Atlanta (6-2) at New England (5-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 4 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Falcons 6-2; Patriots 4-4.
Outlook: The Falcons have played good teams twice, and twice they have been slammed by a combined 59-23. But they were forced to play one of those defeats with ancient backup QB Steve DeBerg. With Chris Chandler in place, the Falcons have a chance to steal one today. New England may be without its four best receivers and rookie RB Robert Edwards has totaled just 96 yards in his last two games. QB Drew Bledsoe must make do with rookie Tony Simmons and 37-year-old Henry Ellard as his go-to guys, and that's not likely to result in big numbers.
Notable: Falcons lead NFL in time of possession with 32: 50 average.
Injuries:
FALCONS: Out: CB Ronnie Bradford (knee); WR Tim Dwight (knee). Doubtful: DT Travis Hall (knee); WR Todd Kinchen (concussion). Questionable: LB Jessie Tuggle (ankle-knee). Probable: DE Lester Archambeau (knee); CB Ray Buchanan (leg); LB Henri Crockett (wrist); DT Shane Dronett (foot).
PATRIOTS: Out: WR Vincent Brisby (finger); WR Troy Brown (ankle); RB Tony Carter (knee); DT Brandon Mitchell (foot-IR). Doubtful: WR Terry Glenn (hamstring). Questionable: DE Willie McGinest (groin). Probable: LB Chris Slade (ankle); DT Henry Thomas (ankle).
Indianapolis (1-7) at Miami (5-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: Dolphins by 9 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Colts 3-5; Dolphins 4-3.
Outlook: The Colts' defense still has holes and their offense is inconsistent, but progress is visible in Indianapolis. QB Peyton Manning's confidence and poise grow every day. The Colts are going to scare some people this year, and eventually will start winning. When the Dolphins are at home, bet the under. Nobody seems to score at Pro Player Stadium, not even the Dolphins, who average 15 points at home. But their opponents have scored a total of only 16 points in four games, including just one touchdown, and Miami is unbeaten in its tropical paradise.
Notable: Dolphins QB Dan Marino has 20 wins against the Colts, his most against any opponent.
Injuries:
COLTS: Out: RB Craig Heyward (head). Questionable: RB Keith Elias (back). Probable: LB Elijah Alexander (shoulder); S Robert Blackmon (back); TE Ken Dilger (head); DE Al Fontenot (calf); WR E.G. Green (foot); DT Ellis Johnson (chest); CB Tyrone Poole (knee); RB Lamont Warren (wrist).
DOLPHINS: Out: T Richmond Webb (triceps). Doubtful: T Jeff Buckey (back). Probable: T James Brown (ribs); G Mark Dixon (neck); WR Oronde Gagsden (toe); S Calvin Jackson (ankle); WR Lamar Thomas (concussion).
St. Louis (2-6) at Chicago (3-5)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bears by 3.
Vs. spread: Rams 3-5; Bears 6-2.
Outlook: How bad are the Rams? Coach Dick Vermeil said he can't bench players who have played poorly because he'd have to sit practically the entire team. In their last three games -- all losses -- they've been outscored 79-25. And this week, they could be without three more injured defensive players. Bears QB Erik Kramer has quietly had a nice season, rallying Chicago to three wins in its last four starts and keeping it close in three of its five losses. But he is questionable with a strained rotator cuff, which could leave the offense in the untested hands of Steve Stenstrom. Which means you might see more of RBs Curtis Enis and Edgar Bennett.
Notable: Despite team's woes, Rams QB Tony Banks is on pace for a career-high 3,286 yards passing.
Injuries:
RAMS: Out: LB Lorenzo Styles (shoulder). Doubtful: DE Grant Wistrom (hamstring). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring); RB Amp Lee (hand); G Zach Wiegert (knee). Probable: DE Kevin Carter (shoulder).
BEARS: Doubtful: G Greg Huntingon (back). Questionable: QB Erik Kramer (shoulder); DE Mark Thomas (knee).
