USA TODAY International Edition
The week’s top matchups
New England Patriots ( 4-4) at Miami Dolphins ( 3- 5) Sunday, 1 p. m. ET
Surface: Grass.
Sheridan’s line: Patriots by 3.
Keys to the game: The Patriots allow 242 passing yards a game, but the Dolphins are 3-0 when they have at least 30 carries. RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have combined to rush for 307 yards the last two games, and the Patriots are allowing 128.9 yards a game on the ground. A strong running attack would also help keep the ball away from Patriots’ offense. Despite a sagging running game, QB Tom Brady continues to put up impressive numbers and should have a signi : cant advantage vs. the Dolphins’ secondary.
Fast facts: Eleven of the last 16 games have been decided by seven points or fewer. Patriots: Have allowed eight individual 100- yard receivers this season. Dolphins: Brown leads all rookies with 611 rushing yards.
Injuries: Patriots: Out: RB Kevin Faulk ( foot), T Matt Light ( ankle). Questionable: T Tom Ashworth ( knee), WR Troy Brown ( foot), RB Corey Dillon ( ankle), WR Tim Dwight ( rib), CB Randall Gay ( ankle), WR David Givens ( knee), TE Daniel Graham ( shoulder), DE Jarvis Green ( shoulder), DE Marquise Hill ( ankle), CB Ellis Hobbs ( thigh), RB Patrick Pass ( hamstring), S James Sanders ( ankle), DE Richard Seymour ( knee), CB Duane Starks ( shoulder/ thigh), DE Ty Warren ( hip).
Probable: QB Tom Brady ( right shoulder). Dolphins: None. St. Louis Rams ( 4-4) at Seattle Seahawks ( 6- 2) Sunday, 4: 15 p. m.
Surface: Grass
Sheridan’s line: Seahawks by 61⁄ 2
Keys to the game: Rams’ running game likely will determine if the Rams can pull an upset and stay in NFC West race. RB Steven Jackson has averaged 22.5 carries and 138 rushing yards in two games under interim coach Joe Vitt as the team has a run- pass ratio of 60-60. Jackson’s physical style was a problem in the : rst meeting ( 4.5 yards a carry), and the Seahawks will be without veteran OLB Jamie Sharper. Seattle’s goal is to get its top- ranked offense rolling early and take Jackson out of the game. The Seahawks gained 433 yards of total offense in their Week 5 victory in St. Louis, and their ability to strike big with a run or pass is problematic for Rams’ vulnerable defense. But if St. Louis keeps it close, Jackson, who averages 5.6 yards a fourth quarter carry, could take home crowd out of the game.
Fast facts: Rams:
Bulger has won four of his past : ve starts vs. Seattle. Seahawks: Are 17- 3 in past 20 regularseason home games.
Injuries: Rams: Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce ( toe).
Probable: WR Torry Holt ( knee).
Seahawks: Out: WR Darrell Jackson ( knee), LB Jamie Sharper ( knee). Questionable: S Michael Boulware ( hamstring), T Wayne Hunter ( hamstring), LB D.D. Lewis ( knee), DT Marcus Tubbs ( calf). Dallas Cowboys ( 5- 3) at Philadelphia Eagles ( 4-4) Monday night, 9 ET
Surface: Grass
Sheridan’s line: Eagles by 3
Keys to the game: The Eagles need a better effort from their special teams after allowing the Cowboys to start : ve of 12 possessions in Philadelphia territory in a 33- 10 loss in Dallas last month. The Cowboys had just two scoring drives of more than 52 yards, so the Eagles want to force Dallas to put long drives together. Without suspended WR Terrell Owens, Philadelphia also needs other playmakers to emerge. The Cowboys are allowing just 14.6 : rst downs a game, and LB Demarcus Ware has become a pass- rushing threat the Eagles must account for. QB Donovan McNabb moved much better in Sunday night’s loss than he had since the season opener.
Fast facts: Cowboys: Coach Bill Parcells’ teams are 7- 4 in games immediately following a bye week. Eagles: Have a six- game home winning streak against Dallas.
Injuries: Cowboys: Questionable: CB Anthony Henry ( groin), S Willie Pile ( groin).
Eagles: Doubtful: DE N.D. Kalu ( shoulder).
Questionable: TE L. J. Smith ( concussion), TE Stephen Spach ( foot). Probable: K David Akers ( right hamstring), CB Sheldon Brown ( shoulder), S Brian Dawkins ( foot), CB Roderick Hood ( heel), DE Jevon Kearse ( shoulder), QB Donovan McNabb ( rib/ sports hernia), DT Sam Rayburn ( stinger), T Jon Runyan ( shoulder/knee), LB Jeremiah Trotter ( knee).