Last week’s record: 9-6
Season to date: 19-12
Last week’s spread: 9-5-1
Season spread: 15-15-1
MATCHUP: Bucs (1-1) at Bears (1-1)
Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bears by 3
Weather: 75M-:, cloudy
THE BUZZ: Bucs: Jon Gruden has named Brian Griese his starter ahead of Jeff Garcia, and now he has to live with it.
Bears: Offense scored only 1 TD in loss at Carolina, so passing game has to come around. Kyle Orton still working on delivering deep ball.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Neither team throws well, so it’ll be up to Bucs’ Earnest Graham (8.3 yards per carry) and Bears’ Matt Forte (4.7) to provide offense.
THE PICK: BEARS 20 BUCS 13
MATCHUP: Raiders (1-1) at Bills (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bills by 9 1/2
Weather: 65M-:, 30% chance of rain
THE BUZZ: Raiders: Lane Kiffin is, as they say, week-to-week. Problem is he’s head coach waiting for Al Davis to decide his fate. Will 1 more loss do it? This is no way to run Raiders railroad.
Bills: Impressive start for Buffalo’s defense, but Bills have done it against 2 banged-up offenses (Seahawks, Jaguars). And Raiders aren’t totally healthy.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Raiders rookie Darren McFadden off to good start with 7.0-yard average per carry. Bills’ Trent Edwards has tossed 2 TD passes and zero INTs in 55 throws.
THE PICK: BILLS 20 RAIDERS 17
MATCHUP: Chiefs (0-2) at Falcons (1-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Falcons by 5 1/2
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Chiefs: Can they give ball to Larry Johnson enough so he can be happy? Second-year QB Tyler Thigpen tabbed to start over Damon Huard.
Falcons: Rookie QB Matt Ryan is comfortable at home, as evidenced by his big win 2 weeks ago. Rebuilding Falcons have to win home games vs. struggling teams.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: It could be day for runners. Chiefs need to give ball to Johnson and Falcons must get it to Michael Turner.
THE PICK: FALCONS 27 CHIEFS 17
MATCHUP: Panthers (2-0) at Vikings (0-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Vikings by 3 1/2
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Panthers: Confident Panthers head north and add No. 1 WR Steve Smith, who returns after 2-game suspension for breaking teammate Ken Lucas’ nose in training camp fight.
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Vikings: After just 2 games, Vikings are switching from Tarvaris Jackson to 37-year-old Gus Frerotte. And coach Brad Childress doesn’t see it as temporary move.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart getting 5.4 yards per carry, and had 2 TDs in last week’s win. Vikings don’t have much besides Adrian Peterson (263 yards, 5.5 avg).
THE PICK: PANTHERS 21 VIKINGS 20
MATCHUP: Dolphins (0-2) at Patriots (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Patriots by 12 1/2
Weather: 70M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Patriots: Matt Cassel makes 2nd start, his 1st at home. Conservative attack that beat Jets on road can handle lowly Dolphins at home. Pats going for 22d straight regular-season win.
Dolphins: No offense generated in losses to Jets and Cardinals, scoring total of 24 points. Patriots defense hasn’t allowed much, so how will Dolphins score?
FANTASY OUTLOOK: TE Anthony Fasano leads Dolphins with 8 catches, 1 for TD. Wes Welker, who leads Pats with 13 catches, had 14 catches, 2 TDs vs. Dolphins last year.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 24 DOLPHINS 9
MATCHUP: Bengals (0-2) at Giants (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Giants by 13 1/2
Weather: 75M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Bengals: Marvin Lewis’ program has slipped into trouble, and Bengals are 0-2 for 1st time in 5 years. They’ve scored only 1 TD on offense and fans are restless. At least this 1 is on road.
Giants: Haven’t faced tough test yet, winning 1st 2 by combined score of 57-20. They won’t get one this week, and they’re off next week. Everything’s on cruise control.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: If Bengals get offense going, it will be with QB Carson Palmer, still looking for his 1st TD pass of season. Eli Manning has thrown 3 already.
THE PICK: GIANTS 27 BENGALS 10
MATCHUP: Texans (0-1) at Titans (2-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Titans by 5
Weather: 80M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Texans: After forced week off because of Hurricane Ike, Texans try to regroup on road. QB Matt Schaub will have to make plays.
Titans: QB Kerry Collins efficient replacement, and remains starter. Titans confident and can handle their AFC South rivals–they’ve beaten Texans 6 straight.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Texans’ Andre Johnson had 10 catches, though no TDs, in opening loss to Steelers. Titans rookie Chris Johnson averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
THE PICK: TITANS 24 TEXANS 17
MATCHUP: Cardinals (2-0) at Redskins (1-1)
Noon Sunday
Line: Redskins by 3
Weather: 80M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Cardinals: Going for 1st 3-0 start since 1974, Cards take step up in competition after beating 49ers and Dolphins. Are Cardinals just teasing their fans again?
Redskins: Jason Campbell has yet to throw INT this season and Redskins showed some guts with come-from-behind victory over Saints.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Anquan Boldin one of several Cards off to fast start with 14 catches, 3 TDs. Redskins counter with Santana Moss (12 catches, 16.8 average, 2 TDs).
