CHICAGO (4-3) At BUFFALO (0-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., at Toronto, FOX
OPENING LINE – Bears by 2 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Chicago 3-4; Buffalo 3-4
SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 6-4
LAST MEETING – Bears beat Bills 40-7, Oct. 8, 2006
LAST WEEK – Bears had bye (lost to Redskins 17-14 in Week 7); Bills lost to Chiefs 13-10 OT
BEARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (29), RUSH (26T), PASS (19)
BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (6), RUSH (5), PASS (15)
BILLS OFFENSE – OVERALL (26), RUSH (13), PASS (26)
BILLS DEFENSE – OVERALL (29), RUSH (32), PASS (6)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre marks fourth venue Bears and Bills have played at since first meeting in Wrigley Field in 1970. Teams have also played at Soldier Field and Ralph Wilson Stadium. … Bears’ sixth game on international soil, first in regular season. Previously played CFL’s Alouettes in Montreal in 1961; also played in England, Sweden, Germany and Ireland. … With 352 yards rushing and 303 receiving, RB Matt Forte joins 49ers’ Frank Gore as only NFL players to have 300 or more yards in each category this season. … QB Jay Cutler threw four interceptions in last outing, 17-14 loss to Redskins. He threw five in a 10-6 loss to 49ers last November. … Bears’ DL Israel Idonije, born in Nigeria, grew up in Manitoba and was inducted into Manitoba’s Order of the Buffalo Hunt in 2007. … Since 2006, Bears’ Devin Hester has NFL-leading 32 punt returns of 20 yards or more. Bills’ Roscoe Parrish is second with 26. … Bills 0-2 in regular-season games and 2-0 in preseason games at Toronto since five-year series began in 2008. … Buffalo off to third-worst start in franchise history, worst since going 0-11 to open 1984 season. … Bills claimed LB Shawne Merriman off waivers Wednesday; he is not expected to be active this weekend. … Defense allowing NFL worst 188.7 yards rushing and has given up 200 or more yards four times, including 274 to Chiefs last weekend. … Despite troubles against run, Bills have allowed 15 TDs passing, eight rushing. … After finishing second in NFL with 28 interceptions last season, Bills have only one this year. … With 37-34 OT loss at Baltimore on Oct. 24, Bills became fourth NFL team to lose back-to-back road games in OT, joining Bears (1983) and Steelers (1986, 2009)
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NEW YORK JETS (5-2) At DETROIT (2-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Jets by 3 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – New York 5-2; Detroit 6-1
SERIES RECORD – Lions lead 6-5
LAST MEETING – Jets beat Lions 31-14, Oct. 22, 2006
LAST WEEK – Packers beat Jets 9-0; Lions beat Redskins 37-25
JETS OFFENSE – OVERALL (15), RUSH (3), PASS (27)
JETS DEFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (4), PASS (18)
LIONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (30), PASS (7)
LIONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (27), PASS (19)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Jets and Lions drafted hopeful franchise QBs in 2009 – Matthew Stafford taken No. 1 overall and Mark Sanchez selected No. 5. … Jets shooting for seventh straight win on the road; Detroit aiming for three-game winning streak at home. … Jets KR Brad Smith ranks second in league with 31.4-yard average on kickoff returns and likely excited to face Lions, who struggled to slow down Washington’s Brandon Banks last week. … Jets TE Dustin Keller ranks third among TEs with five TDs and 388 yards receiving. … Jets WR Braylon Edwards needs five catches for 300 in career; WR Santonio Holmes need 34 yards receiving to reach 4,000 for career. … Lions seven sacks against Redskins last week was most since eight against Colts on Nov. 11, 1997. … Rookie DT Ndamukong Suh had two sacks and first NFL TD (17-yard fumble return) against Redskins; leads all rookies with 6 1/2 sacks. … Stafford threw four go-ahead TD passes in the second half against Redskins, playing for first time since right shoulder separation in Week 1. … Detroit RB Jahvid Best leads NFL rookies with 613 yards from scrimmage. … Lions WR Calvin Johnson has seven TDs in the last four games.
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MIAMI (4-3) At BALTIMORE (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Ravens by 5 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Miami 5-2; Baltimore 3-4
SERIES RECORD – Dolphins lead 5-4
LAST MEETING – Ravens beat Dolphins 27-9, Jan. 4, 2009.
