CAPSULES

NEW ORLEANS at CHICAGO 10 a.m.

* The line: Chicago by 5.

* Key injuries: NO--None. CHI--RB Curtis Enis (shoulder, doubtful).

* Key elements: Chicago QB Cade McNown will have a tough time against a Saints squad that leads the NFL in total defense (234.5 yards a game). The New Orleans pass rush has three or more sacks in three consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NO CHI Points scored 13.8 (29) 15.0 (28) Points allowed 20.5 (T19) 26.0 (T23) Passing Off. 173.3 (25) 189.4 (20) Rushing Off. 108.0 (17) 128.4 (8) Passing Def. 143.8 (1) 222.0 (22) Rushing Def. 90.8 (8) 127.6 (25) Time of Poss. 30:18 (12) 28:12 (26) Turnover Ratio -3 (T19) -5 (T26) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (22) 62.5 (8)

*--*

* The pick: Chicago. The Saints lead the NFL in total defense but are next-to-last in total offense. More balance gives mediocre Bears an edge, but not a huge one.

TENNESSEE at CINCINNATI 10 a.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: TEN--DE Jevon Kearse (quad, questionable); WR Carl Pickens (hamstring, questionable); WR Yancey Thigpen (hamstring, questionable); TE Frank Wycheck (foot, questionable). CIN--None.

* Key elements: A big key to Tennessee’s success in 1999 was a plus-18 turnover differential. This season, the Titans are at minus-3. The Bengals have been shut out in three of their last six games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TEN CIN Points scored 20.2 (14) 5.8 (31) Points allowed 16.0 (5) 26.2 (25) Passing Off. 230.5 (9) 154.5 (29) Rushing Off. 102.8 (18) 94.3 (21) Passing Def. 176.0 (6) 191.0 (12) Rushing Def. 82.5 (6) 131.0 (T26) Time of Poss. 33:21 (3) 27:21 (29) Turnover Ratio -3 (T19) -7 (30) Red Zone TD% 50.0 (T12) 28.6 (29)

*--*

* The pick: Tennessee. The Titan receivers are gimpy and Kearse has a leg injury--but winless Bengals aren’t even close to able to take advantage.

GREEN BAY at DETROIT 10 a.m.

* The line: Detroit by 3.

* Key injuries: GB--RB Dorsey Levens (ankle, doubtful); CB Mike McKenzie (knee, doubtful); S Antuan Edwards (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: The Packer defense has averaged a stingy three points allowed in two victories, but 24.7 points in three losses. With Levens banged up, the Packers don’t have the running game to take advantage of a Lion defense that has given up 120 or more yards rushing in three consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS GB DET Points scored 18.6 (17) 16.8 (25) Points allowed 16.0 (5) 19.2 (16) Passing Off. 227.8 (11) 183.4 (21) Rushing Off. 80.2(T24) 77.2 (26) Passing Def. 188.0(11) 220.2 (20) Rushing Def. 99.6(12) 131.0 (T26) Time of Poss. 29:09 (23) 29:21 (22) Turnover Ratio -6 (T28) +3 (T9) Red Zone TD% 46.7 (14) 31.3 (28)

*--*

* The pick: Detroit. The Pack is not back and has not fared well at the Silverdome.

BUFFALO at MIAMI 10 a.m.

* The line: Miami by 1 1/2.

* Key injuries: BUF--TE Jay Riemersma (knee, doubtful). MIA--WR Tony Martin (foot, questionable); LB Zach Thomas (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: Miami running back Thurman Thomas would love to gain the 111 yards he needs to tie Franco Harris (12,120 yards, ninth all time) against his former Bill teammates. The Miami pass defense tops the AFC and limits opposing QBs to conference-low 52.9 passer rating.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BUF MIA Points scored 18.2 (T18) 18.0 (20) Points allowed 19.0 (15) 7.6 (1) Passing Off. 211.5 (14) 145.0 (31) Rushing Off. 117.0 (13) 118.8 (12) Passing Def. 181.3 (8) 174.4 (5) Rushing Def. 66.3 (2) 112.2 (19) Time of Poss. 32:17 (6) 29:43 (16) Turnover Ratio +1 (14) +6 (T4) Red Zone TD% 41.7 (21) 63.6 (7)

*--*

* The pick: Buffalo. Don’t be influenced by the records: The 4-1 Dolphins haven’t played as tough a schedule as the 2-2 Bills.

INDIANAPOLIS at NEW ENGLAND 10 a.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Patriots have won 10 of the last 13 meetings. In his past eight games vs. Indianapolis, Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe has gone 7-1, with 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions. The Patriots have yielded 68 sacks in their last 17 games (5-12) dating to last season. Including playoffs, the Patriots have lost eight consecutive games in their division.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS IND NE Points scored 29.8 (3) 15.8 (27) Points allowed 20.5 (T19) 18.2 (T11) Passing Off. 315.5 (2) 192.2 (18) Rushing Off. 101.0 (19) 80.2 (T24) Passing Def. 204.3 (16) 211.4 (18) Rushing Def. 123.3 (22) 106.2 (15) Time of Poss. 29:38 (18) 28:55 (24) Turnover Ratio -4 (T24) +4 (7) Red Zone TD% 64.3 (6) 35.3 (26)

*--*

* The pick: Indianapolis. Peyton Manning has praise for Bill Belichick’s defensive schemes, but still has the poise--and the plays--to win.

