CAPSULES

PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND 10 a.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 2

* Key injuries: PIT--Linebacker Levon Kirkland (ankle, questionable); running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala (hamstring, questionable). CLE--Wide receiver JaJuan Dawson (clavicle, out).

* Key elements: The Cleveland defense is tied with Tampa Bay with an NFL-high 11 sacks (compared to one sack in its first two games of 1999). After starting the 1998 campaign at 7-4, Pittsburgh is a woefull 6-16 in its last 22 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT CLE Points scored 0.0 (31) 15.5 (23) Points allowed 16.0 (T6) 17.0 (T8) Passing Off. 199.0 (20) 209.5 (18) Rushing Off. 30.0 (31) 100.5 (15) Passing Def. 199.0 (9) 275.5 (26) Rushing Def. 140.0 (28) 115.0 (21) Time of Poss. 24:53 (28) 28:27 (22) Turnover Ratio -1 (T14) +1 (T10) Red Zone Off. 0.0 (29) 66.7 (T5)

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. The Steelers will have to take their wins where they find them. And they may not find a better opportunity than this one.

TAMPA BAY at DETROIT 10 a.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 3

* Key injuries: TB--Safety John Lynch (thigh, probable). DET--Linebacker Stephen Boyd (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Forget about a fourth-quarter comeback against the Bucs, as they are 26-2 under Coach Tony Dungy when leading after three quarters. The stingy Tampa Bay defense has given up only two offensive touchdowns in its last five games. The Lions have won six of the last seven meetings at the Silverdome vs. Bucs.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TB DET Points scored 31.0 (4) 14.5 (27) Points allowed 8.0 (2) 10.0 (3) Passing Off. 176.5 (26) 147.0 (31) Rushing Off. 148.0 (5) 80.0 (24) Passing Def. 156.0 (12) 207.0 (10) Rushing Def. 102.0 (16) 105.0 (19) Time of Poss. 32:36 (7) 29:57 (18) Turnover Ratio +4 (T4) +3 (T6) Red Zone Off. 83.3 (2) 0.0 (31)

*--*

The pick: Tampa Bay. The Lions have not scored an offensive touchdown. This is not the week to end that slump.

PHILADELPHIA at GREEN BAY 10 a.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 4 1/2

* Key injuries: GB--Wide receiver Corey Bradford (leg, out); cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee, out) .

* Key elements: Eagle Coach Andy Reid knows the Packers well; he was a Green Bay assistant coach from 1992-98. Duce Staley is tied with the Rams’ Marshall Faulk for the NFC lead with 331 scrimmage yards.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PHI GB Points scored 29.5 (5) 17.0 (20) Points allowed 23.5 (T20) 23.5 (T20) Passing Off. 172.0 (27) 210.5 (17) Rushing Off. 181.0 (2) 51.0 (30) Passing Def. 177.5 (4) 260.0 (T20) Rushing Def. 117.0 (22) 103.5 (17) Time of Poss. 30:22 (16) 24:23 (30) Turnover Ratio -1 (T14) -3 (T24) Red Zone Off. 54.6 (14) 50.0 (15)

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. He may have an aching elbow, but he’s still Brett Favre. They may look like an improved club, but let’s not get carried away. They are still the Eagles.

SAN FRANCISCO at ST. LOUIS 10 a.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 16 1/2

* Key injuries: STL--Defensive tackle D’Marco Farr (knee, out).

* Key elements: St. Louis has set an NFL record by scoring 30 or more points in eight consecutive games. The Rams have won each of their last four games with a score in final minutes of the fourth quarter.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SF STL Points scored 25.0 (T10) 39.0 (T1) Points allowed 37.0 (31) 35.0 (28) Passing Off. 280.0 (6) 413.5 (1) Rushing Off. 91.0 (17) 88.5 (19) Passing Def. 314.0 (31) 276.0 (27) Rushing Def. 96.5 (12) 125.5 (25) Time of Poss. 26:07 (26) 30:40 (14) Turnover Ratio -1 (T14) -1 (T14) Red Zone Off. 77.8 (3) 66.7 (T5)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Once upon a time, this rivalry was a joke. It still is, but now the laugh is on the 49ers. They’ve given up 74 points in two games. That sound is Kurt Warner licking his chops.

BUFFALO at NEW YORK JETS 10 a.m.

* The line: New York by 1

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Bills are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since the 1992 Super Bowl XXVII season. In his last six starts, Bill quarterback Rob Johnson is a red hot 6-0 with a 121.3 passer rating (10 touchdowns, one interception). The Jets are aiming for their third consecutive home victory vs. Buffalo for the first time since they took three in a row from 1984-86.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BUF NYJ Points scored 21.5 (T15) 20.0 (17) Points allowed 15.5 (5) 17.5 (11) Passing Off. 216.5 (15) 271.0 (9) Rushing Off. 109.0 (13) 88.5 (18) Passing Def. 210.5 (13) 190.5 (8) Rushing Def. 46.5 (2) 81.0 (6) Time of Poss. 33:11 (5) 29:56 (19) Turnover Ratio +3 (T6) E (12) Red Zone Off. 50.0 (T15) 57.1 (T10)

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. You think the Jets’ Vinny Testaverde looked shaky last week until the fourth quarter? Wait until you see him against the conference’s best defense.