LAST WEEK – Dolphins beat Bengals 22-14; Ravens had bye (beat Bills 37-34 OT in Week 7).
DOLPHINS OFFENSE – OVERALL (13), RUSH (16), PASS (12)
DOLPHINS DEFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (11T), PASS (12)
RAVENS OFFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (12), PASS (15)
RAVENS DEFENSE – OVERALL (10, RUSH (17), PASS (9)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Intriguing matchup of team unbeaten on road (Miami, 4-0) versus team undefeated at home (Baltimore, 3-0). … Dolphins 5-2 against Ravens in regular season, 0-2 in playoffs. … Miami defensive coordinator Mike Nolan held same job with Baltimore from 2002-04. … Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was coach of Dolphins in 2007. … Two of Ricky Williams’ 24 career 100-yard rushing games with Miami have come against Ravens. … Miami WR Brandon Marshall has 47 catches and on pace for franchise single-season record 107. … Marshall and Davone Bess have combined 86 receptions, 58 short of franchise record for a duo. … Dolphins K Dan Carpenter has 10 FGs in last two games and is one of only four kickers in NFL to make five in two consecutive games. … Baltimore is 9-5 coming off bye week, including 7-1 over past eight years and 5-0 at home beginning in 2002. … Ravens seeking seventh straight home win. … Baltimore WR Derrick Mason has played in 129 straight games, second-longest active streak among receivers behind Reggie Wayne (141). … Ravens have 11 turnovers this season, but opposition has not yet converted one into TD. … Second game of season for Baltimore S Ed Reed, who returned from a hip injury to get two INTs against Buffalo on Oct. 24. … Ravens K Billy Cundiff has already set franchise single-season record for touchbacks on kickoffs (18).
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SAN DIEGO (3-5) At HOUSTON (4-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Chargers by 1 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Kansas City 3-5; Houston 2-4-1
SERIES RECORD – Chargers lead 3-0
LAST MEETING – Chargers beat Texans 35-10, Oct. 28, 2007
LAST WEEK – Chargers beat Titans 33-25; Texans lost to Colts 30-17
CHARGERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (1), RUSH (15), PASS (1)
CHARGERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (1), RUSH (2), PASS (1)
TEXANS OFFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (6), PASS (13)
TEXANS DEFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (14), PASS (32)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Chargers trying to avoid first 0-5 road start since 2000. … Chargers 3-0 against Texans. … QB Philip Rivers has five 300-yard passing games this season, tying career high. … Rivers has thrown a TD pass in 21 consecutive games. … TE Antonio Gates needs 12 catches to pass LaDanian Tomlinson (530) for third-most in team history. Gates needs 23 catches to pass TE Kellen Winslow (541) for second. … Gates leads league with nine TD catches. … LB Kevin Burnett leads team with 65 tackles, and has career-high five sacks this season. … Chargers have held five of eight opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. … Chargers PK Kris Brown is Texans’ all-time leading scorer (767). … Houston 1-3 this season when facing offense ranked among NFL’s top 5. … WR Andre Johnson sat out Wednesday’s practice with sprained right ankle. … Johnson can tie Jerry Rice (15) for most career games with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards. … QB Matt Schaub ranks fifth in AFC in completion percentage (63.4) and yards passing (1,739). … Texans have been outscored 109-50 in first half. … Texans have rallied from 10 points down in fourth quarter to win twice. … RB Arian Foster leads AFC and ranks second in NFL with 737 yards rushing. … Texans 13-4 since ’06 when recording three or more sacks. … Texans 19-3 since ’06 when creating more turnovers than committing. … Houston 21-2 over last three seasons when rushing 30 times or more.
