NFL preview capsules for Week 16
Saturday's game
Dallas (12-2) at Carolina (6-8)
Time: 7:15 p.m., NFL Network
Line: Cowboys by 13.
Series: Cowboys lead series 6-3.
Last time: Cowboys 35, Panthers 14, Oct. 29, 2006 at Carolina.
Last week: Cowboys lost to Eagles 10-6; Panthers beat Seahawks 13-10.
Notes: Dallas can clinch homefield advantage throughout NFC playoffs with win and Green Bay loss. Despite last week's defeat, Cowboys secured first-round bye after Seattle lost. … Last week, Cowboys had first game without TD since November 2004 and had fewest yards of season. They still lead NFC in points scored (429) and total offense (378.5 yards per game). … Cowboys have 11 players elected to Pro Bowl, most of any team. … Carolina QB Matt Moore was 19 of 27 last week for 208 yards in place of Vinny Testaverde. Moore will start against team that cut him in preseason. … S Chris Harris has NFL-best 7 forced fumbles, which ties team single-season record. … Carolina has lost six of eight.
Sunday's games
Green Bay (12-2) at BEARS (5-9)
Time: Noon, Channel 32
Line: Packers by 8.
Series: Bears lead series 89-79-6.
Last time: Bears 27, Packers 20, Oct. 7, 2007 at Green Bay.
Last week: Packers beat Rams 33-14;
Notes: Bears have won four of past five in series. … Green Bay clinched first-round bye last week and has won 16 of 18. QB Brett Favre (3,905 yards, 26 TDs) eclipsed Dan Marino to become NFL career leader in yards passing with 61,405. Favre, voted to start Pro Bowl, is completing career-best 67.1 percent of passes and needs 95 yards passing for fifth 4,000-yard season. He threw for 322 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs last meeting. … Rookie K Mason Crosby leads NFL with 130 points. … Bears were eliminated from playoff contention last week. … QB Kyle Orton was 22 of 38 for 184 yards and 1 INT in first start of season last week. Orton will continue to start.
New York Giants (9-5) at Buffalo (7-7)
Time: Noon
Line: Giants by 3.
Series: Bills lead series 6-4.
Last time: Bills 24, Giants 7, Nov. 30, 2003 at New York.
Last week: Giants lost to Redskins 22-10; Bills lost to Browns 8-0.
Notes: New York can clinch playoff berth with win. … Giants are 6-1 on road. … New York has scored more than 20 points just once in its last seven games. … Giants average 127 yards rushing per game, second best in NFC. … Last week, Buffalo was eliminated from playoffs for eighth straight season, longest drought in franchise history. … QB Trent Edwards (1,336 yards, 5 TDs) has thrown TD pass in two of eight games this season. Edwards is 3-1 as starter at home.
Cleveland (9-5) at Cincinnati (5-9)
Time: Noon
Line: Browns by 2.
Series: Series tied 34-34 (Bengals lead 10-7 since 1999).
Last time: Cleveland 51, Bengals 45, Sept. 16, 2007 at Cleveland.
Last week: Browns beat Bills 8-0; Bengals lost to 49ers 20-13.
Notes: Browns can clinch playoff berth with win. … RB Jamal Lewis had 163 yards rushing last week and topped 1,000 yards rushing for sixth time. Lewis is averaging 121.5 yards rushing in 12 career games vs. Bengals, including season-high 216 yards last meeting. … Pro Bowl WR Braylon Edwards (69 receptions, 1,170 yards, 13 TDs) needs 1 TD catch to set franchise single-season record. … Cincinnati is guaranteed first losing record in coach Marvin Lewis' five seasons. … Bengals haven't scored 20 points in any of last three games. … WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh set franchise record with his 101st reception last week and topped 1,000 yards for second straight season. He hasn't scored in four straight, but his 11 TD receptions is third best in AFC.
Kansas City (4-10) at Detroit (6-8)
Time: Noon
Line: Lions by 5.
Series: Chiefs lead series 7-3.
