CAPSULES

ST.LOUIS at ATLANTA 10 a.m.

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

* Key injuries: STL: None. ATL: Wide receiver Tim Dwight (appendicitis, out).

* Key elements: The Rams have scored 30 points or more in an NFL record nine consecutive games. Kurt Warner needs only 97 yards passing to surpass Drew Bledsoe’s NFL record of 1,417 yards after four games. The Rams have given up 94 points in their first three games, after giving up only 87 points in their first seven games of 1999.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS STL ATL Points scored 39.7 (1) 21.7 (T13) Points allowed 31.3 (T29) 26.7 (27) Passing Off. 407.0 (1) 203.0 (19) Rushing Off. 105.7 (T11) 83.3 (26) Passing Def. 280.7 (30) 254.0 (26) Rushing Def. 120.7 (25) 101.0 (15) Time of Poss. 31:29 (7) 29:17 (19) Turnover Ratio -1 (T16) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 66.7 (T7) 0.0 (30)

*--*

* The pick: St. Louis. To say the Rams will win is no upset. To say the Rams will actually play good defense is a huge upset.

DETROIT at CHICAGO 10 a.m.

* The line: Chicago by 2

* Key injuries: DET: Linebacker Stephan Boyd (back, questionable). CHI: Wide receiver Bobby Engram (torn right ACL, out).

* Key elements: The Lions have lost two in a row and are 4-12 at Soldier Field since 1984. Detroit has been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in six consecutive games dating to last season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DET CHI Points scored 13.0 (28) 11.3 (29) Points allowed 17.0 (9) 28.3 (28) Passing Off. 190.3 (24) 196.0 (21) Rushing Off. 59.0 (31) 105.7 (T11) Passing Def. 208.3 (T10) 208.3 (T10) Rushing Def. 110.0 (20) 171.3 (31) Time of Poss. 27:57 (24) 26:56 (28) Turnover Ratio 0 (T13) -4 (T24) Red Zone TD% 0.0 (31) 75.0 (2)

*--*

* The pick: Chicago. The Bears held the Giants to 14 points last week. And that’s against a team with a discernible running game.

SAN FRANCISCO at DALLAS 10 a.m.

* The line: Dallas by 6 1/2

* Key injuries: SF: Defensive end Junior Bryant (neck, out). DAL: Quarterback Troy Aikman (concussion, questionable); wide receiver Raghib Ismail (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: These rivals have met six times for the NFC championship in what was once the NFL’s marquee matchup. The 49ers have given up 34 points or more in four consecutive games dating to last season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SF DAL Points scored 24.7 (6) 24.0 (T7) Points allowed 38.3(31) 31.3 (T29) Passing Off. 283.3 (4) 187.7 (26) Rushing Off. 97.7 (16) 103.3 (13) Passing Def. 340.7 (31) 204.7 (8) Rushing Def. 111.0 (21) 170.3 (30) Time of Poss. 26:22 (29) 24:41 (31) Turnover Ratio -1 (T16) 0 (T13) Red Zone TD% 72.7 (T3) 71.4 (T5)

*--*

* The pick: Dallas. The recharged Cowboys keep winning. And if Troy Aikman has to give way to Randall Cunningham, all the better.

NEW ENGLAND at MIAMI 10 a.m.

* The line: Miami by 4

* Key injuries: NE: Defensive end Willie McGinest (leg, questionable). MIA: Wide receiver Tony Martin (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: Always a close battle, with five of the last six meetings decided by three points or fewer. The Patriots are 2-9 in their last 11 games at Miami. The Dolphins have limited opponents to 13 points or fewer in three consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NE MIA Points scored 16.0 (23) 16.3 (22) Points allowed 20.7 (20) 6.3 (1) Passing Off. 211.7 (16) 156.3 (30) Rushing Off. 97.0 (17) 112.0 (10) Passing Def. 208.3 (T10) 209.3 (13) Rushing Def. 117.7 (23) 104.7 (18) Time of Poss. 29:06 (20) 30:44 (12) Turnover Ratio +2 (T8) +8 (2) Red Zone TD% 25.0 (T28) 71.4 (T5)

*--*

* The pick: New England. The winless Patriots are desperate, determined and more talented than the Dolphins. Upset in the making.

PHILADELPHIA at NEW ORLEANS 10 a.m.

* The line: New Orleans by 1 1/2

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Eagles are 2-23-1 in their last 26 road games dating to 1997. Eagle running back Duce Staley has accounted for 54.4% of the club’s total offense (453 of 833 yards). Saint wide receiver Joe Horn leads the NFC with 24 receptions (for 242 yards). The last Saint receiver to lead the NFC in catches was Danny Abramowicz with 73 in 1969.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PHI NO Points scored 20.7 (16) 16.0 (T23) Points allowed 17.7 (10) 20.3 (19) Passing Off. 154.0 (31) 195.7 (22) Rushing Off. 149.0 (4) 95.3(18) Passing Def. 181.3 (3) 143.3 (1) Rushing Def. 104.3 (17) 98.7 (13) Time of Poss. 29:28 (18) 30:10 (14) Turnover Ratio +2 (T8) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 54.5 (14) 33.3 (T22)

*--*

* The pick: New Orleans. Duce Staley is looking for a place to break out. This isn’t it. Donovan McNabb’s troubles continue.

