NFL PREVIEW Today's games

HOUSTON (2-6) at TENNESSEE (4-4)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Last week: Texans lost to Bengals 38-3; Titans beat Colts 23-15.
Key matchup: The present vs. the past. The Texans, the NFL's newest franchise, face the team they replaced in the Titans. The Titans were originally the Oilers and played in Houston from 1960 until 1996. The Oilers were charter members of the American Football League, which later merged with the NFL.
DETROIT (3-5) at GREEN BAY (7-1)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Packers lead 77-62-7. Packers beat Lions 37-31 on Sept. 22 at Detroit.
Last week: Lions beat Cowboys 9-7; Packers beat Dolphins 24-10.
Key matchup: Lions defense vs. Packers QB Brett Favre. Despite large brace protecting his sprained left knee, Favre threw for 187 yards and TD against Dolphins. If Lions can't muster pass rush to hurry the immobile Favre, look for Green Bay WRs Donald Driver and Terry Glenn to run wild through Detroit secondary.
SAN DIEGO (6-2) at ST. LOUIS (3-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Rams lead series 4-3. Rams beat Chargers 57-31 on Oct. 1, 2000, at St. Louis.
Last week: Chargers lost to Jets 44-13; Rams beat Cardinals 27-14.
Key matchup: Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Rams' front seven. The usually weak Jets defense held Chargers to 73 yards rushing. Tomlinson is NFL's second-leading rusher, but Rams allow only 93.8 yards per game on ground. To win, Chargers need to establish running game early, as they've done for most of season.
NEW ORLEANS (6-2) at CAROLINA (3-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Saints lead 8-6. Saints beat Panthers 27-23 on Dec. 2, 2001, at New Orleans.
Last week: Saints had bye, lost to Falcons 37-35 in Week 8; Panthers had bye, lost to Buccaneers 12-9 in Week 8.
Key matchup: Saints QB Aaron Brooks vs. Panthers DE Julius Peppers. Brooks, tops in NFC with 18 TD passes and tied for NFL lead with TD pass every 6.7 attempts, has been sacked only 14 times. Though only a rookie, Peppers leads NFL with nine sacks.
INDIANAPOLIS (4-4)at PHILADELPHIA (6-2)
Time: 1 p.m.
TV/radio: WKBN (27), WOIO (19), WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Colts lead 8-6. Colts beat Eagles 44-17 on Nov. 21, 1999, at Philadelphia.
Last week: Colts lost to Titans 23-15; Eagles beat Bears 19-13.
Key matchup: Colts WR Marvin Harrison vs. Eagles CBs Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. Harrison has been one of few bright spots on an inconsistent Colts. He leads NFL with 69 receptions and is third with 835 yards receiving. If Vincent and Taylor, two experienced CBs, can cover Harrison, it could be long afternoon for Colts QB Peyton Manning.
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-4)at MINNESOTA (2-6)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Vikings lead 10-7. Vikings beat Giants 28-16 on Nov. 19, 2001, at Minnesota.
Last week: Giants beat Jaguars 24-17; Vikings lost to Buccaneers 38-24.
Key matchup: Giants' secondary vs. Vikings WR Randy Moss. In last year's matchup, Moss caught 10 passes for 171 yards and three TDs, and showed up New York's defense by showboating. Giants CB Will Allen and safety Shaun Williams must improve on last year's performance to take away Vikings' best weapon.
CINCINNATI (1-7) at BALTIMORE (3-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Ravens lead 8-4. Ravens beat Bengals 16-0 on Dec. 23, 2001, at Baltimore.
Last week: Bengals beat Titans 38-3; Ravens lost to Falcons 20-17.
Key matchup: Steady downfall vs. slow decent. Since playing in Super Bowl in January 1989, Bengals have completed only one season over .500 (1990). Since winning Super Bowl in January 2001, Ravens have 13-11 record in regular season.
SEATTLE (2-6) at ARIZONA (4-4)
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Series history: Cardinals lead 6-1. Cardinals beat Seahawks 24-13 on Sept. 15 at Seattle.
Last week: Seahawks lost to Redskins 14-3; Cardinals lost to Rams 27-14.
Key matchup: Seahawks defense vs. Cardinals RBs Thomas Jones and Marcel Shipp. Opponents have run at will against Seahawks, who have allowed average of 173.5 yards per game, 25 yards more than next-worst team. Both Jones (457 yards) and Shipp (206) have rushed for career highs in 2002 and will look to pad their totals against soft Seattle defense.
WASHINGTON (4-4)at JACKSONVILLE (3-5)
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Series history: Redskins lead 2-0. Redskins beat Jaguars 35-16 on Oct. 22, 2000, at Jacksonville.
Last week: Redskins beat Seahawks 14-3; Jaguars lost to Giants 24-17.
Key matchup: Spurrier's Redskins vs. Spurrier's former Gators. Last week, the Gators, in their first year without current Redskins coach Steve Spurrier, defeated Georgia 20-13 in Jacksonville's Alltel Stadium. Will Spurrier's current team, which has number of former Florida players on roster, will be as successful in same facility?
NEW ENGLAND (4-4) at CHICAGO (2-6)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
TV/radio: WKBN (27), WOIO (19), KDKA (2), WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Patriots lead 5-4. Bears beat Patriots 24-17 on Dec. 10, 2000, at Chicago.
Last week: Patriots beat Bills 38-7; Bears lost to Eagles 19-13.
Key matchup: Patriots QB Tom Brady vs. Bears' secondary. Brady leads NFL with 19 TD passes. Last week, Patriots shredded Buffalo defense with short passes to RBs, who gained big yards thanks to great downfield blocking and poor tackling. Bears' mediocre pass defense must focus on rushing Brady and also tackling safety-valve receivers immediately after catch.
KANSAS CITY (4-4)at SAN FRANCISCO (6-2)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
TV: WYFX (17/62).
Series history: 49ers lead 5-3. 49ers beat Chiefs 21-7 on Nov. 12, 2000, at San Francisco.
Last week: Chiefs had bye, beat Raiders 20-10 in Week 8; 49ers beat Raiders 23-20 in OT.
Key matchup: Chiefs RB Priest Holmes vs. 49ers' defense. Holmes has been NFL's most potent offensive weapon. He has scored 90 points, 30 more than next best non-kicker. His 190 carries are most in NFL, and he leads league in yards rushing and yards from scrimmage. 49ers contained NFL's top offense last week enough to pull out win in OT, and will need to hold back Holmes.
MIAMI (5-3) at NEW YORK JETS (3-5)
Time: 8:30 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN, WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Jets lead 37-36-1. Dolphins beat Jets 30-3 on Sept. 22 at Miami.
Last week: Dolphins lost to Packers 24-10; Jets beat Chargers 44-13.
Key matchup: Dolphins RB Ricky Williams vs. Jets' inconsistent defensive line. Last week, Jets' much-maligned line held Chargers to 73 yards rushing and New York romped. Williams ranks third in AFC in rushing, and in his third game with Dolphins year rushed for 151 yards and TD against Jets. With Ray Lucas struggling at QB, Williams needs to have strong game to keep Miami defense off field.