Last week’s record: 12-3-1
Season to date: 105-54-1
Last week vs. spread: 6-10
Season vs. spread: 71-85-4
Bears (5-5) at Rams (2-8) Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Bears by 8 1/2 Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ
Bears: Scored total of 17 points in 2 straight losses, so offense again is issue. Is Kyle Orton (ankle) healthy enough to get back to putting points on board?
Rams: Have lost 4 straight by average of 22.8 points under interim coach Jim Haslett. Haven’t scored more than 16 points in skid, and don’t figure to in this one without RB Steven Jackson (thigh).
FANTASY OUTLOOK
Bears’ Matt Forte leads rookies with 1,099 yards from scrimmage and 51 1st downs and has scored 7 TDs. Rams’ Donnie Avery is 3rd among rookie receivers with 34 catches and 485 yards.
THE PICK
BEARS 17 RAMS 13
MATCHUP: Eagles (5-4-1) at Ravens (6-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Ravens by 1
Weather: 45M-0, sunny
THE BUZZ: Eagles: McNabb has thrown 5 INTs in last 3 games, and if Eagles can only score 13 in 5 quarters vs. Bengals, what can they do against this defense?
Ravens: Playing confidently after going 2-1 on road last 3 weeks. Ravens will need their defense to carry this one. Rookie QB Joe Flacco will be challenged.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Eagles’ DeSean Jackson is 2nd among NFL rookies with 652 receiving yards with 42 receptions. Willis McGahee leads Ravens and 481 rushing yards and has run for 5 scores.
THE PICK: RAVENS 21 EAGLES 16
MATCHUP: Texans (3-7) at Browns (4-6)
Noon Sunday
Line: Browns by 3
Weather: 40M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Texans: Have been trying to win with backup QB Sage Rosenfels who isn’t getting much help from defense that has allowed 102 points during current 3-game losing streak.
Browns: 1-1 with Brady Quinn as starting QB. He has thrown 2 TD passes and hasn’t been intercepted in 71 throws.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Rookie Steve Slaton is 3rd in AFC with 701 yards rushing, averaging 5.1 per carry with 6 TDs. Jamal Lewis averaging modest 3.6 yards with 4 rushing TDs.
THE PICK: BROWNS 24 TEXANS 20
MATCHUP: 49ers (3-7) at Cowboys (6-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Cowboys by 10
Weather: 70M-0, 30 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ: 49ers: Journeyman QB Shaun Hill continues to be effective, keeping it simple and giving ball to Frank Gore. 49ers still looking for 1st victory against winning team.
Cowboys: Tony Romo wasn’t dynamic in his return last week, but picking off win at Washington is always big. Need this one and vs. Seattle next week to stay in playoff race.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Hill has thrown 5TD passes and only 2 INTs for passer rating of 91.6. Marion Barber averaging only 4.0 per carry but has run for 6 TDs.
THE PICK: COWBOYS 27 49ERS 20
MATCHUP: Bucs (7-3) at Lions (0-10)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bucs by 8
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Bucs: With leading rusher Earnest Graham out for year, must rebuild running game with veteran Warrick Dunn and Cadillac Williams.
Lions: Have been outscored 69-36 in 2 games since signing QB Daunte Culpepper. Nothing seems to work.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Jeff Garcia (5 TD passes vs. 3 INTs) could have nice day against defense that has allowed at least 25 points in last 6 games. Calvin Johnson continues as bright spot with 7 TD catches for Lions.
THE PICK: BUCS 26 LIONS 13
MATCHUP: Vikings (5-5) at Jaguars (4-6)
Noon Sunday
Line: Jaguars by 2 1/2
Weather: 70M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Vikings: Try to keep at least piece of 1st place in NFC North in 2nd straight game in Florida (lost to Bucs last week).
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Jaguars: Put up fight against unbeaten Titans before losing last week. Moving ball in this one will be more difficult.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Vikings are 5-3 with Gus Frerotte (11 TDs, 11 INTs) as starter. Jags’ David Garrard has thrown 7 TD passes vs. 2 INTs in last 7 games
THE PICK: JAGUARS 24 VIKINGS 20
MATCHUP: Bills (5-5) at Chiefs (1-9)
Noon Sunday
Line: Bills by 3
Weather: 55M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Bills: Resurgence ended with 4-game losing streak in which QB Trent Edwards has thrown 8 INTs and lost 2 fumbles. It’s never, however, just the QB.
Chiefs: Lost 18 of last 19 games. But have been more competitive than Bills in last 4 weeks, losing by 4, 3 in OT, 1 and 10. They’re due.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Marshawn Lynch, coming off a 119-yard running day, has rushed for 6 TDs. Chiefs’ Tyler Thigpen continues to improve–8 TDs vs. 1 INT in last 4 games.
THE PICK: CHIEFS 20 BILLS 16
MATCHUP: Patriots (6-4) at Dolphins (6-4)
Noon Sunday
Line: Dolphins by 1
Weather: 75M-0, 30 percent chance of rain
THE BUZZ: Patriots: Greatly improved since Dolphins blasted them 38-13 in Foxboro Sept. 21. They now can have faith in QB Matt Cassel, who will need to make some big plays.
