JACKSONVILLE (5-0) AT BUFFALO (2-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 3.
Vs. spread: Jaguars 3-1; Bills 3-1.
Outlook: Life is good for the Jaguars. They're undefeated, coming off a come-from-behind victory against the Dolphins on Monday night, and have a certifiable superstar in QB Mark Brunell, who leads the AFC with nine TD passes. The Bills have rebounded with two straight victories, but they'll have to go without QB Rob Johnson. He'd love to play against his old team, but he hurt his ribs last Sunday and didn't practice all week. So backup Doug Flutie will get his first NFL start in nearly nine years. The 35-year-old former CFL standout seems up to the challenge. He was 23-for-28 for 213 yards and two TDs last week.
Notable: Jaguars have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 17 games, the NFL's longest current streak.
Injuries:
JAGUARS: Questionable: RB Fred Taylor (shoulder). Probable: WR Reggie Barlow (hip); LB Bryan Schwartz (knee); DE Fernando Smith (knee); WR Jimmy Smith (hamstring); CB Dave Thomas (groin).
BILLS: Doubtful: DE Shawn Price (calf); S Kurt Schulz (calf). Questionable: CB Ken Irvin (ankle); QB Rob Johnson (ribs); RB Jonathan Linton (hamstring); T Jerry Ostroski (groin). Probable: LB Sam Rogers (ankle).
ARIZONA (3-3) AT N.Y. GIANTS (2-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Giants by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Cardinals 3-3; Giants 2-4.
Outlook: The Cardinals got two pleasant surprises in last week's win over the Bears. One was Ronald McKinnon's three interceptions. The other was Mario Bates' two rushing TDs. They'll need a repeat performance this week. The Giants have won 13 of their past 14 against the Cardinals at home. They might have history on their side, but not much else. The Giants are averaging an NFC-worst 239 yards of offense. The defense? Not much better. It's allowing 336.2 per game, although DE Michael Strahan is tied for second in the NFC with seven sacks.
Notable: Cardinals lead the NFL with 19 take-aways.
Injuries:
CARDINALS: Out: T Anthony Clement (back); CB J. J. McCleskey (knee). Questionable: CB Tom Knight (knee). Probable: TE Chris Gedney (hip); TE Jarius Hayes (shoulder); LB Ronald McKinnon (shoulder); RB Adrian Murrell (calf); WR Frank Sanders (hip); LB Zack Walz (shoulder); CB Aeneas Williams
(ankle-toe).
GIANTS: Out: S Sam Garnes (foot); S Rodney Young (back). Questionable: CB Phillippi Sparks (shoulder); CB Shaun Williams hamstring). Probable: DT Robert Harris (pectoral); G Ron Stone (buttocks); S Tito Wooten (hamstring).
CINCINNATI (2-3) AT TENNESSEE (2-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Oilers by 3.
Vs. spread: Bengals 2-2; Oilers 2-3.
Outlook: The Bengals lost, 23-14, to the Oilers on Sept. 6, but maybe Cincinnati will get some momentum from its last-minute win over the Steelers. QB Neil O'Donnell has been a surprise, his passer rating of 103.2 tops in the AFC. But the Cincinnati defense is porous, giving up an AFC-worst 377.4 yards per game. Oilers RB Eddie George rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, and QB Steve McNair has seven TDs and no interceptions in four games vs. the Bengals. The Oilers should keep kicker Al Del Greco ready. He had three field goals the last time these two met. If penalties add up and drives start to stall, an encore could be possible.
Notable: Bengals have just one turnover, an O'Donnell interception in Week 1 against the Oilers.
Injuries:
BENGALS: Out: G Mike Goff (knee). Probable: WR Carl Pickens (ankle).
OILERS: Questionable: WR Willie Davis (chest); WR Kevin Dyson (ankle); CB Steve Jackson (concussion); LB Lenoy Jones (ankle); WR Joey Kent (hamstring); WR Derrick Mason (ankle); QB Steve McNair (elbow); S Perry Phenix (ankle); WR Yancey Thigpen (hip).
