NFL capsules
By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 11, 2007
Matchup, The scoop, Korth's pick
Browns (5-3) at Steelers (6-2)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Steelers by 10, 47, Who would have thought the Browns would be the Steelers' toughest competition in the AFC North? Looking to win four straight for the first time since 1994, Cleveland can thrust itself into playoff contention with a victory. Pittsburgh has won 13 of the past 14 in the series, including a 34-7 win in Week 1. But that was before Derek Anderson, left, took over at quarterback for the Browns. This time, it will be closer, but the Steelers' dominance will continue thanks to a proven running game and turnover-hungry defense.
Steelers 27, Browns 17
Eagles (3-5) at Redskins (5-3)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Redskins by 3, 37 1/2, Philadelphia's season appears lost, and Washington cannot afford to lose any ground in the NFC wild-card race, considering the next two weeks bring tough road games at Dallas and Tampa Bay. Washington has won two of the past three meetings, including 20-12 in Week 2 when rookie safety LaRon Landry, left, ended Philadelphia's comeback attempt by knocking the ball away from receiver Kevin Curtis near the goal line. Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has 16 touchdowns in 15 career starts.
Redskins 27, Eagles 17
Falcons (2-6) at Panthers (4-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Panthers by 3 1/2, 35 1/2, Carolina is 0-3 at home but can pull into a tie for first in the NFC South with a victory. After struggling last week with quarterback David Carr, the Panthers likely will turn to 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde, left, in a key division game. The Falcons gave the Panthers a game in the first meeting, losing 27-20 as quarterback Joey Harrington threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Remarkably, Atlanta has a plus-8 turnover margin, tied for first in the NFC.
Falcons 21, Panthers 13
Rams (0-8) at Saints (4-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Saints by 10 1/2, 46, With a victory, the Saints can make it five straight and move into a first-place tie with the Bucs - and possibly the Panthers - in the NFC South. Since an 0-4 start, New Orleans' offense has returned to its 2006 form. In the four victories, quarterback Drew Brees has completed 113 of 158 passes for 1, 246 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 115.1. The Rams are seeking their first victory but could get running back Steven Jackson, left, back today from a bulging disc.
Saints 28, Rams 14
Bills (4-4) at Dolphins (0-8)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Bills by 3, 41, The Bills have won three straight and four of five to join the AFC wild-card discussion. They will try to win four in a row for the first time since 2004. Quarterback J.P. Losman, left, played well last week after regaining the starting job from injured rookie Trent Edwards. The Dolphins, coming off a bye after their long journey to London in Week 8, are looking for their first win. Defensive end Jason Taylor has 16 career sacks against Buffalo, the most against any opponent.
Bills 21, Dolphins 13
Broncos (3-5) at Chiefs (4-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Line, O/U: Chiefs by 3, 37 1/2, Denver remains in the hunt for the AFC West title despite a minus-8 turnover ratio and being outscored by 101 points. Quarterback Jay Cutler was knocked out of last week's embarrassing loss to Detroit, and Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, left, is tied for the AFC lead with 8.5 sacks. The Chiefs have two road wins within the division and are 3-0 at home against division opponents under coach Herm Edwards.
Chiefs 20, Broncos 13
Jaguars (5-3) at Titans (6-2)
Time: 1 p.m., Ch. 10
Line, O/U: Titans by 4, 35, This is a critical AFC South matchup. The Jaguars, who could get quarterback David Garrard back from an ankle injury, can tie the Titans for second place with a victory and avenge a Week 1 loss. Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, needs 13 rushing yards to become the 21st player in NFL history to reach 10, 000. The Titans defense ranks No. 2 overall and has allowed an average of 213 yards, recorded 12 sacks and forced four turnovers the past two weeks.
Titans 20, Jaguars 17
Vikings (3-5) at Packers (7-1)
Time: 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Line, O/U: Packers by 6, 40 1/2, This matchup features one of the league's oldest stars in 38-year-old Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, left, and one of its youngest in 22-year-old Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. Favre has led the Packers to victory in 11 of their past 12 games dating to last season. Peterson, who ran for an NFL single-game record 296 yards last week, is the first rookie to reach 1, 000 yards in his eighth game. Green Bay won 23-16 in Week 4, when Favre set the NFL touchdown pass record.
Packers 21, Vikings 17
Bengals (2-6) at Ravens (4-4)
Time: 4 p.m.
Line, O/U: Ravens by 3 1/2, 44 1/2, In Week 2, the Bengals capitalized on a slew of Ravens turnovers to win 27-20 on Monday Night Football. The victory provided a false sense of how good Cincinnati was but now seems an accurate reflection of Baltimore's offense with aging quarterback Steve McNair, left, at the helm. The Ravens are coming off a turnover-plagued performance in last week's 38-7 loss to the Steelers on MNF. The Bengals have won four of five in the series, but the Ravens have a four-game win streak at home in the AFC North.
Ravens 23, Bengals 21
Cowboys (7-1) at Giants (6-2)
Time: 4:15 p.m., Ch. 13
Line, O/U: Cowboys by 1 1/2, 49, In Week 1, Dallas beat New York 45-35, the most points scored in the 90-game history of the series. The Giants went on to lose the next week but are one of five teams in NFL history to win six straight after losing its first two. Dallas, looking for its first 8-1 start since 1995, leads the NFC East by a game and can take command of the division with a victory. The Giants can force a tie for first place at 7-2. Dallas leads the NFC in points (265) and total offense (406 yards). The Giants lead the NFL in sacks (30) - led by Osi Umenyiora, left, with 8 - and are one of four teams to allow single-digit sacks this season (9).
Giants 24, Cowboys 23
Lions (6-2) at Cardinals (3-5)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Line, O/U: Cardinals by 1 1/2, 44 1/2, All the attention is on Green Bay, but surprising Detroit is keeping pace in the NFC North, one game behind. The Lions are going for their first 7-2 start since 1993, when they last won a division title in the former NFC Central. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner is a starter again, though it might seem funny to see Mike Martz, left, call plays today for the opposition after the two teamed to create the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis a few years ago. Warner won't recognize the balance in Detroit's offense.
Lions 24, Cardinals 21
Bears (3-5) at Raiders (2-6)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Line, O/U: Bears by 3 1/2, 38 1/2, Less than a year ago, the Bears led the Colts in Super Bowl XLI in Miami. Halfway through the season, they are in danger of becoming the sixth Super Bowl loser among the past seven to miss the playoffs the next season. Tied for last place in the NFC North, Chicago is capable of a second-half run but has no margin for error. The Raiders are the only AFC West team out of the race, so they might as well look at starting No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, left, at quarterback in hopes of competing in 2008.
Bears 20, Raiders 16
Colts (7-1) at Chargers (4-4)
Time: 8:15 p.m., Ch. 8
Line, O/U: Colts by 3 1/2, 48, Each team is coming off a disappointing loss - the Colts at home to the Patriots and the Chargers at the Vikings. Who will rebound? The Colts need a victory to maintain their hold on the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Chargers, who remain tied with the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West, again must prove they are among the best teams in the conference after last week's slip. San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, after passing Jim Brown last week, needs three rushing touchdowns to tie Walter Payton, left, for third on the NFL's all-time list at 110.
Colts 24, Chargers 17