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TAMPA BAY (5-2) At ATLANTA (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE – Falcons by 9 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Tampa Bay 3-3-1; Atlanta 4-3
SERIES RECORD – Buccaneers lead 18-15
LAST MEETING – Falcons beat Buccaneers 20-10, Jan. 3, 2010
LAST WEEK – Buccaneers beat Cardinals 38-35; Falcons had bye (beat Bengals 39-32 in Week 7)
BUCCANEERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (18), PASS (18)
BUCCANEERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (25), RUSH (30), PASS (13)
FALCONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (6), RUSH (5), PASS (11)
FALCONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (6), PASS (27)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Falcons have won three straight against their division rival, even though Tampa Bay leads overall series. … Bucs QB Josh Freeman has thrown just three interceptions in 224 pass attempts, compared with 18 picks on 290 throws last season. … Falcons QB Matt Ryan is 16-1 starting at Georgia Dome since entering league in 2008. The only other quarterback with a better home winning percentage during that span is New England’s Tom Brady (13-0). … Tampa Bay’s LeGarrette Blount has run for 192 yards last two weeks, averaging 5.8 per carry. … Atlanta WR Roddy White coming off 201-yard performance against Cincinnati and on pace to have 123 catches this season. … Bucs have returned three interceptions for touchdowns and are plus-eight on turnovers. … Falcons rank fourth in league in time of possession (31:45 per game). … Tampa Bay has only six sacks through first seven games. Their top draft pick and No. 3 overall selection, DT Gerald McCoy, has yet to take down quarterback. … Former Tampa Bay K Matt Bryant is 14 of 17 on field-goal attempts for the Falcons. … Bucs coach Raheem Morris is three months older than Falcons LB Mike Peterson. … Atlanta DE John Abraham has four sacks in last two games, but guy on opposite side, Kroy Biermann, hasn’t had sack since season opener. … Falcons RB Michael Turner scored two TDs against Bengals after reaching end zone only once through first six weeks.
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NEW ORLEANS (5-3) At CAROLINA (1-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE – Saints by 6 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – New Orleans 2-5-1; Carolina 2-5-0
SERIES RECORD – Panthers lead 17-14
LAST MEETING – Saints 16, Panthers 14, Oct. 3, 2010
LAST WEEK – Saints beat Steelers 20-10; Panthers lost to Rams 20-10
SAINTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (9), RUSH (29), PASS (5)
SAINTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (16), PASS (3)
PANTHERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (28), PASS (31)
PANTHERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (21), PASS (5)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Saints seek second straight win and first season sweep of Carolina since 2001. … Super Bowl champs bounced back from 30-17 loss to Browns to beat Steelers behind Drew Brees’ two fourth-quarter TD passes. … Saints half-game behind NFC South leaders Atlanta and Tampa Bay. … New Orleans scored one TD in first meeting with Carolina, needing late defensive stop to secure win. … Saints could get starting CB Tracy Porter (left knee) and Jabari Greer (left shoulder) back. … Saints coach Sean Payton and Panthers coach John Fox once served on same staff with Giants. … Brees and Panthers special teams coach Jeff Rodgers were teammates at Westlake H.S. in Austin, Texas. … Game matches NFL’s third- and fourth-rated defenses, but there’s big disparity on offense. … Carolina ranks last with 12.1 points per game, 251.4 yards per game, 23 turnovers, 13 INTs and minus-10 turnover margin. … Panthers have scored 10 or fewer points in four of seven games. … Panthers’ league-low 85 points are seven fewer than Raiders have scored in past two games. … QB Matt Moore will start despite 10 INTs and two lost fumbles in four-plus games. … Panthers have sunk from third in NFL in rushing last year to 28th. … Panthers WR Steve Smith’s last TD catch was Week 2. … Panthers haven’t allowed a 300-yard passer or 100-yard receiver this season. … Since 2008, Jon Beason’s six INTs are most among NFL LBs. … In nine career games against Saints, CB Richard Marshall has two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and INT.
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NEW ENGLAND (6-1) At CLEVELAND (2-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
OPENING LINE – Patriots by 4
RECORD VS. SPREAD – New England 5-2-0; Cleveland 3-3-1
SERIES RECORD – Browns lead 11-9
LAST MEETING – Patriots beat Browns 34-17, Oct. 7, 2007
LAST WEEK- Patriots beat Vikings 28-18; Browns had bye (beat Saints 30-17 in Week 7)
PATRIOTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (19), RUSH (14), PASS (16)
PATRIOTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (28), RUSH (11), PASS (31)
BROWNS OFFENSE – OVERALL (28), RUSH (19), PASS (23)
BROWNS DEFENSE – OVERALL (22) RUSH (19), PASS (26)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Former friends and coaching colleagues Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini renew personal grudge match. Their postgame handshake will draw usual attention. … Faces change, but Patriots remain one of league’s best. … Coming off 4-0 October, Patriots have won five straight. … New England is 14-2 against AFC North teams in regular season since divisions were realigned in 2002. Patriots’ only two losses came against Pittsburgh (2004, 2008). … Belichick widely despised by Browns fans when he coached Cleveland from 1991-95. It’s his second trip back with Patriots. … Tom Brady’s winning percentage (.769) is best of any quarterback in Super Bowl era (since 1966). … Brady’s remarkable 103-31 regular-season record includes 4-0 mark against Browns. … Pats statistically toward bottom in defense, but seem to get job done. … With QBs Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace still hurt, rookie QB Colt McCoy will make third straight start – first at home. … Browns coming off bye, which was preceded by upset of defending Super Bowl champion Saints. … Browns OT Joe Thomas has not missed offensive snap since drafted in 2007. … Browns president Mike Holmgren said this week that while he’s seen progress, he wants more wins. … Mangini’s future – he’s 7-16 in two seasons – could again depend on how Browns finish up.
