PREVIEW | Today's games

CLEVELAND at PITTSBURGH
Time: 8:30 p.m.TV/radio: ESPN; WKBN-AM (570), WBBG-FM (106.1).Key matchup: Cleveland defense vs. Pittsburgh QB Charlie Batch. Cleveland's defense is giving up just 17 points per game, and before allowing Titans to score two TDs, Browns had tied club record by not giving up more than one TD in five straight games. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger won't play for second straight week as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Batch, who made first start in four years in victory last Sunday in Green Bay, will go again. Batch was 9-of-16 for 65 yards and was intercepted once against Packers after previously throwing only eight passes since joining Steelers in 2002.Streaks, stats and notes: Cleveland is one win from matching last year's win total. ... In 28 career November starts, QB Trent Dilfer is 20-8 (.714) with 39 TDs vs. 23 INTs. ... Six Browns have TD catch; only three teams in AFC have more (Bengals 8, Pats 7, Titans 7). ... Pittsburgh has won nine of last 10 against Browns. ... Coach Bill Cowher is 17-5 vs. Browns, including playoffs. ... Steelers have won past seven vs. AFC North. ... RB Jerome Bettis rushed for 103 yards and two TDs in last meeting and has 60 career 100-yard games, most among active players. ... Steelers are plus-8 in turnover margin. ... WR Hines Ward needs three catches to surpass John Stallworth (537) for most in club history. ... Steelers have eight players with at least one INT, tied for most in NFL (Giants).
SAN FRANCISCO at CHICAGO
Time: 1 p.m.Key matchup: San Francisco secondary vs. Chicago WR Muhsin Muhammad. In his past eight games vs. 49ers, Muhammad has nine touchdowns and four 100-yard receiving games. San Francisco is surrendering league-high 30.7 points per game and is last in NFL with 306.8 yards allowed per game in air. Cornerback Bruce Thornton, plucked off waiver wire earlier this season, has been impressive playing against some of NFL's best receivers, including Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison and Giants' Plaxico Burress.
ARIZONA at DETROIT
Time: 1 p.m.Key matchup: Arizona defensive line vs. Detroit QBs. Joey Harrington finished 28-for-48 for 263 yards and two interceptions, plus costly fumble; he never looked comfortable in pocket while under steady pressure by revived Minnesota defense and tweaked his knee. Jeff Garcia (sore leg) was sidelined last week. Arizona won't be able to apply same intensity. Pro Bowl DE Bertrand Berry has torn left pectoral muscle and could be out for season. Injury further depletes defense that already lost No. 3 end Calvin Pace, starting CB Antrel Rolle and starting nose tackle Russell Davis. Tackle Langston Moore, who got his first start in last Sunday's game, is out four to six weeks with dislocated shoulder.
HOUSTON at INDIANAPOLIS
Time: 1 p.m.Key matchup: Houston run defense vs. Indianapolis RB Edgerrin James. James rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in last meeting as Colts coach Tony Dungy got his 100th career victory. Last week, Houston's defense looked ferocious at times, forcing Jaguars to punt on first six possessions and holding them scoreless until third quarter. Houston's league-worst run defense allowed just 98 yards.
NEW ENGLAND at MIAMI
Time: 1 p.m.TV/radio: (27); WBBW-AM (1240).Key matchup: New England RB Corey Dillon vs. Miami run defense. In three career starts vs. Miami, Dillon has 325 yards rushing (108.3 average.) on 66 carries (4.9 per carry). Miami allowed Falcons to keep ball for more than 36 minutes last week, converting 11 of 17 third-down situations and totaling season-high 27 first downs. Dolphins did hold No. 1 rushing offense to 162 yards on 41 carries. Dillon, lacking usual burst, has struggled this year, gaining 441 yards with 3.5 per carry average.
MINNESOTA at NEW YORK GIANTS
Time: 1 p.m.TV: (17/62).Key matchup: Minnesota vs. first half. In four road losses to Bears, Bengals, Falcons and Panthers, Vikings have fallen behind early and showed little interest in fighting back from large deficits. Coming off easy home victory over mistake-prone Lions did little to convince anyone they are ready to compete on road, where they have been outscored 133-34 in four losses this season. It doesn't get any easier this week when Vikings play Giants at Meadowlands for first time since infamous "41-donut" NFC championship game in January 2001. Since then, New York has played in Metrodome each season, winning three of four games.