Kansas City (4-4) at Seattle (4-4)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Seahawks by 3.
Vs. spread: Chiefs 3-5; Seahawks 4-2.
Outlook: The Chiefs have dropped three in a row, appear to be in disarray, and have a quarterback controversy: struggling Elvis Grbac vs. super sub Rich Gannon (3-1 this year). And don't forget pass-rush monster Derrick Thomas has been benched. The Seahawks beat losing teams and lose to winning teams. This week, we find out what they do with break-even teams. No doubt AFC sack leader Michael Sinclair will go hard after Grbac, who has been rattled almost continuously since joining the lineup three weeks ago.
Notable: Seahawks lead NFL with six return TDs -- four interceptions, one punt return and one kickoff return.
Injuries:
CHIEFS: Out: G Dave Szott (biceps). Doubtful: DE Pellom McDaniels (ankle). Questionable: CB Dale Carter (arm); C Tim Grunhard (foot); WR-RB Tamarick Vanover (shoulder). Probable: RB Donnell Bennett (thigh); LB Donnie Edwards (hip); WR Joe Horn (hamstring); G Glenn Parker (back).
SEAHAWKS: Doubtful: C Kevin Glover (back); S Eric Stokes (hamstring). Questionable: RB Steve Broussard (thigh); S Kerry Joseph (groin); WR James McKnight (hip); LB DeShone Myles (knee); LB Anthony Simmons (knee); LB Darrin Smith (ankle); LB Ricky Watters (quad). Probable: TE Christian Fauria (concussion); G Chris Gray (concussion).
Cincinnati (2-6) at Jacksonville (6-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 10 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Bengals 3-4; Jaguars 4-3.
Outlook: Bengals RB Corey Dillon is hot, having rushed for 99 yards or more in four of his past five games. But Cincinnati is ice cold, having lost three in a row and four of five, allowing an average of 33.8 points. The Jaguars are back in the business of dominating the AFC Central. When all the parts are in place, this team is an offensive machine, complete with a dominating line, a franchise quarterback in Mark Brunell, terrific receivers and a rookie phenom in RB Fred Taylor. The pass defense is shaky, but that won't hurt today.
Notable: Jaguars reached 30 wins (30-26) faster than any other expansion team and have won 17 of their past 19 home games.
Injuries:
BENGALS: Out: DE Glen Steele (ankles). Doubtful: DE John Copeland (Achilles). Questionable: LB James Francis (knee); WR James Hundon (ribs); WR Darnay Scott (Achilles). Probable: G Mike Goff (knee); LB Steve Foley (back); T Willie Anderson (back); DT Mike Thompson (back).
JAGUARS: Out: S Chris Hudson (ankle). Doubtful: RB Tavian Banks (foot); WR Keenan McCardell (shoulder). Questionable: RB Chris Howard (ankle); DT Seth Payne (shoulder); CB Dave Thomas (ankle). Probable: LB James Hamilton (shoulder).
New Orleans (4-4) at Minnesota (7-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 14.
Vs. spread: Saints 5-3; Vikings 5-3.
Outlook: Reality is catching up to Saints coach Mike Ditka, whose most dangerous weapon may be K Doug Brien, who hasn't missed a kick all year. Or maybe P Mark Royals, whose 46.0-yard average is second in the NFC. It's enough to make Ditka renege on his promise not to curse anymore. As for the Vikings, hey, they're human. For seven weeks, they looked like the 49ers of the 1980s, with QB Randall Cunningham posing as Joe Montana. But last week, the Vikings displayed a weakness against the run that could come back to haunt them. If they lead early, as they should today, they'll be fine.
Notable: Vikings WR Cris Carter needs eight receptions to become the 10th NFL player with 700 for his career.
Injuries:
SAINTS: Out: LB Kevin Mitchell (knee); QB Heath Shuler (toe-IR). Doubtful: T William Roaf (knee). Questionable: T Kyle Turley (ankle). Probable: LB Ink Aleaga (ankle); CB Tyronne Drakeford (ankle); TE Tony Johnson (knee); RB Lamar Smith (ankle).
