Week 14 Capsules

CINCINNATI AT BALTIMORE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Ravens by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Quarterback Jon Kitna will lead the Bengals in an AFC North showdown against linebacker Ray Lewis and the Ravens.

Plot: Thanks to a four-game winning streak, Cincinnati has moved to the top of the division. Kitna has thrown for 2,811 yards and 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The running back combination of Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson heads the Bengals’ ground attack, with Chad Johnson the team’s top receiver. The Ravens, who have scored 44 points in each of the last two games, will start Anthony Wright at quarterback for the fourth consecutive game.

Bottom line: Each team is at the top of its game, but the difference will be the Ravens’ defense, which should be able to produce turnovers.

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SAN DIEGO AT DETROIT

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Lions by 3.

Introduction: Both teams have been out of the playoff hunt for weeks ... yawn.

Plot: With veteran Doug Flutie at quarterback, San Diego’s offense has shown occasional spark, averaging more than 25 points a game. But the Chargers still do not get the ball to running back LaDainian Tomlinson and receiver David Boston enough. Tomlinson has rushed for 1,172 yards; Boston has 56 receptions for 733 yards and six touchdowns. The Lions are coming off a 22-14 victory over Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Quarterback Joey Harrington has passed for 2,220 yards and 12 touchdowns but has 20 interceptions.

Bottom line: If Flutie outplays Harrington, the Chargers will win their third game of the season.

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CHICAGO AT GREEN BAY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Packers by 7.

Introduction: Every time the Packers lose, Brett Favre’s impending retirement makes more sense.

Plot: Ahman Green of the Packers has rushed for 1,383 yards and accounted for an NFC-best 94 first downs -- 78 on runs and 16 on receptions. Favre, however, has 18 interceptions. The Bears have played respectably since Kordell Stewart took over at quarterback, winning their last two games as Stewart has accounted for four touchdowns. In a 28-3 victory over Arizona last week, Brock Forsey stepped in for starter Anthony Thomas and rushed for a career-high 134 yards and one touchdown.

Bottom line: The Bears always seem to play the Packers tough, and they are primed to pull off an upset if they can avoid costly turnovers.

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HOUSTON AT JACKSONVILLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Off.

Introduction: Coach Jack Del Rio and Jacksonville have a keeper in rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich.

Plot: Thanks to the strong play of defensive linemen Tony Brackens and Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville has the NFL’s top defense against the run. Leftwich has passed for 2,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Texans hope David Carr can start at quarterback, but he has been slow to recover from a shoulder injury. Rookie running back Domanick Davis has been a bright spot for the Texans and needs 175 yards to reach 1,000. Davis sat out practice Thursday because of a thigh injury.

Bottom line: Look for the Jaguars’ defense to shut down the Texans, leaving it up to Leftwich and Co. to score enough points for a win.

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SEATTLE AT MINNESOTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Vikings by 1 1/2.

Introduction: The Vikings are fortunate that Green Bay keeps losing. The Seahawks have lost four in a row on the road.

Plot: Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss put up big numbers against St. Louis last week, but the Vikings still were run off the field because their defense does not tackle well. Minnesota has allowed 295 points, the third-most in the NFC. Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck is among the league’s hottest quarterbacks and has thrown for 2,883 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Seahawks’ Shaun Alexander has rushed for 1,034 yards and has 11 touchdowns.

Bottom line: Expect Minnesota to play much better at home -- but that may not be enough against Hasselbeck and the Seahawks.

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TAMPA BAY AT NEW ORLEANS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Saints by 1 1/2.

Introduction: Losing at Jacksonville last week all but ended the Buccaneers’ chances of returning to the Super Bowl this season.

Plot: The Saints have won three in a row over the Buccaneers, including a 17-13 victory at Tampa Bay on Nov. 2. The Saints’ Deuce McAllister, the NFC’s leading rusher, has run for at least 100 yards in nine consecutive games and can join Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders as the only NFL players to reach the mark 10 games in a row. Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson was shaky last week, but receiver Keenan McCardell is having a Pro Bowl season with 66 catches for 905 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bottom line: McAllister has been a load to stop, and the Buccaneers will not be able to get the job done.

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WASHINGTON AT N.Y. GIANTS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Giants by 3.

Introduction: If the Giants lose to the Redskins, Jim Fassel’s coaching days in New York will be numbered.

Plot: Tiki Barber has 5,186 career rushing yards and needs 111 more to pass Joe Morris for second in Giants’ franchise history. New York’s Kerry Collins leads the NFC in passing yards, attempts and completions. Amani Toomer has 50 catches for 894 yards. Tim Hasselbeck is expected to get his second NFL start in place of injured Patrick Ramsey for the Redskins. Hasselbeck completed 22 of 42 for 231 yards in last week’s loss against New Orleans. Washington will be trying to end a three-game losing streak to the Giants.

Bottom line: The Giants are out of the playoff race, but they still play hard enough for Fassel to get a win.

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DALLAS AT PHILADELPHIA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m., Ch. 11.

Line: Eagles by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The NFC East title probably will be determined, with the Eagles’ Donovan McNabb and Cowboys’ Quincy Carter being the difference makers.

Plot: Miami embarrassed the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, and Coach Bill Parcells’ team has lost two of its last three. Carter has fumbled seven times this season and has 16 interceptions. The Eagles have won seven in a row. McNabb has eight touchdown passes with one interception in his last four games against the Cowboys. The Eagles are 11-1 when McNabb connects with James Thrash for a touchdown.

Bottom line: If McNabb continues to utilize all of his receivers, Philadelphia shouldn’t have much trouble taking command in the division.