INDIANAPOLIS (1-5) AT SAN FRANCISCO (4-1)
Time: 4: 05 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: 49ers by 17 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Colts 1-5; 49ers 2-3.
Outlook: The number one figures prominently in the life of Colts rookie QB Peyton Manning. He was the No. 1 draft choice. He is No. 1 in the AFC in passing yards with 1,364. He's No. 1 in the NFL in interceptions with 14. His NFL victories? One. Speaking ++ of numbers, some milestones can be reached this week by the 49ers' Steve Young and Jerry Rice. Rice needs one reception to tie Art Monk's NFL record of 183 consecutive games with a catch. Impressive? Just another game ball for Rice, who holds NFL records for touchdown catches (169), receptions (1,056) and receiving yards (16,425). Young, meanwhile, can set an NFL record with 300 yards passing in six consecutive games.
Notable: 49ers have not lost to the Colts at home since Oct. 13, 1968.
Injuries: COLTS: Doubtful: LB Michael Barber (hamstring); DT Larry Chester (hamstring). DE Al Fontenot (calf). Probable: LB Jeff Herrod (shoulder); DE Kendel Shello (ankle).
49ERS: Out: T Dave Fiore (knee). Doubtful: WR Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (knee). Questionable: CB Marquez Pope (back). Probable: S Zack Bronson (hip); QB Jim Druckenmiller (flu); DE ++ Jeff Posey (foot).
ST. LOUIS (2-3) AT MIAMI (3-2)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Dolphins by 7.
Vs. spread: Rams 3-2; Dolphins 2-2.
Outlook: Things were great for the Dolphins on Sept. 20. They were 3-0 and had just shut out the Steelers. Well, Miami dropped its next two games and next week plays host to New England, so things suddenly aren't so great, making a victory today that much more crucial. A good way to get that win is to give the ball to Karim Abdul-Jabbar. The Dolphins are 7-1 when he runs for more than 100 yards, including 2-0 this season. Can the Rams build on last week's somewhat stunning upset of the Jets? With this franchise's sorry history, don't count on it. However, in their only other road game -- at Buffalo -- they won, 34-33.
Notable: Rams QB Tony Banks, who had 36 fumbles in his first two seasons, has just one this year.
Injuries:
RAMS: Out: S Toby Wright (knee). Doubtful: G Ryan Tucker (neck). Questionable: TE Ernie Conwell (concussion); RB Robert Holcombe (knee); C-G Tom Nutten (elbow); G Zach Wiegert (knee).
DOLPHINS: Questionable: P Klaus Wilmsmeyer (groin). Probable: DE Trace Armstrong (ankle); QB Craig Erickson (elbow); S Calvin Jackson (ankle); CB Sam Madison (knee).
CAROLINA (0-5) AT TAMPA BAY (2-3)
Line: Bucs by 7.
Vs. spread: Panthers 0-3; Bucs 2-3.
Outlook: LB Kevin Greene leads the NF with 10 sacks, but Carolina boasts one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Steve Beuerlein threw for 286 yards and three TDs last week, but the Panthers still lost. Tampa Bay's defense has allowed only 245.4 yards per game, best in the NFC and second in the league. The Bucs have averaged 195.5 yards rushing in their two victories. A connection between the running game and, say, winning? If you doubt it, consider that the Bucs average an NFC-worst 138.8 passing yards per game.
Notable: Panthers have lost seven straight dating to last season, the longest losing streak in the franchise's three-plus years.
Injuries:
PANTHERS: Out: T Blake Brockermeyer (knee); G Matt Campbell (knee); WR Rae Carruth (foot); CB-S Derwin Gray (knee); S Mike Minter (knee); CB Michael Swift (leg-injured reserve). Questionable: G Frank Garcia (toe); LB Kinnon Tatum (thumb).
BUCS: Out: DE Chidi Ahanotu (shoulder). Questionable: WR Jacquez Green (shoulder); DT Marcus Jones (neck). Probable: TE John Davis (ankle); WR Bert Emanuel (ankle); C Tony Mayberry (ankle); QB Scott Milanovich (shoulder); TE Dave Moore (neck); CB Anthony Parker (back).
NEW ORLEANS (3-2) AT ATLANTA (4-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 7.