VIKINGS: Doubtful: DE Stalin Colinet (ankle). Questionable: QB Brad Johnson (ankle). Probable: G Isaac Davis (dehydration); CB Jimmy Hitchcock (shoulder); T Todd Steussie (knee); DT Tony Williams (groin).
Carolina (1-7) at San Francisco (6-2)
Time: 4: 05 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 12 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Panthers 2-4; 49ers 3-5.
Outlook: Maybe it was the shock of seeing former wonder-boy QB Kerry Collins with another team. Maybe it was just facing a Saints team that is headed south, quickly. Whatever the reason, Carolina is no longer winless. The problems, however, are still around, led by an ineffective run defense. And this might not be the best time to face the 49ers. The league's scariest offensive juggernaut is coming off its fifth straight loss to Green Bay, its greatest nemesis. However, QB Steve Young and his 21 TD passes might be on the sideline because of an abdominal muscle strain.
Notable: 49ers are 11-0 at home under coach Steve Mariucci.
Injuries:
PANTHERS: Doubtful: S Mike Minter (knee). Questionable: G Matt Campbell (knee); WR Rae Carruth (foot); NT Tim Morabito (knee). Probable: CB-S Juran Bolden (thigh); T Blake Brockermeyer (flu); CB-S Lenny McGill (ankle); WR Muhsin Muhammad (hip); LB Kinnon Tatum (groin); TE Wesley Walls (thumb-ankle).
49ERS: Out: T Dave Fiore (knee); CB Antonio Langham (knee); C Chris Dalman (knee). Questionable: LB James Williams (hamstring); QB Steve Young (abdomen). Probable: DE Roy Barker (knee); S Merton Hanks (Achilles); CB Marquez Pope (back).
San Diego (3-5) at Denver (8-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: Broncos by 16.
Vs. spread: Chargers 2-3; Broncos 5-3.
Outlook: So the Chargers have the NFL's No. 1 defense. Now it's time to prove it against the offense that has everything. LB Junior Seau, DT Norman Hand and S Rodney Harrison have been terrific against the run, but they haven't been tested by a team like the Broncos. RB Terrell Davis is on pace to rush for 2,300 yards and 28 TDs, both of which would be NFL records. John Elway's quarterback rating is a healthy 98.6. WRs Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey are both on 1,000-yard paces. The Broncos have won their four home games by an average of 15.8 points, and if you can average 34 points a game, so what if your defense allows almost 20?
Notable: Broncos are 26-2 at Mile High Stadium under Mike Shanahan, the best mark at home by an NFL coach since 1970.
Injuries:
CHARGERS: Out: T Vaughn Parker (leg). Doubtful: DE William Fuller (calf); DT Jamal Williams (knee). Questionable: RB Terrell Fletcher (knee). Probable: P Darren Bennett (knee).
BRONCOS: Questionable: DE Neil Smith (groin). Probable: RB Howard Griffith (hamstring).
Detroit (2-6) at Philadelphia (1-7)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Lions by 3 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Lions 2-6; Eagles 3-4.
Outlook: It took five games, but Lions rookie QB Charlie Batch finally fell on his face last week, throwing three interceptions in a first-half meltdown and getting pulled from an ugly loss to Arizona. He'll be back today and should get a breather against a brutally bad team that has given up on the season. You haven't seen a mailed-in performance unless you witnessed Philadelphia's second-half tank job last Monday night in a 34-0 home loss to Dallas. The Eagles' offense is nonexistent, regardless of which stiff used at quarterback. For the record, this week it's Bobby Hoying.
Notable: Eagles are the first team in NFL history to be blanked by 30 or more points at home twice in one season. They lost to Seattle in the season opener, 38-0.
Injuries:
LIONS: Out: G Jeff Hartings (knee). Questionable: DE Tracy Scroggins (calf).
