CAPSULES

KANSAS CITY at SEATTLE 1:15 p.m.

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

* Key injuries: KC--RB Donnell Bennett (foot, questionable); DT Chester McGlockton (shoulder, questionable). SEA--QB Brock Huard (concussion, questionable).

* Key elements: Chief QB Elvis Grbac will start despite suffering an elbow injury last week. Grbac has thrown a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games and needs one today to match Len Dawson’s club record of 14 set in 1964-65. Jon Kitna will start at QB for the Seahawks; Brock Huard sustained a concussion last week in Oakland.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC SEA Points scored 26.9 (5) 15.1 (28) Points allowed 21.0 (16) 25.0 (25) Passing Off. 243.1 (5) 160.8 (29) Rushing Off. 86.0 (T27) 107.1 (20) Passing Def. 218.4 (21) 235.4 (25) Rushing Def. 121.0 (23) 146.4 (29) Time of Poss. 28:21 (25) 27:16 (29) Turnover Ratio +11 (T3) -14 (31) Red Zone TD% 69.2 (1) 45.0 (20)

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. Chiefs slowed the Ram offensive attack: Jon Kitna is not a problem.

NEW YORK JETS at BUFFALO 10 a.m.

* The line: Buffalo by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: NYJ--None. BUF--QB Rob Johnson (shoulder, doubtful); TE Jay Riemersma (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: The Jets have not had much success in Orchard Park over the last 12 seasons, going 3-9 since 1988. Much of the Jets’ success can be attributed to an improved pass rush. After getting only 26 sacks last season, New York has 21 this season. Jet QB Vinny Testaverde leads the AFC in fourth-quarter passing with a 124.3 rating.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYJ BUF Points scored 23.6 (9) 20.0 (17) Points allowed 20.0 (15) 21.9 (T18) Passing Off. 216.9 (12) 234.1 (7) Rushing Off. 103.0 (21) 108.4 (19) Passing Def. 186.6 (8) 194.4 (10) Rushing Def. 114.7 (18) 76.1 (4) Time of Poss. 30:46 (11) 32:17 (6) Turnover Ratio +4 (T8) +2 (T11) Red Zone TD% 54.2 (9) 47.6 (T17)

*--*

The pick: Jets. Vinny and the Jets won’t wait until last minute again.

CINCINNATI at CLEVELAND 10 a.m.

* The line: Cincinnati by 3.

* Key injuries: CIN--None. CLE--WR David Patten (toe, doubtful).

* Key elements: Cincinnati is averaging 211.8 yards rushing the last four games, thanks to Corey Dillon. QBs Akili Smith and Scott Mitchell combined to match a Bengal franchise record for ineptitude by completing only two passes against the Broncos last week. After opening 2-1, the Browns have lost five in a row while being outscored, 143-41.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN CLE Points scored 9.7 (31) 11.9 (30) Points allowed 23.4 (21) 24.6 (23) Passing Off. 118.3 (31) 187.1 (20) Rushing Off. 147.6 (T2) 70.6 (29) Passing Def. 215.3 (19) 202.3 (12) Rushing Def. 138.9 (26) 142.0 (28) Time of Poss. 25:35 (31) 26:41 (30) Turnover Ratio -8 (T26) -8 (T26) Red Zone TD% 27.3 (29) 52.6 (11)

*--*

The pick: Cincinnati. Bengals found themselves against Denver, and Browns look lost without Couch.

NEW ORLEANS at ARIZONA 1:05 p.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 6.

* Key injuries: NO--WR Jake Reed (fibula, out). ARI--DE Andre Wadsworth (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Saint RB Ricky Williams has rushed for 100 or more yards in five consecutive games. Led by DE LaRoi Glover’s 11 sacks, the Saint pass rush will have its hands full with an Arizona offensive line that has yielded only seven sacks. Cardinal QB Jake Plummer has thrown 36 interceptions in his last 19 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NO ARI Points scored 18.7 (18) 17.3 (23) Points allowed 16.7 (9) 30.0 (29) Passing Off. 184.9 (21) 214.1 (12) Rushing Off. 147.6 (T2) 92.6 (23) Passing Def. 154.6 (1) 201.1 (12) Rushing Def. 74.3 (3) 156.4 (30) Time of Poss. 32:47 (4) 27:26 (28) Turnover Ratio -3 (T20) -13 (30) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T13) 45.5 (19)

*--*

The pick: New Orleans. Ricky Williams versus the NFL’s 30th-ranked rushing defense.

