Last week’s record: 6-8
Season record: 39-35
*** = BANNON’S BEST GAMES
MATCHUP: REDSKINS (1-4) AT BEARS (1-3)
Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Pick ’em
Last meeting: Bears won 27-24 at Soldier Field on Dec. 21, 2003
KEY STAT: Bears have 10-5 record following off week.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Redskins’ Clinton Portis must start getting more than 3.6 yards per carry. Bears’ Jonathan Quinn must get Bears more than 9 points they had in Oct. 3 loss to Eagles.
THE BUZZ: Bears are rested after week off, but until they prove they can win with Quinn, skeptics will remain. Redskins’ tough run defense reduces Bears’ options.
THE PICK: Redskins 16 Bears 13
*** MATCHUP: CHARGERS (3-2) AT FALCONS (4-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Falcons by 5
Last meeting: Falcons won 14-3 at San Diego on Dec. 7, 1997
KEY STAT: Falcons lead NFL in rushing defense, 70.4 yards per game.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Chargers’ Drew Brees, 8 TDs vs. 2 interceptions, is having a better year than Michael Vick, 2 TDs vs. 3 interceptions.
THE BUZZ: Two teams meet for first time since 2001 trade in which Chargers dealt rights to Vick to take LaDainian Tomlinson and Brees. Do Chargers have another upset in them?
THE PICK: Falcons 27 Chargers 23
MATCHUP: DOLPHINS (0-5) AT BILLS (0-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bills by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 20-3 at Buffalo on Dec. 20, 2003
KEY STAT: Dolphins have won 6 of last 8 meetings.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Jason Taylor had 3 sacks in last game vs. Bills, but has only 2 this season. Travis Henry has averaged 105 rushing yards in three games vs. Dolphins.
More Top Picks Anchors
THE BUZZ: Healthiest QB will start for Miami: Jay Fiedler (ribs) or A.J. Feeley (concussion). Will it matter?
THE PICK: Bills 14 Dolphins 9
MATCHUP: BENGALS (1-3) AT BROWNS (2-3)
Noon Sunday
Line: Browns by 3
Last meeting: Browns won 22-14 at Cincinnati on Dec. 28, 2003
KEY STAT: Browns have won four of last five meetings.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Bengals’ Chad Johnson, who has 20 catches this season, has 15 receptions and 4 TDs in last four games vs. Browns. Dennis Northcutt leads Browns with 19 catches but has only 5.9-yard average.
THE BUZZ: Browns should be able to control line of scrimmage with running of Lee Suggs and William Green.
THE PICK: Browns 21 Bengals 17
*** MATCHUP: PACKERS (1-4) AT LIONS (3-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Lions by 2
Last meeting: Lions won 22-14 at Detroit on Nov. 27, 2003
KEY STAT: Packers have fallen to 30th in total defense, also 30th against run.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Packers’ Javon Walker leads the NFL in receiving yards (535 on 31 catches). Chicago-area native Tai Streets is second on Lions with 10 catches (6.3 avg.).
THE BUZZ: Confidence is huge factor, and Lions have plenty of it. Packers are reeling with four straight losses. If Lions can run ball, they can win.
Lions 24 Packers 20
MATCHUP: CHIEFS (1-3) AT JAGUARS (3-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Chiefs by 2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 23-16 at Kansas City on Sept. 15, 2002
KEY STAT: Chiefs have been outscored 41-14 in fourth quarter.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Jags’ Byron Leftwich has thrown TD pass in 10 straight games. Chiefs’ Priest Holmes, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, leads NFL with 6 rushing TDs.
THE BUZZ: Upstart Jaguars found out last week in San Diego they can’t win shootout, so their defense plays pivotal role in this one. Can Jaguars contain Holmes? Just enough.
THE PICK: Jaguars 24 Chiefs 23
GAME of the WEEK
*** MATCHUP: SEAHAWKS (3-1) AT PATRIOTS (4-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Patriots by 4
Last meeting: Seahawks won 10-9 at Seattle on Oct. 24, 1993
KEY STAT: Seahawks have outscored opponents 27-0 in first quarter and 72-17 in first half.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Both quarterbacks having good seasons. Pats’ Tom Brady has 9 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions; Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck has 6 TD passes vs. 2 interceptions.
