Last week’s record: 11-3
Season record: 81-49
OFF THIS WEEK: BENGALS, SAINTS, CHARGERS, TITANS
GAMES ON TV (AND RADIO)
49ers (2-6) at Bears (5-3)
Noon Sunday WFLD-Ch. 32 (WBBM-AM 780)
Broncos (6-2) at Raiders (3-5)
3:05 p.m. Sunday WBBM-Ch. 2
Packers (1-7) at Falcons (6-2)
3:15 p.m. Sunday WFLD-Ch. 32
Browns (3-5) at Steelers (6-2)
7:30 p.m. Sunday ESPN
Cowboys (5-3) at Eagles (4-4)
8:00 p.m. Monday WLS-Ch. 7 (WSCR-AM 670)
THE MATCHUP: 49ERS (2-6) AT BEARS (5-3)
GAME ON TV (AND RADIO): NOON SUNDAY
Line: Bears’ by 13
Last meeting: Bears won 23-13 at Soldier Field on Oct. 31, 2004
KEY STAT: Bears’ defense has allowed 98 points, tied for fewest in NFL.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bears rookie Cedric Benson, coming off 79-yard effort vs. Saints, should get more work. 49ers rookie Frank Gore getting 5.3 yards per carry.
THE BUZZ: In his 2nd start, can QB Cody Pickett do anything against Bears’ defense? Conservative offense will work one more time for Bears.
THE PICK: BEARS 24, 49ERS 9
THE MATCHUP: CARDINALS (2-6) AT LIONS (3-5)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Lions by 4
Last meeting: Lions won 26-12 at Detroit on Dec. 5, 2004
KEY STAT: Lions have won both meetings in last 2 seasons, both at home
FANTASY FACTOR: Cards’ Kurt Warner has thrown only 2 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions. Scottie Vines has emerged as key receiver for Lions (21 catches but no TDs).
THE BUZZ: Both teams troubled, but Cardinals are especially bad road team–0-3 this season.
THE PICK: LIONS 24, CARDINALS 13
THE MATCHUP: TEXANS (1-7) AT COLTS (8-0)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Colts by 18
Last meeting: Colts won 38-20 at Houston on Oct. 23
KEY STAT: Colts have won all 7 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Andre Johnson is healthy again, giving Texans weapon (9 catches last week). Colts’ Edgerrin James, 4.6 yards per carry and 8 TDs, could run long way against soft defense.
THE BUZZ: Don’t look for post-Patriots letdown from Colts. Certainly not at home against Texans.
THE PICK: COLTS 34, TEXANS 13
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP: PATRIOTS (4-4) AT DOLPHINS (3-5)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Patriots by 3
Last meeting: Dolphins won 29-28 at Miami on Dec. 20, 2004
KEY STAT: Patriots 21-6 vs. AFC East since 2001.
FANTASY FACTOR: Ronnie Brown, averaging 4.8 per carry, could have big day against weak rushing defense. In 3 career starts vs. Dolphins, RB Corey Dillon has 325 yards on 66 carries.
THE BUZZ: Patriots reeling but still lead AFC’s weakest division. After loss to Colts, do they have energy and defense to bounce back?
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 28, DOLPHINS 27
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THE MATCHUP: VIKINGS (3-5) AT GIANTS (6-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Giants by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 34-13 at Minnesota on Oct. 31, 2004
KEY STAT: Giants have beaten Vikes 3 times in last 3 years by average of 13.3 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Vikings QB Brad Johnson showed some veteran spark in 1st start with 3 TD passes. Eli Manning, with 14 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions, has thrown for TD in 9 straight games.
THE BUZZ: Giants have built big home-field advantage–4-0, winning by average of 20 points. Vikings won’t be able to do much.
THE PICK: GIANTS 30, VIKINGS 17
THE MATCHUP: CHIEFS (5-3) AT BILLS (3-5)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Bills by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Chiefs won 38-5 at Kansas City on Dec. 26, 2003
KEY STAT: Bills were 6-2 over final 8 games in 2004.
FANTASY FACTOR: With Priest Holmes out for season, Larry Johnson (5.2 yards per carry) gets more work for Chiefs. Bills’ Kelly Holcomb has thrown 6 TD passes vs. 3 interceptions.
THE BUZZ: Chiefs are 2-2 on road, and their powerful running game should feel right at home in upstate New York chill.
THE PICK: CHIEFS 28, BILLS 24
THE MATCHUP: RAVENS (2-6) AT JAGUARS (5-3)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Ravens won 24-17 at Baltimore on Nov. 2, 2003
KEY STAT: Ravens have won last 6 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Ravens may look more to tight end Todd Heap (37 catches, 2 TDs). Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith has 29 catches 4 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller returns from toe injury, but how much difference can he make? Not much. Jaguars smelling playoffs.