Last time: Chiefs 45, Lions 17, Dec. 14, 2003 at Kansas City.
Last week: Chiefs lost to Titans 26-17; Lions lost to Chargers 51-14.
Notes: Kansas City has won four straight in series. Head coaches Rod Marinelli and Herm Edwards were both assistants on Tampa Bay staff from 1996-2000. … Chiefs have lost seven straight and haven't scored in fourth quarter in six straight. … DE Jared Allen was elected to the Pro Bowl and is tied for second in conference with 11½ sacks. … Detroit has lost six straight. … This season's Lions, who lost 56-21 to Philadelphia in September, are only team in franchise history to allow 50-plus points twice in one year. … Last week, QB Jon Kitna tied career high with 5 INTs. Kitna needs 293 yards passing for second consecutive 4,000-yard season and to become 11th player with multiple 4,000-yard seasons.
Houston (7-7) at Indianapolis (12-2)
Time: Noon
Line: Colts by 9.
Series: Colts lead series 10-1.
Last time: Colts 30, Texans 24, Sept. 23, 2007 at Houston.
Last week: Texans beat Broncos 31-13; Colts beat Raiders 21-14.
Notes: Houston was eliminated from playoff contention last week, but 1 more win will give Texans best record in franchise history. … Texans are 0-4 in AFC South. … WR Andre Johnson (47 receptions, 703 yards, 7 TDs) has scored in three straight. He has career-high 7 TDs despite missing seven games and is averaging career-best 15.0 yards per catch. … Indianapolis clinched fifth straight AFC South title, No. 2 conference seed and first-round bye last week. Indianapolis' five straight 12-win seasons are first in NFL history. … Indianapolis' longest run of season is 23 yards, shortest in NFL. Colts have averaged 73.2 yards rushing per game and 2.9 per carry over last six. … In 11 career games vs. Texans, QB Peyton Manning is 10-1 and has completed 242 of 340 passes (71.2 percent) for 2,981 yards, 26 TDs, 4 INTs and 118.5 passer rating.
Oakland (4-10) at Jacksonville (10-4)
Time: Noon
Line: Jaguars by 13.
Series: Jaguars lead series 2-1.
Last time: Jaguars 13, Raiders 6, Jan. 2, 2005 at Oakland.
Last week: Raiders lost to Colts 21-14; Jaguars beat Steelers 29-22.
Notes: RB Justin Fargas (222 carries, career-high 1,009 yards) will miss rest of season with sprained MCL. LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes will split carries. As starter, Jordan has 511 yards rushing. … QB Josh McCown (1,105 yards, 10 TDs) will continue to start, but top draft pick JaMarcus Russell will play. Russell has played total of five series in two games. … LB Thomas Howard has 6 INTs, tied for second in AFC. … Jacksonville has set franchise records by gaining at least 400 yards in four consecutive games and scoring at least 24 points in eight straight. … RB Fred Taylor (216 carries, 1,091 yards) ran 25 times for season-high 147 yards and TD last week. Taylor has four straight 100-yard games, is averaging career-best 5.1 yards per rush, and has scored in three of last four outings.
Philadelphia (6-8) at New Orleans (7-7)
Time: Noon
Line: Saints by 3.
Series: Eagles lead series 15-10.
Last time: Saints 27, Eagles 24, NFC divisional playoff, Jan. 13, 2007 at New Orleans.
Last week: Eagles beat Cowboys 10-6; Saints beat Cardinals 31-24.
Notes: Philadelphia has won five of past six in series. … RB Brian Westbrook leads NFL with 1,896 yards from scrimmage (1,191 rushing, 705 receiving) and 94 first downs. His 83 receptions are most by RB. Westbrook had 116 yards rushing and 2 TDs last meeting. … QB Donovan McNabb is averaging 140.3 yards passing over his past three. He rushed for season-high 53 yards last week. … Last week, Saints RB Aaron Stecker (101 carries, 395 yards) topped 100 total yards for second straight game and scored twice. RB Reggie Bush (157 carries, 581 yards) might return from knee injury. … WR Marques Colston (87 receptions, 1,092 yards) had 8 receptions for 114 yards and 1 TD last week, and has 61 catches, 829 yards and 7 TDs over past eight outings.
