CHICAGO (3-7) AT ATLANTA (8-2)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 11.
Vs. spread: Bears 6-4; Falcons 8-2.
Outlook: With Erik Kramer at quarterback, the Bears are a legitimate team. OK, so Kramer isn't about to lead them to the Super Bowl, or even the playoffs. But if he can play -- he's questionable with shoulder trouble -- Chicago can challenge good teams. With Steve Stenstrom in his place, the Bears might as well be a bye. And if they have to use rookie Moses Moreno, well. If the Falcons look lost, it's because they've never been here before, 8-2 and looking back at the 49ers in the NFC West. Alone in first and coming off a huge victory, the Falcons can focus on bigger things, like home-field advantage in the playoffs, which makes this a dangerous week for Atlanta.
Notable: Falcons are on pace for a club-record 454 points scored.
Injuries:
BEARS: Questionable: T Andy Heck (back); QB Erik Kramer (shoulder); TE Ryan Wetnight (calf). Probable: QB Steve Stenstrom (shoulder).
FALCONS: Out: WR Tim Dwight (knee). Questionable: RB Jamal Anderson (ankle); S Chris Bayne (hamstring); CB Ronnie Bradford (knee); LB Craig Sauer (back). Probable: CB Ray Buchanan (leg); DT Shane Dronett (foot); DT Travis Hall (knee); WR Todd Kinchen (ankle).
INDIANAPOLIS (2-8) AT BUFFALO (6-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bills by 7.
Vs. spread: Colts 4-6; Bills 6-2.
Outlook: Colts rookie QB Peyton Manning showed poise in clutch situations last week and the arm we all knew he had in leading his first fourth-quarter comeback in a victory against the Jets. Expecting an encore might be a bit much. Beating the Jets in Indianapolis was one thing, beating the Bills in Buffalo is another. It's cold, windy and uncomfortable these days in Buffalo, which is the way the Bills love it. The Bills tend to play a lot of low-scoring games late in the season, and Doug Flutie or no Doug Flutie, they are built on the power running of bruising RB Antowain Smith. So you can expect Buffalo to ram the ball down the Colts' throats.
Notable: Six of the Colts' last seven games have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Injuries:
COLTS: Out: LB Michael Barber (hamstring); RB Scott Greene (hamstring); G Tony Mandarich (back); DT Tony McCoy (eye). Probable: S Robert Blackmon (shoulder); LB Jeff Herrod (knee); DT Ellis Johnson (thigh); T Adam Meadows (knee); LB Ratcliff Thomas (ankle).
BILLS: Out: LB John Holecek (knee). Probable: T John Fina (abdomen).
SEATTLE (5-5) AT DALLAS (7-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Dallas by 5.
Vs. spread: Seahawks 5-3; Cowboys 6-3.
Outlook: The Seahawks have enough talent to pound the Philadelphias and Washingtons of the league. Against a good team on the road, the playoff dreams -- and coach Dennis Erickson's job security -- get smashed. The Cowboys have all but wrapped up the NFC East title -- they're two games ahead of Arizona and they have the head-to-head tiebreaker. But there is still work to do, a fact made clear by their weak defensive performance in CB Deion Sanders' absence last week.
Notable: Cowboys have played in front of 138 consecutive sellout crowds, home and away.
Injuries:
SEAHAWKS: Out: S Mark Collins (shoulder). Doubtful: RB Reggie Brown (concussion); C Kevin Glover (back); LB DeShone Myles (knee). Questionable: TE Carlester Crumpler (pelvis); C Chris Gray (foot); TE Deems May (back); DT Dan Saleaumua (knee); LB Darrin Smith (hamstring); S Eric Stokes (hamstring); CB Willie Williams (hamstring). Probable: WR Brian Blades (hip); RB Steve Broussard (quadriceps).
COWBOYS: Out: CB Kevin Mathis (arm). Questionable: G Everett McIver (knee); CB Deion Sanders (toe); C Clay Shiver (toe); T Erik Williams (knee). Probable: TE David LaFleur (chest); DE Kavika Pittman (ankle); CB Kevin Smith (shoulder); CB Charlie Williams (neck).
