NFL PREVIEW | Sunday's games

OAKLAND at HOUSTON
When: 1 p.m.Record vs. spread: Raiders 1-2, Texans 1-2Series history: First meetingKey match-up: Raiders QB Kerry Collins vs. Texans LB Kailee Wong. Oakland's regular starting QB, 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon, broke a vertebra in his neck against Bucs and will be out several weeks. Collins, signed in offseason, will make first start with Raiders. Collins led Raiders on four scoring drives last week after Gannon was hurt, going 16-of-27 for 228 yards and a TD.
PHILADELPHIA at CHICAGO
When: 1 p.m.Record vs. spread: Eagles 3-0, Bears 2-1Series history: Bears lead 24-9-1. Eagles beat Bears 19-13 on Nov. 3, 2002, at Chicago.Key match-up: Eagles DE Jevon Kearse vs. Bears RB Thomas Jones. Jones leads NFC with 329 yards rushing and four TDs. He'll need big game to take heat off new starting QB Jonathan Quinn, making only his fourth NFL start in seven-year career. Eagles allow 108.3 yards rushing per game, and whopping 5.4 yards per carry.
NEW YORK GIANTS at GREEN BAY
When: 1 p.m.Record vs. spread: Giants 2-1, Packers 1-2Series history: Packers lead 28-21-2. Packers beat Giants 34-25 on Jan. 6, 2002, at Giants.Key match-up: Giants RB Tiki Barber vs. Packers MLB Nick Barnett. Barber ranks fourth in NFC with 273 yards rushing. Among RBs with at least 30 carries, he ranks second in NFL, averaging 5.46 yards per carry. He has two 100-plus yard games this year. Barnett is among top LBs in NFL with 20 tackles and has a fumble recovery.
NEW ENGLAND at BUFFALO
When: 1 p.m.Radio: WBBW-AM (1240)Record vs. spread: Patriots 1-0, Bills 1-1Series history: Patriots lead 47-40-1. Patriots beat Bills 31-0 on Dec. 27, 2003, at New England.Key match-up: Patriots LB Willie McGinest vs. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was NFL's most-sacked QB in 2003, and is on track to lead league again in 2004 after being sacked eight times in first two games. McGinest is tied for second in AFC with three sacks.
INDIANAPOLIS at JACKSONVILLE
When: 1 p.m.Record vs. spread: Colts 2-0, Jaguars 3-0Series history: Colts lead 5-1. Jaguars beat Colts 28-23 on Nov. 9, 2003, at Jacksonville.Key match-up: Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore vs. Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Last week, Colts confused Packers by throwing 22 passes in the first quarter without running once -- and scored three TDs in the period. Jaguars have allowed only two TDs in three games this season. Colts had Packers' defense flustered and will look to confound Jaguars.
NEW ORLEANS at ARIZONA
When: 4:05 p.m.Record vs. spread: Saints 1-2, Cardinals 2-1Series history: Cardinals lead 12-11. Saints beat Cardinals 21-10 on Oct. 29, 2000, at Arizona.Key match-up: Saints RB Aaron Stecker vs. Arizona front seven. In three games this season, Stecker has already exceeded his 2003 totals with Buccaneers. With RB Deuce McAllister hampered with injured ankle, Stecker has 147 yards and TD, including his first ever 100-yard rushing game last week.
ATLANTA at CAROLINA
When: 4:05 p.m.Record vs. spread: Falcons 1-2, Panthers 1-1Series history: Falcons lead 12-6. Falcons beat Panthers 20-14 in OT on Dec. 7, 2003, at Atlanta.Key match-up: Falcons DE Patrick Kerney vs. OT Matt Willig. Kerney had career-best three sacks last week and leads NFL with five. Atlanta defense is tied with Eagles for league lead with 14 sacks. Panthers have allowed five sacks in two games. Three starters are gone from last year's offensive line and some preseason injuries led to more lineup changes. Kerney is also part of NFL's second-best run defense.
NEW YORK JETS at MIAMI
When: 4:15 p.m.TV/radio: WKBN (27), WOIO (19), KDKA (2), WBBW-AM (1240)Record vs. spread: Jets 1-0, Dolphins 1-2Series history: Tied 38-38-1. Dolphins beat Jets 23-21 on Dec. 28, 2003, at Miami.Key match-up: Jets front seven vs. Dolphins' latest replacements at RB for Ricky Williams. Williams retired right before season in prime of his career. Lamar Gordon, Miami's leading rusher with 64 yards, is done for year with separated shoulder. Travis Minor is out (ankle) for game. RB Leonard Henry, third-year pro who made NFL debut last week, is expected to start.
TENNESSEE at SAN DIEGO
When: 4:15 p.m.Record vs. spread: Titans 1-2, Chargers 1-1Series history: Chargers lead 19-16-1. Chargers beat Oilers 13-7 on Sept. 13, 1998, at Tennessee.Key match-up: Titans RB Chris Brown vs. Chargers LB Donnie Edwards. After replacing Eddie George, Brown leads NFL with 353 yards rushing. He has rushed for 100 yards in his first three NFL starts and with 100 against Chargers will tie Stump Mitchell as only RBs with 100-yard games in first four starts. Edwards is among top LBs in league with 16 solo tackles.
DENVER at TAMPA BAY
When: 4:15 p.m.Record vs. spread: Broncos 1-1, Buccaneers 0-3Series history: Broncos lead 3-2. Buccaneers beat Broncos 13-10 on Sept. 26, 1999, at Tampa Bay.Key match-up: Broncos FS John Lynch vs. Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman. Pittman missed first three games serving suspension for violating NFL's personal conduct policy. He'll replace injured Charlie Garner in starting lineup. Pittman had 1,348 yards from scrimmage last year and could help weak Bucs offense.
ST. LOUIS at SAN FRANCISCO
When: 8:30 p.m.TV/radio: ESPN, WBBW-AM (1240)Record vs. spread: Rams 0-3, 49ers 2-1Series history: Rams lead 56-51-2. 49ers beat Rams 30-10 on Nov. 2, 2003, at San Francisco.Key match-up: Rams WR Isaac Bruce vs. 49ers CBs Mike Rumph and Ahmed Plummer. Bruce leads NFL with 25 receptions and 348 yards receiving, best start of 11-year career. In his career against 49ers, Bruce has 86 receptions for 1,334 yards and needs seven receptions and 48 yards to surpass current wide receivers coach (and former Rams WR), Henry Ellard as all-time leader against 49ers.
Associated Press