KANSAS CITY at BUFFALO
Time: 1 p.m.Key matchup: Kansas City pass defense vs. QB Kelly Holcomb. Kansas City's defense has allowed fewer than 200 net yards passing in three games. In two career starts vs. Chiefs as Brown, Holcomb completed 46-of-66 passes (69.7 percent) for 475 yards with four touchdowns, one interception for 104.0 passer rating. Holcomb, 2-2 as starter, led Bills' offense to season highs last weekend with 394 yards, 263 passing, going 50 percent on third-down conversions and registering 39 minutes, 20 seconds in time of possession.
BALTIMORE at JACKSONVILLE
Time: 1 p.m.Key matchup: Baltimore QB Kyle Boller vs. Jacksonville pass defense. Boller will reclaim job as starting quarterback, hopeful he can revive team's lackluster offense after missing seven games with toe injury. Offense has scored only seven touchdowns in eight games and was held to three field goals last week. Jacksonville has 22 sacks this season, and its defense ranks third in AFC, giving up just 288.9 yards per game. Jaguars' defense is No. 3 in NFL in third-down conversion percentage (30.7 percent; 31 of 101).
DENVER at OAKLAND
Time: 4:05 p.m.Key matchup: Denver coach Mike Shanahan vs. Oakland. Shanahan is 15-5 (7-3 on road) vs. former team. Shanahan coached Los Angeles Raiders for 20 games, 1988-89. Raiders owner Al Davis fired Shanahan early in 1989 season. In their last game against Raiders, Broncos became first team in NFL history to have 300-yard passer (Jake Plummer) and two 100-yard rushers (Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell) in same game.
NEW YORK JETS at CAROLINA
Time: 4:05 p.m.Key matchup: New York QB Brook Bollinger vs. Carolina defensive line. Bollinger replaced Vinny Testaverde and put together inspired effort, rallying Jets from 28-13 deficit vs. Chargers. With one final chance to win game, his fourth-down pass to Justin McCareins was batted down. Carolina won its first three games by combined eight points, but has won past two by total of 45. Credit defense, which hit its stride last week, holding Bucs to just 44 yards rushing while getting five sacks. They also forced four turnovers.
ST. LOUIS at SEATTLE
Time: 4:15 p.m.Radio: WBBW-AM (1240).Key matchup: St. Louis QB Marc Bulger vs. Seattle pass defense. After missing two starts with sprained shoulder, Bulger is back. Bulger has completed 65 percent of passes, fifth in NFL (145-of-223). He is 4-1 in past five starts against Seahawks. Last week, Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes had his second stroke-like episode in two months. Linebackers coach John Marshall will take even larger role in Seattle's defense, which has improved from 26th overall last season to 14th this year. Marshall, a 26-year NFL assistant, has been involved with game-day play calling and some midweek game-planning since Rhodes' first stroke in September.
GREEN BAY at ATLANTA
Time: 4:15 p.m.Key matchup: Green Bay's offensive line vs. Atlanta's defensive line. Falcons still managed to win third straight game despite not recording sack for first time in 18 games. DT Rod Coleman has seven of Atlanta's 24 sacks. Miami was 0-for-9 on third downs, 0-for-2 in red zone. Packers' offensive line has yielded 10 sacks, tied for second fewest in NFL. QB Brett Favre has started 213 games in row, fourth-longest streak ever. He, unlike RB Ahman Green and WR Javon Walker, has been able to avoid injury thanks to revamped offensive line.
WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY
Time: 4:15 p.m.TV: (17/62).Key matchup: Washington QB Marc Brunell vs. Tampa Bay defense. Brunell has three interceptions in 255 attempts for 1.2 percentage, third best in NFL. He has 93.5 passer rating on third downs and 94-plus passer rating in three of past four games. Buccaneers have lost three of last four, including 20-point loss to Carolina last week. It was first time Bucs allowed 20 points. Tampa Bay has held opponents to 236.9 yards a game and 161. yards in air.
Associated Press