LB Hardy Nickerson (hamstring, questionable). TEN--G Bruce Matthews (knee, questionable); WR Carl Pickens (hamstring, questionable); WR Yancey Thigpen (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: After committing an NFL-low 18 turnovers in 1999, the Jaguars have 15 this season. Including playoffs, the Titans have won 11 consecutive games at home.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS JAC TEN Points scored 18.8 (17) 20.8 (T11) Points allowed 21.3 (19) 15.6 (T6) Passing Off. 238.8 (5) 227.2 (10) Rushing Off. 77.8 (28) 122.8 (11) Passing Def. 209.7 (17) 157.6 (2) Rushing Def. 102.3 (13) 91.8 (7) Time of Poss. 30:43 (12) 34:57 (1) Turnover Ratio -3 (T21) -3 (T21) Red Zone TD% 28.6 (29) 44.4 (T18)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee. Next time he pulls Mark Brunell, let Tom Coughlin take snaps for team that has given up 27 sacks.