CAPSULES

BUFFALO at BALTIMORE

* The line: Buffalo by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: BUF--Wide receiver Eric Moulds (hamstring, out).

* Key elements: Buffalo quarterback Doug Flutie has never lost a start vs. an AFC Central team (6-0). Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher or receiver this season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Buf Bal Points scored 19.1 14.2 Points allowed 17.0 20.3 Passing O 214.4 165.5 Rushing O 122.6 114.3 Total O 337.0 279.8 Passing D 201.4 177.0 Rushing D 88.1 88.0 Total D 289.6 265.0

*--*

The pick: Buffalo. The Ravens are on their third quarterback because the first two weren’t any good, although they were good enough to make Tony Banks No. 3.

CAROLINA at ATLANTA

* The line: Atlanta by 2.

* Key injuries: CAR--Running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka (ankle, doubtful).

* Key elements: Panthers lead NFL with 6.66 yards per first-down play. Falcons’ minus-11 turnover differential is worst in NFL.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Car Atl Points scored 22.2 11.9 Points allowed 22.5 23.7 Passing O 237.2 218.9 Rushing O 105.8 69.3 Total O 343.0 288.1 Passing D 213.0 178.3 Rushing D 135.7 133.0 Total D 348.7 311.3

*--*

The pick: Carolina. The Panthers lost their chance to be considered good when they lost to Detroit, but it’s not as though they are as bad as the Falcons, who have already proved they are no good.

CHICAGO at WASHINGTON

* The line: Washington by 8 1/2.

* Key injuries: CHI--Wide receiver Curtis Conway (ankle, out).

* Key elements: Bears have 22 sacks, second best in NFC. Redskins have allowed eight, second fewest in NFC. Bears are fourth in NFL in red-zone defense (five touchdowns allowed in 18 possessions).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Chi Wash Points scored 15.3 32.3 Points allowed 16.1 27.7 Passing O 230.9 266.5 Rushing O 91.7 122.2 Total O 322.6 388.7 Passing D 219.9 269.8 Rushing D 115.1 123.5 Total D 335.0 393.3

*--*

The pick: Washington. The Bears are rushing Shane Matthews back off a hamstring injury, and you would too if you saw Cade McNown in action at the pro level.

CLEVELAND at NEW ORLEANS

* The line: New Orleans by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: NO--Quarterback Billy Joe Hobert (neck, questionable).

* Key elements: Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch has completed 64% of his passes over last two games. New Orleans pass defense (178.5 yards per game) is second in NFC. Browns have fewest penalties (33) in AFC.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Cle NO Points scored 7.6 15.2 Points allowed 25.6 21.2 Passing O 120.3 216.5 Rushing O 78.4 103.0 Total O 198.7 319.5 Passing D 245.6 178.5 Rushing D 160.3 110.0 Total D 405.9 288.5

*--*

The pick: New Orleans. Some people think this is the Browns’ best chance to win their first game of the year. No, that comes Dec. 5. In San Diego.

JACKSONVILLE at CINCINNATI

* The line: Jacksonville by 12 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Jaguars have won four of last five games vs. Bengals. Carl Pickens needs one reception to become first Bengal with 500 catches.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Jac Cin Points scored 23.2 12.3 Points allowed 9.8 28.6 Passing O 196.3 181.1 Rushing O 133.3 124.7 Total O 329.7 305.9 Passing D 144.3 225.6 Rushing D 91.8 92.3 Total D 236.2 317.9

*--*

The pick: Jacksonville. The Jaguars have been unimpressive and Mark Brunell is fighting to keep Jay Fiedler off his back. But they are playing the Bengals.

N.Y. GIANTS at PHILADELPHIA

* The line: New York by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: Giants have won last five vs. Eagles. Giant quarterback Kent Graham has completed 68% of his passes in last two games. Eagles have lost three games this season by total of five points.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NYG Phi Points scored 16.4 12.9 Points allowed 17.3 18.3 Passing O 192.7 116.4 Rushing O 83.4 89.3 Total O 276.1 205.7 Passing D 187.0 184.6 Rushing D 79.1 135.0 Total D 266.1 219.6

*--*

The pick: Philadelphia. May the best defense score. Sooner or later, Donovan McNabb is going to jump off the bench and throw the bomb to win. How about sooner?

ST. LOUIS at TENNESSEE

* The line: St. Louis by 3.

* Key injuries: TEN--Quarterback Steve McNair (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Rams have scored 28 touchdowns and are on pace to score 75 (NFL record is 70). Five of six Titan games have been decided by three points or less.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

StL Ten Points scored 36.2 23.7 Points allowed 10.5 19.8 Passing O 253.0 250.2 Rushing O 134.7 83.0 Total O 387.7 333.2 Passing D 195.7 215.7 Rushing D 72.0 105.0 Total D 267.7 320.7

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. The Titans want to play smash-mouth football, and since the Rams have had it their way, they might not enjoy getting pounded by Eddie George and a scrambling Steve McNair, if he plays.

SAN DIEGO at KANSAS CITY

* The line: Kansas City by 6.

* Key injuries: SD--Running back Natrone Means (knee, out).

