NFL capsules

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

Matchup, The scoop, Korth's pick

Bucs (7-4) at Saints (5-6)

Time: 4:15 p.m., Ch. 13

Line, O/U: Saints by 3 1/2, 41 1/2, The Bucs have a two-game lead over the Saints in the NFC South, which seems a little less commanding than it did a week ago given quarterback Jeff Garcia, left, might not play because of a back bruise. If New Orleans cuts the lead in half with four games to play and Garcia's back continues to be a problem, the division is up for grabs. The key matchup: the Saints' No. 5-ranked passing game (266.6 ypg) vs. the Bucs' No. 5-ranked passing defense (188.0 ypg). If quarterback Luke McCown plays and the Bucs offense cannot sustain drives, the defense will be weary by the end of the game.

Saints 17, Bucs 14

49ers (3-8) at Panthers (4-7)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Panthers by 3, 35 1/2, This game features a meeting of the Former Bucs Quarterback Club, 35-and-older division. Vinny Testaverde, 44, will start for the Panthers, and Trent Dilfer, 35, left, will start for the 49ers. A week ago, Dilfer showed some skill in an overtime upset against the Cardinals, posting a 99.9 rating. Testaverde missed last week's game against the Saints with a stiff back but remains the starter ahead of David Carr.

49ers 27, Panthers 13

Falcons (3-8) at Rams (2-9)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Rams by 3, 40, The Falcons have had 10 days to recover from a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Colts, but they remain among the league's most dysfunctional teams. Joey Harrington, left, will start at quarterback over Byron Leftwich by virtue of his somewhat steady, if unspectacular, play. The Rams were on a roll until quarterback Marc Bulger left last week's game with a concussion. Journeyman Gus Frerotte will start but should benefit from a week of preparation and Steven Jackson in the backfield.

Rams 20, Falcons 17

Bills (5-6) at Redskins (5-6)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Redskins by 6, 37, No one knows how the Redskins will play after the loss of safety Sean Taylor, slain in his South Florida home last week. But athletes typically welcome the chance to focus on competition and will no doubt be inspired to play well in memory of Taylor. Buffalo has lost its past two, including last week's drubbing at Jacksonville, and will go back to rookie quarterback Trent Edwards.

Redskins 30, Bills 13

Texans (5-6) at Titans (6-5)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Titans by 3 1/2, 41, Tennessee has lost three straight and trails Cleveland by a game for the AFC's final wild-card spot. The offense, which scored only six points last week in Cincinnati, is struggling through quarterback Vince Young's sophomore season, though Young always plays well against his hometown Texans. Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will try to come back from a hamstring injury, but the bigger task for the Titans will be stopping quarterback Matt Schaub and the passing game, rejuvenated by the return of wide receiver Andre Johnson, left.

Texans 21, Titans 17

Jaguars (8-3) at Colts (9-2)

Time: 1 p.m., Ch. 10

Line, O/U: Colts by 6 1/2, 45, Could there be a changing of the guard in the AFC South? The Colts have won the division the past five seasons and can clinch today with a win and other outcomes. But the Jaguars are a serious threat. Since the AFC South was formed in 2002, these teams have never met in December separated by only one game. Jacksonville's running game is in a groove, and quarterback David Garrard, left, back from an ankle injury, has thrown 209 passes without an interception. Aside from two lopsided games last season, every Colts-Jaguars game since 2002 has been decided by 10 points or less.

Colts 24, Jaguars 20

Chargers (6-5) at Chiefs (4-7)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Chargers by 6, 37 1/2, Despite their inconsistency, the Chargers remain atop the AFC West with a one-game lead over the Broncos. San Diego's offense got rolling, including a three-touchdown effort from quarterback Philip Rivers, left, in last week's win against the Ravens. The Chiefs have lost four straight to fall from playoff contention. The offense will again be without running back Larry Johnson, and quarterback Damon Huard likely will start after Brodie Croyle sustained a back injury last week.

