CINCINNATI (2-7) AT MINNESOTA (8-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 11.
Vs. spread: Bengals 3-5; Vikings 5-4.
Outlook: Has Cincinnati finally caught a break? Only Washington has given up more points than the Bengals, but they're drawing Minnesota, behind only Denver in points scored, at a time when both Vikings quarterbacks are ailing. That might give the Bengals a chance, if only they could stop the run. They can't (NFL-worst 171.8 yards allowed per game), so they'll probably lose for the fifth straight week. The Vikings had been expected to start no-name Jay Fiedler at quarterback, but Randall Cunningham might get the nod despite having surgery to remove bone chips from his knee last Monday.
Notable: Vikings RB Robert Smith leads the NFL with four TD runs of 40 yards or more.
Injuries:
BENGALS: Out: LB Steve Foley (ankle); LB James Francis (knee); DE Glen Steele (ankle); LS Greg Truitt (ankle). Questionable: DE John Copeland (Achilles'); DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee). Probable: WR Darnay Scott (Achilles').
VIKINGS: Out: QB Brad Johnson (thumb). Doubtful: DE Stalin Colinet (ankle). Probable: QB Randall Cunningham (knee); G David Dixon (shoulder).
N.Y. JETS (6-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS (1-8)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jets by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Jets 7-2; Colts 3-6.
Outlook: The Jets have begun their run for the AFC East title with a hot quarterback and perhaps the most versatile set of receivers in football. Coach Bill Parcells will put big, tough Keyshawn Johnson (seven TDs), clutch Wayne Chrebet (41 catches) and speedy Dedric Ward (20.5 yards per catch) up against any receiving corps. The Colts look like a team led by a rookie, capable of strong performances against strong opponents (see San Francisco) followed by ragged, ugly games like last week's loss to Miami. For all his improvement, QB Peyton Manning is fresh out of Tennessee, as evidenced by his 18 interceptions and 62.4 rating, and he's the guy who makes or breaks the Colts.
Notable: Jets are trying for their first sweep of the Colts since 1986.
Injuries:
JETS: Questionable: RB Leon Johnson (knee).
COLTS: Out: RB Craig Heyward (head-IR). Doubtful: LB Jeff Herrod (knee); LB Ratcliff Thomas (ankle). Questionable: RB Keith Elias (back). Probable: S Robert Blackmon (foot); CB Jeff Burris (knee); WR E.G. Green (foot); C Jay Leeuwenburg (ankle); G Tony Mandarich (back); CB Monty Montgomery (wrist); CB Tyrone Poole (thigh).
SAN FRANCISCO (7-2) AT ATLANTA (7-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 3.
Vs. spread: 49ers 3-6; Falcons 7-2.
Outlook: At first glance, these are the same old 49ers, the team that has dominated the NFC West for almost 20 years. But of concern is their unexpected vulnerability in pass defense, allowing opponents to take big early leads. The offense is usually up to the comeback, of course, especially with QB Steve Young in the lineup -- and he is expected to be back today. The Falcons are off to the best start in their history and have won 13 of 17 games. The result is that Atlanta finally cares about pro football -- a rare occurrence -- and the Georgia Dome will be sold out for the first time since Oct. 29, 1995.
Notable: 49ers have scored 30 or more points in 11 of their past 13 games vs. the Falcons.
Injuries:
49ERS: Out: CB Antonio Langham (knee). Questionable: C Chris Dalman (knee); T Dave Fiore (knee). Probable: CB Marquez Pope (back); DE Gabe Wilkins (knee); LB Lee Woodall (patella).
FALCONS: Out: WR Tim Dwight (knee). Doubtful: S Chris Bayne (hamstring); CB Ronnie Bradford (knee). Questionable: DT Shane Dronett (foot); DT Travis Hall (knee); T Jose Portilla (knee). Probable: LB Keith Brooking (quad); WR Todd Kinchen (ankle); LB Craig Sauer (back).
GREEN BAY (6-3) AT N.Y. GIANTS (3-6)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Packers by 7.
