WEEK 8 CAPSULES

DETROIT AT CHICAGO

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Chicago by 3.

Introduction: Two of the NFL’s worst teams will square off with the Lions counting on struggling quarterback Joey Harrington, who was nearly benched this week.

Plot: The Bears have a better chance of pulling things together because they can grind it out with running back Anthony Thomas. Kordell Stewart is expected to return at quarterback for Chicago, which is coming off a dismal loss at New Orleans last week. The Lions also will try to run the ball, but running back Olandis Gary will not find the same holes. Detroit’s rushing defense is giving up 129.5 yards a game.

Bottom line: Expect the Bears to pound Detroit’s defense and utilize Stewart’s mobility to pick up their second victory of the season.

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DENVER AT BALTIMORE

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

The line: Baltimore by 1 1/2.

Introduction: Journeyman Danny Kanell will make his first start at quarterback for the Broncos, who are trying to keep pace with Kansas City in the AFC West.

Plot: With veteran Steve Beuerlein sidelined for the season because of a finger injury and starter Jake Plummer out at least another two weeks because of a broken foot, the Broncos are counting on Kanell. His job will not be easy against the Ravens, who are ninth in the NFL in total defense. Baltimore quarterback Kyle Boller needs to have a big game if the Broncos slow down the league’s leading rusher, Jamal Lewis.

Bottom line: Expect Denver running back Clinton Portis to be the difference with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

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ST. LOUIS AT PITTSBURGH

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2.

Introduction: The Rams are 4-1 since Marc Bulger took over as starting quarterback, but the Steelers will be tough to defeat at home.

Plot: Third-string running back Arlen Harris will get his first NFL start for the Rams, who are hoping that All-Pro Marshall Faulk returns to the lineup soon after sitting out the last month because of injuries. The Steelers will give veteran Jerome Bettis his first start of the season at running back. The Pittsburgh defense is allowing 243.2 yards a game, second-best in the league.

Bottom line: As long as Coach Mike Martz keeps it simple, the Rams will have too much firepower for the Steelers, who have not been playing well with Tommy Maddox at quarterback.

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SEATTLE AT CINCINNATI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Seattle by 1 1/2.

Introduction: First-year Coach Marvin Lewis has the Bengals in the thick of the AFC North race and will be shooting for his third victory.

Plot: The Seahawks have responded well since suffering their only loss at Green Bay earlier this month. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has won nine of his last 12 starts for Seattle, which ranks third in the league with a plus-10 turnover margin. Expect running back Corey Dillon to get more carries for the Bengals after complaining about his lack of work -- and asking to be traded -- this week.

Bottom line: If the Bengals can slow down Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, they’ll be in position to steal another victory from a favorite.

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DALLAS AT TAMPA BAY

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

The line: Tampa Bay by 6 1/2.

Introduction: The “Are the Cowboys That Good?” tour will continue for Coach Bill Parcells against the defending champion Buccaneers, who are coming off a disappointing performance in San Francisco.

Plot: Dallas has the NFL’s top-ranked defense, giving up 242 yards a game. The Cowboys are allowing only 14 first downs a game. Quarterback Quincy Carter has passed for 1,367 yards and seven touchdowns for the Cowboys, who lead the NFC East by two games. Defensive end Simeon Rice has 37 1/2 sacks in his last 32 games for the Buccaneers.

Bottom line: Dallas has a strong secondary that will be tested by Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson, who should complete enough big plays to pull out a win.

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TENNESSEE AT JACKSONVILLE

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Tennessee by 3 1/2.

Introduction: Titan quarterback Steve McNair continues to make his run for NFL most valuable player.

Plot: First-year Jacksonville Coach Jack Del Rio gets his chance at stopping McNair, who leads the league in passing yards (1,791) and is second in touchdown passes (12). The Titan offense leads the AFC, averaging 349.6 yards a game. The Jaguars will start rookie Byron Leftwich, who has touchdown passes in five consecutive games. Jaguar running back Fred Taylor ranks fifth in the AFC in yards from scrimmage with 697.

Bottom line: The Titans have been winning behind McNair but they will need a running game (whatever happened to Eddie George, anyway?) to defeat the Jaguars.

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CLEVELAND AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New England by 5 1/2.

Introduction: The Browns’ quarterback situation continues to be a mess. The Patriots, meanwhile, have been getting it done with a punishing defense.

Plot: Quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t been spectacular, but he has been making enough big plays to lead New England into first place in the AFC East. New England has not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The key for the Browns isn’t whether Coach Butch Davis starts Kelly Holcomb or Tim Couch at quarterback; it’s their running game. Cleveland has to be able to run the ball with William Green in order to have a chance.

Bottom line: New England’s defense will have a huge game if Green isn’t able to gain yards. That will open things up for the Patriot offense.

