THE MATCHUPS

TODAY

* Arizona (2-7) at St. Louis (4-5) -- The once-stout Ram defense has softened against the run in recent weeks. That should change against the Cardinals, who in their last three games have been outgained on the ground, 511 yards to 180.

* Carolina (7-2) at Chicago (6-3) -- Two of the NFC’s hottest teams square off in a showdown that figures to be decided by defense. Carolina has the best defensive line in the league. Chicago has held five opponents to fewer than 10 points.

* Detroit (4-5) at Dallas (6-3) -- Dallas has won three in a row at home and tends to get off to fast starts. The Lions have lost 32 of 36 road games.

* Jacksonville (6-3) at Tennessee (2-7) -- The Titans are hoping they found some answers during their week off. They have lost their last four. Each of Jacksonville’s last six road games has been decided by six points or fewer.

* Miami (3-6) at Cleveland (3-6) -- The Browns are hoping to win two in a row at home for only the third time since 1999, and the Dolphins are aiming to collect consecutive road victories for the first time in two years.

* Pittsburgh (7-2) at Baltimore (2-7) -- The Ravens, going up against one of the league’s tougher defenses, haven’t scored a touchdown in the last 11 quarters. The Steelers have 11 consecutive road victories.

* New Orleans (2-7) at New England (5-4) -- The Patriots will face their former running back, Antowain Smith, who rushed for a season-high 110 yards two weeks ago. The Patriots are looking to avoid consecutive home losses for the first time in three years.

* Oakland (3-6) at Washington (5-4) -- Although the Raiders have only 10 turnovers, they lead the league in penalties with 90. The Redskins have won five consecutive home games.

* Philadelphia (4-5) at N.Y. Giants (6-3) -- The Eagles are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys. The Giants are coming off a humiliating loss to Minnesota, in which they squandered a potential victory with bad special-teams play.

* Tampa Bay (6-3) at Atlanta (6-3) -- The Buccaneers have lost 13 of 17 road games but always play Atlanta tough. In his five starts against Tampa Bay, Michael Vick has averaged only nine completions and 108.9 yards passing.

* Seattle (7-2) at San Francisco (2-7) -- In two games against the 49ers last season, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for five touchdowns and had no interceptions and a passer rating of 124.1. Seahawk Shaun Alexander has rushed for five touchdowns in his last three road games.

* Indianapolis (9-0) at Cincinnati (7-2) -- The Colts, the league’s only undefeated team, figure to face a stiff challenge by the Bengals. Stopping the run will be key for Cincinnati, as Edgerrin James has 100-plus yards rushing in nine of 14 road games.

* Buffalo (4-5) at San Diego (5-4) -- The Bills are 0-4 on the road and have averaged only 10.8 points in those games. The Chargers have won nine of their last 11 home games.

* N.Y. Jets (2-7) at Denver (7-2) -- The Jets had six turnovers last week, bringing them to 22 through nine games. That’s more turnovers than the Jets have had in any other entire season in the Herman Edwards era. Denver has won seven in a row at home.

* Kansas City (5-4) at Houston (1-8) -- The Chiefs have lost three of their last four road games but hope to reverse that trend at Houston. The Texans have been outscored, 64-7, in the first quarter this season.

MONDAY

* Minnesota (4-5) at Green Bay (2-7) -- The Vikings have won their last two games, and now look to win two in a row outdoors for the first time since 2000. Brett Favre has had a passer rating of more than 100 in each of his last four games against the Vikings.

-- SAM FARMER