GRAY SCREEN = BANNON’S BEST GAMES
Last week’s record: 14-2
Season’s record: 126-66
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: BEARS (9-3)
HOME: STEELERS (7-5)
NOON SUNDAY
WFLD-Ch. 32,
WBBM-AM 780
Line: Steelers by 6
Last meeting: Steelers won 17-12 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 13, 1998
KEY STAT: Steelers averaging only 84 yards rushing in 3-game losing streak.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bears’ Thomas Jones enjoying career year with 1,005 yards, 4.3 per carry. Hines Ward (56 catches, 9 TDs) key to Steelers’ attack.
THE BUZZ: Are Steelers as good as 7-2 start indicated, or as bad as current 3-game losing streak? Steelers can’t run; Bears can’t throw.
THE PICK: STEELERS 17 BEARS 7
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: PATRIOTS (7-5)
HOME: BILLS (4-8)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Patriots by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 21-16 at New
England on Oct. 30
KEY STAT: Pats have won 9 of last 10 meetings, 4 in row.
FANTASY FACTOR: Tom Brady has thrown 15 TDs vs. 7 interceptions in 9 games vs. Bills. Buffalo RB Willis McGahee averaging 21.9 carries per game, 2nd most in AFC.
THE BUZZ: Brady can move ball against Bills’ defense, which is reeling after 4th-quarter collapse vs. Dolphins.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 24 BILLS 17
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: BUCS (8-4)
HOME: PANTHERS (9-3)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Panthers by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won 34-14 at Tampa on Nov. 6
KEY STAT: Panthers have won last 5 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bucs’ Joey Galloway tied for 3rd in NFL with 8 TD receptions. Panthers’ Steve Smith leads NFL with 82 catches and 10 TDs.
THE BUZZ: With RB DeShaun Foster becoming major weapon, Panthers’ offense can complement tough defense.
THE PICK: PANTHERS 23 BUCS 14
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: BROWNS (4-8)
HOME: BENGALS (9-3)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Bengals by 12 1/2
Last meeting: Bengals won 27-13 at Cleveland on Sept. 11
KEY STAT: Bengals lead NFL with 26 interceptions, 8 more than any other team.
FANTASY FACTOR: Reuben Droughns getting 4.3 yards per carry for Browns. Rudi Johnson, getting 4.2 for Bengals, has 3 TDs in last 2 vs. Browns.
THE BUZZ: In-state rivalry game, but Browns won’t stop Bengals’ glide to AFC North title. Bengals playing for No. 2 seed in AFC.
THE PICK: BENGALS 28 BROWNS 13
GAME OF THE WEEK
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: COLTS (12-0)
HOME: JAGUARS (9-3)
NOON SUNDAY
WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Colts by 8
Last meeting: Colts won 10-3 at Indianapolis on Sept. 18
KEY STAT: Colts’ average margin of victory on road is 18.
FANTASY FACTOR: Colts’ Peyton Manning has 25-8 TD-INT ratio. Jaguars’ Jimmy Smith, who has 3 TD catches in last 4 games vs. Colts, has 5 TD catches.
THE BUZZ: Jaguars’ defense can challenge Manning and friends, but Jaguars’ offense can’t keep up without injured QB Byron Leftwich.
THE PICK: COLTS 27 JAGUARS 13
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: RAMS (5-7)
HOME: VIKINGS (7-5)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Vikings by 7
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Last meeting: Rams won 48-17 at St. Louis on Nov. 30, 2003
KEY STAT: Vikings’ 5 straight wins by average of 7.2 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Brad Johnson, 5-0 as starter, has 8 TDs vs. 2 interceptions. Rams’ Torry Holt having big year with 75 catches, 7 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Vikings playing with confidence of playoff team. They have little room for error if they’re going to be one. Rams sticking with rookie QB.
THE PICK: VIKINGS 24 RAMS 14
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: RAIDERS (4-8)
HOME: JETS (2-10)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Raiders by 3
Last meeting: Jets won 27-24 (OT) at Oakland on Nov. 9, 2003
KEY STAT: Raiders 2-4 on road.
FANTASY FACTOR: Raiders’ Lamont Jordan, a former Jet, has 11 TDs (9 rushing, 2 receiving). RB Curtis Martin has 3 rush TDs in last 3 home games.
THE BUZZ: Raiders switching QBs from Kerry Collins to Marques Tuiasosopo, but Jets have been doing it all season. No passing records here.
THE PICK: RAIDERS 12 JETS 9
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: TEXANS (1-11)
HOME: TITANS (3-9)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Titans by 7
Last meeting: Titans won 34-20 at Houston on Oct. 9
KEY STAT: Texans averaging 12.2 points in 6 road losses.
FANTASY FACTOR: Texans’ Domanick Davis has averaged 7.4 yards per carry in last 2 vs. Titans. TE Erron Kinney leads Titans with 54 catches, 2 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Late-season meeting between rebuilding team and one that still hasn’t been built. Titans know more about winning.