Vs. spread: Packers 4-3; Giants 3-6.
Outlook: Anyone get the number of that Bus? No. 36, Jerome Bettis, and the Steelers slammed the Packers on Monday night, handing Green Bay its third loss in three prime-time games this year. That won't matter this week against such an inferior opponent, but the Packers might want to address that problem. The Super Bowl, after all, is played at night. The Giants' season basically ended with last week's loss in Dallas. So what happens now? Well, they could go straight into the tank (see last year's Cowboys). Come to think of it, in the NFC East, how could you tell?
Notable: Packers are 22-7 in nondivision games since 1995, including 4-1 this season.
Injuries:
PACKERS: Out: RB Travis Jervey (ankle-IR); RB Dorsey Levens (ankle); WR Derrick Mayes (knee). Questionable: S Scott McGarrahan (knee). Probable: DE Vaughn Booker (back); WR Antonio Freeman (knee); DE Keith McKenzie (hamstring); WR Bill Schroeder (ankle); LB Brian Williams (knee).
GIANTS: Out: S Sam Garnes (foot); S Rodney Young (back). Doubtful: WR David Patten (back). Questionable: LB Pete Monty (knee). Probable: RB Tyrone Wheatley (flu).
MIAMI (6-3) AT CAROLINA (1-8)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Dolphins by 3.
Vs. spread: Dolphins 5-3; Panthers 3-4.
Outlook: At home the Dolphins are sharks, but on the road they turn into guppies, having lost their past three road games. In those games, they've allowed an average of 26 points, compared with 6.0 at home, where Miami is 5-0. The offense suddenly looks better with swift rookie RB John Avery replacing injured Karim Abdul-Jabbar. With the Panthers, there's a sense that they aren't as bad as they seem (with six losses by seven points or fewer) but the things they are weak at -- running the ball and defense -- are what kill teams at crunch time.
Notable: Marino needs four TD passes to reach 400 in his career.
Injuries:
DOLPHINS: Out: T Jeff Buckey (back-IR); T Richmond Webb (triceps). Probable: LB Robert Jones (triceps); S Brock Marion (hamstring); RB Bernie Parmalee (trapezius); S Brian Walker (knee).
PANTHERS: Out: CB Doug Evans (shoulder-IR); LB Tarek Saleh (neck). Questionable: T Blake Brockermeyer (knee); G-T Matt Campbell (knee); G Corbin Lacina (knee); S Mike Minter (knee); DT Tim Moribito (knee). Probable: QB Steve Beuerlein (knee); DB Juran Bolden (thigh); WR Rae Carruth (foot); DE Sean Gilbert (back); TE Wesley Walls (hand/ankle); CB Leonard Wheeler (thigh).
PITTSBURGH (6-3) AT TENNESSEE (5-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Oilers by 1 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Steelers 4-4; Oilers 5-4.
Outlook: Steelers QB Kordell Stewart had been missing all year before Monday night's big first half against Green Bay. His rating still to the south of nobodies like Danny Kanell, and the Steelers are still 28th in passing offense, so all the problems haven't been solved. The Oilers ranked last in rushing four weeks into the season. Now they're No. 7 with a bullet, thanks to RB Eddie George's five consecutive 100-yard games. Two weeks ago, they bombed the Steelers on the road. This week they're at home, and Pittsburgh is coming off a big win with a short week to prepare. Sense an Oilers sweep?
Notable: Oilers are 9-1 when QB Steve McNair runs for a TD.
Injuries:
STEELERS: Doubtful: LB Mike Vrabel (ankle). Questionable: WR David Dunn (hand); K Norm Johnson (calf); CB Carnell Lake (ankle); G Brenden Stai (knee). Probable: DT Oliver Gibson (calf); WR Courtney Hawkins (shoulder); DE Kevin Henry (ankle); S Darren Perry (shoulder); DT Joel Steed (knee); G Will Wolford (chest).
