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Arizona Cardinals ( 2-4) at Dallas Cowboys ( 4- 3)
Sunday, 1 p. m. ET
Surface: Sport 1 eld. Sheridan’s line: Cowboys by 9.
Keys to the game:
Cardinals own NFL’s second- worst rushing attack, which is a bad omen considering Dallas already enters the game leading the league in average time of possession ( 34: 14). Cowboys’ problem has been capitalizing on drives ( 13 TDs in 27 red- zone possessions) and holding leads. QB Josh McCown will make his fourth start in a row for Arizona but must get more help from his running game.
Fast facts: Cardinals:
With seven catches, WR Anquan Boldin would be fastest ever ( 32 games) to 200 for his career. Cowboys: Coach Bill Parcellswill make second attempt to tie Paul Brown ( 170) for ninth place on the all- time wins list.
Injuries: Cardinals: Out: CB Antrel Rolle ( knee), T Oliver Ross ( hand).
Probable: LB Karlos Dansby ( knees), CB Eric Green ( shoulder), RB Harold Morrow ( ankle), WR Reginald Swinton ( toe), T Fred Wake eld ( ankle), QB Kurt Warner ( groin). Cowboys: Out: WR Patrick Crayton ( ankle). Questionable: RB Julius Jones ( ankle). Probable: CB Anthony Henry ( shoulder).
Jacksonville Jaguars ( 4- 2) at St. Louis Rams ( 3-4)
Sunday, 1 p. m. ET
Surface: FieldTurf. Sheridan’s line: Jaguars by 3.
Keys to the game: The Jaguars already have won tough road games vs. Jets and Steelers, but to beat the Rams in a very loud indoor environment they need a healthy RB Fred Taylor. A strong start by Taylor would also set up the play- action pass for QB Byron Leftwich to test the league’s No. 28 pass defense. Rams QB Marc Bulger’s status is uncertain as he recovers from a sprained shoulder, and starting WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce are expected to miss the game. That won’t make life easy vs. league’s second- best pass defense.
Fast facts: Jaguars:
Won four of their last 1 ve road games. Rams: Won only previous meeting, 17- 14, at home in 1996.
Injuries: Jaguars: Probable: G Vincent Manuwai ( ankle), LB Mike Peterson ( ribs), RB Fred Taylor ( ankle), T Maurice Williams ( calf). Rams: Doubtful: WR Torry Holt ( knee). Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce ( toe), QB Marc Bulger ( right shoulder), CB Chris Johnson ( back). Probable: CB Travis Fisher ( groin), QB Jamie Martin ( neck), G Claude Terrell ( neck).
Green Bay Packers ( 1- 5) at Cincinnati Bengals ( 5- 2)
Sunday, 1 p. m. ET
Surface: FieldTurf. Sheridan’s line: Bengals by 9.
Keys to the game:
The pressure is on Packers QB Brett Favre because RB Ahman Green has joined WR Javon Walker and RB Najeh Davenport on injured reserve. The Bengals run defense allows 4.8 yards a carry, and Packers need RB Tony Fisher to take advantage. Otherwise, Favre will have to push ball down 1 eld to an injury- riddled receiving corps working against CBs Tory James and Deltha O’Neal, two top ballhawking corners. The Packers can keep it close as long as they contain Bengals RB Rudi Johnson. Cincinnati is 13- 3 under coach Marvin Lewis when it runs the ball at least 30 times. If the Bengals reach that mark, it means theywill have been successful in setting up their effective play- action passing game.
Fast facts: Packers: K Ryan Longwell needs four points to become 35th player in NFL history to reach 1,000. Bengals: Have had 12 different starting quarterbacks during Favre’s 211 consecutive games started streak.
