WEEK 6 CAPSULES

OAKLAND AT CLEVELAND

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

The line: Cleveland by 3.

Introduction: After losing at Chicago last week, the Raiders are under .500 and struggling to stay in the AFC West race.

Plot: Cleveland’s offense has picked up since quarterback Tim Couch took over as starter. In an impressive victory over Pittsburgh last week, the Browns not only passed the ball well, but running back William Green rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time this season. The Raiders have allowed 131 points, second-most in the AFC.

Bottom line: The Raiders have to find a reliable running game or this will be a lost season for the defending AFC champions, who could have major trouble against the improving Browns.

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PHILADELPHIA AT DALLAS

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

The line: Philadelphia by 1.

Introduction: Coach Bill Parcells and the surprising Cowboys will make a major statement if they can pull off a home victory over Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.

Plot: Led by quarterback Quincy Carter and receivers Joey Galloway and Terry Glenn, the Cowboys have the NFL’s No. 1 offense. Philadelphia’s injury-plagued secondary, rated 31st in the league against the pass, will be tested often. McNabb leads all quarterbacks in rushing with 174 yards.

Bottom line: Expect the Eagles to run the ball better than expected and for McNabb to gain his sixth consecutive victory over the Cowboys. If Dallas loses, every NFC East team will have at least two losses.

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KANSAS CITY AT GREEN BAY

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Green Bay by 2.

Introduction: Dynamic kick-returner Dante Hall leads the undefeated Chiefs in a key inter-conference road game against Brett Favre and the Packers.

Plot: Coach Dick Vermeil’s team is solid in all areas, but the Chiefs will still face a difficult challenge against Green Bay. Running back Ahman Green rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns last week to lead the Packers to an easy victory over previously unbeaten Seattle. Kansas City’s defense is tied for the league lead with 15 takeaways. Priest Holmes leads the Chiefs in rushing (483 yards) and receiving (21 catches for 198 yards).

Bottom line: If Kansas City quarterback Trent Green can outplay Favre, the Chiefs win.

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CAROLINA AT INDIANAPOLIS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Indianapolis by 5.

Introduction: The Colts’ Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison get the undefeated Panthers after making Tampa Bay’s defense look ordinary Monday night.

Plot: Manning leads the NFL in passer rating (103.2) and has eight touchdown passes in his last two games. Indianapolis has the league’s highest-scoring offense (31.6 points per game), while Carolina has allowed only 48 points. The Panthers are built around running back Stephen Davis, who is the first player in franchise history to rush for more than 100 yards in four games in a row.

Bottom line: The Panthers have one the NFL’s fiercest defensive units, but their offense is one-dimensional, and that will be a problem on the road against the Colts.

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MIAMI AT JACKSONVILLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Miami by 3.

Introduction: Rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich and the Jaguars will seek their second victory in as many weeks, but they will face the veteran Dolphins, who have won their last three games.

Plot: Dolphin running back Ricky Williams has rushed for 386 yards and three touchdowns but is averaging only 3.4 yards a carry. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler has thrown five touchdown passes and four interceptions. Running back Fred Taylor leads Jacksonville in rushing (422 yards) and receiving (20 catches).

Bottom line: The Jaguars may not be in the same class as the Dolphins, but they do have Leftwich, who leads the league in fourth-quarter passing with 224 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

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N.Y. GIANTS AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New England by 3.

Introduction: The Patriots might have found a No. 1 running back in Mike Cloud, who rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns in seven carries last week against Tennessee.

Plot: Quarterback Kerry Collins has put up some good passing numbers, but the Giants’ offense has struggled to score points. Running back Tiki Barber, who scored 11 touchdowns last season, has reached the end zone only once in four games. New England quarterback Tom Brady has thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six).

Bottom line: Expect the Giants to execute better offensively, but they may still have trouble scoring against the Patriots, who are strong against the run.

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CHICAGO AT NEW ORLEANS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New Orleans by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The Bears will be looking to add to the Saints’ woes after their come-from-behind victory over the Raiders last week.

Plot: Behind running back Anthony Thomas, the Bears will be looking to run the ball to help open things up for inconsistent quarterback Kordell Stewart. Chicago is averaging 5.3 yards a rush, third in the NFL. New Orleans has given up 138 points, fourth-most in the league. Quarterback Aaron Brooks needs three touchdown passes to become the third player in Saints’ history to reach 70.

Bottom line: Coach Jim Haslett may be looking for a job if the Saints are not ready for the Bears, who have improved each week under Coach Dick Jauron.

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HOUSTON AT TENNESSEE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Tennessee by 10.

