Jacksonville (3-0) at Tennessee (1-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 3.
Vs. spread: Jaguars 2-1; Oilers 1-2.
Outlook: When the Jaguars and Oilers meet, it usually means a close game. All six games in their series have been decided by eight points or fewer, with Jacksonville winning four. Rookie RB Fred Taylor will be asked to do more for the Jaguars in the running game and QB Mark Brunell continues to do his thing: escape the rush and make zinging, accurate throws downfield. He is by far one of the league's most accurate deep passers. The Oilers have high hopes and need this game to build on those hopes. Look for WR Yancey Thigpen and the Oilers' offensive line to make a difference in a Tennessee upset.
Notable: Thigpen has 31 receptions for 575 yards and four touchdowns in five games vs. Jaguars.
Injuries:
JAGUARS: Out: DE Tony Brackens (ankle); LB James Hamilton (ankle); DT Seth Payne (shoulder); LB Bryan Schwartz (knee); RB James Stewart (knee-injured reserve); DE Jabbar Threats (knee). Questionable: G Jeff Novak (leg). Probable: S Travis Davis (shoulder).
OILERS: Questionable: DT Anthony Cook (back); DT Henry Ford (knee); DE Kenny Holmes (knee); CB Steve Jackson (knee); C Mark Stepnoski (knee).
Arizona (1-2) at St. Louis (1-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Rams by 3.
Vs. spread: Cardinals 1-2; Rams 2-1.
Outlook: Albeit not the soundest of teams, the Rams have at least been entertaining. The Cardinals have not. Look for a ragged effort here, as Arizona looks hopeless on offense, and St. Louis commits a blunder for every good play. The Rams' offense has question marks, particularly if injured WR Isaac Bruce doesn't play. But until the Cardinals and QB Jake Plummer show they have a clue on offense, the Rams have to get the nod here. If the Rams lose to the detested former St. Louis Cardinals and owner Bill Bidwill, look for a mutiny by the fans.
Notable: Rams are scoreless in the first quarter.
Injuries:
CARDINALS: Out: T Anthony Clement (back); CB J.J. McCleskey (knee); DE Jerry Drake (back). Doubtful: LB Jamir Miller (wrist). Questionable: WR Rob Moore (hamstring). Probable: RB Larry Centers (hamstring); C Aaron Graham (calf); G Lester Holmes (ankle); K Joe Nedney (hip); P Scott Player (calf); DT Eric Swann (hamstring).
RAMS: Out: RB Greg Hill (ankle). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring); DE Kevin Carter (calf); C Tom Nutten (elbow); LB Lorenzo Styles (groin). Probable: QB Tony Banks (shoulder); CB Todd Lyght (thigh); C Ryan Tucker (neck); S Toby Wright (knee).
Green Bay (3-0) at Caroline (0-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: Packers by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Packers 2-0; Panthers 0-2.
Outlook: As long as RB Raymont Harris stays healthy -- and considering his history, that is a concern -- the Packers can survive without Dorsey Levens. QB Brett Favre probably won't have much of a problem taking up the slack, especially if WR Robert Brooks continues to make progress. But you wonder if the Packers will be looking ahead to a Week 5 game against the Vikings. The Panthers are already decimated by injuries and losses to the Falcons and Saints, so this could be a knockout punch. An 0-3 record is no way to begin a stretch of three consecutive road games.
Notable: Favre's streak of 17 straight games with a touchdown pass ties his career high.
Injuries:
PACKERS: Out: RB Dorsey Levens (ankle). Questionable: WR Robert Brooks (back); RB Travis Jervey (hamstring).
PANTHERS: Out: WR Rae Carruth (foot); LB Lamar Lathon (knee-injured reserve); TE Kris Mangum (eye); S Mike Minter (knee). Questionable: C Frank Garcia (knee); DE Jason Peter (arm); DB Michael Swift (leg). Probable: WR Donald Hayes (shoulder); QB Shane Matthews (shoulder); NT Les Miller (knee); S Damien Richardson (ankle).
Kansas City (2-1) at Philadelphia (0-3)
Time: 1:01 p.m.
Line: Chiefs by 8.
Vs. spread: Chiefs 2-1; Eagles 1-2.
