Last week’s record: 9-7
Season to date: 20-12
GAME OF THE WEEK
Cowboys (2-0) at Bears (1-1)
7:15 Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch. 5, WBBM-AM 780 Line: Bears by 3
Last meeting: Cowboys won 21-7 at Dallas on Nov. 25, 2004
KEY STAT: Bears have won 15 of last 18 home games.
FANTASY FACTOR: Tony Romo off to great start with 6 TD passes and one INT. Rex Grossman isn’t; his only TD pass went to a tackle. He has been picked off 3 times.
THE BUZZ: Bears haven’t shown they can move ball with any consistency, and that doesn’t get it done against playoff-caliber team like Dallas. WR Terrell Owens already has 3 TD receptions, so Dallas will score enough.
THE PICK: COWBOYS 21 BEARS 20
MATCHUP: Cardinals (1-1) at Ravens (1-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Ravens by 8
Last meeting: Ravens won 26-18 at Arizona on Oct. 12, 2003
KEY STAT: Ravens have won 8 of last 9 at home.
More Top Picks Best Slow Cooker
FANTASY FACTOR: Larry Fitzgerald, with 10 catches in first 2 weeks, will be key for Cardinals. Willis McGahee needs to get more than 3.9 yards per carry this week.
THE BUZZ: Cards’ Edgerrin James off to fast start, but Ravens’ defense may force Matt Leinart and his receivers to come through in upset bid. They won’t be able to do enough.
THE PICK: RAVENS 23 CARDINALS 17
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Chargers (1-1) at Packers (2-0)
Noon Sunday TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Chargers by 5
Last meeting: Packers won 38-21 at San Diego on Dec. 14, 2003
KEY STAT: Packers have won 6 in row over last 2 seasons.
FANTASY FACTOR: LaDainian Tomlinson can’t be held to 1.9 yards per carry all season. Packers’ Donald Driver off to good start with 14 catches, TD.
THE BUZZ: Packers are improved, but Chargers should be able to open up their attack after tough opening schedule (Bears, Patriots). Packers will have emotion on their side as they go for first 3-0 start since ’01.
THE PICK: CHARGERS 27 PACKERS 24
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Colts (2-0) at Texans (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Colts by 6
Last meeting: Texans won 27-24 at Houston on Dec. 24, 2006
KEY STAT: Colts have won 16 of last 18 September games.
FANTASY FACTOR: Peyton Manning has thrown 25 TD passes in 10 career games vs. Texans. Ahman Green averaging 4.6 yards per carry for Texans.
THE BUZZ: Colts haven’t lost since their last visit to Houston, which is one reason they won’t be ambushed in this one. Joseph Addai can match Green yard for yard.
THE PICK: COLTS 24 TEXANS 20
MATCHUP: Vikings (1-1) at Chiefs (0-2)
Noon Sunday TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Chiefs by 3
Last meeting: Vikings won 45-20 at Minnesota on Dec. 20, 2003.
KEY STAT: Chiefs have been outscored 40-13 (both on road).
FANTASY FACTOR: Vikings offense has rookie Adrian Peterson’s 4.3 yards per carry and little else. Chiefs waiting for Larry Johnson to get warmed up–he has only 98 rushing yards in first 2 weeks.
THE BUZZ: Both teams have major problems on offense, especially in passing game. A big play or two by Peterson could lead to upset, but it is Chiefs’ home opener.
THE PICK: CHIEFS 16 VIKINGS 10
MATCHUP: Bills (0-2) at Patriots (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Patriots by 16 1/2
Last meeting: Pats won 28-6 at Buffalo on Oct. 22, 2006
KEY STAT: Pats have won 12 of last 13 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Rookie Marshawn Lynch has become key Bill, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Patriots’ Randy Moss trying to become first WR to have 100-yard games in first 3 games with new team.
THE BUZZ: Hard to see this one being competitive as Pats have brushed off distraction of Spygate. They’ve won their first 2 games (Jets, Chargers) by same score–38-14.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 38 BILLS 14
MATCHUP: Dolphins (0-2) at Jets (0-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Jets by 3
Last meeting: Jets won 13-10 at Miami on Dec. 25, 2006
KEY STAT: Jets have won 5 of last 6 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Ronnie Brown is off to a slow start, but he ran for 127 yards and 110 against Jets last season. Jets’ Laveranues Coles, who has 9 career TDs vs. Dolphins, could have big day.
THE BUZZ: These teams expected to be better, but tough early schedules have helped to drag them down. Jets have plenty of experience at beating Dolphins. THE PICK: JETS 27 DOLPHINS 13
MATCHUP: Lions (2-0) at Eagles (0-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Eagles by 6
Last meeting: Eagles won 30-13 at Detroit on Sept. 26, 2004
KEY STAT: Lions are going for first 3-0 start since 1980.
FANTASY FACTOR: Lions’ Jon Kitna has been solid with 4 TDs vs. 3 INTs in first 2 weeks. Eagles’ Donovan McNabb has thrown only 1 TD pass (and one INT) in first 2 weeks.
THE BUZZ: Eagles have issues, plenty of issues. Lions are improved, but many teams would be 2-0 vs. Raiders and Vikings. Eagles find a way at home.
