Falcons at Packers
Noon
LINE -- Packers by 5
SERIES -- Packers lead 17-16; Falcons beat Packers 34-23, Sept. 17, 2017
ON OFFENSE
(RK) FALCONS;VS.;PACKERS (RK)
(32) 79.0;RUSH;105.7 (21)
(5) 298.6;PASS;274.9 (6)
(10) 377.6;YARDS;380.6 (8)
(14) 24.7;POINTS;23.4 (16)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) FALCONS;VS.;PACKERS (RK)
(27) 130.7;RUSH;127.8 (25)
(25) 263.5;PASS;224.0 (6)
(26) 394.2;YARDS;351.8 (13)
(28) 27.8;POINTS;23.9 (17)
WHAT TO WATCH Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is always up for a game against the Packers. He has a 124.9 rating with 12 TDs and 1 INT in his past four games against the Packers, including the playoffs. The Falcons are 3-1 against Green Bay during that stretch.
Panthers at Browns
Noon
LINE -- Panthers by 1
SERIES -- Panthers lead 4-1; Panthers beat Browns 17-13, Dec. 21, 2014
ON OFFENSE
(RK) PANTHERS;VS.;BROWNS (RK)
(2) 140.8;RUSH;120.6 (14)
(20) 236.0;PASS;239.8 (16)
(11) 376.8;YARDS;360.4 (18)
(11) 25.3;POINTS;22.2 (20)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) PANTHERS;VS.;BROWNS (RK)
(6) 96.2;RUSH;136.4 (28)
(22) 256.8;PASS;276.3 (29)
(14) 353.0;YARDS;412.7 (30)
(21) 25.5;POINTS;26.0 (24)
WHAT TO WATCH Carolina RB Christian McCaffrey had 161 total yards last week, becoming the first player with five consecutive games of 50 yards rushing and 50 yards receiving in the same game. The other thing about McCaffrey is that he is tireless, having been on the field for 97.4 percent of the Panthers' plays.
Colts at Texans
Noon
LINE -- Texans by 4 1/2
SERIES -- Colts lead 25-8; Texans beat Colts 37-34 OT, Sept. 30, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) COLTS;VS.;TEXANS (RK)
(20) 106.9;RUSH;140.8 (3)
(10) 271.0;PASS;233.2 (22)
(9) 377.9;YARDS;374.0 (12)
(8) 27.1;POINTS;25.2 (12)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) COLTS;VS.;TEXANS (RK)
(12) 104.1;RUSH;91.3 (5)
(15) 243.8;PASS;250.2 (18)
(11) 347.9;YARDS;341.5 (10)
(15) 23.2;POINTS;19.6 (3)
WHAT TO WATCH Houston DE J.J. Watt is rounding into form after injuries wrecked his previous two seasons. He is fourth in the NFL with 11½ sacks, and he also has forced 5 fumbles. He had 2 sacks and forced 2 fumbles Sept. 30 against the Colts.
Ravens at Chiefs
Noon (CBS)
LINE -- Chiefs by 6 1/2
SERIES -- Series tied 4-4; Chiefs beat Ravens 34-14, Dec. 20, 2015
ON OFFENSE
(RK) RAVENS;VS.;CHIEFS (RK)
(7) 129.2;RUSH;120.7 (13)
(14) 244.5;PASS;316.5 (3)
(13) 373.7;YARDS;437.2 (3)
(13) 24.8;POINTS;37.0 (1)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) RAVENS;VS.;CHIEFS (RK)
(3) 87.2;RUSH;122.0 (22)
(2) 194.4;PASS;295.0 (32)
(1) 281.6;YARDS;417.0 (31)
(1) 17.8;POINTS;27.2 (27)
WHAT TO WATCH Ravens LB Terrell Suggs is in his 16th season, and he is solidifying his standing as one of the best at his position. He needs 1 sack to pass Leslie O'Neal (Little Rock Hall) and Lawrence Taylor (132½ sacks) for No. 13 on the NFL career list. Suggs needs 2 to pass John Abraham for 12th.
Patriots at Dolphins
Noon
LINE -- Patriots by 7 1/2
SERIES -- Dolphins lead 54-52; Patriots beat Dolphins 38-7, Sept. 30, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) PATRIOTS;VS.;DOLPHINS (RK)
(11) 121.7;RUSH;102.7 (24)
(9) 273.4;PASS;199.4 (28)
(7) 395.1;YARDS;302.1 (29)
(7) 27.6;POINTS;20.3 (25)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) PATRIOTS;VS.;DOLPHINS (RK)
(13) 106.7;RUSH;144.7 (30)
(24) 262.5;PASS;254.8 (21)
(22) 369.2;YARDS;399.5 (29)
(9) 21.6;POINTS;25.0 (20)
WHAT TO WATCH The Patriots quietly have become a team that is dependent on the run. Rookie Sony Michel is fourth among rookie RBs with 649 yards rushing despite missing three games, and the Patriots' running backs had 45 touches last week in a victory over the Vikings.