PITTSBURGH at NEW YORK JETS 10 a.m.

* The line: N.Y. Jets by 8.

* Key injuries: NYJ--None. PIT--QB Kent Graham (hip, questionable).

* Key elements: The Jets are 4-0 for the first time in their 41-year history. The Steelers own an 8-1 series mark as visitors to the Big Apple dating to 1975. New York has eight consecutive victories, and is 11-2 in the last 13 games, after opening 1-6 in 1999. Steeler quarterbacks have not thrown a touchdown pass in four games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT NYJ Points scored 16.0 (26) 22.0 (T11) Points allowed 18.8 (14) 16.5 (8) Passing Off. 182.8 (23) 229.5 (10) Rushing Off. 131.0 (7) 91.5 (22) Passing Def. 244.8 (26) 184.0 (9) Rushing Def. 78.0 (4) 90.3 (7) Time of Poss. 30:11 (13) 31:08 (8) Turnover Ratio 0 (16) +4 (T7) Red Zone TD% 53.9 (11) 46.7 (T14)

*--*

* The pick: Jets. Steelers own series at 12-1. To stay undefeated, Jets will have to make it 12-2.

WASHINGTON at PHILADELPHIA 10 a.m.

* The line: Washington by 3.

* Key injuries: WAS--G Tre Johnson (knee, out). PHI--RB Duce Staley (foot, out); S Brian Dawkins (appendectomy, questionable); DE Mike Mamula (quadriceps, questionable).

* Key elements: Eagles’ Brian Mitchell, a Redskin from 1990-99, has scored 11 touchdowns on kick returns in his career, tied with Eric Metcalf for the NFL record. The Eagle defense has given up 10 or fewer points in each of the last three games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS WAS PHI Points scored 17.4 (23) 24.2 (7) Points allowed 16.4 (7) 14.0 (4) Passing Off. 231.2 (8) 179.6 (24) Rushing Off. 125.6 (9) 141.0 (4) Passing Def. 167.2 (3) 151.4 (2) Rushing Def. 98.4 (11) 104.0 (14) Time of Poss. 32:39 (5) 29:55 (14) Turnover Ratio +1 (T14) +2 (T12) Red Zone TD% 43.8 (19) 50.0 (T12)

*--*

* The pick: Washington. Redskin defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes will have a good game plan for team that fired him two years ago.

NEW YORK GIANTS at ATLANTA 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Pick ‘em.

* Key injuries: NYG--None. ATL--WR Shawn Jefferson (shoulder, questionable).

* Key elements: The Giants are 5-3 in Atlanta dating to 1968 and have emerged winners in the past four road games of the series dating to 1981. After averaging 187.3 yards rushing in their first three games (3-0), the Giants have been limited to a 58.5-yard average in their past two games, both losses.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYG ATL Points scored 17.6 (22) 19.0 (16) Points allowed 17.0 (9) 31.8 (T30) Passing Off. 197.6 (16) 182.8 (22) Rushing Off. 135.8 (6) 75.8 (27) Passing Def. 248.2 (27) 271.8 (30) Rushing Def. 81.8 (5) 113.6 (20) Time of Poss. 30:52 (9) 29:44 (15) Turnover Ratio +4 (T7) -1 (17) Red Zone TD% 46.2 (T16) 10.0 (31)

*--*

* The pick: Giants. The Falcons’ 38-10 loss to Philadelphia last week inspires zero confidence--and the Giants beat the Eagles, 33-18.

CLEVELAND at ARIZONA 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Arizona by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Browns make their first visit to Sun Devil Stadium since 1988. While Cleveland owns a 32-10-3 edge in the series, this marks only the sixth meeting between the teams since 1974. Brown QB Tim Couch has been sacked only five times this season. The Cardinals are a woeful 1-7 in their last eight games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CLE AZ Points scored 12.8 (30) 17.8 (21) Points allowed 20.4 (18) 27.0 (26) Passing Off. 213.2 (13) 239.0 (5) Rushing Off. 74.8 (28) 73.8 (30) Passing Def. 198.2 (13) 226.5 (24) Rushing Def. 140.2 (29) 154.8 (30) Time of Poss. 27:12 (30) 27:48 (28) Turnover Ratio -4 (T24) -5 (T26) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (22) 42.9 (20)

*--*

* The pick: Arizona. Temptation to pick Browns isn’t as strong with running back and team leader Errict Rhett out for the season.

DENVER at SAN DIEGO 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Denver by 6 1/2.