* Key elements: Chargers have not allowed 100-yard rusher in 25 games, longest streak in NFL since 34-game streak by Chargers in ‘93-95. Chiefs have plus-46 second-half scoring differential.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

SD KC Points scored 18.3 23.2 Points allowed 16.5 15.7 Passing O 191.0 195.2 Rushing O 69.2 131.2 Total O 260.2 326.3 Passing D 204.7 206.0 Rushing D 76.5 82.3 Total D 281.2 288.3

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. The Erik Kramer interception count stands at seven in two games. Can he hit double figures for three games? No, because as soon as he throws two, Jim Harbaugh will be put in the game.

MIAMI at OAKLAND

* The line: Oakland by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIA--Quarterback Dan Marino (cervical nerve root, out). OAK--Quarterback Rich Gannon (wrist, questionable).

* Key elements: Dolphins have not allowed a 100-yard rusher or a touchdown rushing. Raiders have had all seven games decided by seven points or less. Raiders have best career record of any team vs. Dolphins (17-8-1, including playoffs).

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Mia Oak Points scored 26.0 21.1 Points allowed 22.3 19.6 Passing O 231.8 236.0 Rushing O 100.0 136.7 Total O 331.8 372.7 Passing D 183.8 229.4 Rushing D 76.2 85.9 Total D 260.0 315.3

*--*

The pick: Miami. Sticking with the theory that the Raiders sooner or later have to have a letdown and fall too far behind to rally.

NEW ENGLAND at ARIZONA

* The line: New England by 3.

* Key injuries: ARI--Quarterback Jake Plummer (finger, out).

* Key elements: Six of seven Patriot games decided by three points or less. Cardinal running back Adrian Murrell is second on team with 19 catches. He had 18 last season.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

NE Ari Points scored 23.4 13.7 Points allowed 21.0 18.4 Passing O 274.7 175.7 Rushing O 82.3 68.7 Total O 357.0 244.3 Passing D 222.0 168.8 Rushing D 107.0 136.5 Total D 329.0 305.3

*--*

The pick: New England. Temptation here is to take the Cardinals at home, but not with Dave Brown throwing the ball.

DALLAS at INDIANAPOLIS

* The line: Indianapolis by 3.

* Key injuries: DAL--Wide receiver Michael Irvin (neck, out).

* Key elements: Dallas’ Troy Aikman has 87 wins in the ‘90s, most of any quarterback in any decade. Deion Sanders’ 18 return touchdowns (punts, kicks, interceptions) are most in NFL history. Colts have allowed NFL-best three sacks.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Dal Ind Points scored 26.3 27.3 Points allowed 15.8 20.2 Passing O 218.2 277.2 Rushing O 116.0 87.8 Total O 334.2 365.0 Passing D 208.0 235.3 Rushing D 88.7 97.8 Total D 296.7 333.2

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. The Cowboys’ offense looked good last week, but then one must remember it was matched against the Redskins, who have no defense.

MINNESOTA at DENVER

* The line: Minnesota by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: DEN--Tight end Shannon Sharpe (clavicle, out); quarterback Bubby Brister (hip, questionable); running back Derek Loville (hamstring, questionable).

* Key elements: Bronco quarterback Brian Griese has 913 yards passing and 97.9 passer rating in last three games. Vikings lead NFL with 89 first downs passing.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Min Den Points scored 22.9 17.7 Points allowed 19.7 20.7 Passing O 259.6 232.4 Rushing O 99.3 103.9 Total O 358.9 336.3 Passing D 248.3 172.6 Rushing D 98.7 111.9 Total D 347.0 284.4

*--*

The pick: Minnesota. The Broncos stunned the Packers, but shocking the Vikings and Packers in the same year without the weapons to really do so is not realistic.

TAMPA BAY at DETROIT

* The line: Tampa Bay by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: DET--Wide receiver Herman Moore (knee, out).

* Key elements: Buccaneers are only NFC team not to allow a touchdown rushing. In last home game vs. Buccaneers, Lions held them to 133 yards of total offense.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

TB Det Points scored 14.7 21.8 Points allowed 13.7 19.7 Passing O 134.3 197.0 Rushing O 129.8 100.7 Total O 264.2 297.7 Passing D 183.2 233.8 Rushing D 69.5 87.5 Total D 252.7 321.3

*--*

The pick: Detroit. The pick would be Tampa Bay if Trent Dilfer were playing, so in picking Detroit, how bad does that make Eric Zeier? Pretty bad.

SEATTLE at GREEN BAY

* The line: Green Bay by 5.

* Key injuries: SEA--Center Kevin Glover (blood clot-injured reserve). GB--Defensive tackle Santana Dotson (neck, questionable).

* Key elements: Seahawks’ .688 winning percentage (11-5) is best in Monday night history. Seahawks tied for AFC-high with 13 interceptions.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Sea GB Points scored 20.2 22.2 Points allowed 16.8 20.7 Passing O 215.0 253.3 Rushing O 77.8 94.0 Total O 292.8 347.3 Passing D 225.3 221.2 Rushing D 110.8 122.0 Total D 336.2 343.2

*--*

The pick: Green Bay. Mike Holmgren’s homecoming might be fun if he had Joey Galloway, but the only guy going deep here will be Antonio Freeman.

*

Picks by T.J. SIMERS

Researched by HOUSTON MITCHELL