The pick: Detroit. Thumbs up for Lions. Favre, who has struggled, will play with an injured thumb. Gus Frerotte will replace Batch, who also has an injured thumb.
INDIANAPOLIS at PHILADELPHIA, 10 a.m.
* The line: Indianapolis by 7.
* Key injuries: None.
* Key elements: Colts have won last three games on road. Eagles' 25 take-aways (17 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) lead NFC. Eagles' Duce Staley has five 100-yard games this season.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
Ind Phi Points scored 27.8 14.9 Points allowed 20.1 21.2 Passing O 272.9 118.2 Rushing O 96.7 110.3 Total O 369.6 228.5 Passing D 221.0 206.3 Rushing D 105.0 127.8 Total D 326.0 334.1
*--*
The pick: Indianapolis. Shut down Peyton Manning? The Colts will simply give the ball to Edgerrin James. Too many weapons for the Eagles to handle, especially with rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb still getting his feet wet.
NEW ENGLAND at MIAMI, 10 a.m., Channel 2
* The line: Miami by 3 1/2.
* Key injuries: MIA--Running back Cecil Collins (leg, out), quarterback Dan Marino neck, doubtful).
* Key elements: Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe has three 400-yard games against Dolphins. Miami defense yields first down on only 28% of third-down conversion attempts, tops in NFL.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
NE Mia Points scored 23.1 21.3 Points allowed 19.3 18.4 Passing O 257.4 200.1 Rushing O 88.6 94.8 Total O 346.0 294.9 Passing D 199.7 173.0 Rushing D 112.6 90.8 Total D 312.2 263.8
*--*
The pick: Miami. Can the Dolphins defeat the Patriots with Damon Huard at quarterback? They've already done that, Huard beating New England in Week 6 on a late touchdown pass.
NEW ORLEANS at JACKSONVILLE, 5:15 p.m., ESPN
* The line: Jacksonville by 12 1/2.
* Key injuries: JAC--Running back Fred Taylor (hamstring, questionable).
* Key elements: Saints' 12 fumble take-aways tie for second in NFC. Jaguars have won six in a row, NFL's longest current winning streak, and they have outscored opponents in first quarter, 40-3.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
NO Jac Points scored 16.3 24.0 Points allowed 20.6 8.8 Passing O 205.1 185.8 Rushing O 121.1 131.3 Total O 326.2 317.1 Passing D 179.7 151.9 Rushing D 108.0 86.0 Total D 287.7 237.9
*--*
The pick: Jacksonville. Quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver can't be as good as he looked against the 49ers last week. He isn't, and neither are his Saints. With Taylor hurting, look for Mark Brunell to have a big day.
N.Y. GIANTS at WASHINGTON, 1:15 p.m.
* The line: Washington by 5 1/2.
* Key injuries: WASH--Wide receiver Michael Westbrook (wrist, doubtful).
* Key elements: Matchup features NFC's No. 2 offense (Redskins) against No. 2 defense (Giants). Redskins' plus-four turnover differential and 14 interceptions are second best in NFC.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
NYG Wash Points scored 17.4 31.9 Points allowed 18.3 28.6 Passing O 199.2 258.6 Rushing O 91.4 120.4 Total O 290.7 379.0 Passing D 199.3 248.6 Rushing D 85.7 135.2 Total D 285.0 383.8
*--*
The pick: Washington. The Redskins scored 50 points when these two met earlier in the season. It won't be that bad for New York this time, but it will be bad.
PITTSBURGH at TENNESSEE, 10 a.m.
* The line: Tennessee by 5.
* Key injuries: TEN--Wide receiver Yancey Thigpen (ankle, questionable).
* Key elements: Steelers' red-zone offense is tops in AFC (16 touchdowns in 28 attempts) and defense is second (seven touchdowns allowed in 21 trips). Titan quarterback Steve McNair is 3-1 as a starter against Steelers.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
Pit Tenn Points scored 19.1 21.1 Points allowed 13.8 19.0 Passing O 153.4 218.6 Rushing O 127.3 94.8 Total O 280.8 313.3 Passing D 155.3 218.1 Rushing D 98.8 97.4 Total D 254.1 315.6
*--*
The pick: Tennessee. The Titans are 21st in the league against the pass. Fortunately for them, they are facing a team without a bona fide quarterback.
SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY, 10 a.m.
* The line: Kansas City by 3.
* Key injuries: None.
* Key elements: Matchup features two of NFL's top clubs in take-aways: Chiefs have 29 (first) and Seahawks 25 (tied for second).
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
Sea KC Points scored 22.8 22.2 Points allowed 16.1 15.1 Passing O 199.7 194.7 Rushing O 90.3 119.9 Total O 290.0 314.6 Passing D 229.9 211.4 Rushing D 108.3 87.2 Total D 338.2 298.7
*--*
The pick: Seattle. The Seahawks made it to the top of the AFC West without holdout receiver Joey Galloway. It's only going to get better now that he's back. The Chiefs have won 17 of their last 20 at home and are unbeaten (4-0) at Arrowhead this season. Until now.
ST. LOUIS at SAN FRANCISCO, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11
* The line: St. Louis by 7 1/2.
* Key injuries: SF--Quarterback Steve Young (concussion, out).
* Key elements: Ram quarterback Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes against 49ers in Week 5, and his 26 touchdowns lead NFL. 49ers have won eight straight at home against Rams and have scored at least 30 points in last six.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
*--*