OILERS: Out: T Brad Hopkins (groin); WR Yancey Thigpen (knee). Questionable: LB Lenoy Jones (ankle); WR Joey Kent (hamstring); DE James Roberson (ankle); S Marcus Robertson (knee); LB Dennis Stallings (leg); RB Rodney Thomas
(hamstring).
SEATTLE (5-4) AT OAKLAND (6-3)
Time: 4: 05 p.m.
Line: Seahawks by 1 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Seahawks 5-2; Raiders 5-4.
Outlook: The Seahawks are thinking playoffs, but they must start beating good teams to get there. So far, they haven't found a way to do that, having beaten clubs with a combined 15-30 record. And the offense that looked so explosive early is now next-to-last in the AFC. Defense carries the Raiders, which is why it sometimes doesn't seem to matter whether Jeff George or Donald Hollas plays quarterback. But even a great defense needs help, which is why with George out again, Hollas and the rest of the offense need to score more than the 10 they managed in losing to the Ravens.
Notable: Seahawks WR/KR Joey Galloway has seven TDs vs. the Raiders, his most against any opponent.
Injuries:
SEAHAWKS: Out: S Mark Collins (shoulder). Doubtful: C Kevin Glover (back); LB Darrin Smith (hamstring). Questionable: TE Carlester Crumpler (groin); TE Christian Fauria (ankle); TE Deems May (hamstring); S Eric Stokes (hamstring).
RAIDERS: Out: S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin). Questionable: DT Russell Maryland (shoulder). Probable: WR Kenny Shedd (shoulder).
TAMPA BAY (4-5) AT JACKSONVILLE (7-2)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Bucs 3-6; Jaguars 5-3.
Outlook: Four games out with seven to play, the Bucs can forget that NFC Central title everyone was ready to hand them back in August. And the wild card isn't looking so good, either. The challenge for the Bucs this week is to stop the run, not an easy task against the Jaguars' magnificent offensive line. Stellar QB Mark Brunell is ailing and might not be available. That places the offensive burden directly on rookie RB Fred Taylor, who has been unstoppable since taking the starting job seven weeks ago. He's averaging 5.0 yards per carry, the same as future Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
Notable: Jaguars have outscored opponents 66-13 in the first half of their past two games.
Injuries:
BUCS: Out: DT Jason Maniecki (back-IR); CB Anthony Parker (hamstring). Questionable: S John Lynch (neck). Probable: CB Donnie Abraham (knee); LB Derrick Brooks (hamstring); WR Bert Emanuel (concussion); S Eric Vance (hand).
JAGUARS: Out: RB Tavian Banks (foot). Questionable: QB Mark Brunell (groin); S Chris Hudson (ankle); WR Keenan McCardell (shoulder). Probable: CB Deon Figures (knee); S Mike Logan (elbow).
NEW ENGLAND (5-4) AT BUFFALO (5-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bills by 3.
Vs. spread: Patriots 4-5; Bills 6-2.
Outlook: If you're looking for a Patriots player, try the local hospitals. Let's go through the injury litany: Terry Glenn, Vincent Brisby, Troy Brown, Shawn Jefferson, Willie McGinest, Todd Collins, Mark Wheeler. Pretty soon, QB Drew Bledsoe might be playing by himself. In Buffalo, the magic is over, at least for the moment, but QB Doug Flutie still has the Bills in contention, which is a minor miracle in itself. They'll stay in contention for another week because RB Antowain Smith should chew up the Patriots' crippled run defense. And you don't pick against Flutie to lose twice in a row, especially when he's at home.
Notable: Bledsoe is 7-1 with 12 TDs and four interceptions in his last eight games against the Bills.
Injuries:
PATRIOTS: Out: WR Troy Brown (ankle). Doubtful: LB Todd Collins (groin). Questionable: WR Vincent Brisby (finger); RB Tony Carter (knee); DT Chad Eaton (thigh); WR Terry Glenn (hamstring); DE Willie McGinest (groin); LB Chris Slade (ankle); DT Henry Thomas (ankle); DT Mark Wheeler (knee).
