WEEK 17 CAPSULES

BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Line: Patriots by 8.

Introduction: Coach Bill Belichick has the Patriots in position to claim the best record in the NFL, and the Bills are not expected to put up much of a fight.

Plot: New England has won 11 consecutive games and has a first-round bye in the playoffs. Quarterback Tom Brady has thrown for 3,416 yards and 19 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. New England is 31st in the NFL with only 3.4 yards per rush. Buffalo, which has lost two games in a row, is coming off a dismal 20-3 loss at home to Miami. Buffalo running back Travis Henry has rushed for 1,294 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Bottom line: Everything has come together for the Patriots this season, and they should not have too much trouble with the disappointing Bills.

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SEATTLE AT SAN FRANCISCO

Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Line: Pick.

Introduction: The Seahawks are 1-6 on the road and need a victory to have a chance at a wild-card berth.

Plot: Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to play despite suffering ankle and shoulder injuries in last week’s victory over Arizona. Running back Shaun Alexander leads the Seahawks’ ground attack with 1,351 yards. The 49ers will be without receiver Terrell Owens, who broke his collarbone in last week’s overtime victory over Philadelphia. San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia has accounted for 11 touchdowns (eight passing and three rushing) over his last three starts.

Bottom line: Even without Owens, the 49ers have enough firepower to prevent the Seahawks from reaching the playoffs.

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PHILADELPHIA AT WASHINGTON

Kickoff: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Line: Eagles by 6 1/2.

Introduction: After winning eight games in a row, quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles will try to bounce back from last week’s overtime loss to San Francisco.

Plot: The Redskins are 1-4 since Tim Hasselbeck took over at quarterback. Washington receiver Laveranues Coles has 76 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. The Eagles need a victory to secure a first-round bye for the playoffs. McNabb needs 26 passing yards to reach 3,000 for the season. Thanks to McNabb and running back by committee, the Eagles average 4.9 yards per rush, third-best in the NFL.

Bottom line: The Eagles will head into the playoffs on a positive note after ending the regular season with a victory over the Redskins.

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JACKSONVILLE AT ATLANTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Falcons by 3.

Introduction: Based on the way the Jaguars and Falcons have been playing over the last month, this could be one of the day’s best games.

Plot: Since Michael Vick has returned to the lineup, Atlanta has a 2-1 record that includes last week’s victory over Tampa Bay. Running back T.J. Duckett leads the Falcons in rushing with 683 yards and 10 touchdowns. Atlanta has the NFL’s 31st-ranked offense and 32nd-ranked defense. The Jaguars have won three of their last four games, including a wild victory over New Orleans last week. Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor has rushed for 1,451 yards.

Bottom line: As long as Vick is in the lineup, the Falcons have a chance, but the Jaguars have been playing great defense down the stretch.

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CLEVELAND AT CINCINNATI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Bengals by 7 1/2.

Introduction: Unless the Bengals get some help from Pittsburgh against Baltimore, they will not make the playoffs even if they win.

Plot: Coach Marvin Lewis’ Bengals have lost two of three games to drop into second place in the AFC North. Quarterback Jon Kitna has thrown 20 touchdown passes with one interception in games the Bengals have won, and six touchdown passes with 13 interceptions in losses. Cleveland has lost five games in a row, including a 35-0 trouncing by Baltimore last week. The Browns have the NFL’s 28th-ranked offense and 15th-ranked defense.

Bottom line: Look for the Bengals to finish the regular season with a victory over the Browns, who seem to have quit on Coach Butch Davis.

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ST.LOUIS AT DETROIT

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Rams by 10 1/2.

Introduction: The Rams will look to lock up home-field advantage against the Lions, who have lost 24 road games in a row but are 4-3 at home.

Plot: The Rams have emerged as the NFC’s top team with quarterback Marc Bulger passing for 3,675 yards and 21 touchdowns. St. Louis’ Torry Holt leads all NFL receivers with 112 catches for 1,642 yards and 12 touchdowns. St. Louis kicker Jeff Wilkins has made 37 of 40 field-goal attempts. In last week’s 20-14 loss at Carolina, the Lions were held to eight first downs and 106 yards of total offense.

Bottom line: Look for veteran Kurt Warner to finally play some at quarterback as the Rams close out the regular season with a victory over the Lions.

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INDIANAPOLIS AT HOUSTON

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 7.

Introduction: Coach Tony Dungy and the Colts can clinch the AFC South title with a victory over the Texans or a Tennessee loss or tie.

Plot: The Colts’ Peyton Manning, the first quarterback to pass for more than 4,000 yards in five consecutive seasons, has thrown a league-high 28 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. The Colts’ Dwight Freeney leads the team with 11 sacks. Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt has not missed a kick this season, making 35 field goals and 44 extra points. The Texans are coming off a disappointing 27-24 loss to Tennessee. Houston running back Domanick Davis needs 68 yards to reach 1,000.

Bottom line: Expect the Colts to run the ball with Edgerrin James against the Texans’ weak defense.

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CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Chiefs by 10.

Introduction: If New England loses to Buffalo on Saturday, the Chiefs can gain home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a victory.

Plot: After ripping through the league for nearly three months, Kansas City has lost two of its last three games. The Chiefs’ Priest Holmes needs one more touchdown to tie Marshall Faulk’s NFL single-season record of 26 scores. The Chiefs are 7-0 at home this season. The Bears have won two games in a row and four of their last five. Chicago rookie quarterback Rex Grossman is 2-0 as a starter. The Bears’ Anthony Thomas needs 37 yards to reach 1,000.

Bottom line: The Chiefs do not lose many games at home, which is bad news for the rejuvenated Bears.

