TODAY’S LINEUP

azcentral sports NFL writer Bob McManaman offers a rundown of today’s NFL schedule: Patriots (8-3) at Texans (2-9) Time/TV: 11 a.m./Ch. 5. Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf. Key players/story lines: The Patriots have won 15 of their past 16 games in the month of December and QB Tom Brady is 4-1 against the Texans with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Houston has lost a franchise-record nine straight even though the Texans’ defense is allowing a league-low 290 yards per game. Texans WR Andre Johnson has 19 career games with at least 10 catches and 100 yards, the most in NFL history. The Patriots are 2-3 on the road this season, but Houston looks like a shell of its former self. Line: Patriots by 71⁄ Mac says: Patriots 31, Texans 20. These are the types of games the Patriots don’t lose; they won’t play down to their competition. Broncos (9-2) at Chiefs (9-2) Time/TV: 2:25 p.m./Ch. 5. Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. Key players/story lines: The top two teams in the AFC meet for the second time in three weeks. Denver won the first meeting 27-17 and can hand Kansas City its third straight loss after the Chiefs opened the season 9-0. The Chiefs have the best turnover ratio in the league at plus-13. Broncos QB Peyton Manning needs to get 278 passing yards to become the first player in NFL history with 13 4,000-yard seasons. He is 9-0 vs. the AFC West since signing with Denver. Kansas City’s Justin Houston, who is tied for third in the league with 11 sacks, will miss at least two weeks with a fractured elbow. Line: Broncos by 51⁄ Mac says: Broncos 28, Chiefs 21. If the Chiefs are the real deal, they need to win this game to prove it. I don’t think they can. Giants (4-7) at Redskins (3-8) Time/TV: 6:30 p.m./Ch. 12. Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya. Key players/story lines: Both teams have had issues and inconsistencies, but no one is feeling more heat right now that Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and his coach, Mike Shanahan. It’s something new every week for these guys and it’s only getting worse. A victory over the Giants would calm the critics for a spell, which is certainly needed. Giants QB Eli Manning has won five of his past seven starts vs. Washington and the Giants need a win here to stay mathematically alive in the NFC East. This isn’t a sexy game, but if you like drama, you’ll find it interesting. Line: Giants by 11⁄ Mac says: Giants 28, Redskins 23. If Washington gets down early, it’s over. This team is ready to call it a year. Buccaneers (3-8) at Panthers (8-3) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Panthers by 71⁄ Mac says: Panthers 33, Buccaneers 17. Carolina keeps on cruising, even though the Bucs suddenly have found a way to win. Bears (6-5) at Vikings (2-8-1) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Vikings by 1. Mac says: Bears 23, Vikings 13. Chicago needs this one to stay in NFC North contention. Minnesota will ultimately oblige. Titans (5-6) at Colts (7-4) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Colts by 31⁄ Mac says: Colts 20, Titans 17. The Colts must get their running game going because there just aren’t enough weapons at receiver. Dolphins (5-6) at Jets (5-6) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Jets by 2. Mac says: Dolphins 21, Jets 20. Defense wins this one, and on this particular day, Miami will outshine a pretty good Jets defensive unit. Jaguars (2-9) at Browns (4-7) Time: 11 a.m. Line: Browns by 7. Mac says: Browns 21, Jaguars 13. Don’t look into the light or, in this case, the television set. It’s not worth watching. Rams (5-6) at 49ers (7-4) Time: 2:05 p.m. Line: 49ers by 71⁄ Mac says: 49ers 30, Rams 21. St. Louis can pull off the upset with a little luck, but I don’t think they’ll find any in San Francisco. Falcons (2-9) at Bills (4-7) in Toronto Time: 2:05 p.m. Line: Bills by 31⁄ Mac says: Falcons 27, Bills 10. This is the week Atlanta finally gets its going. If not, coach Mike Smith is gone for sure. Bengals (7-4) at Chargers (5-6) Time: 2:25 p.m. Line: Chargers by 1. Mac says: Bengals 26, Chargers 24. This one could go either way, but I like Cincinnati’s defense to pester Philip Rivers on the road.