BUFFALO (7-5) AT CINCINNATI (2-10)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Bills by 5.
Vs. spread: Bills 7-3; Bengals 3-8.
Outlook: By the time the game rolls around, the Bills will have had a week to accept those two awful calls by the officials that led to their loss to New England. Having the opportunity to beat up on a team like Cincinnati should take some of the sting away. The Bengals got last week off to a rousing start, as DB Tremaine Mack was sentenced to 365 days in jail for driving under the influence of alcohol and is gone for the season. QB Neil O'Donnell has been inserted back into the starting lineup, replacing a two-game experiment with Paul Justin. Justin is back to No. 3, behind Jeff Blake. The Bengals, however, are in no shape to contend with the angry Bills.
Notable: Bengals have been held to 17 points or fewer in eight of their 12 games.
Injuries:
BILLS: Doubtful: S Manny Martin (neck). Questionable: LB Joe Cummings (ankle); LB John Holecek (knee); F Joe Panos (abdomen).
BENGALS: Out: G Rich Braham (knee). Questionable: LB Steve Foley (ankle). Probable: DE John Copeland (shoulder); QB Neil O'Donnell (jaw); DE Glen Steele (ankle); DT Mike Thompson (back).
DALLAS (8-4) AT NEW ORLEANS (5-7)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 45.
Line: Cowboys by 6 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Cowboys 7-4; Saints 8-4.
Outlook: Dallas goes into this game without its starting cornerbacks. Kevin Smith is out for 2-3 weeks with a back injury and Deion Sanders has a fractured big toe. Things are so bad for the Cowboys' secondary that they went out and re-signed cornerback Larry Brown. The Cowboys, 23rd in the league in pass defense, have given up 984 yards and nine touchdowns passing in the last three games, so they can use any help they can get. The Saints, still clinging to fading playoff hopes, won't be able to beat Dallas. Coach Mike Ditka is talking about playing rookies, a sure sign that he's waving the white flag.
Notable: The Cowboys are 22-8 in the week after Thanksgiving.
Injuries:
COWBOYS: Out: WR Ernie Mills (abdomen-IR); CB Kevin Smith (back). Questionable: WR Jeff Ogden (shoulder); CB Deion Sanders (toe); RB Chris Warren (groin). Probable: TE Eric Bjornson (ankle); CB Kevin Mathis (arm); T Erik Williams (knee); S Darren Woodson (elbow).
SAINTS: Doubtful: TE Scott Slutzker (knee). Questionable: LB Kevin Mitchell (knee). Probable: S Chris Hewitt (knee); TE Tony Johnson (groin); DT Wayne Martin (knee); WR Keith Poole (shoulder).
NEW ENGLAND (7-5) AT PITTSBURGH (7-5)
Time: 1: 01 p.m., Ch. 13.
Line: Steelers by 5 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Patriots 5-5; Steelers 5-6.
Outlook: QB Drew Bledsoe has been resting his broken right index finger. He needs to. The Patriots have relied upon late touchdown passes by Bledsoe to pull out wins in their last two games, as New England's rushing attack has averaged just 85 yards in that span. Things don't get any easier against Pittsburgh, which is No. 9 in the NFL against the run. Last year in the playoffs, the Patriots shut down RB Jerome Bettis and dared QB Kordell Stewart to beat them. Pittsburgh won, 7-6. Look for the Patriots to deploy the same strategy. This time, it might work.
Notable: Bledsoe has made 56 consecutive starts, longest current streak among AFC quarterbacks.
Injuries:
PATRIOTS: Questionable: WR Troy Brown (ankle); LB Todd Collins (groin); G Heath Irwin (ankle); DE Willie McGinest (groin); DT Mark Wheeler (knee). Probable: QB Drew Bledsoe (finger); T Zefross Moss (knee); DT Henry Thomas (ankle).
