[Tommy]

Titans (1-1) @ Rams (1-1)- Teams usually play every summer, but this is first meeting for real since Super Bowl six years ago, when Rams stopped Titans a yard from tying TD on game's final play. Tennessee foes started 14 drives 80+ yards from end zone already, so Hentrich helping them pin foes deep, and defense has forced 12 3-and-outs on just 23 drives. Red flag for Titans is 19.8 yards per pass and 206 rushing yards they allowed Steelers in Week 1. Rams outrushed foes 197-116 so far, with +2 turnover ratio; other than Saints, they are last NFL team to play at home. Two Ram games in '05 been decided by total of eight points. AFC South dogs are 1-3 in non-division games the first two weeks.

Raiders (0-2) @ Eagles (1-1)- Oakland playing both Super Bowl teams on road plus their arch-rival in first three weeks of season. In five drives that started 80+ yards from end zone, Raiders haven't scored, and went 3-and-out four times- they're just 8-25 on third down, allowed 17 points in first half of both games, and have only one takeaway. Philly allowed 4.4 and 2.8 yards per pass in first two games, and allowed just 6 of 27 third down plays to succeed; after poor start at Atlanta, Eagles outscored their opponents 45-3 in last three halves. NFC East home faves are 3-1 vs spread in non-division games.

Bengals (2-0) @ Bears (2-0)- Chicago allowed 15 points in two games, giving up just one TD on 21 drives, and allowing a single FG on the four drives where other side entered their red zone; they face Cincy squad that scored seven TD's on 22 drives, thanks in part to starting five TD's in enemy territory (foes have zero such drives). Orton converted surprising 14-28 on 3rd down; Lovie's defense already has eight takeaways (+6 TO ratio). Bengals have 315 rushing yards in two games, a +7 TO ratio (10-3) which has created field position advantages of +14,+20 yards in first two games. On five drives that started 80+ yards from end zone, Cincy has two FG's and a TD, fifth-best production in league so far.

Jaguars (1-1) @ Jets (1-1)- Jags averaging 123.5 rushing yards per game, have outgained both foes, and held Colts without TD at RCA Dome until fourth quarter (Indy was just 13-28 passing!!), so they're formidable foe. Jets ran ball for just 155 yards in first two games; with Martin banged up and Pennington's arm not 100%, how does Gang Green (three TD's, one FG in 21 drives) move ball? Jax lost three of four visits at Jets, but consider them live dog here, as last time Jets covered home games in consecutive weeks was September of '98. Jets 1-5 vs spread at home off a winning cover. Home team is 6-0 vs spread in non-division games involving and AFC East squad. Health of Leftwich, Martin of prime concern here.

Saints (1-1) @ Vikings (0-2)- Fourth week in row on road for nomadic Saints, who finally play in San Antonio next week, but operate on short work week here; they have just one 3-and-out in 19 drives, fewest in NFL, but they've scored just 2.86 pts per red zone drive, 5th-worst in league. Little has gone right for Vikings, who are one of the four teams with worse red zone scoring average; they've also started 12 of their 22 drives 80+ yards from goal line. Culpepper has 0 TD's, eight picks so far, as Vikes are -9 in turnovers already (3-12), have only one TD on 21 drives, and allowed 313 rushing yards, to boot. Brooks passed for 375 yards Monday night, but six turnovers doomed America's Team.

Panthers (1-1) @ Dolphins (1-1)- Miami won both series meetings, . Panthers one of two teams playing first road game this week; dog won their first two home games SU, with field position largely in favor of both winners. Fish held both foes under 100 yards rushing and forced eight 3-and-outs on 24 drives; they've started five less drives in black zone, but allowed Jets two TD drives of 80+ yards last week. Delhomme good at making plays (13-27 on 3rd down); defense held both Saints, Patriots under 300 yards of total offense. Home dogs in non-divisional games are 4-2 vs spread this season.

Browns (1-1) @ Colts (2-0)- Cleveland has been better offensive team of these two thus far, with three TD's and FG on eight drives that started 80+ yards from goal line, while Colts have just one TD in six black zone drives. Odd thing is that Indy has been defensively stout, allowing one TD on 22 drives, and forcing six 3-and-outs, so Dilfer will find tougher sledding here, while Manning might fare better vs Brown stop unit that has allowed six TD's on 22 drives, and is giving up 25.5 ppg. Thus far, Colts have scored 3 first half points, and gone 3-and-out seven times, with only three TD's. Home favorites in non-divisional games are 11-4 vs spread so far this season.

