Jacksonville at Indianapolis
11 a.m., Colts by 6 1/2
Jags’ David Garrard: Nine TD passes, no picks. Not bad for one of the game’s lowest-paid QBs. Colts have won eight straight at home vs. AFC South. Peyton Manning’s career dome, sweet dome numbers vs. Jags: 5-1, 11 TD passes, 2 INTs.
Prediction: Colts 27, Jaguars 20
New England at Baltimore
6:30 p.m., Monday, Patriots by 20
Point spread is the largest ever for a team playing on the road. Pats plus-16 in turnovers, tops in the league, and Ravens are minus-11. Tom Brady needs to avg. two TD passes per to tie Peyton Manning’s NFL record of 49. Ravens have allowed 99 points off turnovers compared to 27 last season.
Prediction: Patriots 37, Ravens 10
San Diego at Kansas City
11 a.m., Chargers by 6
Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle questionable with bad back. KC coming off horrendous loss to Raiders, snapping Oakland’s 17-game losing streak in AFC West. Is SD coach Norv Turner proving himself to be a career assistant or what? He’s 0-6 career vs. Chiefs.
Prediction: Chargers 20, Chiefs 13
Seattle at Philadelphia
11 a.m., Eagles by 3
Eagles TB Brian Westbrook leads the Not For Long with 1,459 scrimmage yards — 901 rushing, 558 receiving. Seahawks emerging as a dark horse in NFC after Mike Holmgren’s decision to open up offense. Holmgren going vs. former assistant Andy Reid.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Eagles 19
Houston at Tennessee
11 a.m., Titans by 3 1/2
Titans D falling apart of late, allowing 69 points in past two. Tenn in search of sixth straight dubya vs. Texans. Mario Williams, the top pick in ’06 draft: 6.0 sacks, matching Titans leader Kyle Vanden Bosch. DT Albert Haynesworth expected to return for Titans.
Prediction: Titans 31, Texans 26
Tampa Bay at New Orleans
2:15 p.m., Saints by 3 1/2
Saints must have this one to keep playoff hopes alive. Bucs completed mission impossible vs. Redskins, winning without recording a second-half FD. The No. 7 draft pick of the decade? That would be N’Awlins WR Marques Colston: 42 catches, 584 yards & four TDs in past five games. Bucs’ D the real deal. It’s allowed 164 points, fewest in the NFC and 21 fewer than Pats.
Prediction: Saints 19, Buccaneers 15
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
6:15 p.m., Steelers by 7
Game matches two AFC North rivals and all anyone wants to talk about is Heinz Field turf. Cincy WR Chad Johnson wanted us to mention he had career-high 12 catches, three TDs in W vs. Titans. Steelers 6-0 at home, Bengals 1-4 on the road.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Bengals 17
Buffalo at Washington
11 a.m., Redskins by 5 1/2
Redskins’ focus an issue after tragic death of S Sean Taylor. With offense headed nowhere fast, Bills have handed keys back to rookie QB Trent Edwards, he of the one TD pass, five INTs. ‘Skins have penchant for giving away games, witness their minus-8 turnover ranking. Washington lost last week at Tampa despite not allowing a FD in second half.
Prediction: Redskins 24, Bills 13
Cleveland at Arizona
2:05 p.m., Pick ’em
Browns 7-4, including 2-0 vs. mild, mild West. Cleveland averaging 34 ppg in seven W’s. Cards LB Karlos Dansby in past three outings: three INTs, one sack, one FF. Cleve QB Derek Anderson in past three roadies: six TD passes, one pick. Fatigue could be factor. Browns playing third roadie in four weeks.
Prediction: Cardinals 34, Browns 31
N.Y. Giants at Chicago
2:15 p.m., Giants by 1 1/2
Bears KR Devin Hester averaging 84.4 yards per on his 12 career TDs. Eli Manning coming off nightmarish (four INTs, three returned for TDs) performance vs. Vikes. So how’d he do vs. Bears last season? Try 14-for-32, 121 yards, no TDs, two picks.
Prediction: Giants 27, Bears 18
San Francisco at Carolina
11 a.m., Panthers by 3
True, but strange: Panthers looking for first home dubya (0-5). Trent Dilfer will start this one for Niners. Great, that’s just what they need. … San Fran has one 300-yarder on offense all season. Carolina in five home games: 54 points scored. Do the math, bubba.
Prediction: Panthers 16, 49ers 10
N.Y. Jets at Miami
11 a.m., Dolphins by 1
Memo to the Dolphins: It’s almost bar time and another easy opponent isn’t coming in. If Phish don’t win this one, they could lose out. Both teams minus-5 in turnovers. What’s that? You’re right, it’s a wonder they’re not worse. Jets have won three straight vs. Miami. Dolphins rookie QB John Beck playing it close to vest: two starts, no TDs, no INTs.
Prediction: Dolphins 19, Jets 10
Atlanta at St. Louis
11 a.m., Rams by 3
Only up side to Bulger’s concussion: He can’t remember Rams’ collapse vs. Seattle last week. They led 16-7 in early going. St. Looie WR Torry Holt in past two vs. Hotlanta: 20 catches, 282 yards, three TDs. Falcons plus-6 in turnovers, Rams minus-9.
Prediction: Rams 30, Falcons 20
Detroit at Minnesota
11 a.m., Vikings by 3 1/2
Lions should sign Forrest Gump to upgrade running game. Team leader Kevin Jones has fewer than 500 yards. Vikings rookie TB Adrian Peterson has missed past two, but still leads league with 1,081 yards. Yeah, he’s that good. Looking for Lions in an upset. If not, they’re not reaching QB Jon Kitna’s prediction of 10 Ws.
Prediction: Lions 24, Vikings 23