TENNESSEE at PITTSBURGH 10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 7

* Key injuries: TEN: Quarterback Steve McNair (chest, questionable); wide receiver Kevin Dyson (knee, out); wide receiver Yancey Thigpen (hamstring, questionable). PIT: None.

* Key elements: Within the AFC Central, Pittsburgh has lost eight in a row. Tennessee has won 15 of its last 16 in the division. Titan quarterback Steve McNair is 5-1 against the Steelers.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TEN PIT Points scored 15.0 (25) 10.0 (30) Points allowed 15.0 (4) 19.5 (17) Passing Off. 203.5 (17) 195.5 (23) Rushing Off. 87.0 (24) 94.5 (19) Passing Def. 159.0 (2) 257.5 (28) Rushing Def. 95.5 (10) 100.5 (14) Time of Poss. 30:04 (15) 28:03 (23) Turnover Ratio -4 (24) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 33.3 (T22) 40.0 (20)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee. The Titans have been looking for an opportunity to again look like a Super Bowl contender. This is that opportunity.

CINCINNATI at BALTIMORE 10 a.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 11 1/2

* Key injuries: CIN: None. BAL: Wide receiver Qadry Ismail (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: The Bengals have been limited to seven points or fewer in each of their past four games, all losses. Four of past five meetings in the series have been decided by seven points or fewer. Raven safety Rod Woodson has feasted on Bengal quarterbacks with nine career interceptions and two return touchdowns, his most against any opponent.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN BAL Points scored 3.5 (31) 20.3 (17) Points allowed 18.5 (14) 18.3 (13) Passing Off. 216.5 (14) 216.7 (13) Rushing Off. 91.0 (20) 115.7 (7) Passing Def. 217.5 (17) 243.3 (25) Rushing Def. 94.5 (9) 60.7 (2) Time of Poss. 27:14 (26) 30:51 (11) Turnover Ratio -5 (29) +3 (T6) Red Zone Off. 33.3 (T22) 30.0 (T26)

*--*

* The pick: Baltimore. Only a bye has kept the Bengals from going 0-3.

GREEN BAY at ARIZONA 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Arizona by 1

* Key injuries: GB: Wide receiver Corey Bradford (leg, out); cornerback Antuan Edwards (knee, doubtful); cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee, out). AZ: None.

* Key elements: Nothing better illustrates the Packers’ demise than this statistic: After passing for 145 touchdowns and having only 56 passes intercepted in 64 games from 1994-97, Brett Favre has passed for 56 touchdowns and had 50 passes intercepted in his last 35 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS GB AZ Points scored 13.3 (27) 24.0 (T7) Points allowed 16.7 (8) 26.0 (23) Passing Off. 203.3 (18) 280.5 (5) Rushing Off. 60.3 (30) 70.5 (28) Passing Def. 212.7 (15) 207.5 (9) Rushing Def. 97.3 (12) 156.5 (29) Time of Poss. 27:02 (27) 29:55 (16) Turnover Ratio -6 (30) -1 (T16) Red Zone TD% 37.5 (21) 55.6 (T12)

*--*

* The pick: Arizona. Have the Packers sunk so low they can’t even beat the Cardinals? The answer is yes.

KANSAS CITY at DENVER 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 6 1/2

* Key injuries: KC: Running back Donnell Bennett (foot, questionable). DEN: Running back Terrell Davis (ankle, questionable); quarterback Brian Griese (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: The Chiefs are 3-14 in their last 17 trips to Denver. Coach Mike Shanahan’s Broncos are 26-8 against the AFC West since 1996.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC DEN Points scored 23.3 (10) 37.0 (2) Points allowed 18.0 (11) 26.3 (25) Passing Off. 197.0 (20) 262.7 (T6) Rushing Off. 84.3 (25) 161.3 (2) Passing Def. 232.3 (21) 257.0 (27) Rushing Def. 96.3 (11) 83.3 (7) Time of Poss. 30:36 (13) 35:27 (2) Turnover Ratio +5 (4) +9 (1) Red Zone TD% 66.7 (T7) 46.7 (18)

*--*

* The pick: Denver. Most teams are devastated by crucial injuries. The Broncos, digging down into a seemingly endless talent pool, just seem to get stronger.