Falcons (1-1) @ Bills (1-1)- Vick strained hamstring in Seattle last week; Schaub is capable backup, if Vick can't go. Buffalo offense struggling as first-time starter Losman learns, scoring one TD with nine 3-and-outs in 26 drives. On their seven drives that started 80+ yards from goal line, they managed one FG, but gave two of those points back by getting sacked for a safety. Falcons have failed to score on their seven blackzone drives, and went four quarters without scoring, until their comeback fell short at Seattle. Atlanta just 5-26 on third down, 23-43 passing, averaging 4.4, 4.7 yards per attempt in first two games. Buffalo is 7-28 on third down, but have yet to turn ball over (+5).

Buccaneers (2-0) @ Packers (1-1)- Lambeau Field has been hellhole for Bucs, who last won here back in '89, and have since lost 13 in row in Dairyland, 11 here, two in Milwaukee. That said, these two teams appear headed in opposite directions, with Bucs outrushing foes 337-73, converting 15-31 on third down, and driving 80+ yards for TD three times in only six tries, while Pack is 0-2, with minus-5 turnover ratio (0-5), field position deficits on 9,14 yards and just three TD's on 20 drives, with eight 3-and-outs. Pack is decent 15-30 on third down, but 30 tries indicates an offense that is not making any big plays. Pack is 41-11 under Sherman when temp is below 70 degrees, and 12-18 when it isn't.

Cardinals (0-2) @ Seahawks (1-1)- Arizona offense has been struggling in red zone, having kicked six FG's while scoring one TD, with 9 3-and-outs; if their OL improves, Warner has receivers who make plays, but that is big if. Seattle won four of last five series games, winning last two at this site by points. Seattle has five TD's, no FG tries, so they score when they get close, but have already started 12 of their 22 drives 80+ yards from goal line, so they've had to work hard to get to red zone. Cards have been outrushed by 58 yards a game, are 0-2 despite outgaining foes by 71 yards per contest. Seattle been outscored
31-0 in second half of games.

Patriots (1-1) @ Steelers (2-0)- Early red flags for the Patriots are red zone defense that has allowed five TD's in five drives, and rushing offense that has gained only 112 yards on 47 carries in first two games. Playoff revenge game for Steelers, who have struck gold with RB Parker, their #3 RB, rushing ball for 341 yards in two games. Pitt is +5 in turnovers, has averaged 19.8,11.5 yrds per pass attempt, and has six TD's, three FG's in nine red zone tries, as well as TD and three FG's in six black zone drives (80+ yards). Pats 10-30 on third down; they've gone 3-and-out on 10 of 25 drives, but have held both Raiders, Carolina under 50% passing.

Cowboys (1-1) @ 49ers (1-1)- Can't be happy week in Dallas, after defensive meltdown in last 5:00 vs Redskins Monday night, and shaky playcalling when they had ball up 13-7 (threw three incomplete passes when failing to run out clock). Travel on short week makes things dicey, but can 49ers bounce back after 42-3 drubbing at Philly (583-142 total yardage)? Niners have run ball 38 times for 82 yards in two games, are minus-3 in turnovers, have been outscored 30-10 in second half and are 4-19 on third down. Cowboys are +3 in turnovers, 14-28 on third down, but seem susceptible to big play- they almost lost Charger game when San Diego hit long pass to 7-yard line in game's final minute.

Giants (2-0) @ Chargers (0-2)- Eli Manning will get rude greeting from Charger franchise he shunned after '04 Draft, and angry 0-2 Bolts out to atone for pair of last-minute losses to open season. That said, Giants played very well in first two games (both at home), outrushing foes 213-103, forcing eight turnovers (+5) and scoring seven TD's on 22 drives, thanks in part to field postion edges of 12,14 yards. Big Blue has five TD's, FG in six red zone tries. Chargers went 3-and-out in nine of first 19 drives, gaining just 252 yards per game, and forcing just pair of 3-and-outs on 18 drives. Home side 15-6 vs spread in non-divisional games over first two weeks,
11-4 in favored.

Chiefs (2-0) @ Broncos (1-1)- KC lost last four visits to Mile High City, as home team won eight of nine meetings in this rivalry. Denver is 31st in NFL (Redskins are #32) in red zone offense (2.43 pts per drive), is just 7-28 on third down (Ron Dayne is their short yardage back!!) and has only two TD's on 23 drives, despite decent field position in both games. Denver red zone defense has allowed four TD's, two FG's in six drives. Chiefs have outrushed foes 323-128 so far; are +3 in turnovers, and have allowed just three TD's in 20 drives, as their defense has gotten better- in seven red zone drives, they've given up two TD's and a FG, third-best in NFL.