Outlook: As he did last season, Rich Gannon is performing well in relief of injured Chiefs QB Elvis Grbac. It would be nice if Gannon played even if Grbac's shoulder is ready, because Gannon grew up in Philadelphia. If the Eagles aren't the worst team in the NFL, they're pretty darn close. Last week, Rodney Peete relieved Bobby Hoying in a dreary 0-0 game in Arizona, moved the team, but then fumbled to set up the Cardinals' critical first touchdown.
Notable: Chiefs have won 14 of their last 16 against NFC teams, including eight straight.
Injuries:
CHIEFS: Out: DE Chester McGlockton (back); G Dave Szott (biceps). Doubtful: DE Pellom McDaniels (elbow). Questionable: QB Elvis Grbac (shoulder); WR Andre Rison (hamstring); S Reggie Tongue (hamstring); WR-RB Tamarick Vanover (toe). Probable: WR Danan Hughes (hamstring); S Melvin Johnson (ankle).
EAGLES: Out: CB Bobby Taylor (shoulder). Doubtful: DT Rhett Hall (knee). Probable: CB Troy Vincent (quadriceps); G Ian Beckles (neck); LB Mike Caldwell (dehydration); C Steve Everitt (foot); RB Charlie Garner (ankle); QB Bobby Hoying (back); TE Jimmie Johnson (groin); RB Duce Staley (ankle); LB William Thomas (ankle); RB Kevin Turner (toe); WR Jeff Graham
(hamstring).
New Orleans (2-0) at Indianapolis (0-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Pick 'em.
Vs. spread: Saints 2-0; Colts 0-3.
Outlook: Could it be? The 3-0 Saints? That depends on how the Colts respond to getting kicked in the stomach by a Jets team that isn't that good. Unless the Colts find somebody on the front seven who can make plays, the Saints' running game should rule this one. But if Saints QB Danny Wuerffel throws a few interceptions on the road, who knows? How's this for irony: A week after the University of Tennessee finally ended its jinx against Florida, ex-Gator Wuerffel faces ex-Volunteer Peyton Manning. In college, Wuerffel got the better of Manning and that should continue.
Notable: Colts have yet to hold a lead and have been outscored 60-6 in the first half.
Injuries:
SAINTS: Doubtful: S Sammy Knight (shoulder); QB Heath Shuler (toe). Questionable: T Clarence Jones (ankle); DE Troy Wilson (knee). Probable: DT Julian Pittman (ankle).
COLTS: Out: DE Dan Footman (knee). Questionable: LB Elijah Alexander (ankle); RB Zack Crockett (knee); DE Al Fontenot (calf); DT Steve Martin (ankle); DE Kendel Shello (ankle); RB Lamont Warren (ankle). Probable: LB Antony Jordan (ankle); LB Andre Royal (ankle).
Oakland (1-2) at Dallas (2-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 5.
Vs. spread: Raiders 1-2; Cowboys 2-1.
Outlook: The Raiders committed several boneheaded mistakes
in a bad loss against the Broncos. The Cowboys capitalized on the Giants' mistakes for a big win. But don't look for those trends to continue. Be wary of any impressive performance by an NFC East team when it comes against another NFC East team. That division is collectively horrible. Dallas is beaten up and is operating with a patchwork offense. It worked Monday night, but look for weekly roller-coaster rides.
Notable: Raiders RB Napoleon Kaufman's 5.3 yards per carry is tops among AFC rushers with at least 200 yards.
Injuries:
RAIDERS: Questionable: DE James Harris (groin); RB John Henry Mills (hamstring); S Anthony Newman (groin); CB Marquis Walker (knee). Probable: WR James Jett (ankle); T Lincoln Kennedy (shoulder); S Louis Riddick (quadriceps); DT Darrell Russell (ankle); S Eric Turner (foot).
COWBOYS: Out: QB Troy Aikman (clavicle); DT Antonio Anderson (knee); LB Nate Hemsley (ankle). Questionable: RB Emmitt Smith (groin); RB Chris Warren (groin). Probable: DT Chad Hennings (ankle); DT Leon Lett (knee); CB Deion Sanders (hamstring); RB Sherman Williams (knee).
Seattle (3-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1)
Time: 4: 05 p.m.
Line: Steelers by 3.
Vs. spread: Seahawks 3-0; Steelers 1-2.
Outlook: Given Seattle's hot start and Pittsburgh's offensive problems, this looks like a no-brainer, right? Not so fast. Remember, Seattle has fattened up on some real ducks. The Seahawks need a couple of legitimate tests, and this is one of them. The guess is that the Steelers will simplify the new system for QB Kordell Stewart and just let him go play. He is too good to keep struggling. And RB Jerome Bettis doesn't have consecutive clunkers too often. After a week of Bill Cowher spitting venom, the Steelers will remind the NFL that they are still as tough as they come.