Atlanta (3-11) at Arizona (6-8)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 10½.
Series: Cardinals lead series 13-10.
Last time: Falcons 32, Cardinals 10, Oct. 1, 2006 at Atlanta.
Last week: Falcons lost to Buccaneers 37-3; Cardinals lost Saints 31-24.
Notes: Atlanta has lost five straight overall but has won last four in series. … QB Chris Redman (513 yards, 4 TDs) had 0.0 passer rating last week but will start. … Opponents have scored 7 defensive TDs. … WR Roddy White (66 receptions, 5 TDs) needs 1 yard receiving for first 1,000-yard season. … Arizona will not have winning record for 22nd time in 23 seasons, but 2 more wins would give Cardinals best record in nine years. … Arizona leads NFL in penalties (125) and yards penalized (1,008). … QB Kurt Warner is 6-1 in career vs. Falcons, with 18 TDs. Warner has 15 TDs in past six games.
Tampa Bay (9-5) at San Francisco (4-10)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Buccaneers by 7.
Series: 49ers lead series 14-4.
Last time: 49ers 15, Buccaneers 10, Oct. 30, 2005 at San Francisco.
Last week: Buccaneers beat Falcons 37-3; 49ers beat Bengals 20-13.
Notes: Tampa Bay clinched NFC South last week. … Bucs are only team with winning record in NFC without Pro Bowl representative. … QB Jeff Garcia (2,244 yards, 12 TDs) was three-time Pro Bowler with 49ers and faces former team for first time. … RB Earnest Graham (213 carries, 877 yards) has scored in six straight games, a team record. Graham is averaging 120.3 yards from scrimmage with 7 TDs over past eight outings. … 49ers have won seven in row at home vs. Bucs. … QB Shaun Hill was 21 of 28 for 197 yards and 2 TDs -- 1 passing, 1 rushing -- in first career start last week. … RB Frank Gore (216 carries, 919 yards) had season-high 138 yards rushing last week and needs 81 yards to become fifth player in franchise history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Miami (1-13) at New England (14-0)
Time: 3:15 p.m., Channel 2
Line: Patriots by 23.
Series: Dolphins leads series 48-36.
Last time: Patriots 49, Dolphins 28, Oct. 21, 2007 at Miami.
Last week: Dolphins beat Ravens 22-16 in OT; Patriots beat Jets 20-10.
Notes: Miami snapped 16-game losing streak last week. … QB Cleo Lemon threw for season-high 315 yards last week. … RB Samkon Gado has scored in two straight games and has 3 TDs over that span. … Last week, WR Greg Camarillo had 3 receptions for 109 yards, including winning TD. He had 1 career catch entering game. … Miami has allowed a score on 97.1 percent (45 of 46) of trips inside red zone, worst in NFL. … Patriots clinched homefield advantage throughout AFC playoffs last week and had eight players elected to Pro Bowl, tied for most in AFC. … New England has won 17 straight regular-season games and can tie its own record 18-game winning streak, set in 2003-04. … Last week, QB Tom Brady (4,235 yards, 45 TDs) failed to throw TD pass for first time this season and needs 5 TDs to break Peyton Manning's single-season record. Brady is 44-10 at home in career.
Baltimore (4-10) at Seattle (9-5)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: OFF (Baltimore QB questionable).
Series: Ravens lead series 2-0.
Last time: Ravens 44, Seahawks 41 in OT, Nov. 23, 2003 at Baltimore.
Last week: Ravens lost to Dolphins 22-16 in OT; Seahawks lost to Panthers 13-10.
