THE MATCHUPS

TODAY

* Chicago (9-3) at Pittsburgh (7-5) -- The Bears have won eight in a row but could run into problems at Pittsburgh, where the struggling Steelers are looking to avoid playoff extinction.

* Cleveland (4-8) at Cincinnati (9-3) -- The Browns have lost five consecutive road games. In his last two games against Cleveland, Rudi Johnson has rushed for 328 yards and three touchdowns.

* Houston (1-11) at Tennessee (3-9) -- Tennessee has never lost to the Texans, including a 34-20 victory in Week 5. Houston has blown fourth-quarter leads in three of its last five games.

* Indianapolis (12-0) at Jacksonville (9-3) -- In seven of his eight games against the Jaguars, Edgerrin James has rolled up 100-plus yards from scrimmage. Peyton Manning needs 34 yards passing for his eighth consecutive 3,000-yard season.

* New England (7-5) at Buffalo (4-8) -- Since the start of the 2001 season, the Patriots are 14-3 in December. Buffalo has won four consecutive home games against division opponents.

* Oakland (4-8) at N.Y. Jets (2-10) -- The Jets, who have lost seven consecutive games, have scored only one touchdown in their last four. Raider LaMont Jordan faces his former team for the first time.

* St. Louis (5-7) at Minnesota (7-5) -- For the first time since 1996, the Vikings have allowed fewer than 300 yards in three consecutive games. St. Louis has lost nine of 11 on the road.

* Tampa Bay (8-4) at Carolina (9-3) -- In its last two games against Carolina, the Buccaneer defense has no takeaways and only two sacks. The Panthers have averaged 30.2 points in their last six December games.

* N.Y. Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia (5-7) -- The Giants are looking to sweep the Eagles for the first time since 2000. The Eagles are 0-4 in division games after winning their previous 10 such games.

* San Francisco (2-10) at Seattle (10-2) -- Seattle is aiming for its ninth consecutive victory, a franchise record. The 49ers have been outscored, 111-37, in the fourth quarter this season.

* Washington (6-6) at Arizona (4-8) -- The Cardinals have lost their last two home games and the Redskins are looking to win road games in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2001.

* Baltimore (4-8) at Denver (9-3) -- Although the Ravens have won their last four meetings with Denver, they’ll be hard pressed to win a fifth. The Broncos have won their last eight home games.

* Kansas City (8-4) at Dallas (7-5) -- During their current three-game winning streak, the Chiefs have averaged 34 points and 429 yards. Dallas has lost three of four home games against AFC opponents.

* Miami (5-7) at San Diego (8-4) -- The Dolphins have dominated the Chargers in recent years, winning five in a row. San Diego is on a five-game winning streak, though, and has averaged 32.8 points over that span.

* Detroit (4-8) at Green Bay (2-10) -- The Lions are looking to sweep Green Bay for the first time since 1991. That said, Detroit has lost 33 of 37 road games.

MONDAY

* New Orleans (3-9) at Atlanta (7-5) -- The Saints have lost six in a row on “Monday Night Football.” The Falcons have lost three of four, two in a row at home.

-- SAM FARMER