THE PICK: TITANS 24 TEXANS 13
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: REDSKINS (6-6)
HOME: CARDINALS (4-8)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Redskins by 4
Last meeting: Redskins won 31-23 at Washington on Sept. 8, 2002
KEY STAT: Redskins have won all 4 meetings since 2000.
FANTASY FACTOR: Pair of old quarterbacks having good seasons, Redskins’ Mark Brunell (16 TD passes vs. 5 interceptions) and Cards’ Kurt Warner has 300-plus yards in 4 of last 5 games.
THE BUZZ: Cardinals can throw ball but lack balance. Redskins’ defense can make key plays.
THE PICK: REDSKINS 27 CARDINALS 21
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: GIANTS (8-4)
HOME: EAGLES (5-7)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Giants by 9
Last meeting: Giants won 27-17 at New York on Nov. 20
KEY STAT: Giants only 1-3 away from Meadowlands.
FANTASY FACTOR: Giants’ Eli Manning has completed only 51.2 percent with 6 TDs vs. 7 interceptions in last 4 games. TE L.J. Smith (53 catches) one of Eagles’ few remaining weapons.
THE BUZZ: Giants’ defense will make sure they maintain control of NFC East. Eagles’ problems mounting.
THE PICK: GIANTS 27 EAGLES 14
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: 49ERS (2-10)
HOME: SEAHAWKS (10-2)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Seahawks by 16
Last meeting: Seahawks won 27-25 at San Francisco on Nov. 20
KEY STAT: Seahawks go for franchise-record 9th straight win.
FANTASY FACTOR: Brandon Lloyd leads 49ers with 38 catches, 4 for TDs. Seahawks Shaun Alexander leads NFL with 22 TDs, all rushing.
THE BUZZ: Seahawks, leaders in race for home-field advantage in NFC, have little to worry about in this one. How long will starters even have to play?
THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 34 49ERS 10
BANNON’S BEST GAMES
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: CHIEFS (8-4)
HOME: COWBOYS (7-5)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Cowboys by 3
Last meeting: Chiefs won 20-17 at Kansas City on Dec. 13, 1998
KEY STAT: Chiefs 0-2 on road vs. winning teams (Broncos, Chargers).
FANTASY FACTOR: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson, averaging 5.0 per carry, has 11 rushing TDs. Cowboys’ Marion Barber tied for 2nd among rookies with 5 rushing TDs.
THE BUZZ: After emotional home win vs. AFC West rival Broncos, can Chiefs recharge batteries?
THE PICK: COWBOYS 28 CHIEFS 27
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: RAVENS (4-8)
HOME: BRONCOS (9-3)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
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Line: Broncos by 14
Last meeting: Ravens won 26-6 at Baltimore on Oct. 26, 2003
KEY STAT: Ravens have been outscored 72-32 in last 2 on road (Jaguars, Bengals).
FANTASY FACTOR: Ravens QB Kyle Boller has 4 TDs, 3 INTs in last 3 games. Broncos’ Jake Plummer having big year with 15 TDs vs. 6 interceptions.
THE BUZZ: Ravens have lost some of identity with banged-up defense. Broncos can stick to basics and improve to 7-0 at home.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 30 RAVENS 13
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: DOLPHINS (5-7)
HOME: CHARGERS (8-4)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Chargers by 13 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 26-10 at Tempe, Ariz., on Oct. 27, 2003
KEY STAT: Chargers have won last 2 at home by combined score of 82-20 (Bills, Raiders).
FANTASY FACTOR: Dolphins’ Chris Chambers has 60 catches, 6 for TDs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates has 63 catches, 8 for TDs.
THE BUZZ: Chargers have to be careful about wearing best-team-not-to-make-playoffs label. They’re too tough at home for Miami.
THE PICK: CHARGERS 37 DOLPHINS 17
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: LIONS (4-8)
HOME: PACKERS (2-10)
7:30 P.M. SUNDAY
ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Packers by 6
Last meeting: Lions won 17-3 at Detroit on Sept. 11
KEY STAT: Packers have won last 14 home games vs. Lions.
FANTASY FACTOR: Lions’ Kevin Jones averaging 82.7 yards in 3 games vs. Packers. Green Bay’s Donald Driver, who has 67 catches and 5 TDs, has 3 scores in last 3 vs. Lions.
THE BUZZ: This looked like interesting NFC North slugfest at beginning of season. Injuries and coach firing later, it’s meeting of desperate teams.
THE PICK: PACKERS 20 LIONS 17
THE MATCHUP:
AWAY: SAINTS (3-9)
HOME: FALCONS (7-5)
8 P.M. MONDAY
WLS-Ch. 7,
WSCR-AM 670
Line: Falcons by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Falcons won 34-31 at San Antonio on Oct. 16
KEY STAT: Falcons 7-0 when leading at halftime.
FANTASY FACTOR: Saints’ Donte Stallworth has 52 catches, and all 6 of TDs have come in last 7 games. Falcons QB Michael Vick has 7 TD passes vs 3 INTs in last 5 games.
THE BUZZ: Desperation factor in play for Falcons, because they finish at Bears, at Bucs, vs. Panthers. Win needed now.
THE PICK: FALCONS 27 SAINTS 21