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ARIZONA (3-4) At MINNESOTA (2-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE – Vikings by 8
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Arizona 2-5, Minnesota 2-4-1
SERIES RECORD – Vikings lead 12-10
LAST MEETING – Cardinals beat Vikings 30-17, Dec. 6, 2009
LAST WEEK – Cardinals lost to Buccaneers 38-35; Vikings lost to Patriots 28-18
CARDINALS OFFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (25), PASS (30)
CARDINALS DEFENSE – OVERALL (27), RUSH (29), PASS (21T)
VIKINGS OFFENSE – OVERALL (18), RUSH (7), PASS (21)
VIKINGS DEFENSE – OVERALL (12, tied), RUSH (13), PASS (14)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Cardinals and Vikings are only two teams to improve their victory total in each of last three seasons, but trend will end in 2010 unless Cardinals win eight of last nine games. Vikings already have one more loss than they did last year. … Derek Anderson will start at QB for Cardinals, formally returning to lead role after his replacement, rookie Max Hall, struggled last week and was yanked in first half. Anderson (62.8) and Matt Moore (55.7) of Panthers are only starters with passer rating lower than Brett Favre’s (69.8). … Cardinals WR Steve Breaston, coming off career-high 147-yard game, becoming fantasy league stalwart when he’s healthy. He has 125-plus yards or a touchdown in three of his four games this season. He missed three games after arthroscopic knee surgery. … Fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald returns to hometown. … Favre a shoo-in to start again for Vikings, despite two fractures in left foot, and extend NFL-record streak to 293 consecutive regular-season games started. … After decision to place WR Randy Moss on waivers, Vikings will need to get others more involved in passing game. Spotlight will be on WR Bernard Berrian, who had 41-yard TD catch and 82-yard punt return for a TD two years ago against Cardinals. In seven games this season, he has only nine catches for 87 yards. … Vikings LB Chad Greenway leads team in tackles and has 10 or more stops in five of seven games.
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NEW YORK GIANTS (0-3) At SEATTLE (2-1)
Sunday, 4 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE – Giants by 5
RECORD VS. SPREAD – New York Giants 4-3; Seattle 4-3
SERIES RECORD – Giants lead 8-5
LAST MEETING – Giants beat Seahawks 44-6, Oct. 5, 2008
LAST WEEK – Giants had bye (beat Cowboys 41-35 in Week 7); Seahawks lost to Raiders 33-3
GIANTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (4), PASS (8T)
GIANTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (3), PASS (2)
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (26T), PASS (25)
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE – OVERALL (26), RUSH (10), PASS (29)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – After starting 1-2, Giants have won four straight. Beat Dallas 41-35 before bye week. … Giants 4-6 coming off bye weeks since 2000 and 3-3 under coach Tom Coughlin. … QB Eli Manning has thrown for more than 300 yards twice this season. He did it just three times in 2009. … Even with week off RB Ahmad Bradshaw still ranks second in NFC and third in league in yards rushing (708). He leads league with 10 carries of 20 or more yards. … Giants defense has knocked out five QBs this season: Dallas’ Tony Romo, Carolina’s Matt Moore, Chicago’s Jay Cutler and Todd Collins, and Detroit’s Shaun Hill. … Giants have held last four opponents under 65 yards rushing. … Giants tied for league lead with 24 sacks and DE Osi Umenyiora tied for second in NFL with eight sacks. … Along with being second on team in sacks (4), DE Justin Tuck is second on team in tackles with 48. … DT Rocky Bernard and S Deon Grant were both previously with Seahawks. Bernard left after 2008 season; Grant let go after last season. Seattle looking to go 4-0 at home for first time since 2005. … Seahawks have won previous four home meetings with Giants dating back to 1986. Beat New York in 2005 and 2006 in Seattle. … Seattle placed DL Red Bryant and G Ben Hamilton – both starters – on injured reserve for injuries suffered against Oakland. Bryant has a knee injury, Hamilton a concussion. … RB Marshawn Lynch held to 7 yards on nine carries last week against Oakland. … QB Matt Hasselbeck coming off worst performance of season against Raiders (13 of 32 for 160 yards, one interception). He was sacked eight times and has a QB rating of 43.8. Except for 2008 when Hasselbeck missed nine games due to injury, only twice has he had consecutive games with a QB rating under 50. … K Olindo Mare saw streak of 30 straight made field goals end with two misses against Oakland. Was tied for sixth-longest streak in league history. … DE Chris Clemons with 5 1/2 sacks through seven games is more than any Seahawks player had in 2009.