Introduction: Coach Dom Capers has quietly turned the Texans into a .500 team, but they will face an uphill battle against Steve McNair and the Titans.

Plot: The Titans have to get more production from running back Eddie George, who is averaging 2.7 yards a rush. McNair has spread the ball around, with eight Titans having at least five catches. Houston quarterback David Carr has thrown three touchdown passes and run for two more scores. The Texans, who have wins over Miami and Jacksonville, are gaining 326.5 yards a game.

Bottom line: The Texans will make this a close game, because they know that the Titans count too much on McNair.

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TAMPA BAY AT WASHINGTON

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Washington by 3.

Introduction: The Buccaneers need to redeem themselves after a fourth-quarter collapse in an overtime loss to Indianapolis on Monday night.

Plot: The Redskins couldn’t be happier with the gutsy play of quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,307. Laveranues Coles is Washington’s main big-play threat with 33 catches for 513 yards. Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson is the NFC passer-rating leader at 92.9. The Buccaneers may be without cornerback Brian Kelly, who suffered a chest injury against the Colts.

Bottom line: The Redskins will be forced to pass, and they will find out that the Buccaneer defense is not as weak as it looked against the Colts.

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BALTIMORE AT ARIZONA

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Baltimore by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The Ravens’ Jamal Lewis could challenge another rushing record against the Cardinals’ weak defense.

Plot: Coming off a bye week, the Ravens will be looking to run the ball with Lewis, who leads the NFL in rushing with 611 yards. That’s bad news for the Cardinals, who give up 4.7 yards a rush. Arizona quarterback Jeff Blake needs one touchdown pass to reach 125 in his career. Cardinal running back Marcel Shipp will start in place of injured Emmitt Smith. Baltimore rookie Terrell Suggs needs a sack to become the first NFL player to record a sack in his first five games.

Bottom line: Unless Baltimore rookie quarterback Kyle Boller has a horrible game, the Ravens should have enough to move back over .500.

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PITTSBURGH AT DENVER

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

The line: Off.

Introduction: The Broncos may be without quarterback Jake Plummer, who sustained a shoulder injury in last week’s loss at Kansas City.

Plot: Coach Bill Cowher has to wonder how long he should stick with quarterback Tommy Maddox, who has struggled in recent weeks. Maddox leads the AFC in passing yards with 1,304, but he has eight interceptions and only five touchdown passes. The Steeler defense also has had trouble stopping teams, allowing 129 points in five games. Denver running back Clinton Portis has gained 6.3 yards a carry.

Bottom line: Even if veteran Steve Beuerlein starts at quarterback, the Broncos should have enough to handle the beleaguered Steelers.

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BUFFALO AT N.Y. JETS

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Buffalo by 2 1/2.

Introduction: Injuries continue to be an issue for the Bills, who may be without wide receiver Eric Moulds because of a groin injury.

Plot: With injured starting quarterback Chad Pennington still at least a week away from returning to the lineup, the Jets have to get more production from veteran Vinny Testaverde. New York has a league-low 45 points in four games. The Bills will ride the arm of Drew Bledsoe, who has passed for 1,149 yards and five touchdowns. Buffalo running back Travis Henry has rushed for 345 yards and four touchdowns in three games against the Jets.

Bottom line: The Bill defense is the weak link, but against the low-scoring Jets, that doesn’t mean much.

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SAN FRANCISCO AT SEATTLE

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

The line: Seattle by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Coach Mike Holmgren and the Seahawks will be seeking their first victory over the 49ers as a member of the NFC West.

Plot: Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has won seven of his last 10 starts, having thrown 18 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. San Francisco Coach Dennis Erickson coached the Seahawks from 1995-98. Quarterback Jeff Garcia completed 15 of 27 passes, one for a touchdown to Terrell Owens, to help the 49ers end a three-game losing streak last week with a victory over Detroit.

Bottom line: The Seahawks should be able to ruin Erickson’s homecoming as long as Hasselbeck gets the ball to running back Shaun Alexander.

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ATLANTA AT ST. LOUIS

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

The line: St. Louis by 11.

Introduction: Without injured quarterback Michael Vick, the Falcons will try and stay close against the Marshall Faulk-less Rams.

Plot: Quarterback Marc Bulger has been solid since taking over for Kurt Warner, but the Rams need Lamar Gordon to step up in place of Faulk, who is sidelined because of knee and hand injuries. Atlanta quarterback Doug Johnson is more effective when the Falcons are able to run the ball with T.J. Duckett and Warrick Dunn.

Bottom line: If the Falcons can protect Johnson enough to exploit the Rams’ suspect secondary, they may have a chance to pull off an upset.