Week 7 Capsules

DALLAS AT DETROIT

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Dallas by 3.

Introduction: Dallas quarterback Quincy Carter isn’t dazzling anybody with his play, but as long as the Cowboys keep winning, don’t expect any complaints from Coach Bill Parcells.

Plot: The Lions haven’t been able to stop anyone, giving up 367.4 yards a game. Quarterback Joey Harrington has passed for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns but also has had eight passes intercepted. The Lions will be without rookie receiver Charles Rogers, who is sidelined because of a broken collarbone. The Cowboys have won four in a row and will be seeking their first 5-1 start since 1995. Bottom line: The Cowboy secondary will have a big game against Harrington, who has a tendency to throw interceptions when pressured.

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NEW ORLEANS AT ATLANTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New Orleans by 1 1/2.

Introduction: If you believed that the Falcons would still be a good team after quarterback Michael Vick suffered a preseason leg injury ... you don’t now.

Plot: Backup quarterback Doug Johnson has not been getting the job done for the Falcons and will be benched in favor of Kurt Kittner. The Falcons have the NFL’s worst defense. They have given up 175 points and more than 400 yards a game. New Orleans’ top threat is running back Deuce McAllister, who has rushed for 544 yards and three touchdowns.

Bottom line: Aaron Brooks has to start playing better for the Saints to have a chance, because three touchdown passes and four interceptions are not starting-quarterback numbers.

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GREEN BAY AT ST. LOUIS

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

The line: St. Louis by 4.

Introduction: The Packers have to be smarting after blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead in their overtime loss to Kansas City last week.

Plot: With Marc Bulger settled in as the Rams’ No. 1 quarterback, Coach Mike Martz’s offense looked sharp against the Falcons last week. St. Louis receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce will be difficult to stop for the Packers’ inconsistent secondary. Green Bay’s Brett Favre has passed for 1,261 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Bottom line: With starter Marshall Faulk sidelined because of a hand injury, Lamar Gordon, who rushed for a career-high 92 yards against Atlanta, needs to have a big game for the Rams.

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TENNESSEE AT CAROLINA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Carolina by 1 1/2.

Introduction: After slowing down Colt quarterback Peyton Manning last week, the Panthers’ aggressive defense gets the NFL’s hottest passer in the Titans’ Steve McNair.

Plot: McNair, who has thrown 11 touchdown passes with two interceptions, leads the league with 1,601 passing yards and a 107.1 quarterback rating. Derrick Mason has 276 receiving yards in consecutive games. The Panthers are seeking the first 6-0 start in franchise history. Quarterback Jake Delhomme does not have to do much because of Carolina’s rushing game. Stephen Davis is second in the NFC in rushing.

Bottom line: Unless running back Eddie George has a flashback to his All-Pro days, the Titans will be in trouble.

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NEW ENGLAND AT MIAMI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Miami by 5 1/2.

Introduction: With a two-game winning streak, quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots believe they’re ready for the Dolphins in this matchup between the top teams in the AFC East.

Plot: Running back Ricky Williams’ production has been down in recent weeks, but the Dolphins still count on him. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler has thrown five touchdown passes with five interceptions. New England running back Mike Cloud has scored three touchdowns in the last two games. Patriot Coach Bill Belichick has a 15-4 record against the AFC East.

Bottom line: Led by Ty Law and an opportunistic secondary, the Patriots may have enough defense to pull off an upset on the road.

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PHILADELPHIA AT N.Y. GIANTS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: N.Y. Giants by 2 1/2.

Introduction: With Dallas sitting comfortably in first place in the NFC East, the Eagles and Giants find themselves fighting to get back to respectability.

Plot: Quarterback Kerry Collins continues to have problems leading the Giants into the end zone. In five games, New York has 95 points. The Giants’ Jeremy Shockey leads NFL tight ends with 29 catches for 299 yards. Defensive end Michael Strahan has 15 1/2 career sacks against the Eagles. Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb has two touchdown passes with five interceptions. The Eagles rank third in the NFL at 5.1 yards a carry.

Bottom line: Don’t be shocked to see Coach Andy Reid make some major changes if the Eagles struggle.

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BALTIMORE AT CINCINNATI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Baltimore by 2.

Introduction: Bengal Coach Marvin Lewis will face his former team for the first time, and his No. 1 task will be slowing down Raven running back Jamal Lewis.

Plot: Quarterback Jon Kitna has completed 64.3% of his passes for 900 yards and five touchdowns in the Bengals’ last four games. Running back Corey Dillon, who has rushed for only 144 yards this season, is expected to be back in the lineup after sitting out nearly two games because of a groin injury. Lewis has rushed for a league-leading 742 yards in five games.

