[Tommy]

Colts (3-0) @ Jets (2-1)-Peyton Manning usually struggles vs Patriots, and Mangini was Pats' DC, so we'll see how #18 plays here- only once in their last 13 meetings vs Jets have Colts won by more than eight points. Last Indy visit here was 41-0 playoff loss in '02. Jets have forced 53 incompletions (2nd) and eight turnovers (T4) this year, now step up in class vs Colt offense that has converted 63.4% on third down in '06. Indy giving up 161.7 rushing yards/game, as Jaguars showed way to stay close to Colts is to keep ball away from them, but Jets running ball for just 72 ypg so far.

Chargers (2-0) @ Ravens (3-0)- San Diego dominated two stiff teams before their bye, now step way up in class, as Rivers makes third start vs stout Baltimore defense that has 11 takeaways (1st) and has forced 22 3/outs on 38 drives (1st) so far in '06. McNair found way to win in Cleveland last week (23-41/254 passing), rallying from 14-3 halftime deficit. Baltimore has outscored its three opponents 34-3 in second half of games, and allowed total of just 103 yards on 58 rushes in three games; foes are just 11-38 on third down against them. Bolts have 435 rushing yards in two games, so something has to give.

Vikings (2-1) @ Bills (1-2)-Buffalo just played all three AFC East rivals, now they face Minnesota squad whose first three games were all decided by FG. Bills are 29th in NFL in 3rd down conversions (10-36), 28th in red zone defense (5.43 ypd); they've given up three TD drives of 80+ yards, in only eight such chances. Vikings have only one TD on 23 drives in last two games; their defense scored huge TD vs Bears last week. Vikes give up 87 rushing yards per game; Buffalo needs to run ball well, to take pressure off shaky Losman. Big edge at QB for Vikings, who've won four of five visits here, with only loss in '88.

Cowboys (1-1) @ Titans (0-3)-Whole Owens soap opera hovers over Dallas now, hard to tell what effect, if any, this latest episode will have on them. Tennessee is awful, but they hung in at Miami last week; so far this season, Titans have turned ball over eight times (last), thrown 61 IPs (last), scored once on 13 drives that started 80+ yds from end zone (28th), while already giving up three TD drives of 80+ yds. Cowboys were 3-0 in Houston against Oilers, but lost only visit to this site 31-0 back in 2000; with rival Eagles on deck, do they take this 0-3 opponent lightly?

49ers (1-2) @ Chiefs (0-2)-No Trent Green at QB for Chiefs, who scored one touchdown on 20 drives in first two games, with five turnovers, 8 3/outs. Niners have been outscored 58-20 in first half of their games, and RB Gore was banged up last week, but Norv Turner has made Smith look like different QB; SF has eight TDs on 35 drives. 49ers need improvement on 3rd down (11-28, 28%, 28th) and long drives (one FG on eight black zone drives). Chiefs have only one TD in four trips to red zone; will extra practice during by e week help Huard? Home team won last six series games; 49ers lost last visit here 44-9 in '97.

Saints (3-0) @ Panthers (1-2)-Tough spot for Saints, after emotional win Monday, now traveling to face wounded, desperate Carolina team that lost four of last five home games in this visitor-dominated series (visitor 7-1 in last eight). Panthers been outscored 34-12 in second half of games; does their paper-thin OL wear down late in games? Carolina is a dismal 7-38 on third down; their offense looked better with WR Smith back last week, but they still kicked four FGs with two TDs in Tampa, blowing 17-0 lead to QB playing with a ruptured spleen. Saints have balance on offense, move chains well (42.2% on 3rd down).

Cardinals (1-2) @ Falcons (2-1)- Arizona gives shaky starting nod to Warner, probably because Leinart (last first-round pick to sign) isn't ready to start on road vs defense that allowed only one TD on opponents' first 32 drives this season. Short week for Atlanta after dismal effort Monday; now they finally face non-division foe not as familiar with Vick's scrambles, so that could help. Falcon offense struggling (27th on third down, 31st in red zone, no second half points last two games) but defense has been stellar and could get premier pass rusher Abraham back for this.

