Last week’s record: 9-5
Season to date: 69-34
Off this week: Cardinals, Chiefs, Cowboys, Falcons, Ravens, Seahawks
GAME OF THE WEEK
Colts (6-0) at Panthers (4-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Colts by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Colts won 23-20 (OT) on Oct. 12, 2003
KEY STAT: Colts have won 11 straight dating back to last season.
FANTASY FACTOR: Colts TE Dallas Clark has caught TD pass in 5 consecutive games, has 30 receptions for 12.2-yard average. Panthers’ DeAngelo Williams aims to repeat last week’s 121-yard, 1-TD rushing effort of Oct. 14.
THE BUZZ: Colts on roll, but they have to keep minds on this one and not look ahead to meeting with Patriots next week. Panthers need to get ball to WR Steve Smith (6 TD catches) to have chance.
THE PICK: COLTS 30 PANTHERS 21
MATCHUP: Lions (4-2) at Bears (3-4)
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Noon Sunday TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bears by 5
Last meeting: Lions won 37-27 at Detroit on Sept. 30
KEY STAT: Bears’ minus-7 turnover differential tied for 28th in NFL.
FANTASY FACTOR: Jon Kitna has thrown 5 TD passes with no INTs in last 2 meetings. Brian Griese going for 3rd straight 300-yard passing game.
THE BUZZ: Despite all that’s gone wrong, Bears can hit midseason at .500 with win and keep playoffs in sight. They’re hungry and they’re at home, even if they aren’t running ball well.
THE PICK: BEARS 27 LIONS 20
MATCHUP: Steelers (4-2) at Bengals (2-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Steelers by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Steelers won 23-17 (OT) at Cincinnati on Dec. 31, 2006
KEY STAT: Steelers have won 5 in row at Cincinnati.
FANTASY FACTOR: Steelers’ Santonio Holmes, who had 124 receiving yards in last game vs. Bengals, has 3 TD catches in last 2 this season. Carson Palmer has thrown 9 TD passes and 2 INTs in last 3 meetings.
THE BUZZ: Steelers face tough bounce-back week after loss at Denver, but their No. 1-ranked defense should make difference.
THE PICK: STEELERS 24 BENGALS 17
MATCHUP: Giants (5-2) at Dolphins (0-7)
Noon Sunday (at London)
Line: Giants by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 23-10 at New York on Oct. 5, 2003
KEY STAT: Giants have won 5 straight by average of 14 points.
FANTASY FACTOR: Plaxico Burress should continue big season, which has produced 35 catches, 8 TDs. Ex-Bear Marty Booker 1 of Dolphins’ few remaining threats with 23 catches, 1 TD.
THE BUZZ: Dolphins have lost stud RB Ronnie Brown for season to knee surgery and traded WR Chris Chambers. There’s not much left.
THE PICK: GIANTS 30 DOLPHINS 13
MATCHUP: Eagles (2-4) at Vikings (2-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Eagles by 1
Last meeting: Eagles won 27-16 at Philadelphia on Sept. 20, 2004
KEY STAT: Vikings’ plus-6 turnover differential 4th in NFL.
FANTASY FACTOR: Eagles’ Kevin Curtis has 23 catches, 4 TDs in last 4 games. Vikes rookie Adrian Peterson, who leads NFL with 670 rushing yards and has 5 TDs, goes for 5th 100-yard game.
THE BUZZ: Eagles can’t score near goal line, so they’ll have to air it out to Curtis and other receivers. Vikings’ rushing defense and Peterson make difference.
THE PICK: VIKINGS 20 EAGLES 17
MATCHUP: Browns (3-3) at Rams (0-7)
Noon Sunday
Line: Browns by 3
Last meeting: Rams won 26-20 at Cleveland on Dec. 8, 2003
KEY STAT: Browns averaging 32 points in last 5 (3-2 record).
FANTASY FACTOR: Browns WR Braylon Edwards averaging 100.6 yards per game with 7 TDs in last 5 games. Torry Holt almost alone as Rams threat with 40 catches, 3 TDs.
THE BUZZ: Injuries have devastated Rams. Browns, who have figured out how to score, going for 1st 2-game winning streak since ’04, and they should get it.
THE PICK: BROWNS 30 RAMS 24
MATCHUP: Raiders (2-4) at Titans (4-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Titans by 7 1/2
Last meeting: Raiders won 34-25 at Tennessee on Oct. 30, 2005
KEY STAT: Titans have won 9 of 12 dating back to last season.
