NFL capsules
Matchup, the scoop, Korth's pick
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2007
Bucs (4-3) vs. Jaguars (4-2) Time: 4 p.m., Ch. 10
Line, O/U: Bucs by 3 1/2, 32, Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia has not been intercepted in his past 270 attempts, the league's longest active streak, dating to last season with the Eagles. He ranks second in the league with a 70.4 completion percentage, behind Tom Brady's 73.8. Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray, left, who makes his first NFL start for injured David Garrard, has two interceptions in 60 career passing attempts. For Jacksonville to have a chance, the defense will need to be stingy. The Jaguars have allowed only 87 points, second lowest in the league behind the Steelers' 78, and held the Colts to one touchdown last week.
Bucs 20, Jaguars 10
Lions (4-2) at Bears (3-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Bears by 5, 45, When these teams met a month ago, Detroit scored an NFL-record 34 points in the fourth quarter to win 37-27 and spoil the first start of quarterback Brian Griese, left, for Chicago. Griese has settled down considerably since then and has the Bears inching toward contention for an NFC playoff spot, possibly even a division title. The Lions are coming off an emotional home win against the Bucs but have yet to show they can generate that emotion away from Ford Field.
Bears 24, Lions 17
Steelers (4-2) at Bengals (2-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Steelers by 3 1/2, 48, Coming off a loss in Denver, in which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, was sacked four times, the Steelers should commit to establishing the run game with Willie Parker before they even think about a pass attempt. The Bengals, coming off a shootout win against the Jets, are looking to start their first winning streak. But they'll need to snap a six-game home skid to the Steelers.
Steelers 27, Bengals 20
Raiders (2-4) at Titans (4-2)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Titans by 7, 40 1/2, The Titans have won nine of their past 12 dating to 2006, including one they got away with last week in Houston thanks to Rob Bironas' NFL-record eight field goals. Vince Young, left, is slated to return from the groin strain that sidelined him last week. The Raiders are inching ever closer to playing rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell, not that it's Daunte Culpepper's fault the receivers can't catch and the defense has slipped.
Titans 24, Raiders 10
Browns (3-3) at Rams (0-7)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Browns by 3, 45, Rarely do the Browns risk going into a game overconfident, but this could be it. Coming off a bye, they will look for consecutive wins for the first time since September 2004. In their three wins this season, they averaged 39.6 points. The winless Rams have a deplorable minus-12 turnover ratio. But they are going to win a game at some point, and this is a likely candidate. Running back Steven Jackson, left, returns after missing a month with a groin strain.
Rams 24, Browns 21
Giants (5-2) vs. Dolphins (0-7)
Time: 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Line, O/U: Giants by 9 1/2, 48, Taking place at Wembley Stadium in London, this is the NFL's first overseas regular-season game. The Giants, after losing their first two games by giving up a combined 80 points, have won five straight and given up a combined 69 points. The Dolphins offense has no firepower after a trade sent receiver Chris Chambers to the Chargers two weeks ago and running back Ronnie Brown tore an ACL last week. Quarterback Cleo Lemon, meet defensive end Osi Umenyiora (72), left.
Giants 28, Dolphins 6
Eagles (2-4) at Vikings (2-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Eagles by 1, 37 1/2, The Vikings showed some resolve, hanging in with the Cowboys last week in Dallas. The Eagles showed none in a late-game home loss to the Bears. Neither of these teams is going to the playoffs, but the running backs are worth a look. Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson (857) and Eagles veteran Brian Westbrook, left, (789) rank first and second, respectively, in the league in total yards from scrimmage.
Vikings 21, Eagles 17
Colts (6-0) at Panthers (4-2)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Colts by 6 1/2, 44 1/2, This has the potential to be a tougher game for the Colts than most would think. Coming off a Monday night road win in Jacksonville, they are traveling again after a short week. They play the Patriots at home next week in a matchup of potential unbeatens. Carolina is coming off a bye. Oh, yeah, and the Panthers are 3-0 against the Colts. What does Indy have in its favor? Um, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Bob Sanders, left ...
Colts 21, Panthers 17
Bills (2-4) at Jets (1-6)
Time: 4 p.m.
Line, O/U: Jets by 3, 38, If ever a team were eligible to use injuries as an excuse, it's the Bills. Yet they continue to compete despite being the only team in the league to start a rookie quarterback, Trent Edwards, and running back, Marshawn Lynch, left. A plus-five turnover ratio, third-best in the AFC, has plenty to do with it. The Jets are legitimately a mess and might as well start rookie quarterback Kellen Clemens ahead of Chad Pennington to get Clemens experience for 2008.
Bills 20, Jets 13
Texans (3-4) at Chargers (3-3)
Time: 4 p.m.
Line, O/U: Chargers by 9, 45, Focus could be an issue for the Chargers as they worry about the wildfires raging through Southern California. Several players, coaches and staff members were forced to leave their homes, Qualcomm Stadium was used as an evacuation shelter until noon Friday, and the team spent the week practicing in Arizona. The Texans could be without quarterback Matt Schaub, left, who split practice reps with backup Sage Rosenfels after injuring a hip in last week's loss to the Titans.
Chargers 21, Texans 13
Saints (2-4) at 49ers (2-4)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Line, O/U: Saints by 2, 40, Eager to snap a four-game losing streak, the 49ers will look like themselves for the first time in a month when quarterback Alex Smith, left, returns from a shoulder injury. And running back Frank Gore likely will play, though not at full strength, after spraining an ankle last week against the Giants. The Saints look to continue their salvage effort with a third straight victory after starting 0-4. New Orleans has scored 50 points in its past two games, compared with 51 in the first four.
Saints 21, 49ers 17
Redskins (4-2) at Patriots (7-0)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Line, O/U: Patriots by 16, 47 1/2, The Patriots are scoring points in historic numbers, outscoring opponents by 159 in the first seven games. But the Redskins defense is ranked fifth, making it one of the best units the Patriots have faced this season. Washington leads the league in fewest yards allowed per play (4.3) and is third in points per game (14.7). New England likes to target the deep middle, where Redskins safeties Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry, left, await. Of course, even if Washington's defense hangs in, there's the matter of trying to score against New England's fourth-ranked defense.
Patriots 27, Redskins 17