STEELERS: Doubtful: RB Tim Lester (ankle). Questionable: RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (hamstring); WR Courtney Hawkins (knee); CB Deshea Townsend (hamstring). Probable: WR Will Blackwell (shoulder); K Norm Johnson (calf); LB Donta Jones (hip); CB Carnell Lake (ankle); P Josh Miller (groin); T Jamain Stephens (knee); LB Mike Vrabel (ankle).
DETROIT (5-7) AT JACKSONVILLE (9-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 7.
Vs. spread: Lions 5-7; Jaguars 6-5.
Outlook: Jaguars left tackle Tony Boselli had trouble walking early last week, so there's a good chance he won't be punishing any Lions defenders today. The bad news for Detroit is that Ben Coleman is a capable replacement. The Lions are coming off 10 days' rest, after having beaten Pittsburgh with the help of that botched overtime coin toss on Thanksgiving Day. But they'll be hurting in the secondary, because FS Mark Carrier is doubtful with a strained left foot. The Lions still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, but the Jaguars -- winners of 19 of their last 21 home games -- will put a damper on their hopes.
Notable: Lions RB Barry Sanders needs one rushing touchdown to become the sixth player with 100.
Injuries:
LIONS: Doubtful: S Mark Carrier (foot). Questionable: DE Tracy Scroggins (calf); DT Marc Spindler (leg). Probable: DT Luther Elliss (head); QB Frank Reich (flu).
JAGUARS: Out: RB Tavian Banks (foot); LB Brant Boyer (neck-IR); G Jeff Novak (back-IR). Doubtful: T Tony Boselli (ankle-foot). Probable: S Donovin Darius (eye); RB Fred Taylor (shoulder).
INDIANAPOLIS (2-10) AT ATLANTA (9-3)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 12 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Colts 4-8; Falcons 9-3.
Outlook: The Falcons average 27.1 points when QB Chris Chandler plays. Last week was the first time the Falcons have won without Chandler in the last two years. RB Jamal Anderson has been crucial, also. Indianapolis RB Marshall Faulk needs to average 54 yards receiving in his last four games to reach 1,000 yards receiving to go along with 1,000 yards rushing. He accounts for 45.8 percent of the Colts' net yards and leads the league in yards from scrimmage (1,823).The Falcons have already clinched a playoff berth, but don't expect them to take it easy on the Colts.
Notable: Colts' 10-0 record vs. Falcons is the best unbeaten record in any NFL series.
Injuries:
COLTS: Out: WR Marvin Harrison (shoulder-IR); G Tony Mandarich (back-IR); DE Bernard Whittington (groin). Questionable: CB Jeff Burris (knee); DT Tony McCoy (eye). Probable: LB Michael Barber (hamstring); RB Scott Greene (hamstring); DT Ellis Johnson (knee); C Jay Leeuwenburg (neck).
FALCONS: Doubtful: CB Randy Fuller (shoulder). Probable: QB Chris Chandler (ankle); RB Bob Christian (shoulder); C Robbie Tobeck (neck); T Bob Whitfield (abdomen).
SAN FRANCISCO (9-3) AT CAROLINA (2-10)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 9 1/2 .
Vs. spread: 49ers 4-8; Panthers 4-6.
Outlook: The loss of DT Bryant Young, who broke his tibia and fibula Monday night, leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the 49ers' defense. But San Francisco is good at making adjustments and focusing on the task at hand. The 49ers are a game back in the NFC West and can't afford to falter now. Panthers RB Fred Lane has been suspended for making an obscene gesture to fans last week. He'll be replaced by Tshimanga Biakabutuka, the 1996 first-round pick.
Notable: 49ers have had 16 consecutive winning seasons.
Injuries:
49ERS: Out: CB Marquez Pope (ankle); DT Bryant Young (leg-IR). Doubtful: DE Brentson Buckner (ankle); DE Chris Doleman (pectoral). Questionable: CB Antonio Langham (knee); LB Lee Woodall (rib); WR Jerry Rice (knee). Probable: S Tim McDonald (knee-ankle); CB R.W McQuarters (shoulder); K Wade Richey (heal); S Lance Schulter (quadriceps).