N.Y. JETS (6-4) AT TENNESSEE (6-4)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Oilers by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Jets 7-3; Oilers 6-4.
Outlook: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde keeps on firing, running back Curtis Martin keeps on pounding, and, last week's stumble aside, the Jets keep on winning, four in a row before the loss to Indianapolis. And keep your eye on this juicy stat: The Jets are 6-0 when they hold their opponent under 20 points and 0-4 when they allow more than 20. The Oilers, now armed with a tie-breaker over Pittsburgh, are ready to make a serious run at the playoffs. They may have problems containing Testaverde and the Jets' passing game, however, especially with outstanding safety Blaine Bishop sidelined. The other thing standing in the Oilers' way is the schedule, which includes dates with Jacksonville, Green Bay and Minnesota. Maybe next year, guys.
Notable: Oilers lead AFC in time of possession at 31: 47.
Injuries:
JETS: Questionable: RB Leon Johnson (knee-flu).
OILERS: Out: S Blaine Bishop (knee). Questionable: DE Josh Evans (knee); T Brad Hopkins (groin); LB Dennis Stallings (leg); WR Yancy Thigpen (knee); RB Rodney Thomas (hamstring).
DETROIT (3-7) AT TAMPA BAY (4-6)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bucs by 6.
Vs. spread: Lions 3-7; Bucs 4-6.
Outlook: What's with the Lions? You know they have talent: RB Barry Sanders and WR Herman Moore on offense and DE Robert Porcher leading a defense that has rung up 32 sacks. Hey, QB Charlie Batch isn't that bad. This team should be far better than 3-7, and the Lions historically get hot this time of year. What's with the Bucs? You know they have talent: DT Warren Sapp and the NFC's No. 2 defense and RBs Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn on offense. Hey, QB Trent Dilfer isn't that bad (OK, so maybe he is). But this team, once considered a Super Bowl threat, saw its playoff hopes take a severe hit last week. Those might end today.
Notable: Lions have 10 interceptions in seven games vs. Dilfer.
Injuries:
LIONS: Doubtful: LB Stephen Boyd (shoulder). Questionable: LB George Jamison (quadriceps); WR Herman Moore (groin); DE Tracy Scroggins (calf).
BUCS: Out: LB Hardy Nickerson (inflammation around heart). Questionable: WR Reidel Anthony (toe); RB Warrick Dunn (ankle); CB Anthony Parker (hamstring). Probable: CB Brian Kelly (knee); T Jason Odom (leg); DT Warren Sapp (knee).
JACKSONVILLE (8-2) AT PITTSBURGH (6-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 13.
Line: Steelers by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Jaguars 5-4; Steelers 4-5.
Outlook: The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year might be Jaguars RB Fred Taylor. All he has done is average 5.2 yards per carry and score 11 TDs, and he's good for a 50-plus-yard play almost every game. And he didn't even start the first three games. The Steelers, reeling from two losses to Tennessee in the past three weeks, are no longer fighting for the AFC Central title; they're fighting just to reach the playoffs. That makes this a huge game for Pittsburgh, which has finally begun to show signs of offensive life. Now if they can just stop the Jaguars. Nah.
Notable: Jaguars QB Mark Brunell is 17-6 vs. the AFC Central.
Injuries:
JAGUARS: Out: RB Tavian Banks (foot); DT Seth Payne (shoulder-IR). Questionable: WR Jimmy Smith (back). Probable: QB Mark Brunell (groin); CB Deon Figures (knee); S Chris Hudson (ankle); DT John Jurkovic (elbow); WR Keenan McCardell (shoulder).
STEELERS: Out: WR Jahine Arnold (finger); RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (hamstring). Questionable: WR David Dunn (hand); WR Courtney Hawkins (knee); WR Charles Johnson (hip); CB Carnell Lake (ankle); LB Mike Vrabel (ankle). Probable: DT Oliver Gibson (calf); K Norm Johnson (calf); LB Donta Jones (hip); P Josh Miller (groin); G Brenden Stai (knee); DT Joel Steed (knee).
CAROLINA (1-9) AT ST. LOUIS (3-7)
Time: 4: 05 p.m.
Line: Rams by 1 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Panthers 3-5; Rams 4-6.