Injuries: Packers: Out: WR Robert Ferguson ( knee). Questionable: S Nick Collins ( quadriceps), LB Na’il Diggs ( knee), C Mike Flanagan ( hernia), S Earl Little ( hamstring), LB Robert Thomas ( shoulder). Probable: RB Tony Fisher ( eye), CB Jason Horton ( shoulder), DT Cullen Jenkins ( calf), RB Vonta Leach ( shoulder). Bengals: Out: S Madieu Williams ( shoulder). Questionable: C Eric Ghiaciuc ( ankle), WR Tab Perry ( back), LB David Pollack ( knee). Probable: RB Rudi Johnson ( knee), CB Keiwan Ratliff ( hip), DT John Thornton ( back).
Minnesota Vikings ( 2-4) at Carolina Panthers ( 4- 2) Kansas City Chiefs ( 4- 2) at San Diego Chargers ( 3-4)
Most productive: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin has two of the Cardinals offense’s six touchdowns this year. Sunday, 1 p. m. ET
Surface: Natural grass Sheridan’s line: Panthers by 71⁄
2
Keys to the game: The Vikings have been outscored 95- 21 in their three road games, so getting through the 1 rst half still within striking distance is the 1 rst priority. Minnesota is expected to stick with the 3- 4 defense that coordinator Ted Cottrell began featuring two games ago. Panthers RB Stephen Davis is averaging a career- low 3.1 yards a carry, although backup DeShaun Foster is expected to return from a knee injury to help carry the load. The Vikings’ running game has been even worse, averaging just 84.5 yards a game and putting too much pressure on QB Daunte Culpepper in long passing situations.
Fast facts: Vikings: Have been outscored 77- 10 in the second quarter.
Panthers: Are 6- 2 in their past eight games against the NFC North.
Injuries: Vikings: Out: G Toniu Fonoti ( hand). Questionable: LB Dontarrious Thomas ( shoulder). Probable: LB Napoleon Harris ( knee), DT Spencer Johnson ( knee). Panthers: Questionable: WR Keary Colbert ( ankle), RB DeShaun Foster ( knee), LB Dan Morgan ( shoulder). Probable: CB Chris Gamble ( ankle), WR Karl Hankton ( toe), RB Brad Hoover ( shoulder), DE Julius Peppers ( hand), RB Rod Smart ( ankle). Sunday, 4: 05 p. m. ET
Surface: Natural grass Sheridan’s line: Chargers by 6
Keys to the game: Look for the Chiefs to copywhat Philadelphia did last week by stacking the line of scrimmage vs. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson and daring QB Drew Brees to push the ball down 1 eld. San Diego must put points on the board because its own secondary is yielding an average of 247.7 passing yards. However, the real battle will come when Chiefs RBs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson butt headswith NFL’s No. 2 run defense.
Fast facts: Chiefs: Have forced league- high 19 fumbles. Chargers: Four losses have been by a combined 12 points . . . Swept season series last year by a combined score of 58- 48.
Injuries: Chiefs: Out: DT Ryan Sims ( foot). Questionable: DT John Browning ( knee), CB Dexter McCleon ( groin), WR Samie Parker ( knee), T Kevin Sampson ( ill), CB Jerome Woods ( hamstring). Chargers: Out: TE Ryan Krause ( foot). Questionable: CB Sammy Davis ( ribs), LB Donnie Edwards ( knee), CB Drayton Florence ( ankle), LB Steve Foley ( abdomen), LB Randall Godfrey ( neck), G Mike Goff ( ankle), C Nick Hardwick ( ankle), K Nate Kaeding ( back), T Shane Olivea ( back). By Paul Connors, AP
Miami Dolphins ( 2-4) vs. New Orleans Saints ( 2- 5) in Baton Rouge
Sunday, 4: 05 p. m. ET
Surface: Natural grass Sheridan’s line: Saints by 21⁄
Keys to the game: The atmosphere should be intriguing at Tiger Stadium, where Dolphins coach Nick Saban led LSU to the 2003 national title. Miami QB Gus Frerotte has had three poor games in a row, so look for Miami to lean on rookie RB Ronnie Brown while working Ricky Williams into the mix. Miami’s goal is to limit the running game and come after QB Aaron Brooks, who often turns the ball over under pressure.
Fast facts: This is the 1 rst regular- season NFL game in Baton Rouge.