THE PICK: REDSKINS 28 CARDINALS 24
MATCHUP: Saints (1-1) at Broncos (2-0)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Broncos by 5 1/2
Weather: 75M-:, 30 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ: Saints: Drew Brees off to fast start with 4 TD passes. He’ll have to get ball to Reggie Bush in any number of ways to pull this one off.
Broncos: Jay Cutler has embarrassment of riches at WR with Brandon Marshall (league-leading 18 catches in 1 game) and rookie Eddie Royal (14 catches, 2 TDs).
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Broncos’ league-leading offense (463.5 yards per game) gets to feast on Saints’ No. 29 defense (403.5). And they’re at home to boot.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 34 SAINTS 31
MATCHUP: Lions (0-2) at 49ers (1-1)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: 49ers by 4
Weather: 60M-:, sunny
THE BUZZ: Lions: It isn’t pretty in Detroit–again. Lions have a 3-14 road record under coach Rod Marinelli and have allowed 82 points in their 1st 2 games. Jon Kitna needs to make some big pass plays.
49ers: QB J. T. O’Sullivan and offensive coordinator Mike Martz get chance to show up old organization. Lions defense hasn’t stopped anyone.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Lions WR Calvin Johnson goes for 3rd straight 100-yard game. 49ers WR Bryant Johnson goes for his 4th straight game vs. Lions with at least 4 catches.
THE PICK: 49ERS 20 LIONS 12
MATCHUP: Rams (0-2) at Seahawks (0-2)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
Line: Seahawks by 9 1/2
Weather: 60M-:, 0 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ: Rams: Early-season battle for survival in NFC West, Rams need life raft. They’ve yet to run play inside opponent’s 20, and scored only 1 TD and have been outscored 79-16.
Seahawks: Battling injury epidemic, but visit from Rams is good news–Seattle has won last 6 meetings. Julius Jones should be able to run enough to control game.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Seahawks defense should be in for big day. Rams are gaining only 183.5 yards per game, and Patrick Kerney (3 sacks) leads good pass rush.
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THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 27 RAMS 9
MATCHUP: Browns (0-2) at Ravens (1-0)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Ravens by 2 1/2
Weather: 80M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Browns: Offense is issue. Cleveland has scored only 16 points in 2 games and key WR Braylon Edwards has dropped 5 passes, equaling number of catches.
Ravens: After forced week off because of Hurricane Ike, Ravens are rested. Their defense was dominant in opener, but it was against Bengals
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Ex-Raven Jamal Lewis averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, but has scored TD in last 2 vs. old team. Ravens have gone NFL-best 20 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
THE PICK: RAVENS 21 BROWNS 13
MATCHUP: Jaguars (0-2) at Colts (1-1)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Colts by 5
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Jaguars: Injuries along offensive line have limited Jaguars’ attack, putting pressure on good defense.
Colts: Have won 5 of last 6 vs. Jaguars. Colts also have had offensive line problems, but they’ve adjusted better.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Matt Jones leads Jaguars with 11 catches, but no TDs. Colts’ Reggie Wayne off to big start with 15 catches, 11.9-yard average, 2 TDs.
THE PICK: COLTS 24 JAGUARS 13
MATCHUP: Steelers (2-0) at Eagles (1-1)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Eagles by 3 1/2
Weather: 80M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Steelers: Steelers can run ball and Ben Roethlisberger leads NFL in passing, sore shoulder and all. But can they run it enough to pull off road upset?
Eagles: Have to bounce back from emotional road loss at archrival Dallas as they prepare to meet cross-state rivals. They’ll need big day from RB Brian Westbrook.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Steelers’ Hines Ward has 11 catches, and is tied for NFL lead with 3 TD receptions. Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson has started his career with 2 100-yard receiving games.
THE PICK: EAGLES 27 STEELERS 20
MATCHUP: Cowboys (2-0) at Packers (2-0)
7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch. 5, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Cowboys by 3
Weather: 65M-:, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Cowboys: Tony Romo returns to his native state to face Packers, whom he burned for 4 TD passes in Cowboys’ home win last season.
Packers: Aaron Rodgers faces his 1st test of year outside NFC North. He’s made it look easy so far with 4 TD passes and zero interceptions, but he’ll need help from running game in this one.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Cowboys TE Jason Witten has 14 catches, 1 TD in 2 games vs. Green Bay. Packers’ Greg Jennings has 11 catches for league-high 258 yards (23.5 avg.)
THE PICK: COWBOYS 30 PACKERS 24
MATCHUP: Jets (1-1) at Chargers (0-2)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Chargers by 9
Weather: 70M-:, clear
THE BUZZ: Jets: Brett Favre is back on Monday night and faces defense that has been soft this season, but it’s questionable whether he has supporting cast to put up big numbers.
Chargers: After last-minute losses to Panthers and Broncos, Chargers are desperate. Good teams that are this hungry usually take care of business.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Favre off to good start with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT, but Chargers’ Philip Rivers tied for NFL lead with 6 TD passes vs. 1 INT.
THE PICK: CHARGERS 27 JETS 14