Saints at Buccaneers
Noon (Fox)
LINE -- Saints by 9 1/2
SERIES -- Saints lead 32-21; Buccaneers beat Saints 48-40, Sept. 9, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) SAINTS;VS.;BUCCANEERS (RK)
(9) 127.4;RUSH;98.2 (26)
(11) 269.2;PASS;344.5 (1)
(6) 396.6;YARDS;442.7 (1)
(2) 34.9;POINTS;26.5 (10)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) SAINTS;VS.;BUCCANEERS (RK)
(1) 75.3;RUSH;121.0 (21)
(30) 279.3;PASS;274.4 (28)
(16) 354.6;YARDS;395.4 (27)
(13) 22.4;POINTS;29.6 (30)
WHAT TO WATCH Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans remains one of the more underrated players at his position. Despite having a revolving door at QB in Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick this season, Evans' 1,121 receiving yards are third most in the NFL.
Giants at Redskins
Noon
LINE -- Giants by 3 1/2
SERIES -- Giants lead 100-69-4; Redskins beat Giants 20-13, Oct. 28, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) GIANTS;VS.;REDSKINS (RK)
(27) 95.8;RUSH;116.6 (15)
(13) 254.3;PASS;206.8 (25)
(21) 350.1;YARDS;323.4 (27)
(19) 22.2;POINTS;19.4 (27)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) GIANTS;VS.;REDSKINS (RK)
(24) 124.9;RUSH;102.8 (9)
(20) 252.8;PASS;264.7 (27)
(24) 377.7;YARDS;367.5 (19)
(25) 26.2;POINTS;21.4 (8)
WHAT TO WATCH This game is all about how Washington QB Mark Sanchez performs. He has been the butt of plenty of jokes in his career, but he could silence the naysayers if he can keep the Redskins' fading playoff hopes alive against the Giants.
Jets at Bills
Noon
LINE -- Bills by 3 1/2
SERIES -- Bills lead 62-54; Bills beat Jets 41-10, Nov. 11, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) JETS;VS.;BILLS (RK)
(19) 108.6;RUSH;121.1 (12)
(30) 192.4;PASS;164.6 (31)
(30) 301.0;YARDS;285.7 (31)
(26) 20.2;POINTS;14.8 (31)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) JETS;VS.;BILLS (RK)
(26) 128.3;RUSH;107.0 (14)
(16) 248.1;PASS;187.2 (1)
(23) 376.4;YARDS;294.2 (2)
(22) 25.6;POINTS;24.4 (18)
WHAT TO WATCH Let's face it: Unless you are a Bills or Jets fan, there's no real reason to pay attention to this game. So let's put the focus on a kicker. Jets K Jason Myers has hit 14 of 15 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards, including an NFL-record five of 55 or longer.
Broncos at 49ers
3:05 p.m.
LINE -- Broncos by 3 1/2
SERIES -- Series tied 7-7; Broncos beat 49ers 42-17, Oct. 19, 2014
ON OFFENSE
(RK) BRONCOS;VS.;49ERS (RK)
(5) 132.5;RUSH;129.2 (7)
(23) 233.2;PASS;234.1 (21)
(14) 365.7;YARDS;363.3 (15)
(17) 23.0;POINTS;21.2 (22)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) BRONCOS;VS.;49ERS (RK)
(23) 122.1;RUSH;108.2 (15)
(23) 260.8;PASS;240.6 (13)
(25) 382.9;YARDS;348.8 (12)
(11) 21.8;POINTS;28.0 (29)
WHAT TO WATCH The San Francisco 49ers are enduring a lost season, and one reason for that is their defense is not good at taking what is not theirs. San Francisco's 5 takeaways are the fewest through 12 games since at least 1940. The previous low through 12 games was 7 for Jacksonville in 2016.
Bengals at Chargers
3:05 p.m.
