Last week’s record: 10-6
Season record: 18-14
*** = BANNON’S BEST GAMES
*** THE MATCHUP:
BENGALS (2-0) AT BEARS (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
WBBM-Ch. 2, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bengals by 3
Last meeting: Bears won 24-0 at Cincinnati on Oct. 21, 2001
KEY STAT: Bears have allowed only 15 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Rudi Johnson (216 yards) averaging 4.5 yards per carry for Bengals. Thomas Jones averaging 4.9 yards per carry for Bears.
THE BUZZ: Bears not likely to score 38 again, but their defense is establishing itself as formidable unit. Offense just needs to take care of ball.
THE PICK: 17 BENGALS 21 BEARS
THE MATCHUP: FALCONS (1-1) AT BILLS (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: OFF
Last meeting: Falcons won 33-30 at Atlanta on Dec. 23, 2001
KEY STAT: Falcons have won 3 of last 4 after loss.
FANTASY FACTOR: Warrick Dunn averaging 4.6 yards per carry for Falcons. Bills’ J.P. Losman has not been intercepted but has thrown only one TD.
THE BUZZ: Michael Vick isn’t healthy, and offense is largely designed around his ability. Bills’ defense among NFL’s best.
THE PICK: 20 FALCONS 23 BILLS
THE MATCHUP: BROWNS (1-1) AT COLTS (2-0)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Colts by 13 1/2
Last meeting: Colts won 9-6 at Cleveland on Sept. 7, 2003
KEY STAT: Colts have allowed league-low 10 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Browns rookie WR Braylon Edwards, coming off 107-yard game, could become star. Peyton Manning off to modest start (for him): 2 TDs vs. 1 INT.
THE BUZZ: At last, Colts can win with defense as well as offense. Only big plays can save Browns.
THE PICK: 14 BROWNS 34 COLTS
THE MATCHUP: PANTHERS (1-1) AT DOLPHINS (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Panthers by 3
Last meeting: Dolphins won 23-6 at Miami on Nov. 4, 2001
KEY STAT: Dolphins have won 3 straight at home, including home opener.
FANTASY FACTOR: Panthers’ Stephen Davis getting it done near goal line with 4 rushing TDs. Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael has 14 catches, 2 for TDs.
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THE BUZZ: Panthers clearly better, but after emotional win over Patriots, this could be tough trip. They have to control ball with Davis.
THE PICK: 21 DOLPHINS 24 PANTHERS
THE MATCHUP: SAINTS (1-1) AT VIKINGS (0-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Vikings by 4
Last meeting: Vikings won 38-31 at New Orleans on Oct. 17, 2004
KEY STAT: Vikings have been outscored 61-21.
FANTASY FACTOR: Saints’ Deuce McAllister, averaging only 2.7 per carry, could improve his numbers here. Vikes’ leading rusher is Michael Bennett with 35 yards.
THE BUZZ: Vikings’ new-look defense has been a flop, and offense still adjusting to losing Randy Moss. They’re desperate, but they’re at home.
THE PICK: 17 SAINTS 20 VIKINGS
*** THE MATCHUP: BUCS (2-0) AT PACKERS (0-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Bucs by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Packers won 20-13 at Tampa on Nov. 16, 2003
KEY STAT: Packers have won last 12 home games vs. Bucs.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bucs rookie Carnell Williams leads NFL with 276 yards rushing (5.4 per carry). Brett Favre has thrown more interceptions (4) than TDs (3).
THE BUZZ: Packers are desperate team, playing at home. 0-3 start ends Favre era.
THE PICK: 23 BUCS 24 PACKERS
THE MATCHUP: JAGUARS (1-1) AT JETS (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Jets by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Jets won 13-10 at New York on Nov. 23, 2003
KEY STAT: Jaguars are second with plus-6 turnover differential.
FANTASY FACTOR: Jets’ Laveranues Coles, who has 11 catches, figures to be busy again.
THE BUZZ: Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith off to fast start (10 catches, 2 TDs).
If QB Byron Leftwich is healthy, Jaguars will have just enough offense.
THE PICK: 20 JETS 21 JAGUARS
THE MATCHUP: RAIDERS (0-2) AT EAGLES (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Eagles by 8
Last meeting: Raiders won 20-10 at Philadelphia on Oct. 28, 2001
KEY STAT: Eagles have NFL’s No. 2 offense (442.0 yards) and No. 3 defense (230.5).