Dolphins (1-2) @ Texans (0-3)-Houston already 4-point home dog for third time this season; natives must be restless after team took defensive player with first pick in draft, passing on Bush/Young, but has still allowed foes to convert 63% (27-43) on third down, and allowed five TD drives of 80+ yds in nine such chances (last). Texans have given up 12 TDs on 26 drives, forcing just two 3/outs; Brunell completed his first 22 passes against them last week. Miami has been awful thus far, with three TDs, twelve 3/.outs on 32 drives. In last two games, Miami has total of three points in first half.

Lions (0-3) @ Rams (2-1)-Mike Martz returns to St Louis to find Rams second in NFL in turnover margin (+7, 10 takeaways) a huge difference from when Martz was head man under the arch. Ram offense struggling to learn new scheme (two TDs on 30 drives) but Bulger passed for 300+ last week, so its coming. In their two wins, Rams scored two TDs and kicked nine field goals, as defense, special teams finally holding up their end. Lions are just 9-35 (25.7%, 30th) on third down; their defense has forced only 23 IPs in three games, so Holt, Bruce figure to run wild vs their old coach (Favre had 340 passing yds vs Detroit last week).

Patriots (2-1) @ Bengals (3-0)- Corey Dillon returns to Queen City to find Bengals 3-0 but vulnerable vs run, allowing Steelers 113.3 ypg in emotional win at Heinz last week. Cincinnati's three wins are all by 8+ pts, outscoring foes 48-13 in first half. Belichick's defense is struggling, ranked 28th on 3rd down (46.7%), but they do have 11 sacks; only three teams have forced less than the seven 3/outs they have. Patriots won four of last five series tilts, but this is first time they've visited Cincy since '98. Bengals tied for NFL lead in takeaways (11), TDs (10) and are +16 in IPs, three good stats to be strong in.

Jaguars (2-1) @ Redskins (1-2)-Brunell faces his old team on heels of 24-27 day where he completed his first 22 passes; Jaguars are tough in clutch, winning 59% of third down plays this year (2nd); they're also 2nd in NFL in black zone defense, allowing one TD on 17 opponent drives that started 80+ yards from goal line. Jags getting good field position every week (+9,+17,+8 in average starting field position). Redskins most penalized team so far (30 for 298 yds); they're 27th-ranked 3rd down defense (45%), and worst red zone D (five TDs, two FGs on seven drives). Health of Portis a key; Skins had 234 rushing yds last week, were 9-13 on 3rd down.

Browns (0-3) @ Raiders (0-2)- Nothing good at all to say about Oakland's 0-2 start; Brooks is out here, so young Walter (Arizona State) gets first NFL start, vs Cleveland defense that stuffed Raiders last year in late-season 9-7 win, just Cleveland win in six last visits to this site. Raiders had 25 drives in first two games, went 3-and-out 17 times, tried two FGs, had zero TDs. Browns have gone 3/out 16 times (29th) in 36 drives with 8 giveaways (last) but Browns have committed league-low penalties. Browns getting outgained by 124 yds/game, have rushed ball for just 60 ypg. Not much to choose from in this tilt.

Seahawks (3-0) @ Bears (3-0)- Star RB Alexander (foot) out for Seahawks in this outstanding matchup of two best teams in NFC. Seattle is 6-2 in series, winning three of four here. Not only do Bears have terrific defense (allowed one TD on 31 drives, with eight takeaways) their offense has perked up, scoring 26.3 ppg and getting key TD pass late last week when game was on line. Bears have gone 3/out only seven times in 31 drives, so they're moving chains, allowing defense to defend long field. Backup RB Morris gets rare chance to shine with Alexander out; Seahawks converted 16-29 (55%) on 3rd down in last two games.

Packers (1-2) @ Eagles (2-1)- Eagle fans might be sneak peak ahead at Dallas visit a week from now, but Andy Reid used to work in Green Bay, and Eagles narrowly escaped Favre in home playoff game few years back, so doubt Philly looks ahead, especially on Monday night. Philly won last four series games, by 3,3,30,5 points; Pack lost last seven visits to Philly, with their last win back in '62. In last two games, Favre has put 58 points on board, passing for 662 yds, while Pack ran for just 123. Eagles are ranked 3rd in NFL on 3rd down, 2nd in both red, black zones and are tied for NFL lead with 10 TDs.