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KANSAS CITY (5-2) At OAKLAND (4-4)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Raiders by 1
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Kansas City 5-2; Oakland 4-4
SERIES RECORD – Chiefs lead 54-46-2
LAST MEETING – Chiefs beat Raiders 16-10, Nov. 15, 2009
LAST WEEK – Chiefs beat Bills 13-10 in OT; Raiders beat Seahawks 33-3
CHIEFS OFFENSE – OVERALL (12), RUSH (1), PASS (32)
CHIEFS DEFENSE – OVERALL (16), RUSH (7), PASS (23)
RAIDERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (2), PASS (20)
RAIDERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (9), RUSH (26), PASS (4)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Chiefs have won seven straight in Oakland, with only one of wins coming by more than seven points. … Marks first time neither team comes into meeting with losing record since 2002 regular season finale. … Chiefs averaging an NFL-best 6.9 yards per carry on first down. … Kansas City runs ball on 57.8 percent of its offensive plays, highest mark in league. … Chiefs have allowed just one field goal in seven games on first drive by the opponent. … Kansas City has turned ball over only four times and allowed just eight sacks in seven games. … Raiders outscored Denver and Seattle 92-17 past two weeks – the most lopsided two-game stretch for the franchise since 1967. … Oakland gained 545 yards last week, following a 508-yard performance against Denver. That’s first time team has ever topped 500 yards in successive games. … Oakland second in league with 12 rushes of at least 20 yards, already surpassing last year’s total of 11. Darren McFadden has seven, after having only five his first two seasons. … Raiders tied with St. Louis for most false starts with 16, including NFL-worst six by rookie Jared Veldheer. … Oakland has 12 sacks past two games, tied for third in league with 24 on season.
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INDIANAPOLIS (5-2) At PHILADELPHIA (4-3)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE – Eagles by 2 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Indianapolis 4-2-1; Philadelphia 3-4
SERIES RECORD – Colts lead 10-7
LAST MEETING – Colts beat Eagles 45-21, Nov. 26, 2006
LAST WEEK – Colts beat Texans 30-17; Eagles had bye (lost to Titans 37-19 in Week 7)
COLTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (23), PASS (2)
COLTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (17), RUSH (28), PASS (7)
EAGLES OFFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (9), PASS (8T)
EAGLES DEFENSE – OVERALL (12T), RUSH (18), PASS (11)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – QB Peyton Manning will make 200th straight career start. … Colts 6-0 against NFC teams under coach Jim Caldwell. … Colts have won three straight in Philadelphia. … Colts seek 14th consecutive win in November. … RB Joseph Addai needs 69 yards receiving to reach 4,000 career. … Manning and WR Reggie Wayne are one touchdown away from tying Buffalo’s Jim Kelly and Andre Reed for fourth-most by a QB-WR combination. … Wayne has 198 yards receiving in two games vs. Philadelphia. … DE Dwight Freeney has seven sacks in last six games vs. NFC. … LB Gary Brackett grew up in nearby Glassboro, N.J. … Eagles QB Michael Vick has won eight of his last 10 starts against AFC. He has 17 TD passes and eight interceptions in those games and rushed for 519 yards and 3 TDs. … RB LeSean McCoy one of two NFL players with at least 450 yards rushing (477) and 250 yards receiving (293). Tied for first among RBs with 38 catches. … CB Asante Samuel had 39-yard interception for TD against Colts in 2006 AFC championship game. … DE Juqua Parker has sacks in five of last six games vs. AFC. … WR/PR DeSean Jackson has averaged 45.5 yards per touchdown for his 20 career scores.