Vs. spread: Saints 4-1; Falcons 4-1.
Outlook: Last week's 31-0 loss to the 49ers should remind the Saints who rules the NFC West. If they need another reminder, they could get it against the Falcons. Atlanta registered 10 sacks when the teams met Oct. 12, 1997, and seven when they played Nov. 23. Not that the Falcons' line did any better. They allowed nine sacks in the two games. But this is a new season, and the Saints have reason to be optimistic. Their nine interceptions are second in the NFC only to the Vikings, and they are tied with Minnesota for the fewest giveaways at five. The Falcons are red-hot, however, and they'll need a win to keep pace with the 49ers (facing lowly Indianapolis today) for the lead in the NFC West.
Notable: Saints are the only NFC team not to lose a fumble.
Injuries:
SAINTS: Out: C Jerry Fontenot (knee-injured reserve); QB Heath Shuler (toe). Doubtful: DE Brady Smith (groin). Questionable: P Mark Royals (ankle).
FALCONS: Out: LB Henri Crockett (wrist). Questionable: CB Randy Fuller (hamstring); DT Travis Hall (ankle). Probable: CB Michael Booker (quadriceps); DE Lester Archambeau (ankle); QB Chris Chandler (elbow); WR Tony Martin (hamstring).
PHILADELPHIA (1-5) AT SAN DIEGO (2-4)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 3.
Vs. spread: Eagles 3-3; Chargers 2-3.
Outlook: The Eagles beat the Redskins last week for their first victory. QB Rodney Peete led the way, throwing for a touchdown and running for another. The defense helped with six sacks. They'll need another good effort this week, especially against the Chargers' run defense, which is allowing only 75.5 yards a game. In San Diego, Kevin Gilbride is out, June Jones is in as coach. Regardless of who's on the sideline, history favors a close game. Five of the six meetings in the series have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Notable: Eagles' Irving Fryar has started 94 consecutive games, longest current streak in the NFL for a wide receiver.
Injuries:
EAGLES: Out: S Brian Dawkins (ankle); RB Corey Walker (thumb). Questionable: DE Greg Jefferson (ankle); TE Jimmie Johnson (groin); DE Al Wallace (rib). Probable: G Ian Beckles (foot); WR Irving Fryar (knee); DT Bill Johnson (concussion); QB Rodney Peete (shoulder); RB Duce Staley (jaw); DT Brandon Whiting (knee); LB James Willis (knee).
CHARGERS: Out: TE John Burke (knee); RB Terrell Fletcher (knee); CB Dwayne Harper (neck); T Vaughn Parker (leg); DT Jamal Williams (knee). Questionable: CB Paul Bradford (knee). Probable: T John Jackson (knee); WR Bryan Still (leg); G Aaron Taylor (knee).
DALLAS (4-2) AT CHICAGO (1-5)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., chs. 45, 5.
Line: Cowboys by 3.
Vs. spread: Cowboys 3-2; Bears 4-2.
Outlook: Don't look now, but Dallas is starting to look like the Cowboys of old. Emmitt Smith rushed for his third 100-yard game of the season last week against Carolina, and Michael Irvin had six catches for 146 yards. Now if they could just get QB Troy Aikman back in the lineup. Not that the Cowboys have missed him. Backup Jason Garrett is 5-1 in his career as a Cowboys starter, and things seem to be humming on offense. The Bears, meanwhile, are much more competitive than their record indicates, with QB Erik Kramer leading the way, having thrown for 1,446 yards, second in the NFL. Also, RB Curtis Enis leads all NFC rookies with 306 rushing yards.
Notable: Smith needs three more rushing TDs to pass Walter Payton (125) for fourth on the career list, and four to pass Jim Brown.
Injuries:
COWBOYS: Out: QB Troy Aikman (clavicle); DT Antonio Anderson (knee); G Everett McIver (knee). Questionable: WR Billy Davis (foot). Probable: DT Leon Lett (knee); CB Kevin Mathis (knee); RB Emmitt Smith (hip); G Nate Newton (ankle).
BEARS: Doubtful: DE Mark Thomas (knee).
Pub Date: 10/18/98