PREVIEW | Today's games

BALTIMORE (3-4) at ATLANTA (4-3)
Time: Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Ravens lead series 1-0. Ravens beat Falcons 19-13 in OT, Oct. 3, 1999 at Atlanta.
Last week: Ravens lost to Steelers 31-18; Falcons beat Saints 37-35.
Key matchup: Atlanta QB Michael Vick vs. weakened Ravens defense. Ravens will be without LB Ray Lewis and DE Michael McCrary. Vick is leading NFL with 9.0 yards per carry. Ravens will have problems containing Vick without Lewis tracking him sideline to sideline.
NEW ENGLAND (3-4) at BUFFALO (5-3)
Time: 1 p.m.
Radio: WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Patriots leads series 43-39-1. Patriots beat Bills 12-9 in OT, Dec. 16, 2001 at Buffalo.
Last week: Patriots lost to Broncos 24-16; Bills beat Lions 24-17.
Key matchup: Buffalo QB Drew Bledsoe vs. his former team. Bledsoe, leading passer in the AFC with 98.3 rating, has thrown for 2,500 yards, 16 TDs and 5 INTs in half a season. He set Patriots franchise career records for attempts (4,518), completions (2,544) and yards (29,657). Patriots' pass defense is ranked second in NFL.
PHILADELPHIA (5-2) at CHICAGO (2-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: WYFX (17/62).
Series history: Eagles lead series 24-6-1. Eagles beat Bears 13-9, Oct. 22, 2000 at Philadelphia.
Last week: Eagles beat Giants 17-3; Bears lost to Vikings 25-7.
Key matchup: Eagles running game vs. Bears defense. Eagles rang up 299 yards on ground in Monday night's 17-3 victory over New York, which entered game ranked third against run in NFL. Bears have allowed 128.9 yards rushing per game, second worst in NFC.
DALLAS (3-5) at DETROIT (2-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Series is tied 7-7. Lions beat Cowboys 15-10, Jan. 6, 2002 at Detroit.
Last week: Cowboys lost to Seahawks 17-14; Lions lost to Bills 24-17.
Key matchup: Dallas RB Emmitt Smith vs. Detroit defensive line. Smith gained 109 yards vs. Seattle last week to become NFL's career rushing leader. Lions have done well against run. With Cowboys shuffling offensive line for eighth time this season, Smith will be hard-pressed to get 100 yards.
CINCINNATI (0-7) at HOUSTON (2-5)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Last week: Bengals lost to Titans 30-24; Texans beat Jaguars 21-19.
Key matchup: Overconfidence vs. frustration. Texans, favorites for the first time in brief history, face only winless team in tNFL. Bengals continue to hurt themselves. Against Titans, pulling guard Matt O'Dwyer tripped Corey Dillon inches short of end zone on fourth-and-goal with 68 seconds left. Texans shouldn't lack motivation after Bengals coach Dick LeBeau brashly predicted a victory.
TENNESSEE (3-4)at INDIANAPOLIS (4-3)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Series is tied 7-7. Titans beat Colts 19-16 in AFC divisional playoff, Jan. 16, 2000 at Indianapolis.
Last week: Titans beat Bengals 30-24; Colts lost to Redskins 26-21.
Key matchup: Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning vs. Titans defense. Colts have fallen behind 21-0 and 20-0 in first half last two weeks. With RB Edgerrin James in midst of five-game slump without 100-yard game and nursing injured hamstring, Colts have become one-dimensional. Defenses have been teeing off against the pass with success, with five INTs in last two games.
MINNESOTA (2-5) at TAMPA BAY (6-2)
Time: 1 p.m.
Series history: Vikings lead series 31-17. Bucs beat Vikings 41-14, Oct. 28, 2001 at Tampa.
Last week: Vikings beat Bears 25-7; Bucs beat Panthers 12-9.
Key matchup: Vikings defense vs. Buccaneers offense. Until last week, Vikings hadn't held opponent to seven points in past 36 games, dating to September 2000. Bucs haven't scored an offensive touchdown in last two games. Vikings had six sacks, intercepted two passes, had a safety, recovered a fumble and allowed just 44 yards rushing.
NEW YORK JETS (2-5)at SAN DIEGO (6-1)
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Series history: Chargers lead series 17-9-1. Chargers beat Jets 21-6, Dec. 18, 1994 at New York.
Last week: Jets lost to Browns 24-21; Chargers were off, beat Raiders 27-21 in Week 7.
Key matchup: Jets rushing game vs. Chargers rushing game. Chargers have second-best rushing offense and rushing defense in NFL. Jets are No. 30 in rushing and No. 31 against the rush. Could be a big day for San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson and another frustrating day for New York's Curtis Martin.
ST. LOUIS (2-5) at ARIZONA (4-3)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Series history: Rams lead series 23-21-2. Cardinals beat Rams 20-17, Sept. 27, 1998 at St. Louis.
Last week: Rams were off, beat Seahawks 37-20 in Week 7; Cardinals lost to 49ers 38-28.
Key matchup: Arizona QB Jake Plummer vs. Rams defense. Against 49ers, Plummer threw three INTs and lost fumble. He had just two turnovers during three-game win streak. Rams defense has forced six turnovers during two-game win streak compared to six combined in first five weeks.
SAN FRANCISCO (5-2)at OAKLAND (4-3)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
TV/radio: WYFX (17/62); WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Raiders lead series 6-3. Raiders beat 49ers 34-28 in OT, Oct. 8, 2000, at San Francisco.
Last week: 49ers beat Cardinals 38-28; Raiders lost to Chiefs 20-10.
Key matchup: Oakland WR Jerry Rice vs. former team. NFL's all-time leader in touchdowns (199), yards from scrimmage (21,617), receptions (1,409) and yards on receptions (20,990) faces 49ers for the first time since signing with Oakland in 2001. Rice, with 45 catches for 604 yards, along with Tim Brown (43 catches, 522 yards) leads NFL's No. 1 passing offense.
WASHINGTON (3-4) at SEATTLE (2-5)
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Series history: Redskins lead series 6-4. Redskins beat Seahawks 27-14, Nov. 11, 2001 at Washington.
Last week: Redskins beat Colts 26-21; Seahawks beat Cowboys 17-14.
Key matchup: Seattle rushing defense vs. Washington rookie RB Kenny Watson. It's questionable Washington RB Stephen Davis will play after spraining knee against Indianapolis. Watson, likely making first NFL start, faces worst rushing defense in league. He ran for 76 yards on 15 carries, mostly after Davis left at halftime.
JACKSONVILLE (3-4)at NEW YORK GIANTS (3-4)
Time: 8:30 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN; WBBW-AM (1240).
Series history: Series is tied 1-1. Giants beat Jaguars 28-25, Dec. 23, 2000 at New York.
Last week: Jaguars lost to Texans 21-19; Giants lost to Eagles 17-3.
Key matchup: Giants coach Jim Fassel vs. Jacksonville defensive coordinator John Pease. Failure of Giants offense has Fassel calling his own plays this week. Giants have recorded second-fewest points in NFL behind winless Cincinnati, and have just seven offensive touchdowns in seven games.
Source: Associated Press