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DALLAS (1-6) At GREEN BAY (5-3)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
OPENING LINE – Packers by 7 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Dallas 1-6; Green Bay 4-4
SERIES RECORD – Cowboys lead 16-13
LAST MEETING – Packers beat Cowboys 17-7, Nov. 15, 2009.
LAST WEEK – Cowboys lost to Jaguars 35-17; Packers beat Jets 9-0
COWBOYS OFFENSE – OVERALL (4), RUSH (31), PASS (3)
COWBOYS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (24), PASS (10)
PACKERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (16), RUSH (22), PASS (10)
PACKERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (18), RUSH (25), PASS (17)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw first NFL TD pass at Dallas in 2007, to WR Greg Jennings. In three career games vs. Cowboys, Rodgers has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 680 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs. He had TDs rushing and passing in fourth quarter of last meeting. … Packers WR Donald Driver ruled out with quadriceps injury. … Packers RB Brandon Jackson has 398 yards from scrimmage (281 rush, 117 receiving) in past four games. … Packers CB Charles Woodson had 47th career INT last week, tied for most among active CBs (Champ Bailey). Since 2008, Woodson leads NFL with 18 INTs; Packers S Nick Collins tied for fourth with 14. … With Dallas QB Tony Romo sidelined by broken collarbone, backup Jon Kitna made first start since 2008 last week and completed 34 of 49 passes for 379 yards with one TD and four interceptions in loss to Jacksonville. … Dallas LB DeMarcus Ware has seven sacks in past five games and 64 1/2 sacks since 2006, most in NFL. … Cowboys WR Miles Austin has four 100-yard receiving games this season, including 117 last week, tied for most in NFC. … Dallas rookie WR-PR Dez Bryant has five total TDs, tied for most among NFL rookies.
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PITTSBURGH (5-2) At CINCINNATI (2-5)
Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
OPENING LINE – Steelers by 3 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Pittsburgh 4-3; Cincinnati 2-5
SERIES RECORD – Steelers lead 48-32
LAST MEETING – Bengals beat Steelers 18-12, Nov. 13, 2009
LAST WEEK – Steelers lost to Saints 20-10; Bengals lost to Dolphins 22-14
STEELERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (27), RUSH (11), PASS (29)
STEELERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (1), PASS (25)
BENGALS OFFENSE – OVERALL (11), RUSH (20), PASS (6)
BENGALS DEFENSE – OVERALL (19), RUSH (23), PASS (20)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Bengals swept season series last year for first time since 1998, running table in AFC North to become division champs. … Steelers 38-22 in Monday night games, winning five straight. Pittsburgh 5-2 against Cincinnati on Monday night. Bengals 9-18 overall in Monday night games. … Steelers 5-0 on Monday night under fourth-year coach Mike Tomlin. … QB Ben Roethlisberger 11-2 in home state of Ohio, including playoffs. He’s 6-1 in Cincinnati, 5-1 in Cleveland. Roethlisberger went to Miami of Ohio. … WR Hines Ward can extend his streak to 186 consecutive games with a catch, passing Terrell Owens for third-longest in NFL. Ward has 14 career touchdown catches against Bengals, his highest total against any opponent. … Steelers have allowed only eight touchdowns in seven games. They rank first in league in run defense, allowing only 58.9 yards per game. Pittsburgh has allowed only one 100-yard rusher in its last 41 games – Ray Rice last season. … Bengals will by trying to beat Steelers for third time in row, something they haven’t done since 1989-90. … Bengals have started 2-5 or worse in four of coach Marvin Lewis’ eight seasons. It’s 14th time in last 20 years they’ve gotten off to such a bad start. … Owens has 50 games with 100 yards in catches, tied with Don Maynard for fourth in league history. Jerry Rice leads with 76. … QB Carson Palmer is AFC’s lowest-rated passer on third down, completing only 48.8 percent of throws for rating of 62.6.
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