Outlook: Having offensive problems? Play the Panthers! It's a sure cure for your scoring woes. Why, Washington is the only NFC team that has allowed more points than the Panthers' 254, and Cincinnati is the only NFL team that has allowed more yards per game than the Panthers' 368.2. If it wasn't for LB Kevin Greene, they might have no defense at all. The Rams, though, have all kinds of offensive trouble, averaging 9.6 points over the last five games. QB Tony Banks keeps sinking lower in the passer ratings, and the running game is just as bad.
Notable: Panthers have lost seven of their last eight home games, dating to 1997.
Injuries:
PANTHERS: Out: G Corbin Lacina (knee); LB Tarek Saleh (neck). Questionable: WR Michael Bates (hamstring); WR Rae Carruth (foot); S Mike Minter (knee); DT Tim Morabito (knee). Probable: DE Sean Gilbert (back); TE Wesley Walls (hand).
RAMS: Out: S Gerald McBurrows (knee-IR); G-T Tom Nutten (neck-IR). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (hamstring); C-G Mike Gruttadauria (back); LB Lorenzo Styles (shoulder); DT Grant Wistrom (hamstring); S Toby Wright (knee). Probable: G-T Fred Miller (knee).
OAKLAND (7-3) AT DENVER (10-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m., Ch. 9.
Line: Broncos by 11.
Vs. spread: Raiders 6-4; Broncos 7-3.
Outlook: All those Jeff George critics in the audience, stand up and take a bow. Since the talented but volatile quarterback has been sidelined with various injuries, the Raiders are 6-1. But the defense that has carried the Raiders took a blow when CB Eric Allen was lost for the season with a knee injury. Broncos QB John Elway says he's ready to play again, giving him a shot at the 30 yards he needs to reach 50,000 for his career.
Notable: Broncos have outscored foes by 101 in the first quarter.
Injuries:
RAIDERS: Out: CB Eric Allen (knee); S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin). Questionable: RB Napoleon Kaufman (ankle); DT Russell Maryland (shoulder); S Anthony Newman (ankle-toe). Probable: S Calvin Branch (neck); DT Grady Jackson (shoulder); S James Trapp (knee).
BRONCOS: Questionable: QB John Elway (ribs); RB Howard Griffith (knee); WR Ed McCaffrey (hamstring-finger). Probable: WR Justin Armour (hamstring); S Steve Atwater (thigh); QB Bubby Brister (neck); S Eric Brown (groin); LB Keith Burns (Achilles'); RB Terrell Davis (head); G David Diaz-Infante (knee); CB Darrien Gordon (finger); CB Darrius Johnson (head); T Tony Jones (leg); RB Derek Loville (shoulder); LB Bill Romanowski (elbow); P Tom Rouen (shoulder); G Mark Schlereth (knee); DE Neil Smith (groin); WR Rod Smith (knee); T Harry Swayne (hip); DT Keith Traylor (ankle); DE Alfred Williams (elbow).
GREENBAY (7-3) AT MINNESOTA (9-1)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: Vikings by 3.
Vs. spread: Packers 5-3; Vikings 6-4.
Outlook: Because QB Brett Favre has had uncharacteristic lapses -- notably the last time these teams met -- the Packers are looking up at the Vikings. Green Bay needs to win today, not only to jump back into the division race but to prove they are still capable of ruling the NFC Central. Just when he seemed to have hit the rookie wall, Vikings WR Randy Moss has reappeared. The Vikings will need him, because they can't expect Green Bay's offense to disappear as it did for much of Minnesota's victory at Lambeau Field. It will help if RB Robert Smith, who has three TDs of 50 yards or more this year, can bust another long run.
Notable: Vikings can clinch playoff berth with a win today and losses by Arizona or New Orleans.
Injuries:
PACKERS: Out: RB Raymont Harris (shin); RB Dorsey Levens (ankle); WR Derrick Mayes (knee). Questionable: S Scott McGarrahan (knee). Probable: WR Robert Brooks (knee); DE Keith McKenzie (hamstring); T Matt Willig (knee).
VIKINGS: Out: QB Brad Johnson (thumb). Questionable: CB Anthony Phillips (hamstring). Probable: S Duane Butler (ankle); DE Stalin Colinet (ankle).