BILLS: Questionable: T John Fina (abdomen); S Kurt Schulz (leg). Probable: QB Rob Johnson (ribs).
ST. LOUIS (3-6) AT NEW ORLEANS (4-5)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Saints by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Rams 4-5; Saints 6-3.
Outlook: It's always news when the Rams win, and even more so when they have a realistic chance at putting together a winning streak. Which is what they have today against the sliding Saints. Still, when your leading rusher is a guy who broke his leg in Week 2 (Greg Hill, 240 yards), you've got troubles of your own. Remember when the Saints were 3-1 and their meeting with the 49ers was a big game? Nowadays any game the Saints play is a yawner. They average a meager 3.4 yards per carry, and their defense is just as shaky -- they've given up 30 or more points in five of their last six games, which neatly coincides with their recent slump.
Notable: Saints rookie Cam Cleeland is tied for NFC lead among tight ends with 28 receptions.
Injuries:
RAMS: Doubtful: G Fred Miller (knee); DE Grant Wistrom (hamstring). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring); LB Lorenzo Styles (shoulder); S Toby Wright (knee). Probable: RB Amp Lee (hand).
SAINTS: Out: LB Kevin Mitchell (knee). Doubtful: T Kyle Turley (ankle). Probable: TE Tony Johnson (knee); T Willie Roaf (knee).
DALLAS (6-3) AT ARIZONA (5-4)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: Cowboys by 3 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Cowboys 5-3; Cardinals 4-5.
Outlook: Yeah, yeah, Emmitt Smith is a terrific back, and Troy Aikman's pretty good, too. Now let's talk about the real strength of the Cowboys, a defense that's staking a claim to the title of NFL's best. No team has given up fewer points, and only Miami has allowed fewer touchdowns. Sounds like an NFC East champion to us. The Cardinals, over .500 for only the second time since their move to the desert in 1988, face their biggest game in that span. And they have much more momentum in their favor than last year, when they upset the Cowboys and their fans tore down the goal posts.
Notable: Cowboys have scored at least 31 points in each of their three division road games.
Injuries:
COWBOYS: Out: CB Kevin Mathis (arm); G Everett McIver (knee). Doubtful: C Clay Shiver (toe). Questionable: RB Nicky Sualua (neck); T Erik Williams (foot). Probable: QB Troy Aikman (finger); WR Billy Davis (wrist); C Dale Hellestrae (knee); DE Kavika Pittman (knee).
CARDINALS: Out: T Anthony Clement (back); DT Eric Swann (knee). Questionable: G Lester Holmes (ankle). Probable: CB J.B. Brown (hamstring); CB Tom Knight (hamstring); WR Eric Metcalf (leg).
CHICAGO (3-6) AT DETROIT (2-7)
Time: 8: 20 p.m., ESPN.
Line: Lions by 6.
Vs. spread: Bears 6-3; Lions 2-7.
Outlook: On the verge of emerging as a decent team, the Bears took a huge step backward when QB Erik Kramer injured his shoulder. His presence today, which is questionable, would make a huge difference. Certainly, Steve Stenstrom isn't the answer. Now the Bears also must deal with the loss of rookie RB Curtis Enis, whose absence will make another significant dent in their offense. Lions RB Barry Sanders is great, maybe the greatest ever. But he still can't be an entire team, which is sometimes what the Lions expect from him. That's why they end up disappointed when Sanders runs for 140 yards, as he did last Sunday, and they lose again.
Notable: Bears held Sanders to 28 yards rushing in their Week 5 win.
Injuries:
BEARS: Out: RB Curtis Enis (knee-IR). Questionable: QB Erik Kramer (shoulder); TE Ryan Wetnight (calf). Probable: RB Ty Hallock (shoulder).
LIONS: Doubtful: DE Tracy Scroggins (calf). Questionable: G Jeff Hartings (knee). Probable: WR Herman Moore (quad); WR Johnnie Morton (quad); DE Robert Porcher (neck); RB Barry Sanders (rib); T Larry Tharpe (shoulder).
Pub Date: 11/15/98