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CAROLINA AT NEW ORLEANS

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New Orleans by 2.

Introduction: One week after an impressive victory at Atlanta, the Saints will try to move to .500 against the NFC South-leading Panthers.

Plot: New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks looked like his old self in last week’s victory over the Falcons. The Saints need Brooks’ big plays to complement running back Deuce McAllister, who has rushed for at least 100 yards in four consecutive games. Carolina, which lost at home to Tennessee last week, will try to run the ball with Stephen Davis, who is second in the NFC in rushing with 661 yards.

Bottom line: The Saints may have had problems early, but they have a chance to move right back into the NFC playoff picture with a victory over division rival Carolina.

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N.Y. GIANTS AT MINNESOTA

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Minnesota by 5 1/2.

Introduction: Coach Mike Tice’s Vikings will be going after their seventh victory in a row against the sputtering Giants, who have lost three in a row.

Plot: Minnesota’s ability to run with Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith has given the offense stability. Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper has completed 61 of 95 passes for 791 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. Minnesota leads the NFL with a plus-13 turnover margin. Quarterback Kerry Collins has thrown for 1,507 yards and seven touchdowns but has nine interceptions. Defensive end Michael Strahan has six sacks for the Giants.

Bottom line: The Giants will be in trouble if Collins continues to play poorly.

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SAN FRANCISCO AT ARIZONA

Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m.

The line: San Francisco by 7.

Introduction: Quarterback Jeff Garcia will try to lead the up-and-down 49ers back to .500.

Plot: Garcia has thrown for 1,370 yards and eight touchdowns but also has had eight passes intercepted. Receiver Terrell Owens has three touchdown catches of at least 75 yards in his career, tied for third among active players. Running backs Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow have accounted for more than 700 yards rushing. Rookie receiver Anquan Boldin leads Arizona with 39 catches. Josh Scobey leads the NFC in kickoff returns with a 29.4-yard average.

Bottom line: If the 49ers take this game lightly, expect quarterback Jeff Blake and the Cardinals to pull off their second home upset of the season.

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HOUSTON AT INDIANAPOLIS

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

The line: Indianapolis by 13.

Introduction: If quarterback David Carr and the Texans can blow a two-touchdown lead at home against the Jets, they certainly will be in trouble on the road against the Colts.

Plot: Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning has passed for 1,593 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. The Colts will have running back Edgerrin James back in the lineup after he sat out the last two games because of a back injury. Indianapolis has the NFL’s second-best pass defense, limiting opponents to 192 yards a game. Houston will start rookie Domanick Davis at running back in place of veteran Stacey Mack.

Bottom line: The Texans will find out that the Colts are a good team without James and a special one with him.

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N.Y. JETS AT PHILADELPHIA

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

The line: Philadelphia by 3.

Introduction: The Jets, 0-4 three weeks ago, shoot for their third consecutive victory. The 3-3 Eagles are trying to get above .500 for the first time.

Plot: In six games, the Eagle offense is averaging 247 yards, worst in the NFL. Quarterback Donovan McNabb continues to struggle, throwing six interceptions with only two touchdowns. The Eagle run defense is second in the league, limiting opponents to 3.2 yards a carry. The Jets will play Chad Pennington some at quarterback but Vinny Testaverde will start. Pennington has been sidelined all season because of a wrist injury.

Bottom line: Coach Andy Reid will feel the pressure if the Eagles come up short.

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BUFFALO AT KANSAS CITY

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

The line: Kansas City by 6 1/2.

Introduction: The unbeaten Chiefs are the NFL’s most balanced team because Coach Dick Vermeil knows how to use his talent.

Plot: Kansas City quarterback Trent Green has thrown for 1,564 yards and nine touchdowns. Kansas City’s Dante Hall has returned four kicks for touchdowns. Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe is second in the AFC with 1,595 passing yards and will have Eric Moulds back in the lineup. Moulds, who leads the Bills in receiving with 30 catches for 457 yards, did not play last week because of a groin injury.

Bottom line: If the Bills can run early with Travis Henry, the Chiefs, who lead the AFC West by two games, will find themselves in a much tougher game than expected.

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MIAMI AT SAN DIEGO

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

The line: Miami by 3.

Introduction: The Junior Seau Bowl. The former Charger linebacker made things even more intriguing with his ill-advised comments about San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson this week.

Plot: Miami is coming off an overtime loss at home to New England. The Chargers will be looking for their second victory in as many weeks. Tomlinson is third in the AFC in rushing with 657 yards. Miami’s Ricky Williams has 555 yards in a league-high 161 carries.

Bottom line: With quarterback Jay Fiedler questionable because of a knee injury, Miami will rely on backup Brian Griese to hand off to Williams. That may not be enough to beat the improving Chargers, especially in San Diego.