WEEK 5 CAPSULES

MINNESOTA AT ATLANTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Minnesota by 4.

Introduction: The Vikings may be without quarterback Daunte Culpepper, but they still have wide receiver Randy Moss, who caught three touchdown passes from backup Gus Frerotte last week against San Francisco.

Plot: The injury-plagued Falcons will have their hands full trying to slow the Vikings, the NFC’s highest-scoring team. Atlanta’s already weak secondary will be without suspended cornerback Tyrone Williams. Expect Moss and Co. to take full advantage.

Bottom line: Minnesota safeties Brian Russell and Corey Chavous, who are tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions, should have a big game against quarterback Doug Johnson, who has thrown seven interceptions in four games.

*

CINCINNATI AT BUFFALO

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Buffalo by 8.

Introduction: The Bengals have become a respectable team and will give Drew Bledsoe and the Bills all they can handle.

Plot: Without running back Travis Henry, questionable because of a chest injury, the Bills are an average team that cannot run the ball. This will be a problem against the Bengals, who defeated Cleveland last week. Quarterback Jon Kitna has thrown four touchdown passes and no interceptions over his last seven quarters for the Bengals, who will be without running back Corey Dillon, who has a groin injury.

Bottom line: Expect Bledsoe to pass early and often, but that may make things easier for the Bengals, who have improved defensively each week.

*

NEW ORLEANS AT CAROLINA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Carolina by 6 1/2.

Introduction: Coach Jim Haslett’s days will be numbered if the Saints continue to play as poorly as they did in Sunday night’s ugly home loss to Indianapolis.

Plot: As long as Carolina can run the ball with Stephen Davis, the Panthers will be tough to beat because of their strong defense. Davis is off to the best start in Carolina history with 406 yards in three games. New Orleans’ defense has struggled, and the Saints’ offense has been inconsistent, despite having quarterback Aaron Brooks and running back Deuce McAllister.

Bottom line: The Saints will need a big game from Brooks to give the Panthers their first defeat of the season. That may be a longshot.

*

OAKLAND AT CHICAGO

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

The line: Oakland by 4.

Introduction: After defeating San Diego in overtime, 34-31, last week, the Raiders will be seeking their second consecutive victory over a struggling opponent.

Plot: If quarterback Kordell Stewart can get a big game from running back Anthony Thomas, the Bears may be able to move the ball against the Raiders. Oakland had a difficult time slowing the winless Chargers but should do a better job against the predictable and winless Bears.

Bottom line: Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon, the league’s MVP last season, had his best game of the season last week but misses receiver Jerry Porter, who is still listed as doubtful for Sunday.

*

ARIZONA AT DALLAS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Dallas by 7.

Introduction: Emmitt Smith makes his return to Dallas, but don’t expect any special treatment from the Cowboys, who have won two in a row under Coach Bill Parcells.

Plot: If the Cardinals can get Smith going early to help open up the passing game for quarterback Jeff Blake, the Cowboys could be in for a tough game. Quarterback Quincy Carter still is inconsistent, but the Cowboy running game has steadily improved with Smith’s replacement, Troy Hambrick. Led by safety Darren Woodson, the Cowboys feature one of the league’s best secondaries.

Bottom line: As long as Carter remembers to get the ball to his talented receivers, the Cowboys will be looking at a surprising 3-1 start, thanks to Parcells’ leadership.

*

SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY

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

The line: Green Bay by 2.

Introduction: Coach Mike Holmgren returns to Green Bay with the undefeated Seahawks, who will be looking to knock the Packers back under .500

Plot: The Seahawks, 3-0 for the first time in five years, have been carried by former Green Bay quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has thrown six touchdown passes and only one interception. Green Bay running back Ahman Green is second in the league in rushing with 442 yards and also leads the Packers in receptions with 17.

Bottom line: Now that his receivers aren’t all injured, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre is starting to look more like Brett Favre, and that means trouble for the Seahawks.

*

DENVER AT KANSAS CITY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Kansas City by 3 1/2.

Introduction: This AFC West showdown features two of the NFL’s six unbeaten teams.

Plot: If Denver’s Clinton Portis, who sat out last week’s game because of a chest injury, can play, this game will feature two of the league’s dominant running backs, Portis and the Chiefs’ Priest Holmes. Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan, who has a 3-7 record at Arrowhead Stadium, will need a big effort from quarterback Jake Plummer, who has passed for seven touchdowns.

Bottom line: Both teams are evenly matched on offense and defense, but the Chiefs hold a sizable special-teams edge with kick returner Dante Hall, who is the first player to return a kick for a touchdown in three consecutive games.

