Last week: 9-5
Season to date: 74-42
Last week vs. spread: 5-8-1
Season vs. spread: 52-60-4
OFF: Saints, Panthers, 49ers and Chargers
Lions (0-7) at Bears (4-3)
Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bears by 12 1/2 Weather: Partly cloudy, 60M-0
THE BUZZ: Lions: It’s hard to envision Lions getting their 1st win against team in running for playoffs, although they were competitive vs. Redskins last week.
Bears: After week off they’re confident on offense, for change. Averaging 28 points per game, tied for 2nd in NFL.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Kevin Smith, averaging 4.8 yards per carry with 3 rushing TDs, Lions’ best hope. Bears’ Kyle Orton has thrown 10 TD passes, only 4 INTs.
THE PICK: BEARS 30 LIONS 13
MATCHUP: Jets (4-3) at Bills (5-2)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bills by 5 1/2
Weather: Cloudy, 40M-0
THE BUZZ: Jets: Getting accustomed to Brett Favre way–throw INTs, then make comeback, as they did against Chiefs last week. That’s dangerous against good teams.
Bills: Are 3-0 at home and have beaten Jets 3 straight, albeit without Favre. Last week’s loss at Miami should be wake-up call.
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FANTASY OUTLOOK: Jets’ Thomas Jones has rushed for 4 scores, and has scored 4 TDs in last 3 games. Bills’ Lee Evans, who has 3 100-yard receiving games already, has averaged 102 yards in last 4 vs. Jets.
THE PICK: BILLS 27 JETS 24
MATCHUP: Ravens (4-3) at Browns (3-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Browns by 1 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 55M-0
THE BUZZ: Ravens: Rookie QB Joe Flacco is making progress, at least giving Ravens’ passing game chance. NFL’s No. 2-ranked defense makes difference here.
Browns: Offense has been disappointment, and getting healthy against Ravens isn’t likely.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Flacco has tossed 2 TDs and no INTs in Ravens’ 2-game winning streak. Browns may have to pass, and Braylon Edwards has averaged 106.5 yards with 2 TD catches in 2 home games vs. Ravens.
THE PICK: RAVENS 20 BROWNS 17
MATCHUP: Jaguars (3-4) at Bengals (0-8)
Noon Sunday
Line: Jaguars by 7 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 65M-0
THE BUZZ: Jaguars: This team is at least consistent–every game has been decided by 7 points or less, and they’ve won 2 straight on road. They just can’t take anyone, even Bengals, too lightly.
Bengals: Best chance for win is at home, but they’re still playing without injured QB Carson Palmer. What if RB Cedric Benson ever figures it out?
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Jags’ David Garrard continues to play consistent football, with 5 TD passes and no INTs in last 4 games. Same goes for Bengals’ T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who is 2nd in NFL with 54 catches, 3 TDs.
THE PICK: JAGUARS 17 BENGALS 13
MATCHUP: Bucs (5-3) at Chiefs (1-6)
Time: Noon Sunday
Line: Bucs by 8 1/2
Weather: Cloudy, 70M-0
THE BUZZ: Bucs: Should be able to keep it simple in this one, following running of Earnest Graham.
Chiefs: They have pretty much hit bottom as leading rusher Larry Johnson faces league suspension for off-field issue. And they’ve lost 15 of last 16 games.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Bucs’ Jeff Garcia playing well on road, with 4 TD passes and no INTs in last 2 outings. Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe has at least 5 receptions in last 4 games.
THE PICK: BUCS 24 CHIEFS 13
MATCHUP: Texans (3-4) at Vikings (3-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Vikings by 4 1/2
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Texans: Have played way back into playoff race and are going for their 1st 4-game winning streak (in same season) in franchise history.
Vikings: Awaiting word of possible league suspensions of DLs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, a distraction they don’t need.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Texans’ Andre Johnson has 41 catches for 593 yards in last 4 games, and leads NFL with 56 catches. Bernard Berrian had TD catch in each of last 2 games.
THE PICK: VIKINGS 23 TEXANS 20
MATCHUP: Cardinals (4-3) at Rams (2-5)
Noon Sunday
Line: Cardinals by 3
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Cardinals: It seems strange to see Cardinals atop NFC West by 2 games at midseason, but Kurt Warner has them there. Now he returns to face his old team.
Rams: Have improved under Jim Haslett, and may get RB Steven Jackson back from injury this week. But can they play defense?