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N.Y. JETS AT MIAMI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Dolphins by 4.

Introduction: Now that the Dolphins have been eliminated from the playoff picture, Coach Dave Wannstedt’s job security is a little shaky.

Plot: Miami running back Ricky Williams has rushed for 1,299 yards and eight touchdowns but is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. The Dolphins’ Chris Chambers leads the team in receptions with 55, including 10 for touchdowns. No other Miami player has more than two touchdown catches. New York running back Curtis Martin has rushed for 1,216 yards and also has 42 catches. But Martin has scored only one touchdown for the Jets, who are 2-5 on the road.

Bottom line: For the Jets, the best way to end the season would be to hang one more loss on Wannstedt and the Dolphins.

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DALLAS AT NEW ORLEANS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Cowboys by 2.

Introduction: If the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose, Coach Bill Parcells’ team will earn the NFC East title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Plot: The Cowboys’ defense has stepped up over the last two weeks, giving up three combined points. The Cowboys’ Troy Hambrick is 54 rushing yards away from reaching 1,000. New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks has passed for 3,303 yards and 23 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. The Saints’ Deuce McAllister is second in the NFC in rushing but suffered an ankle injury last week and is questionable.

Bottom line: After three consecutive 5-11 seasons, the Cowboys will finish 11-5 with a victory over the Saints.

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TAMPA BAY AT TENNESSEE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Line: Titans by 7.

Introduction: Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair continues to show why he gets so much respect around the league for his ability to play hurt.

Plot: The Titans have clinched a playoff berth, but to win the AFC South, they will need Indianapolis to lose at Houston. Tennessee’s Eddie George needs 56 yards to reach 1,000 for the seventh time in his career but has been averaging only 3.3 yards a carry. The Titans’ Derrick Mason is fourth in the AFC in receptions with 89 for 1,213 yards. The Buccaneers will not return to the playoffs after losing last week to Atlanta.

Bottom line: Despite their lack of a ground attack, the Titans should be able to close the regular season with a victory over last season’s Super Bowl champions.

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MINNESOTA AT ARIZONA

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Line: Vikings by 7 1/2.

Introduction: The Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a victory and a Green Bay loss, and they can gain a playoff berth with a Seattle loss Saturday.

Plot: Thanks to 22 combined interceptions from Brian Russell, Corey Chavous and Brian Williams, the Vikings lead the NFC with 27. Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper is the top passer in the NFC. The Vikings’ Randy Moss leads the NFL with 16 touchdown catches and is second in the NFC in receptions (106). The Cardinals have lost seven games in a row. Josh McCown will get his third start in a row at quarterback.

Bottom line: The Cardinals do not have an answer for Culpepper, which adds up to an easy victory for the Vikings.

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CAROLINA AT N.Y. GIANTS

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Line: Panthers by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The Giants’ final game of the Jim Fassel era will be against former New York assistant John Fox and the playoff-bound Panthers.

Plot: In last week’s victory over Detroit, the Panthers did not play standout running back Stephen Davis, but his backup, DeShaun Foster, stepped up with 114 total yards and one touchdown. Davis, who has been slowed because of an ankle injury, is expected to get some work against the Giants. New York quarterback Jesse Palmer will start his third consecutive game. The Giants’ Tiki Barber has rushed for 1,176 yards.

Bottom line: It will be only fitting for Fassel to lose his final game on a fumble by Barber, who already has lost the ball six times this season.

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DENVER AT GREEN BAY

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Packers by 6 1/2.

Introduction: Gutsy quarterback Brett Favre and the Packers control their playoff destiny, but the Broncos will not take a dive.

Plot: The Packers have to be careful to avoid a letdown after Favre’s memorable effort Monday against Oakland. Green Bay’s Ahman Green is still the key player to the offense, and he needs to get carries. Green leads the NFC in rushing with 1,665 yards. The Broncos have the AFC’s third-best defense against the run, and Bertrand Berry leads the team in sacks. Denver will be without injured running back Clinton Portis for the second week in a row.

Bottom line: With a playoff berth locked up, Denver Coach Mike Shanahan won’t take any chances by putting Portis in the lineup.

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OAKLAND AT SAN DIEGO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Chargers by 4.

Introduction: The Raiders have gone from league runner-up to an underdog team against the 3-12 Chargers.

Plot: The Raiders’ Jerry Rice had a flashback game in Monday’s ugly loss to Green Bay, with 10 catches for 159 yards. Quarterback Rick Mirer will get his eighth consecutive start for Oakland. With San Diego Coach Marty Schottenheimer returning next season, the Charger players have one last chance to show whether they will. The Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson, who leads the league in total yards, has a shoulder injury but is expected to play.

Bottom line: Despite the records, expect a heated game between two longtime bitter rivals, with Tomlinson being the difference.

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PITTSBURGH AT BALTIMORE

Kickoff: Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Line: Ravens by 7 1/2.

Introduction: The Ravens’ Jamal Lewis has a chance to break the NFL’s single-season rushing record, but whether he will depends in part on the playoff picture.

Plot: Lewis needs 48 yards to reach 2,000, but if the Ravens have a playoff berth before kickoff, it is questionable he’ll get enough carries to break Eric Dickerson’s mark of 2,105 yards. Baltimore will need to win if the Bengals defeat Cleveland. The Ravens’ Ray Lewis has 152 combined tackles and five interceptions. Pittsburgh’s Jerome Bettis has rushed for 444 yards over the last five games.

Bottom line: The Ravens would love to play the Steelers with nothing at stake, but if they have to go to work, both Lewises will make sure the team is ready.