FANTASY FACTOR: Raiders will have to throw, but Daunte Culpepper has only 4 TD passes. Titans’ LenDale White averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, but his 4 rushing TDs have come in last 5 games.
THE BUZZ: Raiders have scored only 24 points in 2 losses since week off, and Titans’ defense figures to be tough at home.
THE PICK: TITANS 24 RAIDERS 14
MATCHUP: Bills (2-4) at Jets (1-6)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Jets by 3
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Last meeting: Bills won 17-14 at Buffalo on Sept. 30
KEY STAT: Bills have won 4 of last 6 meetings, Including last 2.
FANTASY FACTOR: Bills rookie QB Trent Edwards has taken over as new starter but has only 1 TD in 100 passes. Jets WR Laveranues Coles has 6 TD receptions.
THE BUZZ: Edwards should start putting up better numbers as he gets more experience, but not in this one. Jets sticking with Chad Pennington at QB, so they should be able to move through air.
THE PICK: JETS 23 BILLS 13
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Texans (3-4) at Chargers (3-3)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Off
Last meeting: Chargers won 27-20 at Houston on Sept. 12, 2004
KEY STAT: Chargers have won last 2 by combined score of 69-17.
FANTASY FACTOR: Texans WR Kevin Walter averaging 100.2 receiving yards in last 4 games. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson averaging 4.3 yards per carry, leads NFL with 6 rushing TDs.
THE BUZZ: Chargers face home game on road because of Southern California fires, but they have enough talent to handle it.
THE PICK: CHARGERS 27 TEXANS 17
MATCHUP: Jaguars (4-2) at Bucs (4-3)
3:05 p.m. Sunday TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Bucs by 4
Last meeting: Jags won 17-10 at Jacksonville on Nov. 30, 2003
KEY STAT: Bucs have scored only 43 points in last 3 (1-2).
FANTASY FACTOR: Jaguars need to get ball to Reggie Williams, who has 3 of their 6 TD receptions. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia has thrown 7 TD passes vs. zero INTs.
THE BUZZ: Jaguars lost starting QB David Garrard to ankle injury, so Quinn Gray gets 1st start. Bucs will have trouble with Jaguars’ defense but not enough to lose.
THE PICK: BUCS 17 JAGUARS 10
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Redskins (4-2) at Patriots (7-0)
3:15 p.m. Sunday TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Patriots by 16 1/2
Last meeting: Redskins won 20-17 at Washington on Sept. 28, 2003
KEY STAT: Pats winning by average score of 40-17.
FANTASY FACTOR: Clinton Portis has rushed for 5 TDs, is averaging 3.9 per carry. One of hottest Patriots is Wes Welker, who is going for 3rd straight game with at least 120 receiving yards and 2 TDs.
THE BUZZ: This is Pats’ final tuneup before next week’s trip to Indianapolis against likely unbeaten Colts. Redskins playing well, may challenge for while.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 37 REDSKINS 17
MATCHUP: Saints (2-4) at 49ers (2-4)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Radio: WCKG-FM 105.9
Line: Saints by 3
Last meeting: Saints won 34-10 at New Orleans on Dec. 3, 2006
KEY STAT: 49ers haven’t scored more than 20 points in game.
FANTASY FACTOR: As Saints offense improves, Marques Colston should expand on his 26 catches, 2 for TDs. Arnaz Battle (21 catches, 2 TDs) could be key if 49ers have time to throw.
THE BUZZ: Saints have won 2 straight (Seahawks, Falcons), should be able to move ball vs. 49ers, whose offense needs boost and may get one with QB Alex Smith expected to return from shoulder injury.
THE PICK: SAINTS 20 49ERS 14
Bannon’s best games
MATCHUP: Packers (5-1) at Broncos (3-3)
7:30 p.m. Sunday* TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Broncos by 3
Last meeting: Packers won 31-3 at Green Bay on Dec. 28, 2003
KEY STAT: Packers have won 9 of 10 dating to last season.
FANTASY FACTOR: Packers WR Greg Jennings has 14 catches for 16.3-yard average and 3 TDs, all in last 4 games. Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (33 catches, 2 TDs) is averaging 91 yards receiving in 4 home games this season.
THE BUZZ: Packers rested after week off, but can they regain offensive momentum they had in September? Broncos straightened themselves out with win over Steelers, look ready to contend in AFC West.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 28 PACKERS 20
*Game will air at 7 p.m. if Game 5 of World Series is necessary
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