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OAKLAND AT PITTSBURGH

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Steelers by 5.

Introduction: A showdown between Ken Stabler and Terry Bradshaw this won’t be. Try the Raiders’ Rick Mirer versus the Steelers’ Tommy Maddox.

Plot: The Raiders make things difficult for themselves with penalties, and they do not have enough talent or healthy bodies to get the job done. Wide receiver Jerry Rice has a catch in an NFL-record 268 consecutive games, and Tim Brown needs one touchdown catch to become the fourth player in league history to reach 100. Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward leads the AFC in catches with 78 for 923 yards and nine touchdowns.

Bottom line: Pittsburgh played well last week but still lost to Cincinnati. If the Steelers play like that against the Raiders, they’ll win easily.

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INDIANAPOLIS AT TENNESSEE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m., Ch. 2.

Line: Titans by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Regular-season games do not get much bigger than this one, with the Colts and Titans playing for the AFC South lead and a possible home-field advantage.

Plot: Both teams are coming off defeats and should be primed for this game. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning passed for four touchdowns, but the Colts lost to New England. Tennessee’s Steve McNair threw two touchdown passes, but the Titans lost to the New York Jets. Titan veteran Eddie George has rushed for 747 yards and five touchdowns. The Colts’ Edgerrin James has rushed for 823 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bottom line: Expect McNair and the Titans to have a big day against the Colts’ inconsistent defense.

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ARIZONA AT SAN FRANCISCO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Line: 49ers by 10.

Introduction: Even with Jeff Garcia getting the nod at quarterback again, the 49er offense should move the ball against the Cardinals.

Plot: Wide receiver Terrell Owens may not be pleased that Garcia is starting and Tim Rattay is not. In last weekend’s loss at Baltimore, Garcia returned from a three-game injury absence and threw four interceptions. With running back Garrison Hearst not expected to play because of injury, Kevan Barlow will get his first start of the season for San Francisco. The Cardinals have lost four consecutive games and are coming off a 28-3 beating by Chicago.

Bottom line: The 49ers have not had a strong season, but they have enough firepower to defeat the Cardinals, who struggle on the road.

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N.Y. JETS AT BUFFALO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Bills by 3.

Introduction: Don’t tell the Jets that their playoff hopes are dead.

Plot: The Jets are coming off an impressive victory over Tennessee on Monday night and are rolling behind quarterback Chad Pennington, who has thrown 12 touchdown passes with six interceptions. Wide receiver Santana Moss has an AFC-leading 10 touchdown receptions. The Bills’ offense is showing some life behind running back Travis Henry, who has rushed for 970 yards. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who experienced dizziness after being hit in the head for the second consecutive week, retuned to practice Thursday and is listed as probable.

Bottom line: Coach Herman Edwards has the Jets playing well, and they should roll over the Bills.

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KANSAS CITY AT DENVER

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2.

Line: Broncos by 2 1/2.

Introduction: Thanks to the Chiefs’ Eddie Kennison’s sharp words about Denver Coach Mike Shanahan, expect plenty of fireworks in this key AFC West showdown.

Plot: Denver quarterback Jake Plummer may not be putting up eye-opening numbers, but he has kept the Broncos in the playoff race. With Clinton Portis (1,234 yards rushing), Denver has one of the best running attacks in the AFC. Receiver Rod Smith leads the Broncos with 59 catches for 677 yards but has scored only two touchdowns. The Chiefs’ Priest Holmes leads the AFC in yards from scrimmage with 1,736.

Bottom line: The Broncos cannot afford to lose any more games, but if they are a legitimate contender, they have to beat the Chiefs at home.

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MIAMI AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Patriots by 3.

Introduction: Miami tight end Randy McMichael against New England safety Rodney Harrison highlights an AFC East showdown between teams that do not like each other.

Plot: The Patriots have emerged as the dominant team in the AFC behind a suffocating defense and big-play offense. But New England will have to play a complete game to beat the Dolphins a second time this season, because of the return of Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler, who has opened up the offense. The Patriots have won eight consecutive games.

Bottom line: The Patriots have been winning games the hard way, but they need to be able to put away a good team like the Dolphins, who will be difficult to beat.

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CAROLINA AT ATLANTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 5:30 p.m., ESPN.

Line: Panthers by 1.

Introduction: With quarterback Michael Vick back in the lineup for the Falcons, the Panthers may be in trouble if they don’t play better pass defense.

Plot: With a comfortable lead in the NFC South, the Panthers are still in the hunt for the best record in the conference. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme has passed for 2,379 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Delhomme’s top target has been Steve Smith, who leads the Panthers with 65 catches for 848 yards. After sitting out most of the season because of a broken leg, Vick returned to play the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to Houston.

Bottom line: The Panthers will be tested by Vick, and the Falcons may be able to pull off an upset.

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ST. LOUIS AT CLEVELAND

Kickoff: Monday, 6 p.m., Ch. 7.

Line: Rams by 4.

Introduction: The Rams need to prove they can win games played outdoors in cold weather.

Plot: The Browns looked bad last week in their loss at Seattle. Kelly Holcomb will start at quarterback for Cleveland, which has lost two in a row and five of six. With William Green still suspended, the Browns will count on James Jackson at running back. The Rams have won four in a row. Marshall Faulk has rushed for at least 100 yards in three consecutive games, including a 108-yard, three-touchdown effort last week. The Rams’ Torry Holt leads all NFL wide receivers with 92 catches for 1,387 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Bottom line: The best thing the Rams can do against the weak-hitting Browns is give the ball to Faulk.