Bottom line: Expect the Bengals to crowd the line of scrimmage and dare rookie quarterback Kyle Boller to beat them.

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DENVER AT MINNESOTA

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

The line: Minnesota by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Veteran Steve Beuerlein will get his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of injured Jake Plummer for the Broncos, who will face their second unbeaten team in three weeks.

Plot: The rested Vikings, who did not play last week, will have Daunte Culpepper back in the lineup after the quarterback sat out two games because of a back injury. Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss has 29 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns.

Bottom line: The Vikings will face their toughest test of the season. But if they can control Denver running back Clinton Portis, they’ll remain undefeated.

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SAN DIEGO AT CLEVELAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Cleveland by 5 1/2.

Introduction: Led by running back William Green and quarterback Tim Couch, the Browns have turned things around with two consecutive victories.

Plot: San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is sixth in the AFC in rushing with 457 yards and leads all running backs with 29 receptions. Defensive end Adrian Dingle leads the Chargers in sacks with 2 1/2. Couch will make his fourth consecutive start for the Browns, who have averaged more than 300 yards a game with him. Green has rushed for 260 yards in his last two games.

Bottom line: Expect defensive end Courtney Brown, who leads the Browns with five sacks, to create havoc for San Diego quarterback Drew Brees.

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N.Y. JETS AT HOUSTON

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

The line: N.Y. Jets by 3.

Introduction: After finally winning last week, Jet Coach Herman Edwards will have his team shooting for two in a row against the Texans.

Plot: With 40,649 passing yards, New York quarterback Vinny Testaverde is seventh on the NFL all-time list after moving past Joe Montana in last week’s victory over Buffalo. Veteran running back Curtis Martin has 274 yards rushing for the Jets but has not scored a touchdown. Houston quarterback David Carr passed for 371 yards in last week’s loss at Indianapolis, the first 300-yard game in franchise history.

Bottom line: If the Texans can get production from one of their running backs (Stacey Mack or Domanick Davis), the Jets’ winning streak may end at one.

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CHICAGO AT SEATTLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Seattle by 11.

Introduction: Veteran quarterback Chris Chandler will get his first start of the season for the Bears, who will be without Kordell Stewart because of a leg injury.

Plot: Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has won eight of his last 11 starts with 19 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Running back Shaun Alexander has rushed for 396 yards and three touchdowns for the Seahawks, who are seeking their first 5-1 start in franchise history. The Bears rank fifth in the NFL in yards per rush, but starting running back Anthony Thomas may not play because of a foot injury.

Bottom line: Chandler will have a tough time against the Seahawks’ pressure defense, which plays much better at home than on the road.

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WASHINGTON AT BUFFALO

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Buffalo by 3.

Introduction: The lack of a running game is catching up to quarterback Patrick Ramsey and the Redskins, who have lost two in a row.

Plot: Redskin Coach Steve Spurrier has done a good job of getting the ball to receiver Laveranues Coles, who is second in the league with 39 catches. But he needs to get the ball more to Rod Gardner, who had nine catches last week against Tampa Bay. The Bills’ Travis Henry has rushed for 493 yards and five touchdowns. Buffalo has won three in a row over the Redskins.

Bottom line: Expect Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe to have a big game with All-Pro wide receiver Eric Moulds back in the lineup after sitting out last week’s game because of a groin injury.

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TAMPA BAY AT SAN FRANCISCO

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

The line: Tampa Bay by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Quarterback Brad Johnson will try to take advantage of the 49ers’ shaky secondary and add to his league-leading 12 touchdown passes.

Plot: Thanks to strong line play, the Buccaneers have the NFL’s second-best offense, accounting for 375.4 yards a game. Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice has 37 1/2 sacks in his last 31 games, including playoffs. San Francisco’s Jeff Garcia will make his 60th start in a row, the longest consecutive starting streak for a 49er quarterback. Tai Streets leads the 49ers in touchdown catches with three.

Bottom line: The 49ers may play better at home, but they still don’t have enough to beat the Buccaneers.

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KANSAS CITY AT OAKLAND

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

The line: Kansas City by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Coach Dick Vermeil and the Chiefs would love nothing better than to add to the Raiders’ woes by handing them another AFC West loss.

Plot: Kansas City’s Trent Green, who has 1,356 passing yards and nine touchdowns, continues to be one of the league’s most underrated players. Running back Priest Holmes has 821 scrimmage yards (564 rushing and 257 receiving) and eight touchdowns. The Raiders have lost two games in a row. Oakland’s Doug Jolley leads AFC tight ends with 26 receptions. Defensive end Trace Armstrong leads the Raiders in sacks with three.

Bottom line: If the Chiefs get any big plays from kick returner Dante Hall, they will remain unbeaten.