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NFL notebook

By DARRELL FRY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 16, 2001

Eagles at Redskins.

OF NOTE: The 'Skins are going for a season sweep of the Eagles, which would pull them within a game of first place. The 'Skins have won three of the past four meetings mainly because they've disrupted quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has managed 129 passing yards a game against the 'Skins. If the Eagles can run against a Washington defense that's been vulnerable, Philly wins. Otherwise, Washington's Stephen Davis will bulldoze his team to yet another win.

FRY'S PROMISE: Redskins 17, Eagles 14

Packers at Titans.

OF NOTE: A week ago, everyone would have thought the Titans could scare the Packers. But after the Titans' collapse last week against the Vikings, this one might be lopsided, too. The Pack will try to exploit a Titans team that gave up 28 unanswered points last week. The Pack is coming off a big win against division rival Chicago (17-7) and has won the past two meetings against the Titans. The Pack (9-3) needs to keep pace with the Bears (9-3) in the NFC Central, and probably will considering it has won its past six December games.

FRY'S PROMISE: Packers 28, Titans 24

Cowboys at Seahawks.

OF NOTE: If this game were in Dallas, the Cowboys might be the best bet. Still, the Cowboys have a chance with rookie quarterback Quincy Carter, who has won both his starts since returning from the injured list. The Seahawks, who looked awful last week in losing at Denver, are at their best when they can run the ball, but the Dallas defense has been tenacious lately, which could put Seattle's hopes in quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's hands. Watch Emmitt Smith. If he goes for more than 100 yards, the Cowboys could win.

FRY'S PROMISE: 'Boys 23, Seahawks 21

Steelers at Ravens.

OF NOTE: This is the game of the week. The Ravens need this one to pull within a game of the first-place Steelers in the AFC Central. A big question mark for the Steelers is injured star Jerome Bettis, who sat out last week's game, in which Pittsburgh beat the Jets. The Ravens are well-rested after a bye and typically play their best in December (8-0 for coach Brian Billick). There's too much on the line for the Ravens, who beat the Steelers earlier this season, to let this one get away from them.

FRY'S PROMISE: Ravens 16, Steelers 10

Rams at Saints.

OF NOTE: You know how the Jets have the Dolphins' number? Well, the Saints have the Rams' number. The Saints stunned the Rams 34-31 this season and have won three of the past four against the Rams. The Saints have been rolling lately, but don't let that fool you. They always seem to lose to the best teams -- except the Rams. Expect another close affair with late-game theatrics, but another Saints loss against a quality team. The Rams defense is better now than during the teams' earlier meeting and will be the difference.

FRY'S PROMISE: Rams 33, Saints 21

Bucs at Bears.

OF NOTE: Temperatures should be unseasonably warm (upper 40s), which should help the Bucs, who need this one to keep their playoff hopes alive. It could get ugly because both offenses have been more sluggish than usual lately, while the defenses have picked up noticeably. Neither team will be able to run the ball well, so expect a field-goal contest. The Bears won the earlier meeting in the final moments, but the Bucs are a vastly different team. Look for fireworks in the final seconds.

FRY'S PROMISE: Bucs 10, Bears 9

Broncos at Chiefs.

OF NOTE: Gus Frerotte gets the start ahead of the injured Brian Griese, which adds uncertainty to this game. Plus, Denver receiver Rod Smith still is playing on sore ankles. League-leading running back Priest Holmes ran the Raiders silly last week, but that won't happen today against a Broncos run defense that's one of the best in the league. With Holmes bottled up, the Chiefs offense will struggle, giving the Broncos the advantage. It won't be easy, but Denver will squeak this one out for a rare win against K.C.

FRY'S PROMISE: Broncos 21, Chiefs 19

Falcons at Colts.

OF NOTE: This one could go either way, depending on which Colts team shows up. If it's another interception fest, the Colts are sunk. If quarterback Peyton Manning reverts to his old self, the Falcons are dead in the water. The Colts usually hammer the Falcons, but this is their first meeting since 1998 and Indy has lost five in a row. The Falcons have the offensive firepower to hang with the Colts, but haven't shown it lately. If Indy, which was blasted last week 41-6 by the Dolphins, scores 30 or more, the losing skid will end.

FRY'S PROMISE: Colts 31, Falcons 27

Bengals at Jets.

OF NOTE: The Bengals' once-promising season is history. They don't scare anyone, particularly the Jets, who plan to use this as another steppingstone to a playoff berth. The Jets' once-weak defense has tightened in recent weeks (5 TDs in the past 25 quarters), meaning the Bengals' hopes rest with inexperienced quarterback Akili Smith instead of star running back Corey Dillon. Dillon needs 75 yards to reach 1,000, but won't get it today. The Jets will force Smith into repeated mistakes, giving them control early.

FRY'S PROMISE: Jets 23, Bengals 6

Jaguars at Browns.

OF NOTE: The Browns, once the surprise of the league, continue to fade when it counts. They still haven't straightened out their offensive problems. They haven't scored more than 18 points in their past three games, which could be a problem against the Jags, who can score in bunches when things are clicking. The Browns' only hope is that they get points from their defense, which leads the league in interceptions with 27. Otherwise, the Jags, who beat the Bengals last week, will pull away and not look back.

FRY'S PROMISE: Jaguars 24, Browns 17

Vikings at Lions.

OF NOTE: The Lions keep getting closer to winning, but can't quite get it done. They are coming off another heartbreaker against the Bucs that was decided in the final seconds. If the Vikes play anywhere close to how they did last week (42 points), the Lions have no chance. But that's iffy given Minnesota's inconsistency. The homefield will energize the Lions. Expect good games from running back James Stewart and rookie quarterback Mike McMahon. Finally, this is the day the Lions get their victory.

FRY'S PROMISE: Lions 20, Vikings 17

Patriots at Bills.

OF NOTE: This is the Bills' last home game, meaning they could go 2-14 if they lose today. The Pats have too much at stake to slip up. The playoffs and even a division crown still are within reach. They stumbled a bit last week before putting away the Browns, so this one might not be the blowout you'd expect. The weather shouldn't be mild, which should help the Pats, who again will ride quarterback Tom Brady and running back Antowain Smith. The Bills need to pressure Brady to keep this one from getting too far away.

FRY'S PROMISE: Patriots 23, Bills 14

Dolphins at 49ers.

OF NOTE: The Fins couldn't be flying higher after an impressive 41-6 thrashing of the Colts on Monday night. This game will tell if they truly are an elite team or just another contender. Meanwhile, the Niners are trying to forget their crucial division loss at St. Louis last week. Miami easily handled the Colts' high-powered offense and should do the same with the Niners' big offensive guns, especially running back Garrison Hearst. But there's no way the Niners are going to lose two in a row. San Fran's Terrell Owens will see to it.

FRY'S PROMISE: 49ers 26, Dolphins 21

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