* Key injuries: DEN--RB Terrell Davis (ankle, out); RB Howard Griffith (knee, questionable), SD--QB Ryan Leaf (wrist, doubtful); LB Junior Seau (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Denver has won 18 of the past 26 meetings in the series. The Chargers are 0-5 for the first time since 1991, when they finished 4-12.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DEN SD Points scored 30.4 (2) 17.2 (24) Points allowed 26.0 (T23) 31.2 (29) Passing Off. 251.8 (3) 195.6(17) Rushing Off. 141.2(3) 67.2 (31) Passing Def. 243.4 (25) 253.8 (28) Rushing Def. 70.6 (3) 103.8 (13) Time of Poss. 33:44 (1) 28:03 (27) Turnover Ratio +8 (2) -6 (T28) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (T22) 35.7 (25)

*--*

* The pick: Denver. Coach Mike Riley would much rather have been beating USC at Oregon State last weekend than losing to Rams by 26. Look for more of the same.

OAKLAND at SAN FRANCISCO 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 4 1/2.

* Key injuries: OAK--RB Tyrone Wheatley (leg, questionable). SF--RB Fred Beasley (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Wheatley has eight touchdowns in his past seven games. The Raiders have won six of their past eight matchups vs. NFC opponents. The 49er offensive line has given up only three sacks, tied with Jets for the fewest in NFL. 49er QB Jeff Garcia has 11 TD passes.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS OAK SF Points scored 26.8 (5) 28.4 (4) Points allowed 20.0 (17) 31.8 (T30) Passing Off. 173.0 (26) 246.2 (4) Rushing Off. 113.8 (14) 136.8 (5) Passing Def. 219.5 (19) 293.2 (31) Rushing Def. 114.0 (21) 107.0 (16) Time of Poss. 29:37 (19) 29:42 (17) Turnover Ratio +6 (T4) +3 (T9) Red Zone TD% 64.7 (5) 71.4 (2)

*--*

* The pick: Oakland. They’ve been talkin’ baseball in the Bay Area--just as well for the 49ers, who appear to be on the wrong end of a reversal of fortune.

SEATTLE at CAROLINA 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Carolina by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: These teams face each other for the first time. Seattle’s patchwork offensive line has given up four or more sacks in four consecutive games. Panther RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka needs only 35 yards to become the club’s all-time leading rusher, passing the late Fred Lane (2,001 yards). Brock Huard gets the nod as Seattle’s QB, replacing the ineffective Jon Kitna.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS SEA CAR Points scored 18.2 (T18) 19.5 (15) Points allowed 21.2 (21) 18.2 (T11) Passing Off. 147.8 (30) 213.5 (12) Rushing Off. 119.0 (11) 97.0 (20) Passing Def. 221.4 (21) 201.8 (14) Rushing Def. 124.2 (23) 133.3 (28) Time of Poss. 28:52 (25) 29:22 (21) Turnover Ratio -11 (31) -3 (T19) Red Zone TD% 46.2 (T16) 46.2 (T16)

*--*

* The pick: Carolina. Seattle is making a quarterback change to Huard--and traveling east coming off a short week after a Monday night loss at Kansas City.

BALTIMORE at JACKSONVILLE 5:35 p.m.

* The line: Jacksonville by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: BAL--DT Sam Adams (ankle, questionable); T Jonathan Ogden (ankle, out). JAC--LB Hardy Nickerson (hamstring, doubtful).

* Key elements: Baltimore has given up an average of only 25.8 yards rushing in its four victories. The Jaguars are 3-4 in their past seven regular-season games. Injuries to the offensive line have taken their toll; the Jaguars have yielded four or more sacks in five consecutive games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS BAL JAC Points scored 22.0 (T11) 20.6 (13) Points allowed 11.0 (2) 22.6 (22) Passing Off. 191.4(19) 236.0 (7) Rushing Off. 142.2 (2) 74.4 (29) Passing Def. 203.4 (15) 224.0 (23) Rushing Def. 41.8 (1) 111.6 (18) Time of Poss. 33:36 (2) 30:30 (10) Turnover Ratio +9 (1) +2 (T12) Red Zone TD% 35.0 (27) 27.8 (30)

*--*

* The pick: Baltimore. Third shutout in three weeks isn’t likely, but Ravens still figure to prevail against Jaguar offense and struggling offensive line.

TAMPA BAY at MINNESOTA 6 p.m. MONDAY

* The line: Minnesota by 1.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Vikings are 19-18 all-time on “Monday Night Football,” including 11-6 at home. After committing only one turnover in winning their first three games, the Buccaneers have turned over the ball six times in their past two, both losses. Including the playoffs, Minnesota has won eight consecutive home games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TB MIN Points scored 25.4 (6) 23.8 (8) Points allowed 13.4 (3) 17.8 (10) Passing Off. 168.2 (28) 238.3 (6) Rushing Off. 121.4 (10) 160.8 (1) Passing Def. 169.6 (4) 205.5 (17) Rushing Def. 92.8 (9) 108.5 (7) Time of Poss. 32:16 (7) 33:09 (4) Turnover Ratio +5 (6) -3 (T19) Red Zone TD% 78.6 (1) 58.3 (10)

*--*

* The pick: Minnesota. Against the odds, the Vikings are the team with all the momentum and confidence in crucial game for the Buccaneers, once a Super Bowl favorite.