EAGLES: Out: LB James Darling (knee); QB Rodney Peete (finger). Questionable: T Richard Cooper (knee); S Brian Dawkins (ankle). Probable: WR Jeff Graham (hamstring); G Jermaine Mayberry (rib); CB Allen Rossum (concussion).
N.Y. Giants (3-5) at Dallas (5-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 8.
Vs. spread: Giants 3-5; Cowboys 4-3.
Outlook: Inconsistency is the Giants' middle name. One week they bomb Arizona, the next they get wrecked by winless Washington. One thing they haven't shown is the ability to get the job done on the road. They've scored more than 17 points only once in four away games. Now they go on the road to face Dallas, which is again the class of the NFC East -- though that's not saying much this year. Still, the Cowboys lead Arizona by game, making this one important. The Giants' pass rush makes them dangerous, but Dallas will counter by blitzing Giants QB Danny Kanell until he sees linebackers in his sleep.
Notable: Cowboys CB Deion Sanders' 17 career return TDs (nine interception, five punt and three kick) are the most in NFL history.
Injuries:
GIANTS: Out: S Sam Garnes (foot); S Rodney Young (back). Questionable: LB Pete Monty (knee); G Jerry Reynolds (knee); DE Michael Strahan (back).
COWBOYS: Out: G Everett McIver (knee). Doubtful: T Erik Williams (foot). Questionable: C Dale Hellestrae (knee); C Clay Shiver (knee). Probable: DT Antonio Anderson (knee).
Buffalo (5-3) at N.Y.Jets (5-3)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Jets by 4.
Vs. spread: Bills 6-1; Jets 6-2.
Outlook: All the talk is about QB Doug Flutie, but let's praise the other players who have contributed to the Bills' improbable five-game winning streak, including long-ball WR Eric Moulds, a budding star; sturdy RB Antowain Smith; ball-hawking S Kurt Schulz, and DE Phil Hansen, not to mention ancient warriors DE Bruce Smith and RB Thurman Thomas. But it's difficult to beat the Jets in New Jersey. Since stumbling in their home opener against the Ravens, the Jets have won three home games by an average of 31-6, including big wins over Miami and Atlanta. For all the ink QB Vinny Testaverde has gotten, New York's defense, led by LB Mo Lewis and CB Aaron Glenn, has made the difference.
Notable: Flutie is 9-0 at the Meadowlands, including college, U.S. Football League and NFL games.
Injuries:
BILLS: Doubtful: T John Fina (abdomen). Questionable: S Kurt Schulz (leg); S Eric Smedley (hamstring). Probable: LB Sam Rogers (hamstring); QB Rob Johnson (ribs).
JETS: Questionable: RB Leon Johnson (knee).
Tennessee (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-4)
Time: 8: 20 p.m., ESPN.
Line: Bucs by 3.
Vs. spread: Oilers 4-4; Bucs 3-5.
Outlook: The Oilers have won three of their past four to vault into playoff contention. Tennessee is clearly on the way up, riding the power running of RB Eddie George and the steady play of QB Steve McNair, who has thrown for five TDs and just two interceptions during the hot streak. The running game that carried the Bucs to last year's surprisingly strong finish is returning at last, and that -- along with DT Warren Sapp, LB Hardy Nickerson and a fearsome defense -- makes them dangerous in spite of floundering QB Trent Dilfer. If this team had a passing game, it would go places.
Notable: Bucs are tied with Green Bay for fewest rushing TDs allowed (three).
Injuries:
OILERS: Out: WR Yancey Thigpen (knee); RB Rodney Thomas (hamstring). Questionable: S Blaine Bishop (ankle); CB Steve Jackson (knee); LB Lenoy Jones (ankle); WR Joey Kent (hamstring); DE James Roberson (ankle); S Marcus Robertson (knee); CB Samari Kent (hamstring); TE Frank Wycheck (shoulder).
BUCS: Out: DT Jason Maniecki (back); CB Anthony Parker (hamstring). Questionable: CB Donnie Abraham (knee); S John Lynch (neck).
Pub Date: 11/08/98