TODAY'S NFL GAMES
MINNESOTA AT BUFFALO
When: Noon
Line: Bills by 1
Records: Minnesota 2-1; Buffalo 1-2
Key stat: All three Vikings' games have been decided by three points.
Outlook: Vikings RB Chester Taylor is getting his chances, leading the NFL with 75 carries (3.7 avg.). J.P. Losman settling in as Bills' QB, with two TD passes and just one interception, although he's also fumbling. Taylor's running and Brad Johnson's short passing could be enough for the gritty Vikings to escape with a victory.
Prediction: Vikings 17, Bills 14
TV: KQDS Ch. 21
ARIZONA AT ATLANTA
When: Noon
Line: Falcons by 7
Records: Arizona 1-2; Atlanta 2-1
Key stat: The Cardinals have lost 14 of 17 on the road under coach Dennis Green.
Outlook: The Cardinals have to pass to score, and Anquan Boldin is off to a fast start with 20 catches. Falcons RB Warrick Dunn is averaging 103.3 rushing yards per game. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, who fumbled away chance to beat the Rams last week after throwing three interceptions, must play better to keep rookie Matt Leinart on the bench.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Cardinals 23
SAN DIEGO AT BALTIMORE
When: Noon
Line: Chargers by 2
Records: San Diego 2-0; Baltimore 3-0
Key stat: The Chargers' opponents are 0-5, the Ravens' 0-8.
Outlook: This could be an old-fashioned NFL brawl featuring the No. 1 (Chargers) and No. 2 (Ravens) defenses. Home field matters in games like this.
Prediction: Ravens 12, Chargers 10
NEW ORLEANS AT CAROLINA
When: Noon
Line: Panthers by 7
Records: New Orleans 3-0; Carolina 1-2
Outlook: Saints RB Deuce McAllister is off to a solid start, rushing for 72.7 yards per game and 4.1 per carry. Panthers WR Steve Smith is healthy and a threat again after catching seven passes last week in 2006 debut.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Saints 17
MIAMI AT HOUSTON
When: Noon
Line: Dolphins by 3
Records: Miami 1-2; Houston 0-3
Key stat: The Dolphins are scoring just 12 points per game.
Outlook: The Texans' defense has been giving up yards, but can the Dolphins' struggling offense take advantage? David Carr, the NFL's leader in pass efficiency who has six TD passes and one interception, will do just enough.
Prediction: Texans 17, Dolphins 16
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SAN FRANCISCO AT KANSAS CITY
When: Noon
Line: Chiefs by 7
Records: San Francisco 1-2; Kansas City 0-2
Outlook: 49ers rookie RB Michael Robinson, the former Penn State quarterback, is becoming a bigger factor with two scores. Chiefs RB Larry Johnson averages 4.4 yards per carry.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, 49ers 20
INDIANAPOLIS AT N.Y. JETS
When: Noon
Line: Colts by 9
Records: Indianapolis 3-0; New York 2-1
Outlook: Colts rookie RB Joseph Addai averages 4.7 yards per carry; the Jets' Kevan Barlow just 2.9. The Jets have shown toughness in beginning of Eric Mangini regime, but WR Laveranues Coles' calf injury may doom their chances.
Prediction: Colts 27, Jets 16
TV: CBS3
DALLAS AT TENNESSEE
When: Noon
Line: Cowboys by 9
Records: Dallas 1-1; Tennessee 0-3
Key stat: The Titans are scoring just 11 points per game.
Outlook: Cowboys RB Julius Jones averages 4.5 yards per carry and could have a big day against a weak defense. With or without Terrell Owens, the Cowboys have enough to beat one of the NFL's worst teams.
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Titans 14
DETROIT AT ST. LOUIS
When: 3:05 p.m.
Line: Rams by 5
Outlook: Roy Williams leads the Lions with 16 catches, but Rams WR Torry Holt (20 catches) could have a big day if St. Louis continues to struggle running the ball. The Lions have shown they play good run defense and not much else. The Rams should be able to move through the air vs. defense looking for its first interception.
Prediction: Rams 27, Lions 17
NEW ENGLAND AT CINCINNATI
When: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Bengals by 6
Records: New England 2-1; Cincinnati 3-0
Outlook: TE Ben Watson is emerging as a major Patriots threat with 12 catches. The Patriots are lacking confidence on offense, having struggled to score in home loss to Denver last week. The Bengals, led by Carson Palmer's six TD passes, haven't been held under 23 points yet.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Patriots 24
CLEVELAND AT OAKLAND
When: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Browns by 3
Records: Cleveland 0-3; Oakland 0-2
Key stat: The Raiders have lost by an average of 24.5 points.
Outlook: Browns WR Braylon Edwards is going for third straight 100-yard receiving game, and is averaging 22.6 per catch. The Browns have been competitive, and the Raiders show no signs of it as they are still looking for that elusive first TD of the season.
Prediction: Browns 17, Raiders 9
JACKSONVILLE AT WASHINGTON
When: 3:15 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 3
Records: Jacksonville 2-1; Washington 1-2
Key stat: The Jaguars have won eight of last 11 road games.
Outlook: Reggie Williams is off to a fast start with 16 catches for Jaguars. Washington QB Mark Brunell had a big game vs. the Texans, setting consecutive completion record, but the Jaguars boast NFL's No. 3-ranked defense.
Prediction: Jaguars 20, Redskins 13
SEATTLE AT CHICAGO
When: 7:15 p.m.
Line: Bears by 3
Records: Seattle 3-0; Chicago 3-0
Key stat: The Seahawks are second in rushing defense (58.7 yards).
Outlook: After just two catches in his first game in Seattle, Deion Branch is ready to play a bigger role. Can Bears RB Thomas Jones improve on his 3.0-yard rushing average? With Maurice Morris replacing injured NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks may have to pass more than run.
Prediction: Bears 21, Seahawks 16
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TERRY BANNON, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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