FANTASY FACTOR: Raiders’ Randy Moss leads NFL with 257 receiving yards (10 catches). Controversy aside, Eagles’ Terrell Owens off to good start with 12 catches, 2 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Flamboyant receivers may steal spotlight, but Donovan McNabb and Eagles defense will decide game.
THE PICK: 21 RAIDERS 28 EAGLES
THE MATCHUP: TITANS (1-1) AT RAMS (1-1)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Rams by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Rams won 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV following 1999 Season
KEY STAT: Rams held first 2 foes under 100 yards rushing.
FANTASY FACTOR: Titans may continue to play both Travis Henry and Chris Brown at running back. Steven Jackson (153 yards, 4.1 avg.) getting bulk of work for Rams.
THE BUZZ: Titans showed energy of youth in winning at home last week, but Rams’ defense has been effective.
THE PICK: 17 TITANS 27 RAMS
THE MATCHUP: COWBOYS (1-1) AT 49ERS (1-1)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Cowboys by 6 1/2
Last meeting: 49ers won 31-27 at Dallas on Dec. 8, 2002
KEY STAT: 49ers go for first 2-0 home start since ’99.
FANTASY FACTOR: Cowboys’ Julius Jones, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, has rushed at least 20 times in 9 career starts. 49ers receiver Arnaz Battle off to fast start (9 catches).
THE BUZZ: Cowboys reeling after late loss to Redskins, but trip to San Francisco is one way to get well.
THE PICK: 21 49ERS 27 COWBOYS
THE MATCHUP: CARDINALS (0-2) AT SEAHAWKS (1-1)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
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Line: Seahawks by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Seahawks won 24-21 at Seattle on Dec. 26, 2004
KEY STAT: Cardinals lead series 7-5.
FANTASY FACTOR: Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck has thrown 18 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions in last 10 home games. In 3 games vs. Seattle, Cards’ Anquan Boldin has 25 catches for 291 yards.
THE BUZZ: We’re still waiting for that scheduled Cardinals’ resurgence. Hasselbeck could have big day against this defense.
THE PICK: 20 CARDINALS 31 SEAHAWKS
GAME OF THE WEEK
*** THE MATCHUP: PATRIOTS (1-1) AT STEELERS (2-0)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Steelers by 3
Last meeting: Pats won AFC title game at Pittsburgh 41-27, Jan. 23
KEY STAT: Steelers have won last 16 regular-season games, 2 short of record set by Pats in ’04.
FANTASY FACTOR: Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch off to fast start with 15 catches. Steelers’ Hines Ward (8 receptions) could have good day against so-so secondary.
THE BUZZ: Patriots looking surprisingly beatable, at least against tough early schedule. Like last year, they may meet again.
THE PICK: 26 PATRIOTS 28 STEELERS
*** THE MATCHUP: GIANTS (2-0) AT CHARGERS (0-2)
7:30 P.M. SUNDAY
ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Chargers by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 34-16 at San Diego on Sept. 27, 1998
KEY STAT: Giants have scored NFL high 69 points in 2 games.
FANTASY FACTOR: Big-name, struggling QBs: Eli Manning has completed less than half of his passes (23 of 47), Drew Brees has more interceptions than TD passes (3-2).
THE BUZZ: Emotional edge to Chargers and their fans, who can boo Manning. Slow start makes you wonder if 2004’s big season for Chargers was fluke.
THE PICK: 24 GIANTS 27 CHARGERS
*** THE MATCHUP: CHIEFS (2-0) AT BRONCOS (1-1)
8 P.M. MONDAY
WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Broncos by 3
Last meeting: Chiefs won 45-17 at Kansas City on Dec. 19, 2004
KEY STAT: Broncos have won last 4 meetings in Denver.
FANTASY FACTOR: In 5 games vs. Denver, Trent Green has 8 TD passes vs. 2 INTs and has completed 58.9 percent. Mike Anderson may get another chance to ignite Denver running game.
THE BUZZ: It’s not easy to win in Denver, but Chiefs are living up to hype. New-look defense has allowed only 24 points in 2 games.
THE PICK: 27 BRONCOS 30 CHIEFS
OFF THIS WEEK: RAVENS, LIONS, TEXANS, REDSKINS