MINNESOTA at TAMPA BAY 10 a.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 3.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Bucs have won four of last five meetings at home against the Vikings. Tampa Bay’s defense leads the NFL with 35 sacks, which puts it on pace for an NFL record of 80 (record is 72 by 1984 Chicago Bears). Not only has QB Daunte Culpepper led Minnesota to a 7-0 record, he is the first Viking to have a QB rating of 100 or better in four consecutive games. The last four games of this series have been decided by seven points or fewer.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIN TB Points scored 26.3 (7) 23.4 (10) Points allowed 19.6 (13) 17.9 (10) Passing Off. 226.9 (11) 181.9 (24) Rushing Off. 149.4 (1) 111.3 (18) Passing Def. 226.7 (24) 166.0 (2) Rushing Def. 102.1 (T11) 107.0 (14) Time of Poss. 30:42 (12) 30:36 (14) Turnover Ratio -3 (T20) 0 (T15) Red Zone TD% 47.6 (T17) 63.2 (5)

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. Viking confidence beats Buc inconsistency.

PITTSBURGH at BALTIMORE 10 a.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 5.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Both teams hope a change at QB will help. Kordell Stewart gets the call for the Steelers and Trent Dilfer replaces Tony Banks for the Ravens. Raven defense is ranked second and Steelers’ is ranked third in league. The Ravens have not scored a touchdown in four games. Baltimore has given up only three touchdowns in its last five games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT BAL Points scored 17.3 (24) 16.8 (26) Points allowed 11.1 (T1) 11.1 (T1) Passing Off. 163.4 (28) 182.3 (23) Rushing Off. 137.6 (6) 121.4 (13) Passing Def. 177.1 (7) 189.5 (9) Rushing Def. 84.7 (5) 61.9 (1) Time of Poss. 32:46 (5) 32:55 (3) Turnover Ratio +10 (5) +13 (1) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (T24) 26.9 (30)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. Ravens shut out Steelers, 16-0, in first game--and even scored a touchdown.

GREEN BAY at MIAMI 10 a.m.

* The line: Miami by 4.

* Key injuries: GB--T Earl Dotson (back, out). MIA--WR Tony Martin (foot, out); LB Zack Thomas (ankle, out).

* Key elements: After Monday night’s collapse against the Jets, the Dolphins are glad to be hosting the Packers, who are 0-5 at Miami. Miami’s two losses were by a total of nine points to teams with combined 13-1 records (Vikings, Jets). Packer QB Brett Favre averaged nearly 300 yards passing in his last three games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS GB MIA Points scored 21.1 (13) 21.3 (12) Points allowed 19.9 (14) 13.0 (3) Passing Off. 236.4 (6) 156.3 (30) Rushing Off. 86.0 (T27) 130.3 (10) Passing Def. 205.4 (15) 203.7 (14) Rushing Def. 95.3 (7) 102.3 (12) Time of Poss. 30:23 (17) 31:18 (9) Turnover Ratio -10 (28) +8 (T6) Red Zone TD% 52.2 (12) 52.9 (10)

*--*

The pick: Miami. Dolphins will make sure they play a good fourth quarter this week.

CAROLINA at ATLANTA 10 a.m.

* The line: Carolina by 3.

* Key injuries: CAR--TE Wesley Walls (ribs, questionable). ATL--None.

* Key elements: Carolina is 1-4 at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta RB Jamal Anderson has yet to break out after knee injury last season; the Falcons have been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in each of the last five games. In his last five games against the Panthers, Atlanta QB Chris Chandler has thrown for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CAR ATL Points scored 20.6 (15) 18.6 (T19) Points allowed 16.6 (8) 29.8 (28) Passing Off. 228.4 (10) 192.5 (17) Rushing Off. 88.7 (26) 66.0 (30) Passing Def. 202.6 (14) 251.3 (28) Rushing Def. 134.1 (24) 137.9 (25) Time of Poss. 30:41 (13) 28:48 (23) Turnover Ratio -1 (T17) -1 (T17) Red Zone TD% 41.7 (23) 22.2 (31)

*--*

The pick: Carolina. Falcons won first meeting only because of breaks, and team has gotten worse since.

DETROIT at INDIANAPOLIS 10 a.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 7.

* Key injuries: DET--WR Germane Crowell (foot, out); WR Herman Moore (hamstring, questionable). IND-- DT Ellis Johnson (knee, out).

* Key elements: The Lions are 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1961. That could end against the Colts’ second-ranked offense (421.6 yards per game). QB Peyton Manning has thrown only two interceptions in five victories but five in two losses.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DET IND Points scored 20.4 (16) 28.9 (3) Points allowed 19.1 (12) 21.9 (T18) Passing Off. 171.9 (26) 302.0 (2) Rushing Off. 90.0 (25) 119.6 (15) Passing Def. 217.1 (20) 211.9 (17) Rushing Def. 119.0 (22) 118.7 (21) Time of Poss. 29:49 (20) 29:50 (19) Turnover Ratio +11 (T3) -5 (T22) Red Zone TD% 37.5 (26) 60.0 (7)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. Lion defense is underrated, but not good enough to stop the Colts’ big three.

PHILADELPHIA at NEW YORK GIANTS 1:05 p.m.

* The line: New York Giants by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: PHI--DE Mike Mamula (foot, doubtful); DT Corey Simon (knee, questionable). NYG--CB Jason Sehorn (rib, out).