Dolphins: Have been living dangerously, beating Seahawks and Raiders at home by 2 points each. Defense has held last 4 foes under 20 points, but can Miami keep it up?
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Matt Cassel has thrown 10 TD passes vs. 7 INTs, and ran for 62 yards in last week’s loss to Jets. Dolphins’ Chad Pennington having comeback year with 8 TD passes vs. 5 INTs.
THE PICK: PATRIOTS 20 DOLPHINS 17
MATCHUP: Jets (7-3) at Titans (10-0)
Noon Sunday
Line: Titans by 5 1/2
Weather: 50M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Jets: Rested after last week’s victory over Patriots, and Brett Favre has Jets going for their first 5-game winning streak since 1974. If they continue to score big, they can win.
Titans: Until they finish season against Steelers and Colts, this is Titans’ biggest chance for loss. And they know it. Defense can turn it on.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Thomas Jones on roll for Jets with 9 TDs in last 6 games and 2 straight 100-yard rushing days. Kerry Collins making Titans more of passing team with 5 TD tosses in last 2 games.
THE PICK: TITANS 24 JETS 23
MATCHUP: Raiders (2-8) at Broncos (6-4)
3 p.m. Sunday
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Broncos by 9
Weather: 55M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Raiders: Bringing back memories of cynical slogan from the 1980s–they’ve become Raiders of the Lost Offense again. Offense hasn’t scored TD in 13 quarters.
Broncos: Have won 6 of last 7 and 9 of 11 over Raiders. Visitors rarely fare well in Denver, so Broncos should continue trend.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: TE Zach Miller key target with 29 catches but only 1 TD. Broncos’ Jay Cutler playing well, with 4 TD passes and 1 INT in last 2 games.
THE PICK: BRONCOS 31 RAIDERS 17
MATCHUP: Giants (9-1) at Cardinals (7-3)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Giants by 3
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Giants: Super Bowl champs have won 13 of last 14 road games, and have consistently risen to challenges. This is another one.
Cardinals: Have No. 2 offense in NFL, and in this game, they have No. 2 offense. Can clinch NFC West with win and some help.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Giants’ Eli Manning is tied for 3rd in NFC in passing with 15 TDs and 7 INTs. Cards’ Kurt Warner continues to lead NFL in passing with 20 TDs and 7 INTs.
THE PICK: GIANTS 28 CARDINALS 27
MATCHUP: Panthers (8-2) at Falcons (6-4)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Falcons by 1
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Panthers: Going for 5th straight victory and chance to keep lead in NFC South behind running duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
Falcons: Big game. Would fall 3 games out of 1st with loss. Lost only once at Georgia Dome, but it was last week to Denver. Three of Falcons’ next 4 are in NFC South.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Panthers’ Williams going for 4th game in row with 100 rushing yards and 1 TD. Falcons’ Michael Turner averages 110 rushing yards and has run for 8 TDs in 5 home games.
THE PICK: FALCONS 21 PANTHERS
MATCHUP: Redskins (6-4) at Seahawks (2-8)
3:15 p.m. Sunday
Line: Redskins by 3 1/2
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Weather: 50M-0, partly cloudy
THE BUZZ: Redskins: Will long trip to Pacific Northwest somehow ignite offense? They have scored only 16 points in consecutive losses to Steelers and Cowboys.
Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck back, but it appears energy is gone as Mike Holmgren’s final season winds down. Lost 3 straight and 6 of 7.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Redskins’ Clinton Portis 2nd in NFL with 1,063 yards rushing, and has run for 7 TDs. Seahawks’ John Carlson leads rookie tight ends with 30 catches and 337 yards.
THE PICK: REDSKINS 20 SEAHAWKS 14
MATCHUP: Colts (6-4) at Chargers (4-6)
7:15 p.m. Sunday
TV/radio: WMAQ-Ch. 5, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Chargers by 2 1/2
Weather: 60M-0, clear
THE BUZZ: Colts: Making 2nd-half charge to familiar place, playoffs. Peyton Manning has regained his old form, and defense is playing tougher.
Chargers: Keep finding ways to lose winnable games, like last week’s 11-10 affair at Pittsburgh. Magic appears gone, but Chargers did beat Colts twice last season.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Manning has thrown 7 TD passes and 0 INTs during current 3-game winning streak, and Chargers’ pass defense is problem. Philip Rivers has thrown 21 TD passes vs. 10 INTs.
THE PICK: COLTS 30 CHARGERS 26
MATCHUP: Packers (5-5) at Saints (5-5)
7:30 p.m. Monday
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Saints by 2 1/2
Weather: Dome
THE BUZZ: Packers: Ran ball against Bears last week, and may have to do it against Saints to win. Packers’ defense has scored 7 TDs, 3 short of NFL record.
Saints: Drew Brees will be challenged by tough Packers secondary, but if Reggie Bush makes it back from knee injury, offense could have big night.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Packers’ Greg Jennings has 48 catches, 5 TDs. Saints receiver Lance Moore (52 catches, 5 TDs) has TD in last 3 games.
THE PICK: SAINTS 34 PACKERS 30