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald burned Rams for 20 catches for 15.3 avg. and 3 TDs in 2 meetings last year. Rams WR Donnie Avery had 163 yards, TD last week.
THE PICK: CARDINALS 28 RAMS 27
MATCHUP: Packers (4-3) at Titans (7-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Titans by 5 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 70M-0
THE BUZZ: Packers: Tied for 1st in NFC North with Bears, Packers take on NFL’s last undefeated team. But can they run enough to control this game?
Titans: Will try to control the game with rookie RB Chris Johnson, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has thrown 6 TDs vs. 1 INT in last 3 games. Titans’ LenDale White leads NFL with 10 rushing TDs, 5 in last 2 games.
THE PICK: TITANS 24 PACKERS 16
MATCHUP: Dolphins (3-4) at Broncos (4-3)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
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Line: Broncos by 3 1/2
Weather: Partly cloudy, 65M-0
THE BUZZ: Dolphins: Upset of Bills last week gives Dolphins momentum, but Denver still difficult place to play. QB Chad Pennington playing well.
Broncos: Need to improve on defense. Offense can’t cover for everything.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown had 8 TDs (7 rushing, 1 receiving). In 4 home games, Broncos’ Jay Cutler has thrown 9 TDs vs. 3 INTs.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 28 DOLPHINS 20
MATCHUP: Cowboys (5-3) at Giants (6-1)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Giants by 9
Weather: Sunny, 50M-0
THE BUZZ: Cowboys: In shaky state as they take on NFC East leaders, still with QB Brad Johnson and without injured Tony Romo. Tall order for slumping team.
Giants: Can turn up pressure on anyone, leading NFL with 26 sacks, including 6 by DE Justin Tuck. They’re playing like they intend to repeat.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Cowboys’ Terrell Owens needs big game, and he had 4 TD catches in last 2 vs. Giants. Eli Manning has thrown 9 TDs vs. 3 INTs in last 4 games vs. Cowboys.
THE PICK: GIANTS 28 COWBOYS 16
MATCHUP: Falcons (4-3) at Raiders (2-5)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Falcons by 3
Weather: 40 percent chance of rain, 65M-0
THE BUZZ: Falcons: Fast start has yielded to reality for Falcons. Offense must get its act together again.
Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell has been effective at home, throwing 4 TDs in 3 games. Raiders can score enough in this one.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Falcons’ Roddy White has 5 TD receptions, tied for 2nd in NFL. Raiders rookie Darren McFaddden averaging 5.1 yards per carry, but may be limited by sore toe.
THE PICK: RAIDERS 27 FALCONS 24
MATCHUP: Eagles (4-3) at Seahawks (2-5)
3:15 p.m Sunday
Line: Eagles by 6 1/2
Weather: 60 percent chance of rain, 55M-0
THE BUZZ: Eagles: Getting healthy again and have resumed their run to at least wild-card berth.
Seahawks: Seneca Wallace is coming off his best game of year as starting QB, but it won’t be enough.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Brian Westbrook is healthy again, ready to add to his total of 6 rushing TDs. Julius Jones averaging 4.5 yards per carry for Seahawks.
THE PICK: SEAHAWKS 27 EAGLES 17
MATCHUP: Patriots (5-2) at Colts (3-4) 7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch.5, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Colts by 6
Weather: Partly cloudy, 55M-0
THE BUZZ: Patriots: Despite losing Tom Brady for season, Pats are tied for 1st in AFC East and may be division’s best after all. Taking care of business in game like this will be big indicator.
Colts: They’re running out of time to jump back into AFC playoff race. If RB Joseph Addai can return from hamstring injury, they’ll have chance.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Pats’ Matt Cassel continues to improve, completing 68.4 percent for 452 yards with 4 TD passes and 2 INTs in last 2 games. Peyton Manning has 5 TDs, 4 INTs in last 3 games–2 losses.
THE PICK: COLTS 24 PATRIOTS 20
MATCHUP: Steelers (5-2) at Redskins (6-2)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Redskins by 2
Weather: Clear, 60M-0
THE BUZZ: Steelers: Put up good fight vs. Giants last week before losing, and now get another shot at NFC East playoff-caliber team. Their top-ranked defense must play that way.
Redskins: Clinton Portis, NFL’s leading rusher with 944 yards, has given Redskins surprising advantage over almost everyone. If he stays healthy, they’ll go long way.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Hines Ward has only 31 catches, but 5 have gone for TDs. Portis tough near end zone, too, with 7 rushing TDs.
THE PICK: REDSKINS 20 STEELERS 17