LINE -- Chargers by 14
SERIES -- Chargers lead 20-15; Bengals beat Chargers 24-19, Sept. 20, 2015
ON OFFENSE
(RK) BENGALS;VS.;CHARGERS (RK)
(28) 95.0;RUSH;125.2 (10)
(18) 236.5;PASS;274.2 (8)
(26) 331.5;YARDS;399.4 (5)
(15) 23.8;POINTS;28.3 (6)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) BENGALS;VS.;CHARGERS (RK)
(32) 153.3;RUSH;104.0 (11)
(31) 279.8;PASS;230.9 (10)
(32) 433.1;YARDS;334.9 (8)
(32) 30.9;POINTS;20.8 (7)
WHAT TO WATCH Chargers QB Philip Rivers has thrown 2 or more TDs in the first 12 games this season, which is tied for the third-longest streak to begin a season in NFL history.
Steelers at Raiders
3:25 p.m.
LINE -- Steelers by 10
SERIES -- Raiders lead 15-13; Steelers beat Raiders 38-35, Nov. 8, 2015
ON OFFENSE
(RK) STEELERS;VS.;RAIDERS (RK)
(29) 93.1;RUSH;105.3 (22)
(2) 320.7;PASS;241.6 (15)
(4) 413.8;YARDS;346.9 (22)
(4) 28.8;POINTS;18.3 (29)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) STEELERS;VS.;RAIDERS (RK)
(8) 100.4;RUSH;153.2 (31)
(8) 228.5;PASS;243.3 (14)
(7) 328.9;YARDS;396.5 (28)
(16) 23.5;POINTS;30.6 (31)
WHAT TO WATCH Ben Roethlisberger has 121 victories in regular and postseason games with Mike Tomlin as coach, which ties Terry Bradshaw/Chuck Noll as the winningest QB-coach duo in Steelers history.
Eagles at Cowboys
3:25 p.m. (Fox)
LINE -- XXXX
SERIES -- Cowboys lead 67-52; Cowboys beat Eagles 27-20, Nov. 11, 2018
ON OFFENSE
(RK) EAGLES;VS.;COWBOYS (RK)
(23) 103.2;RUSH;131.5 (6)
(12) 257.5;PASS;200.3 (27)
(17) 360.7;YARDS;331.8 (25)
(21) 21.5;POINTS;20.6 (24)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) EAGLES;VS.;COWBOYS (RK)
(10) 103.7;RUSH;91.2 (4)
(26) 264.3;PASS;226.9 (7)
(21) 368.0;YARDS;318.1 (5)
(12) 22.2;POINTS;18.6 (2)
WHAT TO WATCH Eagles TE Zach Ertz already has established a single-season franchise record with 93 receptions, and he is 18 away from breaking Jason Witten's NFL record for TEs. Witten (110), Tony Gonzalez (102) and Dallas Clark (100) are the only TEs with 100 catches in a season.
Lions at Cardinals
3:25 p.m.
LINE -- Lions by 2 1/2
SERIES -- Lions lead 32-28-5; Lions beat Cardinals 35-23, Sept. 10, 2017
ON OFFENSE
(RK) LIONS;VS.;CARDINALS (RK)
(25) 101.4;RUSH;86.0 (31)
(17) 238.6;PASS;153.3 (32)
(23) 340.0;YARDS;239.3 (32)
(23) 21.2;POINTS;14.6 (32)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) LIONS;VS.;CARDINALS (RK)
(19) 119.8;RUSH;140.9 (29)
(12) 234.8;PASS;220.4 (4)
(15) 354.6;YARDS;361.3 (17)
(26) 26.3;POINTS;25.8 (23)
WHAT TO WATCH LT D.J. Humphries and WR Christian Kirk are the latest Arizona Cardinals to go on injured reserve for the season. That brings the total of Cardinals on IR to 14, and 6 of them are offensive linemen. Therefore, it is no surprise the Cardinals will start 4 rookies on the offensive line for this game.
Rams at Bears
7:20 p.m. (NBC)
LINE -- Rams by 3
SERIES -- Bears lead 53-36-3; Bears beat Rams 37-13, Nov. 15, 2015
ON OFFENSE
(RK) RAMS;VS.;BEARS (RK)
(4) 139.4;RUSH;115.4 (16)
(4) 300.5;PASS;236.2 (19)
(2) 439.9;YARDS;351.6 (20)
(2) 34.9;POINTS;28.7 (5)
ON DEFENSE
(RK) RAMS;VS.;BEARS (RK)
(18) 118.4;RUSH;85.8 (2)
(17) 248.9;PASS;232.1 (11)
(18) 367.3;YARDS;317.9 (4)
(19) 24.8;POINTS;20.1 (4)
WHAT TO WATCH Rams DT Aaron Donald is a sight to behold. No interior defensive lineman has made this big of an impact on the game. He leads the NFL with 16½ sacks, and he has at least 2 sacks in three consecutive games. It will be a joy to watch Donald and the Bears Khalil Mack on the same stage.
Sports on 12/09/2018