CLEVELAND at OAKLAND 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 10 1/2

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: This is the Browns’ first game at Oakland since 1979. The Browns have 14 sacks in three games this season, after totaling an NFL-low 25 last season. The Raiders have been cutting it close--17 of their last 21 games have been decided by seven points or fewer, and they are 8-9 in those games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CLE OAK Points scored 18.0 (T19) 23.7 (9) Points allowed 18.0 (11) 23.3 (T21) Passing Off. 245.0 (8) 180.7 (27) Rushing Off. 87.3 (23) 114.0 (9) Passing Def. 247.7 (24) 259.0 (29) Rushing Def. 129.7 (27) 123.0 (26) Time of Poss. 28:34 (21) 28:30 (22) Turnover Ratio +1 (12) +4 (5) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T15) 72.7 (T3)

*--*

* The pick: Oakland. All those Brown dreams about actually being a winning team are about to be shattered.

SEATTLE at SAN DIEGO 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Seattle by 2 1/2

* Key injuries: SEA: Wide receiver Derrick Mayes (ankle, questionable). SD: Wide receiver Jeff Graham (hamstring/back, questionable); quarterback Moses Moreno (shoulder, doubtful).

* Key elements: Five of the last six meetings have been decided by seven points or fewer. The Chargers have held Seattle’s Ricky Watters to 2.9 yards a carry in the last four games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SEA SD Points scored 18.0 (T19) 14.3 (26) Points allowed 23.3 (T21) 26.3 (T25) Passing Off. 174.0 (28) 167.7 (29) Rushing Off. 99.3 (T14) 65.7 (29) Passing Def. 226.3 (20) 223.3 (18) Rushing Def. 131.3 (28) 82.7 (6) Time of Poss. 27:38 (25) 25:45 (30) Turnover Ratio -9 (31) -4 (T24) Red Zone Off. 57.1 (11) 33.3 (T22)

*--*

* The pick: Seattle. Is it too soon to wish that the season was over? Not for the Chargers, who may spend all season looking for that first win.

NEW YORK JETS at TAMPA BAY 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Tampa Bay by 7

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: This game features Buccaneer wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson against his former Jet teammates. The Jets are 3-0 for the first time since 1966. Tampa Bay has scored 93 points, the most in team history for the first three games. Buccaneer fullback Mike Alstott has scored at least one touchdown in five consecutive games dating to last season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYJ TB Points scored 22.3 (12) 31.0 (3) Points allowed 16.3 (7) 8.7 (2) Passing Off. 243.3 (9) 188.0 (25) Rushing Off. 89.3 (22) 138.7 (5) Passing Def. 24.0 (19) 196.3 (5) Rushing Def. 80.7 (5) 73.7 (4) Time of Poss. 31:01 (10) 33:45 (4) Turnover Ratio +3 (T6) +7 (3) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T15) 81.8 (1)

*--*

* The pick: Tampa Bay. Sometime, somebody might finally shut up Keyshawn Johnson. But it won’t be today.

WASHINGTON at NEW YORK GIANTS 5:35 p.m.

* The line: New York Giants by 1

* Key injuries: WAS: Running back Larry Centers (elbow, doubtful). NYG: None.

* Key elements: The Redskins try for four consecutive victories against the Giants for the first time since winning six in a row from 1981-84. Giant running back Tiki Barber leads the NFL with 328 rushing yards. By comparison, Joe Montgomery led the Giants with 348 yards last season. New York has rushed for 160 yards or more in three consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS WAS NYG Points scored 17.0 (21) 22.7 (11) Points allowed 19.7 (18) 13.7 (3) Passing Off. 213.7 (15) 240.0 (12) Rushing Off. 124.3 (6) 187.3 (1) Passing Def. 187.3 (4) 244.7 (23) Rushing Def. 109.0 (19) 80.7 (5) Time of Poss. 33:05 (6) 36:09 (1) Turnover Ratio -1 (T16) +3 (T6) Red Zone TD% 60.0 (T9) 30.0 (T26)

*--*

* The pick: Washington. Backup quarterback Jeff George comes to the rescue against a Giant team overdue for a bad game.

JACKSONVILLE at INDIANAPOLIS, Monday Night Football, 6:00 p.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 3 1/2

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: This will be the Jaguars’ first visit to the RCA Dome. The Jaguars are 5-0 on Monday night. Jaguar wide receiver Jimmy Smith leads the NFL with 27 receptions. Colt running back Edgerrin James has at least 100 yards from scrimmage in 11 of his last 12 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS JAC IND Points scored 25.3 (5) 29.0 (4) Points allowed 15.3 (5) 26.0 (T23) Passing Off. 287.7 (3) 320.0 (2) Rushing Off. 83.0 (27) 115.0 (8) Passing Def. 201.7 (6) 209.5 (14) Rushing Def. 85.3 (8) 113.0 (22) Time of Poss. 33:21 (5) 31:04 (8) Turnover Ratio +2 (8) -4 (T24) Red Zone TD% 25.0 (T28) 50.0 (T15)

*--*

* The pick: Indianapolis. The return of Fred Taylor will make it a close game, but the Colts, having had an extra week to fume over their loss to the Raiders, will kick up their heels.