THE PICK: EAGLES 26 LIONS 17
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: 49ers (2-0) at Steelers (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Radio: WCKG-FM 105.9
Line: Steelers by 9
Last meeting: 49ers won 30-14 at San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2003
More Top Picks Medicine Ball
KEY STAT: Steelers have outscored opponents 60-10.
FANTASY FACTOR: Frank Gore tied for NFL lead with 3 rushing TDs. Steelers’ Willie Parker averaging hefty 4.7 yards per carry.
THE BUZZ: These teams have gotten off to fast starts against soft schedules, but Steelers have been doing it in grand style. An upset here would be major step forward for 49ers.
THE PICK: STEELERS 30 49ERS 17
MATCHUP: Rams (0-2) at Bucs (1-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bucs by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Rams won 28-21 at St. Louis on Oct. 18, 2004
KEY STAT: Rams have scored only 2 TDs.
FANTASY FACTOR: Rams’ Torry Holt has had at least 100 yards receiving in all 4 career games vs. Bucs. Bucs’ Jeff Garcia could find room to throw against a defense giving up 22 points per game.
THE BUZZ: Rams are struggling on offense without tackle Orlando Pace, managing just 29 points in 2 games. Bucs will be tough at home.
THE PICK: BUCS 21 RAMS 16
MATCHUP: Jaguars (1-1) at Broncos (2-0)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Broncos by 3
Last meeting: Broncos won 20-7 at Jacksonville on Oct. 2, 2005
KEY STAT: Broncos have outscored foes by just 38-34.
FANTASY FACTOR: Dennis Northcutt leads Jaguars with 9 catches for 14.7-yard average but no TDs. Broncos’ Travis Henry leads NFL with 267 yards rushing, and is getting 5.4 yards per carry.
THE BUZZ: Broncos haven’t exactly dominated against a soft schedule (Bills, Raiders), so Henry may be challenged to stay hot vs. Jags’ defense. But Jaguars haven’t proved they can score with David Garrard at QB. THE PICK: BRONCOS 24 JAGUARS 13
MATCHUP: Browns (1-1) at Raiders (0-2)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Raiders by 3
Last meeting: Browns won 24-21 at Oakland on Oct. 1, 2006
KEY STAT: Browns have allowed 79 points, Raiders 59.
FANTASY FACTOR: It’s a day to watch receivers: Browns’ Braylon Edwards has 11 catches, 2 for TDs. Raiders’ Ronald Curry has 12 catches, 1 TD.
THE BUZZ: If Derek Anderson’s 5 TD passes Sunday are any indication, this could be high-scoring affair. Raiders’ defense capable of putting up good fight.
THE PICK: RAIDERS 28 BROWNS 23
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Bengals (1-1) at Seahawks (1-1)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Radio: WCKG-FM 105.9
Line: Seahawks by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Bengals won 27-24 at Cincinnati on Oct. 26, 2003
KEY STAT: Seahawks have allowed only 29 points in 2 games.
FANTASY FACTOR: T.J. Houshmandzadeh has taken over NFL lead with 17 catches, 3 for TDs. Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck has thrown for 2 TDs and no INTs.
THE BUZZ: Seahawks’ defense is capable of holding Carson Palmer and Co. in check. And Seattle is feeling some heat, having lost to Arizona on Sunday. They’ll be hungrier.
THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 30 BENGALS 20
MATCHUP: Panthers (1-1) at Falcons (0-2)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Panthers by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won 10-3 at Atlanta on Dec. 24, 2006
KEY STAT: Panthers won 3 of last 4 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Jake Delhomme playing well with 6 TD passes in first 2 games. Falcons’ biggest threat is Warrick Dunn, but he’s averaging only 3.0 yards per carry.
THE BUZZ: Until Falcons prove they can beat somebody, they’re not going to get the benefit of the doubt. They’ve scored only 10 points in their first 2 games.
THE PICK: PANTHERS 20 FALCONS 10
MATCHUP: Giants (0-2) at Redskins (2-0)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Redskins by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 34-28 at Washington on Dec. 30, 2006
KEY STAT: Giants have won 3 of last 4 meetings.
FANTASY FACTOR: Derrick Ward, trying to solve Giants’ running problems, is getting 6.4 yards per carry. Antwaan Randle El leads Redskins with 9 catches for 22.9-yard average.
THE BUZZ: Giants are surrendering 40 points per game, and Redskins’ offense is improving under QB Jason Campbell. Giants have to show something quickly.
THE PICK: REDSKINS 28 GIANTS 17
MATCHUP: Titans (1-1) at Saints (0-2)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/Radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Saints by 4
More Top Picks Plasma Cutter
Last meeting: Titans won 27-12 at Tennessee on Sept. 21, 2003
KEY STAT: Saints have been outscored 72-24.
FANTASY FACTOR: Titans should be able to do something through air, and Brandon Jones leads them with 6 receptions. Marques Colston has led Saints’ offense with 14 catches, 1 for TD.
THE BUZZ: Superdome is looking good to Saints after 2 straight road losses. Titans lack offensive punch to pull off upset.
THE PICK: SAINTS 20 TITANS 14