PANTHERS: Out: WR Rae Carruth (foot-IR); Corbin Lacina (knee); CB Ryan Sutter (shoulder). Questionable: WR Michael Bates (hamstring); G NT Tim Morabito (knee); LB Tarek Saleh (neck); C Bryan Stoltenberg (knee). Probable: QB Steve Beuerlein (shoulder); S Juran Bolden (ankle); T Blake Brockermeyer (shoulder); LB Kevin Greene (concussion); LB Greg Lloyd (ankle); CB Steve Lofton (shoulder); S Mike Minter (knee); CB Tony Veland (leg); TE Wesley Walls (ankle).
SEATTLE (6-6) AT N.Y. JETS (8-4)
Time: 1: 01 p.m.
Line: Jets by 7.
Vs. spread: Seahawks 5-5; Jets 9-3.
Outlook: QB Jon Kitna, who last week started in place of an ineffective Warren Moon, guided Seattle to a come-from-behind 20-18 win, but don't look for heroics against the Jets. Before last week, Kitna had started just two games in two years in Seattle. His head will be spinning by the time he's done trying to figure out all the combinations Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick will send his way. The Jets have hit their stride with a multiple offense that features a rejuvenated Curtis Martin at running back and two big weapons in wide receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet, though Johnson has a sore hamstring that could limit him in this game.
Notable: Jets are second in AFC with 315 points and on pace for a team-record 420.
Injuries:
SEAHAWKS: Out: S Mark Collins (shoulder). Doubtful: DT Dan Saleaumua (hamstring); LB Dean Wells (knee). Questionable: LB Darrin Smith (hamstring). Probable: TE Carlester Crumpler (pelvis); TE Christian Fauria (neck); LB DeShone Myles (knee); CB Willie Williams (ankle).
JETS: Questionable: WR Keyshawn Johnson (hamstring).
N.Y. GIANTS (4-8) AT ARIZONA (6-6)
Time: 4: 05 p.m., Ch. 5.
Line: Cardinals by 4 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Giants 4-8; Cardinals 5-7.
Outlook: The Giants spent the week in the desert. Presumably, they haven't been wandering around trying to find their offense, which they left in San Francisco. New York failed on three scoring opportunities inside the 49ers' 25-yard line on Monday night in another typical ugly loss. The Cardinals are a reminder of just how far the Giants have fallen. New York smashed Arizona, 34-7, earlier this year and has gone 1-4 since. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are talking about making a playoff run behind their rejuvenated offense. They have a one-game lead on Detroit, Tampa Bay and New Orleans for the final NFC wild-card spot.
Notable: Cardinals have scored 90 points in their last 10 quarters.
Injuries:
GIANTS: Doubtful: G Lonnie Palelei (flu-IR). Probable: G Greg Bishop (ankle); S Curtis Buckley (ankle); WR Ike Hilliard (teeth).
CARDINALS: Out: G Matt Joyce (hand); CB Tom Knight (hamstring); K Joe Nedney (knee-IR); DT Eric Swann (knee). Doubtful: LB Ronald McKinnon (knee). Probable: S Tommy Bennett (hip); CB J.B. Brown (calf); LB Mark Maddox (knee); LB Tony McCombs (toe).
KANSAS CITY (5-7) AT DENVER (12-0)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 13 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Chiefs 4-8; Broncos 9-3.
Outlook: This has always been a bitter rivalry. In the last four meetings, Chiefs players have been fined, dismissed or suspended. Don't expect things to have cooled down much in this game. Add to that Denver's run for an undefeated season and you've got a volatile mixture. The Chiefs didn't have any answers last time and won't have any this time.
L Notable: Broncos are 28-2 at home under coach Mike Shanahan.