ATLANTA at CAROLINA 10 a.m.

* The line: Carolina by 6

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Falcons and Panthers never lack for offense, as they have combined for 183 points in their last three games (61 per game). In the series history, the Falcons have scored 209 points, the Panthers 208, each team winning five games. Carolina has scored 31 or more points in nine of its last 15 contests.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS ATL CAR Points scored 25.0 (T10) 27.5 (T27) Points allowed 35.0 (27) 21.0 (17) Passing Off. 217.5 (14) 273.5 (7) Rushing Off. 71.0 (27) 105.0 (14) Passing Def. 260.5 (22) 270.5 (25) Rushing Def. 122.0 (24) 126.0 (26) Time of Poss. 27:18 (24) 31:27 (11) Turnover Ratio -3 (T24) -1 (T14) Red Zone Off. 0.0 (30) 57.1 (T10)

*--*

The pick: Carolina. Falcon quarterback Chris Chandler has not thrown an interception. That should change today.

CINCINNATI at JACKSONVILLE 10 a.m.

* The line: Jacksonville by 13

* Key injuries: CIN--Linbacker Brian Simmons (knee, out). JAC--Tackle Leon Searcy (leg, out),

* Key elements: The Jaguars have won 29 of their last 33 home games. Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell is 3-0 with a 113.2 passer rating (seven touchdowns, no interceptions) in his last three games against Cincinnati. The Bengals have lost four consecutive games at Jacksonville.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN JAC Points scored 7.0 (30) 31.5 (3) Points allowed 24.0 (22) 23.0 (19) Passing Off. 250.0 (10) 343.5 (2) Rushing Off. 111.0 (11) 82.5 (23) Passing Def. 259.0 (19) 211.0 (14) Rushing Def. 105.0 (18) 92.5 (9) Time of Poss. 25:57 (27) 34:17 (3) Turnover Ratio -2 (T22) -1 (T14) Red Zone Off. 33.3 (T25) 42.9 (T20)

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. Let’s see, the Bengals lose to the second-year Browns, now come to Jacksonville. Hmm, you could make this pick at home.

SAN DIEGO at KANSAS CITY 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Kansas City by 5 1/2

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The home team has won the last four meetings on the series. Five Charger quarterbacks have combined for 23 touchdown passes, 63 interceptions and 35 fumbles in their last 34 games. The Chargers are 0-2 for the first time since 1992.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SD KC Points scored 16.5 (22) 14.0 (28) Points allowed 18.5 (T13) 22.0 (18) Passing Off. 167.0 (28) 178.0 (25) Rushing Off. 74.0 (26) 68.0 (29) Passing Def. 217.5 (15) 264.0 (23) Rushing Def. 65.5 (5) 120.0 (23) Time of Poss. 26:12 (25) 28:20 (23) Turnover Ratio -3 (T24) +4 (T4) Red Zone Off. 40.0 (T23) 40.0 (T23)

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. Chief Coach Gunther Cunningham was said to be considering retirement because of his team’s poor start. If he loses to the Chargers, he may consider suicide.

DENVER at OAKLAND 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 3

* Key injuries: DEN--Kicker Jason Elam (back, out).

* Key elements: The Broncos are looking to make it three victories in a row at Oakland for the first time. Denver has not committed a turnover this season. Establishing a running game will be a key for the Raiders, as the Broncos are 1-12 over the last three seasons when their opponent totals more rushing attempts than they do.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DEN OAK Points scored 39.0 (T1) 23.5 (13) Points allowed 27.5 (25) 18.5 (T13) Passing Off. 287.5 (4) 191.5 (23) Rushing Off. 151.0 (4) 109.5 (12) Passing Def. 306.0 (30) 282.0 (28) Rushing Def. 63.5 (4) 93.5 (10) Time of Poss. 34:38 (2) 31:18 (12)

*--*

MINNESOTA at NEW ENGLAND 1:15 p.m.

* The line: New England by 2

* Key injuries: MIN: None. NE--Safety Larry Whigham (knee, out).