* Key elements: The Giants have held six opponents to fewer than 20 points, and the Eagles have held their last six opponents to 17 points or fewer. The Giants have won seven consecutive games over Philadelphia, their longest winning streak against the Eagles since they won nine in a row from 1938-42.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PHI NYG Points scored 22.6 (11) 17.1 (25) Points allowed 13.8 (4) 15.0 (7) Passing Off. 189.1 (19) 178.1 (25) Rushing Off. 131.6 (8) 140.9 (T4) Passing Def. 173.8 (6) 237.0 (27) Rushing Def. 109.1 (16) 71.1 (2) Time of Poss. 29:53 (18) 30:29 (15) Turnover Ratio +2 (T11) +4 (T8) Red Zone TD% 56.0 (8) 45.0 (20)

*--*

The pick: Giants. The 33-18 victory over Eagles in first meeting is convincing enough.

ST. LOUIS at SAN FRANCISCO 1:05 p.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: STL--QB Kurt Warner (finger, out). SF--None.

* Key elements: These two have given up a combined 64.8 points a game. QB Trent Green takes over a Ram offense that has scored at least 30 points in an NFL-record 13 consecutive games. Niner WR Terrell Owens has 31 catches for 416 yards and seven touchdowns in his last four games. San Francisco QB Jeff Garcia leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS STL SF Points scored 42.3 (1) 26.8 (6) Points allowed 32.6 (31) 32.2 (30) Passing Off. 376.7 (1) 271.1 (4) Rushing Off. 121.0 (13) 130.4 (9) Passing Def. 273.1 (30) 288.9 (31) Rushing Def. 92.1 (6) 116.1 (20) Time of Poss. 31:40 (8) 29:40 (21) Turnover Ratio -1 (T17) +1 (14) Red Zone TD% 65.7 (3) 67.7 (2)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Even with injuries, Rams’ next tough game should be Nov. 20 vs. Redskins.

JACKSONVILLE at DALLAS 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Dallas by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: JAC--T Leon Searcy (leg, out); T Zach Wiegert (knee, out). DAL-- None.

* Key elements: After tying for the NFL lead with 57 sacks in 1999, the Jaguars have only 13. The Jaguars have given up 38 sacks after giving up only 36 last season. The Jaguars have 21 turnovers, three more than they had last season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS JAC DAL Points scored 17.8 (22) 24.9 (8) Points allowed 23.8 (22) 24.9 (24) Passing Off. 229.1 (9) 171.3 (27) Rushing Off. 94.5 (22) 119.3 (15) Passing Def. 220.1 (22) 167.6 (3) Rushing Def. 114.9 (19) 171.9 (31) Time of Poss. 30:26 (16) 27:46 (27) Turnover Ratio -6 (25) -5 (T22) Red Zone TD% 28.0 (28) 63.6 (4)

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. There have to be remnants of a good team in there somewhere. That goes for both teams.

OAKLAND at SAN DIEGO 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 7.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Still winless, the Chargers are off to their worst start since 1975, when they started 0-11. Don’t look for the Raiders to be the first victim; they’ve won five of their last six meetings with the Chargers. A victory over San Diego would give the Raiders their first 7-1 start since 1984. Raider RB Tyrone Wheatley has 11 touchdowns (nine rushing, two receiving) in his last 10 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS OAK SD Points scored 27.4 (4) 16.7 (27) Points allowed 18.3 (11) 29.1 (27) Passing Off. 200.4 (16) 205.9 (15) Rushing Off. 140.9 (T4) 64.6 (31) Passing Def. 235.4 (26) 258.0 (29) Rushing Def. 112.4(16) 101.4 (9) Time of Poss. 31:11 (10) 28:24 (24) Turnover Ratio +8 (T6) -11 (29) Red Zone TD% 60.7 (6) 31.6 (27)

*--*

The pick: Oakland. Why their meeting was as close as 9-6 the first week of the season is hard to figure.

TENNESSEE at WASHINGTON, MONDAY 6 p.m.

* The line: Washington by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: TEN--RB Eddie George (knee, questionable); WR Carl Pickens (hamstring, questionable). WAS--CB Darrell Green (calf, questionable).

* Key elements: Titans might be in trouble if RB Eddie George can’t play. Neither defense has given up more than two touchdowns in the last five games. The Titans have won six consecutive games, the Redskins five.

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THE MATCHUPS TEN WAS Points scored 20.7 (14) 18.6 (T19) Points allowed 13.9 (5) 14.4 (6) Passing Off. 210.1 (14) 229.5 (8) Rushing Off. 125.6 (11) 125.0 (11) Passing Def. 172.0 (4) 172.8 (5) Rushing Def. 102.1 (T10) 100.5 (8) Time of Poss. 33:08 (2) 32:02 (7) Turnover Ratio 0 (T15) +4 (T8) Red Zone TD% 47.8 (16) 50.0 (T13)

*--*

The pick: Washington. Two rare balanced teams, but the uncertain status of George tilts the scale toward the Redskins.