New England at Indianapolis
2:15 p.m., KCNC-4, Patriots by 5 1/2
Colts have a Super Bowl trophy and 11 straight W’s, but are 5-point dogs in this one. Stuff happens when the other team is averaging 41 ppg. … Both clubs unbeaten, but then you knew that. But did you know each is plus-11 in turnovers? … What’s this? Peyton Manning the Other QB? Tom Brady on pace for 60 TD passes, 4 INTs.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Colts 22
San Diego at Minnesota
11 a.m., Chargers by 7
Chargers not in sink anymore, having reeled off back-to-back-to-back double-digits W’s. … Future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson third in AFC with 617 yards, Vikings’ Adrian Peterson leads league with 740. … Fantasy leaguers, take note: Bolts will use WR Chris Chambers more in this one. He had two catches, one for a TD, in SD debut last week. … How shaky is Vikings’ passing game? Their leading receiver has, count ’em, 23 catches.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Vikings 20
Jacksonville at New Orleans
11 a.m., Saints by 3
Who is Quinn Gray and how did he beat the Bucs last week? Jags will have to get by with him until injured QB David Garrard returns. … What’s this? A pulse in the Saints’ locker room? They’ve won three straight after nightmarish start, scoring 81 points during win streak. … N’Awlins minus-9 in turnovers, Jax plus-4.
Prediction: Saints 20, Jaguars 13
Carolina at Tennessee
11 a.m., Titans by 4
First clash between two in Nashv’l. … Vince Young: 3 TD passes, 6 INTs, but Titans keep winning. … Tin Men have won six of past seven vs. NFC South. … David Carr expected to start at QB for Panthers, allowing 40-something Vinny Testaverde to take a nap on the bench.
Prediction: Panthers 19, Titans 17
Seattle at Cleveland
2 p.m., KDVR-31, Browns by 1 1/2
Break up the Brownies! They’re averaging 36.5 ppg in four W’s. … Cleveland QB Derek Anderson second in the league with 17 TD passes. Braylon Edwards, meanwhile, has nine TD catches. … Seattle TB Shaun Alexander, battling injuries, averaging a mere 3.4 yards per.
Prediction: Seahawks 37, Browns 30
Dallas at Philadelphia
6:15 p.m., KUSA-9, Cowboys by 3
‘Boys looking for first 7-1 start since ’95, their last Super Bowl year. … Dallas QB Tony Romo just got new $67 million deal. Let me guess. T.O. wants to renegotiate. … Philly QB Donovan McNabb has won nine of past 12 starts vs. Cahboas. … Eagles hard to figure. They lose at home to Bears, then beat Vikings at Land of 10,000 Turnovers.
Prediction: Eagles 23, Cowboys 20
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
6:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN, Steelers by 9
Steelers have payback on their minds after Xmas Eve embarrassment last year. … Steve McNair returns for this one. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? He has two TD tosses in 150 attempts. … Ben Whatshisberger having a big year with 15 TD passes, half as many as TBrady. … Stillers have won 11 straight at home on MNF since ’92. … Ravens S Ed Reed tied for No. 1 in AFC with four INTs.
Prediction: Steelers 31, Ravens 17
Cincinnati at Buffalo
11 a.m., Bengals by 1
Bengals originally underdogs in this one, but Vegas wise guys made them favorites. … In last meeting, Bills’ Terrence McGee became first NFL player to record an INT & KO return for TDs in same game. … Bills aiming for third straight dubya. No really, we’re not making this up.
Prediction: Bengals 31, Bills 27
Washington at N.Y. Jets
11 a.m., Redskins by 3 1/2
Kid coach Eric Mangini has pulled plug on Chad Pennington, switching to Kellen Clemens at QB after epic 3-point home performance vs. Bills. … And now for a few words you don’t see every day: Joe Gibbs’ squad coming off a 45-point loss.
Prediction: Redskins 34, Jets 29
San Francisco at Atlanta
11 a.m., Falcons by 3
Georgia Dome officials painting the place black and red to give Dirty Birds more of a home-field advantage. Cool. Now if they could just get some players. … Memo to fantasy leaguers who picked San Fran TB Frank Gore in first round: We feel your pain, bubba. The man formerly known as The Man on pace for 1,000-minus yards. … He’s not alone. Warrick Dunn “leads” Falcons’ running game at 3.1 yards per.
Prediction: Niners 13, Falcons 12
Arizona at Tampa Bay
11 a.m., Buccaneers by 3 1/2
Both teams coming off losses. What’s that? Cards had bye week? Hey, if any team could lose during its bye week, it’s Arizona. … Bucs TB Michael Bennett, acquired from Chiefs at trading deadline, had 19-yard TD run last week. … TB QB Jeff Garcia career vs. Cards: 4-1, 10 TD passes, 1 INT.
Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Cardinals 12
Houston at Oakland
2:15 p.m., Raiders by 3
Texans’ injury issues keep mounting. With Matt Schaub hurting, Sage Rosenfels will get call at QB. … Just wondering: When do Raiders bring top draft pick JaMarcus Russell outta the bullpen. Outside of carrying his wallet, he hasn’t broken a sweat all year. … Texans minus-10 in turnovers, Raiders minus-6.
Prediction: Raiders 16, Texans 15
Green Bay at Kansas City
11 a.m., Chiefs by 2 1/2
Back-to-back roadies for Pack, coming off “MNF” win in Our Town. … Brett Favre’s wife getting more air time than Oprah these days. As for her hubby, he’s leading the Junior Varsity Conference with 2,046 passing yards, 161 coming on two passes vs. Broncos. … Chiefs have been different team since DE Jared Allen came off suspension. Dude leads AFC with 8.0 sacks.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Packers 17