THE PICK: JAGUARS 27, RAVENS 16
THE MATCHUP: BRONCOS (6-2) AT RAIDERS (3-5)
GAME ON TV (AND RADIO): 3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Broncos by 3
Last meeting: Raiders won 25-24 at Denver on Nov. 28, 2004
KEY STAT: Broncos coach Mike Shanahan 15-5 vs. Raiders, his former team.
FANTASY FACTOR: Both quarterbacks, Broncos’ Jake Plummer and Raiders’ Kerry Collins, having good years with 12 TD passes vs. 3 interceptions.
THE BUZZ: Both offenses are playing well, and Raiders have been more competitive than their record indicates. Old rivalry renewed.
THE PICK: RAIDERS 30, BRONCOS 27
THE MATCHUP: JETS (2-6) AT PANTHERS (6-2)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Panthers by 9
Last meeting: Jets won 13-12 at Carolina on Oct. 28, 2001
KEY STAT: Jets are 0-4 on road, losing by 13.3 points per game.
FANTASY FACTOR: Brooks Bollinger, who threw 2 TD passes last week, starts for Jets again. Panthers’ Steve Smith, who leads NFL with 9 TD catches, goes for 5th straight 100-yard game.
THE BUZZ: Panthers are class of NFC, and Jets are just trying to find enough healthy players. Mismatch.
THE PICK: PANTHERS 31, JETS 13
GAME OF THE WEEK
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP: RAMS (4-4) AT SEAHAWKS (6-2)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Seahawks by 7
Last meeting: Seahawks won 37-31 at St. Louis on Oct. 9
KEY STAT: Seahawks are No. 1 in offense (387.3 yards per game), Rams 2nd (369.6).
FANTASY FACTOR: Rams’ Steven Jackson has run for 6 TDs and caught 2 TD passes. Seahawks’ Shaun Alexander has 14 TDs (all rushing).
THE BUZZ: Rams always problem for Seahawks, and QB Marc Bulger is back from shoulder injury. Seahawks can start to pull away in NFC West.
THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 38, RAMS 34
THE MATCHUP: PACKERS (1-7) AT FALCONS (6-2)
GAME ON TV (AND RADIO): 3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Falcons by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Falcons won
KEY STAT: Falcons have won 11 of last 13 at home.
FANTASY FACTOR: Donald Driver leads Packers with 41 catches, 3 for TDs. Tight end Alge Crumpler leads Falcons with 33 catches, 2 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Michael Vick is showing signs of developing as passer, but he should play it safe in this one. Brett Favre needs help.
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NFC wild-card game 27-7 at Green Bay on Jan. 4, 2003
THE PICK: FALCONS 27, PACKERS 20
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP: REDSKINS (5-3) AT BUCS (5-3)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Redskins by 1 1/2
Last meeting: Redskins won 16-10 at Washington on Sept. 12, 2004
KEY STAT: Bucs 4-0 at home vs. Redskins.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bucs’ Chris Simms, with only 2 TD passes vs. 4 interceptions, must improve. Redskins’ Santana Moss has 49 catches, 5 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Bucs’ defense due to bounce back after last week’s debacle vs. Panthers.
THE PICK: BUCS 20, REDSKINS 17
THE MATCHUP: BROWNS (3-5) AT STEELERS (6-2)
GAME ON TV (AND RADIO): 7:30 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Steelers by 8
Last meeting: Steelers won 24-10 at Cleveland on Nov. 14, 2004
KEY STAT: Browns have held last 6 opponents under 20 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Browns’ Reuben Droughns getting 4.5 yards per carry but no TDs. Steelers QB Charlie Batch was shaky in win at Green Bay last week.
THE BUZZ: Browns have been feisty in Romeo Crennel’s 1st season as coach, but scoring points is problem. Not good against Steelers.
THE PICK: STEELERS 20, BROWNS 10
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP: COWBOYS (5-3) AT EAGLES (4-4)
GAME ON TV (AND RADIO): 8 P.M. MONDAY
Line: Eagles by 3
Last meeting: Cowboys won 33-10 at Dallas on Oct. 9
KEY STAT: Eagles have won last 6 meetings in Philadelphia.
FANTASY FACTOR: Keyshawn Johnson leads Cowboys with 37 catches, 5 TDs. Illinois product Greg Lewis (31 catches, 1 TD) playing larger role for Eagles.
THE BUZZ: Will Eagles be looser now that Terrell Owens is out of picture? Lewis and rookie WR Reggie Brown will be key down stretch.
THE PICK: EAGLES 24, COWBOYS 17