SAN FRANCISCO (3-1) AT NEW ORLEANS (3-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 10.
Vs. spread: 49ers 1-3; Saints 4-0.
Outlook: What the heck happened to the 49ers last week in that ghastly loss to Buffalo? It was like the most productive offensive machine in football didn't bother coming to the stadium. That won't happen today, not with QB Steve Young and talented WRs Jerry Rice and J. J. Stokes against a defense ranked 29th against the pass. In losing last week for the first time this season, New Orleans nonetheless gained a bit of legitimacy by taking New England down to the final three seconds before falling. As usual, neither the offense nor the defense posted impressive numbers, but there must be something to this Danny Wuerffel guy, who seems to come up big in the clutch.
Notable: Saints are the only NFC team without a fumble turnover.
Injuries:
49ERS: Out: T Dave Fiore (knee). Doubtful: CB Marquez Pope (back). Questionable: DT Shane Bonham (biceps); S Zack Bronson (hip). Probable: TE Greg Clark (foot); RB Fred Beasley (flu).
SAINTS: Out: C Jerry Fontenot (knee); QB Heath Shuler (toe). Questionable: P Mark Royals (ankle); LB Don Davis (ankle); LB Kevin Mitchell (shoulder).
N.Y. JETS (2-2) AT ST. LOUIS (1-3)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Jets by 3 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Jets 3-1; Rams 2-2.
Outlook: It's hard to argue with Vinny Testaverde's performance as the Jets' QB. In two-plus games, he has posted five TDs, one interception and a 104.9 rating. But Glenn Foley was the starter until he got hurt, and it says on page 47 of the NFL Coach's Handbook that you don't lose a starting job because of injury. Regardless, the offense may be hurting because RB Curtis Martin is questionable with a bruised thigh. Robert Holcombe put up 84 yards and two scores in his first start two weeks ago, and the Rams will need more of that to take some of the pressure off mistake-prone QB Tony Banks, who has accounted for all of St. Louis' 10 turnovers.
Notable: Jets' Keyshawn Johnson has at least one TD reception in each game this season.
Injuries:
JETS: Questionable: LB James Farrior (knee); RB Curtis Martin (thigh); TE Blake Spence (hamstring). Probable: QB Glenn Foley (ribs).
RAMS: Out: RB Greg Hill (ankle-injured reserve); S Toby Wright (knee). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring); C Tom Nutten (elbow). Probable: QB Tony Banks (shoulder); DE Kevin Carter (toe); LB Lorenzo Styles (groin).
PITTSBURGH (3-1) AT CINCINNATI(1-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Steelers by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Steelers 1-2; Bengals 1-2.
Outlook: Somehow the Steelers are 3-1 and right behind Jacksonville in the AFC Central. That despite a horribly anemic offense that averages just 12.5 points and a quarterback, Kordell Stewart, who has been intercepted six times and has thrown just two TDs. The answers have been powerful RB Jerome Bettis and a decent defense led by DB Carnell Lake and LB Levon Kirkland. The Bengals, meanwhile, are as defenseless as it gets, giving up 375 yards a game. Still, Cincinnati is dangerous because WR Carl Pickens, the AFC receiving leader, and RB Corey Dillon, one of the league's strongest power runners, are legitimate offensive threats.
Notable: Steelers are 31-12 vs. division opponents under Bill Cowher.
Injuries:
STEELERS: Doubtful: S Bo Orlando (hamstring); C/G Jim Sweeney (foot); G Will Wolford (chest). Questionable: CB Deshea Townsend (knee). Probable: DE Nolan Harrison (hamstring); WR Courtney Hawkins (shoulder); S Darren Perry (groin).
BENGALS: Out: LB Tom Tumulty (knee-injured reserve). Questionable: G Mike Goff (knee). Probable: C Darrick Brilz (back); DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (elbow).
CAROLINA (0-4) AT DALLAS (3-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 7.
Vs. spread: Panthers 0-3; Cowboys 3-2.
Outlook: Panthers coach Dom Capers has been hailed as a defensive genius, but it's tough to be that smart when some of your best players, including LB Lamar Lathon, are out with injuries. So the Cowboys' walk through the park continues with yet another date against a winless team, the second course of Dallas' feast of creampuffs, six opponents with a combined record of 5-24. Why, that kind of schedule can even make another week or two of backup QB Jason Garrett look good, especially with Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren running with authority.
Notable: Cowboys' 47 first downs rushing lead NFL, including Smith's league-high 31.