* Key elements: Patriot cornerback Ty Law will have his hands full with Cris Carter and Randy Moss. The last three meetings between these teams have been decided by six points or fewer. The Patriots are 3-0 agains the Vikings at Foxboro.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIN NE Points scored 21.5 (T15) 17.5 (19) Points allowed 17.0 (T8) 20.5 (T15) Passing Off. 272.5 (8) 222.5 (13) Rushing Off. 155.5 (3) 94.0 (16) Passing Def. 232.5 (18) 224.0 (17) Rushing Def. 101.0 (15) 99.5 (14) Time of Poss. 32:23 (8) 33:13 (4) Turnover Ratio -3 (T24) +1 (T10) Red Zone Off. 50.0 (T15) 14.3 (28)

*--*

The pick: New England. Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper will get a lesson in Defense 101. And the Patriots, who have lost close games to two good teams, will finally get their first victory.

NEW ORLEANS at SEATTLE 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Seattle by 5 1/2

* Key injuries: NO--Safety Rob Kelly (fibula, out); Linebacker Charlie Clemons (calf, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Saints lead the NFL in total defense (187.0) and pass defense (102.5), but they have done that against Stoney Case and Ryan Leaf. In its last nine games, including playoff games, Seattle has committed 27 turnovers while going 1-8.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NO SEA Points scored 19.0 (18) 17.0 (T20) Points allowed 20.5 (T15) 30.0 (26) Passing Off. 214.0 (16) 164.5 (29) Rushing Off. 85.0 (22) 86.0 (21) Passing Def. 118.5 (21) 260.0 (T20) Rushing Def. 85.0 (7) 139.0 (27) Time of Poss. 32:39 (6) 24:04 (31) Turnover Ratio -2 (T22) -8 (31) Red Zone Off. 42.9 (T20) 66.7 (T5)

*--*

The pick: Seattle. The Saints are coming off a last-minute win over the Chargers. The Seahawks are coming off a close loss to the Rams. That says more for Seattle than it does for New Orleans.

NEW YORK GIANTS at CHICAGO

* The line: Chicago by 2 1/2

* Key injuries: NYG--None. CHI--Linebacker Ty Hallock (abdominal, doubtful); safety Shawn Wooden (hamstring, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Giants are off to their first 2-0 start since 1994. Running back Tiki Barber has three rushing touchdowns in 2000 (equaling his previous three-year career total). Bear quarterback Cade McNown leads his team in rushing with 136 yards.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYG CHI Points scored 27.0 (9) 13.5 (29) Points allowed 17.0 (T8) 35.5 (29) Passing Off. 196.0 (21) 193.0 (22) Rushing Off. 195.0 (1) 134.5 (6) Passing Def. 266.0 (24) 188.0 (6) Rushing Def. 49.5 (3) 171.0 (30) Time of Poss. 35:09 (1) 29:29 (21) Turnover Ratio +2 (9) -4 (T28) Red Zone Off. 28.6 (27) 66.7 (T5)

*--*

The pick: New York. The Bears are favored, proving that oddsmakers are yet another group unimpressed with New York running back Tiki Barber. He will eventually run out of gas, but not today.

BALTIMORE at MIAMI 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 2

* Key injuries: MIA--Defensive tackle Daryl Gardener (back, doubtful); wide receiver Tony Martin (foot, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Ravens vie for their first 3-0 start. Miami running back Lamar Smith will find it tough going against a Raven run defense that leads the NFL, having given up only 38.0 yards a game and 1.9 yards a carry.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BAL MIA Points scored 27.5 (T7) 15.0 (T24) Points allowed 18.0 (12) 6.5 (1) Passing Off. 230.5 (12) 154.5 (30) Rushing Off. 114.5 (10) 115.0 (9) Passing Def. 292.5 (29) 219.5 (16) Rushing Def. 38.0 (1) 98.0 (13) Time of Poss. 31:52 (10) 30:31 (15) Turnover Ratio +3 (T6) +8 (1) Red Zone Off. 50.0 (T15) 60.0 (9)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. Raven quarterback Tony Banks is playing and Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino is having his jersey retired. What’s wrong with this picture?

DALLAS at WASHINGTON 6 p.m.

* The line: Washington by 10 1/2

* Key injuries: DAL--Linebacker Dat Nguyen (knee, out); quarterback Troy Aikman (concussion, questionable). WAS--Center Cory Raymer (knee, out).

* Key elements: In 18 games vs. Washington, Emmitt Smith has rushed 390 times for 1,841 yards (102.3 average) & 20 touchdowns. The Redskins are 16-6 in Monday night home games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DAL WAS Points scored 22.5 (14) 15.0 (24) Points allowed 36.5 (30) 16.0 (6) Passing Off. 189.0 (24) 239.5 (11) Rushing Off. 78.5 (25) 133.0 (7) Passing Def. 186.5 (5) 188.5 (7) Rushing Def. 202.1 (31) 87.0 (8) Time of Poss. 24.35 (29) 32.5 (9) Turnover Ratio 0 (T12) -1 (T14) Red Zone TD%. 75.0 (4) 42.9 (20)

*--*

The pick: Washington. The old money of Cowboy owner Jerry Jones against the nouveau riche in the league, Redskin owner Daniel Snyder. Out with the old, in with the new.