*

TENNESSEE AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Tennessee by 1.

Introduction: The 3-1 Titans and quarterback Steve McNair are coming off a big road victory at Pittsburgh. The Patriots have been inconsistent, winning their lone home game but losing two of three on the road.

Plot: McNair was nearly perfect at Pittsburgh, completing 15 of 16 passes with three touchdowns. But Tennessee needs to find a way to get more production from running back Eddie George, who is averaging only 2.8 yards a carry. The Patriots’ Teddy Bruschi has been a force on defense with 26 tackles and an interception.

Bottom line: Expect quarterback Tom Brady to have a big game for the Patriots, who will be able to get enough pressure on McNair to pull off an upset.

*

MIAMI AT NEW YORK GIANTS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Even.

Introduction: Two of the league’s best defenses will be tested by two of the league’s best running backs in Miami’s Ricky Williams and the Giants’ Tiki Barber.

Plot: After a dismal home loss to Houston to open the season, the Dolphins have gotten their act together behind Williams, the league’s second-leading rusher. Quarterback Jay Fiedler, who has five touchdown passes and four interceptions, will play an important role for the Dolphins, who have scored 58 points in three games. Giant defensive end Michael Strahan needs 3 1/2 sacks to become the fourth active player to reach 100.

Bottom line: Quarterback Kerry Collins is off to a strong start, and his passing will be the difference.

*

SAN DIEGO AT JACKSONVILLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

The line: Jacksonville by 3.

Introduction: First-year Jaguar Coach Jack Del Rio will try to get his first victory in the first meeting between the teams.

Plot: The Chargers will try to run the ball with LaDainian Tomlinson, who had a big game against the Raiders. Quarterback Drew Brees will have David Boston back after the wide receiver sat out a game because of a team suspension. Jacksonville rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich will start for the second consecutive week, even though Mark Brunell has recovered from an elbow injury.

Bottom line: Jacksonville will give running back Fred Taylor plenty of carries, but the Jaguars will win only if they can exploit the Chargers’ young secondary.

*

WASHINGTON AT PHILA.

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11.

The line: Philadelphia by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The Eagles will be trying to get to .500 for the first time this season. The Redskins have surprised opponents with their balanced offense.

Plot: Quarterback Donovan McNabb looked like his old self in the Eagles’ victory over Buffalo last week. But Philadelphia’s running game is inconsistent. Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey has won five of his last six starts, with two 300 yard-passing games. His main target is Laveranues Coles, who has three 100-yard receiving games already.

Bottom line: Whenever McNabb runs the ball, it presents major problems for the Redskin defense, which has given up more than its share of points this season.

*

DETROIT AT SAN FRANCISCO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: San Francisco by 7.

Introduction: Nothing would be sweeter for Detroit Coach Steve Mariucci than to return to the Bay Area and knock off his former team.

Plot: The struggling 49ers can’t afford to take the Lions lightly because if they do, Mariucci will get his wish. Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington leads the NFL in pass attempts (160) and is second in the NFC in completions (82). Wide receiver Charles Rogers leads all rookies with three touchdown catches. San Francisco’s offense has struggled the last three weeks, and the 49er defense has been even worse.

Bottom line: Look for San Francisco’s Jeff Garcia to continue to have trouble getting the ball to wide receiver Terrell Owens. That usually means another 49er loss.

*

CLEVELAND AT PITTSBURGH

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

The line: Pittsburgh by 7.

Introduction: Tim Couch will start at quarterback for the Browns for the second consecutive week, but unfortunately for Cleveland, the same defense will also start.

Plot: Cleveland has won five games in a row on the road when Couch has started. To keep the streak alive, Cleveland has to be able to run the ball better with William Green. Expect Pittsburgh to be fired up after last week’s dismal home loss to Tennessee. Quarterback Tommy Maddox leads the AFC in passing yards with 1,168.

Bottom line: Because the Browns’ rushing defense is weak, expect the Steelers to return to their ground attack with Amos Zereoue and Jerome Bettis. And expect the Browns to lose.

*

INDIANAPOLIS AT TAMPA BAY

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

The line: Tampa Bay by 4 1/2.

Introduction: Indianapolis Coach Tony Dungy returns to Tampa to face his former team in front of a national television audience.

Plot: Quarterback Peyton Manning may have passed for six touchdowns in an easy victory over New Orleans last week, but the key for the Colts will be the health of running back Edgerrin James, who did not play last week because of a back injury. The Buccaneers, who were off last week, will rely on pressure from defensive linemen Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp.

Bottom line: Another team will fall from the unbeaten ranks if the Buccaneer defense can keep Manning from completing big passes to wide receiver Marvin Harrison.