New England at Dallas
2:15 p.m., KCNC-4, Patriots by 5 1/2
Pats leading the league in points, league-office sanctions and hoodies. … NE has outscored opponents by 117 points through five games. Other than that, Pats are in full-scale rebuilding mode. … One year ago, Tony Romo was getting ready to start his first NFL game. Today, he’s made 15 starts, with 11 wins, a ton of TD passes and even more marriage proposals.
Prediction: Patriots 26, Cowboys 19
Tennessee at Tampa Bay
11 a.m., Bucs by 3
Titans underdogs in this one. Good thing. They’re 12-1 vs. the point spread in past 13 as bow-wows. … The Vince Young factor: Titans’ O-line has allowed five sacks. … Tale of two coaches: Jeff Fisher 4-0 vs. Bucs; Jon Gruden 0-3 vs. Tenn.
Prediction: Titans 19, Buccaneers 16
Carolina at Arizona
2 p.m., Cardinals by 4 1/2
Sixth meeting in seven years between these two. … Panthers QB Jake Delhomme gone for the campaign, leaving David Carr in charge. … Memo to the Performer Formerly Known as Julius Peppers: Feel free to sack somebody, dude. Panthers have totaled two in five games, none for Dr. J. … Kurt Warner gittin ‘er done: 102.3 passer rating and 8.4 yards per attempt.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Panthers 19
Houston at Jacksonville
11 a.m., Jaguars by 6 1/2
Texans 6-4 in history of franchise vs. Jax, including 5-3 over Jack Del Rio-led teams. … Texans’ ground game “led” by Ron Dayne at 2.9 yards per. … You knew this, right? Jags’ David Garrard completing almost 70 percent of throws, with no INTs.
Prediction: Jaguars 24, Texans 16
Cincinnati at Kansas City
11 a.m., KCNC-4, Bengals by 3
This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco. It’s the Godawful Chiefs offense: no first-quarter points, no rushing TDs, a double-digit deficit in every game. … In the interest of fairness, Chiefs did rack up 10 run yards last week. … Bengals, fresh off bye week, looking to bounce back from “MNF” debacle vs. Pats. But then, everyone seems to have a debacle vs. Boys of Belicheat.
Prediction: Bengals 20, Chiefs 15
Oakland at San Diego
2:15 p.m., Chargers by 9 1/2
Bolts couldn’t chew gum and walk until hitting Denver, where they beat Bronx by 112. OK, 38. So sue us. … Chargers’ Norv Turner used to coach Raiders. Not that he wanted us to mention it. … SD TE Antonio Gates on pace for 128 catches. … Raiders competitive again thanks to rediscovering running game. They’re second in the league in yardage (777), first in yards per (5.25).
Prediction: Chargers 34, Raiders 23
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta
6:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN, Giants by 3 1/2
Joey “Don’t Call Me Joe or Talented” Harrington, off back-to-back big games, held to 87 PY in last week’s L vs. Titans. … What’s this? Tom Coughlin might save his gig after all? After allowing 80 points in first two, NY D has avg.’d 15 per since. … Quirky stat du jour: G-Men haven’t lost in Hot’lanta since Carter administration (’78).
Prediction: Giants 20, Falcons 16
New Orleans at Seattle
6:15 p.m., KUSA-9, Seahawks by 6 1/2
Seahawks coming off shutout loss at Pittsburgh. Saints, meanwhile, searching for first clue, er, win. … Drew Brees: 1 TD pass, 9 INTs, no answers. … Seattle banged up, with WR Deion Branch likely to miss this one and class-act FB Mack Strong being forced to retire with neck injury. … Mike “Twin Chins” Holmgren 5-0 career vs. ‘Aints.
Prediction: Seahawks 34, Saints 13
Minnesota at Chicago
11 a.m, Bears by 5
Bears may have saved season with come-from-behind W at Green Bay. What’s that? Yeah, you’re right. With Brian Griese under center, it probably won’t matter. … Not sure if this is good news or not,but Vikes QB Tarvaris Jackson expected to return for this one.
Prediction: Bears 13, Vikings 10
Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets
11 a.m., Eagles by 3 1/2
L-O-U-S-Y Jets stinkin’ up the stadium. … Iggles favored here, two weeks after committing 15 penalties and allowing 12 sacks to Giants in the swamps of Jersey. … True, but sad: Jets had five FDs, 87 yards in second half of last week’s L vs. G-Men.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Jets 20
Miami at Cleveland
11 a.m., Browns by 4 1/2
Welcome to the Turnover Bowl. Both clubs at minus-5 in giveaways/takeaways. … With Trent Green (concussion) gone, Cleo Lemon will make second career start for Dolphins. Hey, the kid can’t do any worse. … Browns’ pass D an accident waiting to happen: 15 TDs allowed, 3 INTs.
Prediction: Browns 27, Dolphins 23
St. Louis at Baltimore
11 a.m., Ravens by 9 1/2
Baltimore’s No. 4-ranked D allowed one FD in first half last week vs. Niners. … Gus Frerotte, starting for Rams, has won six of past seven as No. 1 signal caller. Which reminds us. Signal caller. Don’t you love that cliché? … Ravens WR Derrick Mason leads the No Foul Language with 44 catches.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Rams 14
Washington at Green Bay
11 a.m., KDVR-31, Packers by 3
‘Skins coach Joe Gibbs on 38-year-young Brett Favre: “He looks 18.” He acted like it, too, in key loss to Bears last week, throwing a second- half INT that turned game around. … If you knew the ‘Skins have allowed the fewest TDs in the league (4), you need to re-connect with your kids.
Prediction: Redskins 23, Packers 20