PHILADELPHIA (2-8) AT N.Y. GIANTS (3-7)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Giants by 5 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Eagles 4-5; Giants 3-7.
Outlook: Call this one the Tank Bowl. At this point, both teams are only in it for the paychecks. The Eagles have packed it in so thoroughly that they were trounced by Washington last week. Their offense is so weak that it made the defenseless Redskins (last in the NFC against the run) look like the Steel Curtain. It isn't much better in New York for last year's NFC East champions. VTC The Giants' season ended when they were beaten by the Cowboys two weeks ago, and they know it. With games against Denver and San Francisco left, this season could get real ugly. There is enough talent there, though, to beat the hopeless Eagles. We think.
Notable: Eagles DE Hugh Douglas has 11 sacks in his last six games.
Injuries:
EAGLES: Out: LB James Darling (knee); QB Rodney Peete (finger). Questionable: CB Clarence Love (hamstring-shoulder); DT Hollis Thomas (ankle). Probable: CB Al Harris (neck); QB Bobby Hoying (shoulder); CB Troy Vincent (neck).
GIANTS: Questionable: WR David Patten (back). Probable: LB Jessie Armstead (ankle); S Sam Garnes (foot); LB Pete Monty (knee); LB Corey Widmer (concussion).
KANSAS CITY (4-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO (4-6)
Time 4:15 p.m.
Line: Chiefs by 3.
Vs. spread: Chiefs 3-7; Chargers 3-4.
Outlook: Any resemblance between the Chiefs of the past five weeks and an actual football team isn't just a coincidence; it's nonexistent. Not only don't they have a quarterback or a running game or a run defense, now they've completely disintegrated into a morass of penalties and cheap shots and dumb quotes. Normally, we'd have trouble picking the Chargers the week after star RB Natrone Means breaks his foot. But the Chargers have defense. They give up only 2.49 yards per carry, the lowest average since 1951.
Notable: Chiefs' five-game skid is their longest in 10 years.
Injuries:
CHIEFS: Out: G Dave Szott (biceps). Questionable: RB Kimble Anders (hamstring); DE John Browning (ankle); CB Dale Carter (forearm); DE Pellom McDaniels (ankle). Probable: DT Tom Barndt (shoulder); T Jeff Criswell (shoulder); C Tim Grunhard (foot); CB James Hasty (thigh); DE Leslie O'Neal (toe-ankle); G Glenn Parker (back); WR Tamarick Vanover (shoulder).
CHARGERS: Out: LB Lew Bush (knee); RB Natrone Means (foot); T Vaughn Parker (leg). Questionable: DE William Fuller (calf); WR Webster Slaughter (finger); WR Bryan Still (hamstring); G Aaron Taylor (knee). Probable: RB Tremayne Stephens (leg); DT Jamal Williams (knee).
NEW ORLEANS (5-5) AT SAN FRANCISCO (7-3)
Time: 8: 20 p.m., ESPN.
Line: 49ers by 12 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Saints 7-3; 49ers 3-7.
Outlook: Call him a quitter, call him gutless, call him whatever you want. But call Kerry Collins 1-0 as the Saints' starting QB. The former Panther apparently has his heart back in the game, and that's good news for coach Mike Ditka, because Collins is by far the most gifted of the Saints' underwhelming collection of passers. This team needs every ounce of talent it can muster. But this is not the week to face the 49ers. Dropped from their accustomed status of NFC West front-runner after scoring only 19 points against Atlanta, the 49ers will be out for retribution against a weak pass defense. They may score 50 just to prove that they can.
Notable: Saints lead the NFC with 16 interceptions.
Injuries:
SAINTS: Out: TE Scott Slutzker (knee). Questionable: LB Kevin Mitchell (knee). Probable: WR Brett Bech (shoulder); WR Sean Dawkins (elbow); T William Roaf (knee).
49ERS: Out: DE Brentson Buckner (ankle); CB Antonio Langham (knee). Questionable: CB Marquez Pope (back). Probable: T Dave Fiore (knee); WR Jerry Rice (knee); T Kirk Scrafford (neck); DE Gabe Wilkins (knee).
Pub Date: 11/22/98