Injuries:
PANTHERS: Out: G Matt Campbell (knee); WR Rae Carruth (foot); S Mike Minter (knee). Doubtful: TE Kris Mangum (eye); CB Michael Swift (leg). Questionable: S Tony Veland (back). Probable: WR Mark Carrier (foot); CB Eric Davis (ankle); WR Raghib Ismail (concussion); WR Dwight Stone (hamstring).
COWBOYS: Out: QB Troy Aikman (clavicle); DT Antonio Anderson (knee); LB Nate Hemsley (ankle-injured reserve); G Everett McIver (knee). Questionable: LB Darren Hambrick (foot). Probable: DT Leon Lett (knee).
CHICAGO (1-4) AT ARIZONA (2-3)
Time: 4: 05 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: Cardinals by 3.
Vs. spread: Bears 4-1; Cardinals 2-3.
Outlook: The Bears might be undefeated if someone adjusted the rules to eliminate the third quarter, in which they have been bombed, 61-0. QB Erik Kramer is finally living up to his big contract, putting up a nice 92.3 rating, but the defense needs to hold up its end of the bargain. The Cardinals are 2-3 and scoring fewer than 17 points per game. In the NFC East, that's what we call a good year. Arizona is just a game behind Dallas for the division lead, and that's with the guy who's supposed to be its big star, QB Jake Plummer, struggling with a passer rating of 65.4 and seven interceptions.
Notable: Kramer has 647 yards passing, six TDs and a 114.3 rating in his past two games.
Injuries:
BEARS: Doubtful: DT Paul Grasmanis (foot). Questionable: RB Curtis Enis (back); T James Williams (back). Probable: WR Curtis Conway (groin); T Andy Heck (toe).
CARDINALS: Out: T Anthony Clement (back); CB J. J. McCleskey (knee). Questionable: G Chris Dishman (neck); CB Tom Knight (hamstring). Probable: WR Rob Moore (hamstring); LB Patrick Sapp (hamstring); DT Eric Swann (knee); LB Zack Walz (shoulder).
SAN DIEGO (2-3) AT OAKLAND (3-2)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Raiders by 5.
Vs. spread: Chargers 1-3; Raiders 3-2.
Outlook: Obviously, the Chargers are getting no help at all from ++ the quarterback position, with Ryan Leaf saddled with the league's lowest rating (36.5), nine interceptions and just one TD. So coach Kevin Gilbride has turned to RB Natrone Means to drag the team along with him, as evidenced by Means' 31 carries last week. Practically everyone who's anyone on the Raiders is hurt, beginning with QB Jeff George, listed as doubtful with a strained groin, and RB Napoleon Kaufman, the AFC's third-leading rusher, who's questionable with a sprained left ankle.
Notable: The visiting team has won the past four meetings in the series and nine of the past 11.
Injuries:
CHARGERS: Out: TE John Burke (knee); RB Terrell Fletcher (knee); CB Dwayne Harper (neck); DT Jamal Williams (knee). Questionable: T John Jackson (knee); G Aaron Taylor (knee); CB
Paul Bradford (knee); T Vaughn Parker (ankle).
RAIDERS: Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin); T Pat Harlow (back). Questionable: TE Jeremy Brigham (foot); LB James Folston (foot); RB Napoleon Kaufman (ankle). Probable: RB Randy Jordan (thumb); CB Albert Lewis (back); RB John Henry Mills (hamstring); CB Charles Woodson (ankle).
BUFFALO (1-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS (1-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bills by 3.
Vs. spread: Bills 2-1; Colts 1-4.
Outlook: DE Bruce Smith is coming off his best performance of the year, which, not coincidentally, turned out to be the Bills' first victory, a head-scratching upset of mighty San Francisco. But Smith's recovery isn't the only good news. The running game by committee is racking up 132.5 yards per game, and WR Eric Moulds has picked up for injured veteran Andre Reed. Most of the Colts' hopes rest on RB Marshall Faulk, who ranks second in the league in combined rushing-receiving yardage. He could get help from recently signed FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who can use his 262 pounds as a blocker.
Notable: The past four meetings in the series have been decided by a total of 11 points.
Injuries:
BILLS: Out: DE Shawn Price (calf). Doubtful: RB Jonathan Linton (hamstring). Questionable: WR Andre Reed (shoulder); WR Quinn Early (ankle).
COLTS: Out: LB Michael Barber (hamstring), DE Dan Footman (knee-injured reserve). Doubtful: DE Al Fontenot (calf). Questionable: LB Antony Jordan (ankle). Probable: RB Chris Hetherington (ankle); DE Kendell Shello (ankle); CB Tyrone Poole (knee).