Notable: Seahawks QB Warren Moon has 4,421 yards passing in 20 games vs. Steelers.
Injuries:
SEAHAWKS: Questionable: LB DeShone Myles (knee); LB Dean
Wells (calf). Probable: LB Chad Brown (concussion); DE Phillip Daniels (concussion); WR Joey Galloway (ankle).
STEELERS: Out: WR Jahine Arnold (collarbone); DE Nolan Harrison (hamstring); CB Deshea Townsend (knee). Questionable: S Bo Orlando (hamstring); S Darren Perry (groin). Probable: WR Courtney Hawkins (shoulder); LB Earl Holmes (calf); P Josh Miller (knee).
N.Y. Giants (1-2) at San Diego (2-1)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 5.
Line: Giants by 1.
Vs. spread: Giants 1-2; Chargers 1-1.
Outlook: Both of these teams are coming off ugly, forgettable performances. People expected Chargers QB Ryan Leaf to have his share of struggles, but no one expected the Giants' defense, special teams and offensive line to make so many mistakes. Even with the short week, New York shouldn't have too much trouble prepping for Leaf, who probably will be working from a vanilla game plan. Bad news for the Giants: Brad Maynard has been their star with a league-most punts landing inside the 20. Nice to have an effective punter, but when that has been the highlight through three games, you are in trouble.
Notable: Chargers K John Carney has converted his last 13 field-goal attempts inside of 50 yards.
Injuries:
GIANTS: Questionable: LB Scott Galyon (Achilles'-calf); DT Robert Harris (pectoral); S Tito Wooten (hamstring). Probable: LB Marcus Buckley (hip); LB Pete Monty (knee); S Brandon Sanders (foot).
CHARGERS: Out: CB Dwayne Harper (neck). Questionable: CB Paul Bradford (knee). Probable: DE Raylee Johnson (elbow).
Atlanta (2-0) at San Francisco (2-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: 49ers by 10 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Falcons 1-1; 49ers 1-1.
Outlook: Falcons coach Dan Reeves has cast this game as a test to see whether his team is for real. It's too early for declarations like that; the Falcons just aren't as talented as the 49ers. A good effort in a close game would make people notice the Falcons, who have won eight of their past 10 games but have been blown out in San Francisco in the recent past. The game also features one of the game's great quarterbacks and one of the most overlooked. San Francisco's Steve Young leads the NFC with a 108.2 passer rating; Atlanta's Chris Chandler has a 90.0 rating with three touchdown passes and one interception.
Notable: Falcons have just one turnover, tied with the 49ers for best in the NFC.
Injuries:
FALCONS: Out: LB Henri Crockett (wrist). Questionable: CB Juran Bolden (hamstring); C Calvin Collins (ankle); Lance Schulters (thigh). Probable: DE John Burrough (foot); CB Devin Bush (knee).
49ERS: Out: DT Shane Bonham (biceps). Doubtful: CB Marquez Pope (back). Probable: S Curtis Buckley (hamstring); TE Greg Clark (foot); LB Reggie Givens (hamstring).
Minnesota (3-0) at Chicago (0-3)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Vikings 2-1; Bears 2-1.
Outlook: The Vikings' potent offense wasn't the story last week in the 29-6 victory over Detroit. It was the defense that carried the team through a tight first half. The defense was one of the worst in the league last season, but if it can keep playing the way it did against the Lions, maybe the Super Bowl talk in Minnesota isn't all that crazy after all. The Bears have played much better than expected -- they've taken halftime leads on three teams that are considered part of the league's elite -- but still came up short and are 0-3. Will they come out playing with even more anger, or pack it in? The answer to that question will probably determine coach Dave Wann- stedt's future in Chicago.
Notable: Bears have outscored opponents 37-14 in the first half.
Injuries:
VIKINGS: Out: QB Brad Johnson (ankle). Questionable: RB Harold Morrow (hamstring). Probable: CB Corey Fuller (rib); RB Moe Williams (hamstring); TE Andrew Glover (back).
BEARS: Out: S John Mangum (concussion); P Todd Sauerbrun (knee-injured reserve). Questionable: LB Sean Harris (shoulder).
Pub Date: 9/27/98
jTC