Notes: Ravens have lost franchise-record eight straight. … QB Kyle Boller (1,743 yards, 9 TDs) suffered concussion last week and is questionable. Rookie QB Troy Smith, who was 5 of 11 for 49 yards in relief, will start if Boller is out. … RB Willis McGahee (289 carries, 1,197 yards) is averaging 95.7 yards rushing over past three outings. He needs 51 yards to surpass career-high 1,247 set in 2005 with Buffalo. … Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck (3,620 yards, 25 TDs) finished with 333 yards and 5 TDs in last meeting. He's thrown for 546 yards, 5 TDs and zero INTs in past two outings, and his next TD pass will tie career high. … Seahawks have plus-12 turnover margin, second-best in NFC. … RB Shaun Alexander (186 carries, 612 yards) is averaging 37 yards rushing over his past eight games.
New York Jets (3-11) at Tennessee (8-6)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Titans by 9½.
Series: Titans lead series 21-15-1.
Last time: Jets 23, Titans 16, Sept. 10, 2006 at Tennessee.
Last week: Jets lost to Patriots 20-10; Titans beat Chiefs 26-17.
Notes: New York has won three straight in series. … QB Kellen Clemens (1,414 yards, 4 TDs, 10 INTs) left last week's game with rib/shoulder injury and is doubtful. QB Chad Pennington, who was starter at beginning of season, would go if Clemens can't. … Thomas Jones (264 carries, 963 yards rushing) needs 37 yards rushing to become first Jets RB since Curtis Martin in 2004 with 1,000-yard season. … Tennessee trails Cleveland by 1 game for second AFC wild card. … QB Vince Young snapped streak of six straight with INT last week. Young's passer rating of 70.1 is third lowest in AFC. … Tennessee is tied for last in NFL with 9 TDs passing. … RB LenDale White (265 carries, 960 yards) has 206 yards rushing in past two outings and needs 40 yards for first 1,000-yard season.
Washington (7-7) at Minnesota (8-6)
Time: 7:15 p.m., Channel 5
Line: Vikings by 6½.
Series: Redskins lead series 10-8.
Last time: Vikings 19, Redskins 16, Sept. 11, 2006 at Washington.
Last week: Redskins beat Giants 22-10; Vikings beat Bears 20-13.
Notes: Washington and New Orleans trail Minnesota by 1 game for final NFC wild card. … Redskins have three players elected to Pro Bowl, including slain S Sean Taylor. … This is Washington's third straight nationally televised night game. Skins won first two. … Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is 8-1 against Minnesota. … Last week, QB Todd Collins won first start since Dec. 14, 1997. He finished 8 of 25 for 166 yards in wet, windy conditions. … Minnesota has won six straight. … QB Tarvaris Jackson threw 3 INTs last week but finished with career-high 249 yards passing. Jackson is 8-2 as starter this season. … Rookie RB Adrian Peterson (218 carries, conference-best 1,278 yards) averages 106.5 yards rushing per game, best in league. Peterson is trying to be first rookie to lead NFC in rushing since Barry Sanders in 1989. His 12 TDs on ground rank second in NFL.
Monday's game
Denver (6-8) at San Diego (9-5)
Time: 7 p.m., ESPN
Line: Chargers by 7½.
Series: Broncos lead series 52-42-1.
Last time: Chargers 41, Broncos 3, Oct. 7, 2007 at Denver.
Last week: Broncos lost to Texans 31-13; Chargers beat Lions 51-14.
Notes: Broncos were eliminated from playoffs last week. … QB Jay Cutler is 47 of 66 for 498 yards, 5 TDs and zero INTs over past two games. … RB Selvin Young (108 carries, 603 yards) is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. … WR Brandon Marshall had career-high 11 receptions last week and has topped 100 yards receiving in two straight games. … San Diego clinched AFC West last week and had eight players elected to Pro Bowl, tied for most in AFC. Chargers have won four straight, outscoring opponents 130-55 over streak. … QB Philip Rivers is 3-0 with 771 yards passing and 6 TDs as starter vs. Broncos. In career, Rivers is 14-1 at home. … RB LaDainian Tomlinson (1,311 yards rushing, NFL-best 14 TDs) has three straight 100-yard rushing games and is averaging 146.3 over that span.