THE BUZZ: Pats look to extend their record winning streak to 20 in first game of season that can be called possible Super Bowl preview.
THE PICK: Patriots 24 Seahawks 17
MATCHUP: 49ERS (1-4) AT JETS (4-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Jets by 10
Last meeting: 49ers won 19-17 at East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 1, 2001
KEY STAT: Jets are only team in top 9 in total offense (8th) and defense (9th).
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: 49ers tight end Eric Johnson leads NFL with 41 catches, 2 for TDs. Jets’ John Abraham is third in NFL with 6 sacks.
THE BUZZ: In dismal season, 49ers showed some guts in coming from behind to beat Cardinals last week. Jets need to be careful about being too optimistic.
THE PICK: Jets 28 49ers 20
PANTHERS (1-3) AT EAGLES (4-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Eagles by 8 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won NFC title game 14-3 at Philadelphia on Jan. 18, 2004
KEY STAT: Eagles have won every game by at least 10 points.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Panthers RB Stephen Davis may be back from knee injury. Eagles’ Donovan McNabb is third in NFL with 9 TD passes and 1 interception (deflected).
THE BUZZ: Rematch of last season’s NFC title game, but not much of one. Panthers have lost Pro Bowl DT Kris Jenkins for season with shoulder injury. Eagles operating on cruise control.
THE PICK: Eagles 27 Panthers 17
MATCHUP: TEXANS (2-3) AT TITANS (2-3)
Noon Sunday
More Top Picks Best Wrist Braces For Carpal Tunnel
Line: Titans by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Titans won 27-24 at Houston on Dec. 21, 2003
KEY STAT: Titans have won all four meetings.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: David Carr off to good start for Texans with 7 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions. Derrick Mason leads Titans with 31 catches, 2 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Titans looked like powerhouse in Monday night win over Green Bay, but it was first good game of year for offense. Titans’ near-misses vs. Vikings show they can play with best.
THE PICK: Titans 28 Texans 20
*** MATCHUP: STEELERS (4-1) AT COWBOYS (2-2)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Cowboys by 3
Last meeting: Cowboys won 37-7 at Pittsburgh on Aug. 31, 1997
KEY STAT: Cowboys have been outscored 31-9 in fourth quarter.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Steelers’ rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and 40-year-old Vinny Testaverde of Cowboys.
THE BUZZ: Roethlisberger’s passing and running of Duce Staley, going for his fourth straight 100-yard game, have made Steelers one of NFL’s surprise teams. Offense holding Cowboys back.
THE PICK: Steelers 20 Cowboys 17
BRONCOS (4-1) AT RAIDERS (2-3)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Broncos by 1 1/2
Last meeting: Broncos won 22-8 at Oakland on Nov. 30, 2003
KEY STAT: Broncos lead NFL in total defense, allowing just 240.8 yards per game.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Latest Bronco to rush for 100 yards, Reuben Droughns. Raiders’ most consistent player is punter Shane Lechler, leading NFL with 49.9-yard average.
With QB Kerry Collins continuing to be ineffective, Raiders will have trouble moving ball. Jake Plummer will hand off to someone.
THE PICK: Broncos 27 Raiders 16
VIKINGS (3-1) AT SAINTS (2-3)
7:30 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Vikings by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Vikings won 32-31 at New Orleans on Dec. 15, 2002
KEY STAT: Saints have allowed league-worst 9 rushing TDs.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Vikings’ Randy Moss leads NFL with 7 TD catches. Saints’ Joe Horn has 31 catches, 3 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Vikings haven’t won consecutive road games since third and fourth games in 2000 (five tries). That should change as Daunte Culpepper takes aim at porous pass defense.
THE PICK: Vikings 34 Saints 27
MATCHUP: BUCS (1-4) AT RAMS (3-2)
8 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Rams by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Bucs won 26-14 at Tampa on Sept. 23, 2002
KEY STAT: It’s Rams’ No. 4-ranked offense vs. Bucs’ No. 4-ranked defense.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: QB Brian Griese gets chance to start after coming off bench to guide Bucs past Saints. Rams’ Leonard Little has 3 sacks.
THE BUZZ: Rams saved their season with NFC West road wins last two weeks, and unless Griese suddenly becomes next John Elway after all, they’ll handle Bucs.
THE PICK: Rams 24 Bucs 16