Saints: Brooks needs three TD passes to pass Archie Manning ( 155) for most in franchise history.
Injuries: Dolphins: Questionable: WR Marty Booker ( ankle), DE Kevin Carter ( knee), CB Sam Madison ( hip), K Olindo Mare ( knee), S Lance Schulters ( quadriceps), LB Junior Seau ( calf), DE Jason Taylor ( foot). Saints: Questionable: T Jammal Brown ( ankle), TE Ernie Conwell ( knee), WR Az-Zahir Hakim ( ribs), GMontrae Holland ( knee), WR Joe Horn ( hamstring), DE Darren Howard ( nger), G Kendyl Jacox ( knee), G Jermane Mayberry ( shoulder), S Mel Mitchell ( hamstring), LB T. J. Slaughter ( groin), S Dwight Smith ( knee), WR Donte’ Stallworth ( shoulder), RB Aaron Stecker ( ankle), DT Brian Young ( foot).
Buffalo Bills ( 3-4) at New England Patriots ( 3- 3)
Sunday, 8: 30 p. m. ET
Surface: Natural grass Sheridan’s line: Patriots by 81⁄
Keys to the game: QB Kelly Holcomb has led Bills to an opening drive TD in each of three starts, but Buffalo has been outscored 131- 72 after the 1 rst quarter. They must be able to run the ball, which has been dif 1 cult for them in New England. But Pats’ rush defense is softer this season, and RB Willis McGahee should have success. Pats’ running game has been sporadic, but Bills allow a NFL worst 5.1 yards a carry.
Fast facts: Bills: Have 16 turnovers during their four- game losing streak at New England. Patriots: Have won the past three meetings by a combined score of 91- 23.
Injuries: Bills: Out: T Greg Jerman ( ankle). Questionable: T Mike Williams ( ankle). Probable: CB Terrence McGee ( ankle). Patriots: Out: RB Kevin Faulk ( foot), T Matt Light ( ankle). Doubtful: CB Tyrone Poole ( ankle). Questionable: WR Troy Brown ( foot), RB Corey Dillon ( ankle), CB Randall Gay ( ankle), DE Jarvis Green ( shoulder), DE Marquise Hill ( ankle), LB Larry Izzo ( thigh), LB Willie McGinest ( nger), S James Sanders ( ankle), DE Richard Seymour ( knee), CB Duane Starks ( thigh). Probable: QB Tom Brady ( right shoulder).
Baltimore Ravens ( 2-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers ( 4- 2)
Monday, 9 p. m. ET
Surface: DD GrassMaster Sheridan’s line: Steelers by 10
Keys to the game: With MLB Ray Lewis likely out, the Steelers have more reason to run the ball. Baltimore can’t afford to allow big plays on defense because its offense can’t 1 re back. The struggling offensive line gets another stiff test vs. Steelers’ aggressive 3- 4 scheme. The Ravens ideallywould like QB Anthony Wright to take more shots down 1 eld.
Fast facts: Ravens: Have lost by an average of 13 points during their four- game losing streak at Heinz Field. Steelers: Are 10-0 on Monday nights at home under coach Bill Cowher.
Injuries: Ravens: Out: LB Ray Lewis ( thigh), S Ed Reed ( ankle), RB Alan Ricard ( calf).
Doubtful: QB Kyle Boller ( toe). Questionable: WR Mark Clayton ( ankle), RB Ovie Mughelli ( ankle), DE Anthony Weaver ( toe). Steelers: Out: S Mike Logan ( hamstring). Questionable: CB Ricardo Colclough ( shoulder), DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen ( shoulder). Probable: RB Jerome Bettis ( knee), LB James Farrior ( knee), LB Clark Haggans ( groin), C Jeff Hartings ( knee), LB Clint Kriewaldt ( knee), QB Tommy Maddox ( shoulder), WR Antwaan Randle El ( foot), DE Aaron Smith ( back), CB Deshea Townsend ( hamstring), WR Hines Ward ( hamstring), WR Cedrick Wilson ( wrist).