KANSAS CITY (4-1) AT NEW ENGLAND (3-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: Patriots by 3.
Vs. spread: Chiefs 3-2; Patriots 3-1.
Outlook: Chiefs QB Elvis Grbac is back after a four-week injury hiatus, and he takes over the reins of an offense that has performed nicely in a supporting role to the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense. The Chiefs are opportunistic, leading the league with 16 take-aways, including an amazing 11 fumble recoveries. If the Chiefs are masters of taking the ball away, the Patriots are terrific at protecting it. New England went three games without a turnover before QB Drew Bledsoe threw three interceptions Sunday in New Orleans, breaking a string of 115 consecutive attempts without one.
Notable: Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer is 5-0 vs. Patriots.
Injuries:
CHIEFS: Out: DE Chester McGlockton (back); G Dave Szott (biceps). Questionable: CB Bucky Brooks (ankle); CB James Hasty (shoulder); RB Tony Richardson (hamstring). Probable: RB Donnell Bennett (hand); LB Anthony Davis (hand/thumb); QB Elvis Grbac (shoulder); LB Greg Manusky (hip); G/T Glenn Parker (hip/abdomen); WR Andre Rison (hamstring); S Reggie Tongue (hamstring); WR/RB Tamarick Vanover (toe).
PATRIOTS: Doubtful: LB Bernard Russ (jaw). Questionable: DE Ferric Collons (ankle). Probable: CB Ty Law (quadriceps).
fTC DENVER (5-0) AT SEATTLE (3-2)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: Broncos by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Broncos 4-1; Seahawks 3-1.
Outlook: The Broncos' question of the week again is, will John Elway play. Does it matter? The secret is in front of the quarterback, with a line that has allowed a mere five sacks, and behind him, where RB Terrell Davis is the NFL's leading rusher (657 yards, 5.8 per carry) and second-leading scorer (48 points). Seattle desperately needs a win to remain within sight of the AFC West title, and may have to get it without QB Warren Moon, who cracked some ribs in the last game and is questionable. If he can't go, the burden of the offense falls on journeyman QB John Friesz and talented but erratic RB Ricky Watters.
Notable: Davis is averaging 101.2 rushing yards in 50 career games, second to Jim Brown's 104.3.
Injuries:
BRONCOS: Questionable: G David Diaz-Infante (knee); K Jason Elam (hamstring); RB Detron Smith (knee/ankle). Probable: QB John Elway (back); DE Ernest Jones (knee); LB John Mobley (hamstring); DT Trevor Pryce (rib); LB Bill Romanowski (groin).
SEAHAWKS: Questionable: DE Phillip Daniels (neck); QB Warren Moon (rib); CB Fred Thomas (hamstring). Probable: WR Joey Galloway (knee); RB Ahman Green (knee); RB Ricky Watters (quadriceps).
ATLANTA (3-1) AT N.Y. GIANTS (2-3)
Time: 8: 20 p.m., ESPN.
Line: Giants by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Falcons 3-1; Giants 2-3.
Outlook: The Falcons have playoff ingredients, with a solid quarterback, a power running game and the NFC's No. 2-ranked run defense. One negative: the pass defense, which has allowed opponents to complete 62.4 percent of their passes. The Giants can't throw (QB Danny Kanell has just 866 yards), can't run (league-worst 2.9 yards per rush) and sure can't hide in the nation's No. 1 media market. Only a defense that has recorded 19 sacks, six by DE Mike Strahan, and seven interceptions has kept the Giants afloat.
Notable: Giants WR Chris Calloway has a TD catch in six of his past eight games.
Injuries:
FALCONS: Out: LB Henri Crockett (wrist). Questionable: CB Michael Booker (quadriceps); RB Bob Christian (ankle); LB Ruffin Hamilton (knee). Probable: CB Ronnie Bradford (foot); LB Keith Brooking (quadriceps); CB Ray Buchanan (shoulder); DT Shane Dronett (foot); DT Travis Hall (shoulder); DT Esera Tuaolo (biceps).
GIANTS: Doubtful: DT Robert Harris (pectoral); CB Shaun Williams (hamstring); CB Phillippi Sparks (shoulder). Questionable: S Sam Garnes (foot); G Ron Stone (buttocks). Probable: C Derek Engler (ankle); LB Scott Galyon (Achilles'-calf); TE Al Pupunu (rib).
Pub Date: 10/11/98