Injuries:
CHIEFS: Out: DE John Browning (ankle-back-IR); G Dave Szott (biceps-IR). Doubtful: WR Kevin Lockett (ankle); RB Tony Richardson (knee). Questionable: T Jeff Criswell (foot); T Marcus Spears (hand). Probable: CB Dale Carter (forearm); QB Rich Gannon (knee); DE Pellom McDaniels (ankle); DE Chester McGlockton (biceps).
BRONCOS: Questionable: S Eric Brown (groin). Probable: WR Justin Armour (hamstring); S Steve Atwater (shoulder); QB Bubby Brister (thigh); LB Keith Burns (thigh); G David Diaz-Infante (knee); QB John Elway (ribs); CB Darrien Gordon (back-arm); WR Willie Green (hamstring); RB Howard Griffith (knee); DT Harald Hasselbach (ankle); T Tony Jones (foot); RB Derek Loville (shoulder); WR Ed McCaffrey (hamstring-finger); WR Marcus Nash (toe); G Dan Neil (knee); CB Tito Paul (thigh); LB Bill Romanowski (shoulder); P Tom Rouen (shoulder); G Mark Schlereth (knee); TE Shannon Sharpe (laryngitis); DE Neil Smith (thigh);T Harry Swayne (thigh); DE Alfred Williams (elbow).
MAIMI (8-4) AT OAKLAND (7-5)
Time: 4: 15 p.m.
Line: Dolphins by 2 1/2 .
Vs. spread: Dolphins 7-3; Raiders 6-6.
Outlook: The Raiders started 7-3 but now they've hit the skids. This looks like 1995, when they got out to an 8-2 start and didn't win another game. The signs of trouble are there. During halftime of their loss to the Redskins last week, some Raiders players were tearing into each other. QB Jeff George, who has been nagged by a torn groin muscle much of the year, was moving stiffly in the game last week and was yanked. He didn't complain. George called it quits for the season Wednesday. The Dolphins will be without G Kevin Donnalley (knee surgery), but it won't hurt today.
Notable: Raiders are 7-1 vs. Miami in regular-season games in Oakland.
Injuries:
DOLPHINS: Out: G Kevin Donnalley (knee); T Richmond Webb (triceps). Doubtful: TE Troy Drayton (hand). Questionable: WR Oronde Gadsden (toe). Probable: DE Trace Armstrong (hip); G John Bock (wrist); T James Brown (neck); S Calvin Jackson (ankle); RB Bernie Parmalee (shoulder).
RAIDERS: Out: S Eric Turner (foot). Doubtful: QB Jeff George (groin). Questionable: WR Desmond Howard (neck); S Anthony Newman (ankle-toe). Probable: DT Grady Jackson (shoulder); WR James Jett (knee); DE Pat Swilling (knee).
CHICAGO (3-9) AT MINNESOTA (11-1)
Time: 8: 20 p.m., ESPN.
Line: Vikings by 16.
Vs. spread: Bears 7-5; Vikings 8-4.
Outlook: As if things couldn't get any worse for the Bears, QB Erik Kramer, who had been bothered by shoulder problems all year, had surgery on his rotator cuff on Wednesday and is out for the season. Rookie Moses Moreno will take over. Moreno started last week against Tampa Bay and was 18-for-41 for 153 yards and one touchdown. But the Bears had only 69 yards rushing. The Vikings aren't going to cry for Chicago. They have their own woes. RB Robert Smith is out 2-3 weeks with a sprained knee. The bad news for Chicago is that his backup, Leroy Hoard, is third on the team in touchdowns with eight.
Notable: Vikings WR Randy Moss leads the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions.
Injuries:
BEARS: Out: QB Erik Kramer (shoulder-IR). Questionable: LB Rico McDonald (concussion); QB Moses Moreno (ankle). Probable: RB Robert Chancey (knee); LB Barry Minter (knee); WR Chris Penn (back); G Chris Villarrial (calf).
VIKINGS: Out: QB Brad Johnson (thumb); WR Jake Reed (back); RB Robert Smith (knee). Doubtful: TE Hunter Goodwin (back).
Pub Date: 12/06/98