Chargers 21, Chiefs 17

Lions (6-5) at Vikings (5-6)

Time: 1 p.m., Ch. 13

Line, O/U: Vikings by 4, 45 1/2, Don't look now, but the NFC North is a jumble beyond the division-leading Packers. The Lions, losers of three straight, have fallen back to the pack, and the Vikings and Bears are clawing into wild-card contention in the mediocre NFC. Minnesota, which expects to have rookie running back Adrian Peterson, left, return from a knee injury, can force a tie with Detroit with a win. In September, the Lions won 20-17 in overtime.

Vikings 24, Lions 20

Seahawks (7-4) at Eagles (5-6)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Eagles by 3, 41, The good and bad news in Philadelphia is that quarterback Donovan McNabb didn't practice much, so backup A.J. Feeley likely will start. Feeley nearly pulled of the upset of the century last week at New England, but the challenge for this career backup will be repeating that gutsy performance. Seattle, riding a three-game win streak, remains in control of the NFC West and likely will get running back Shaun Alexander, left, back from a knee sprain. Of course, the offense looked pretty good the past three weeks riding quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's arm.

Seahawks 21, Eagles 17

Jets (2-9) at Dolphins (0-11)

Time: 1 p.m.

Line, O/U: Dolphins by 1 1/2, 37 1/2, Go figure. The winless Dolphins are favored to beat the Jets, homefield advantage apparently tipping the scales in Miami's favor. Joey Porter, left, and the Dolphins defense acquitted itself well in the mud on Monday Night Football, so they might consider putting down a second layer of sod this morning. Then the only challenge will be finding a playmaker on offense. But, hey, this clearly looks to be the Dolphins' best chance to avoid 0-16. So, why not?

Dolphins 10, Jets 9

Browns (7-4) at Cardinals (5-6)

Time: 4 p.m.

Line, O/U: Cardinals by 1, 51 1/2, If the playoffs started today, Cleveland would be the AFC's final wild-card team. The Browns have won their past two. Arizona missed a golden opportunity with last week's overtime loss to San Francisco but remains in wild-card contention in the NFC. The Cardinals are tough to beat at home, and this is a long road trip for the Browns. But Arizona's defense is struggling to overcome injuries in the secondary, not a good thing against the Browns' potent passing attack, featuring Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, left.

Browns 28, Cardinals 21

Broncos (5-6) at Raiders (3-8)

Time: 4 p.m.

Line, O/U: Broncos by 3 1/2, 42, This once-fierce rivalry is sadly irrelevant. The Broncos have won eight of the past nine over Oakland, including five straight. Denver still has playoff hopes, despite last week's overtime loss at Chicago, and trails San Diego by one game in the AFC West. The good news for kicker Todd Sauerbrun, left, is Devin Hester does not play for the Raiders. Oakland might finally be ready to play quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick. It would be an exciting step for the franchise, but it won't lead to a victory.

Broncos 27, Raiders 13

Giants (7-4) at Bears (5-6)

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Line, O/U: Giants by 1 1/2, 40 1/2, Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman led an inspired fourth-quarter comeback and threw an overtime touchdown last week to keep the Bears relevant in the NFC playoff race. And for once, he is not the most criticized quarterback of the week. That honor goes to the Giants' Eli Manning, left, who threw four interceptions last week, including three returned for touchdowns, in a home loss to the Vikings. Is it time for the Giants' second-half swoon?

Bears 20, Giants 17

Bengals (4-7) at Steelers (8-3)

Time: 8:15 p.m., Ch. 8

Line, O/U: Steelers by 7, 42, Don't let the lopsided records fool you. These teams don't care for each another, and the prime-time atmosphere will only enhance the rivalry. The Bengals offense came alive last week with 37 points against the Titans, including three touchdown catches by wide receiver Chad Johnson, left. The Steelers have not been sharp the past two weeks in a loss to the Jets and muddy 3-0 win against the Dolphins. Oddly, this series favors the road team of late, with nine of the past 10 won by the road team.

Steelers 28, Bengals 27

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 18:36:21]