PATRIOTS:  Club aims for first win on Thanksgiving (0-2).  First game in dome since Super Bowl XXXVI……Head coach BILL BELICHICK was assistant special teams coach for Lions (1976-77)……QB TOM BRADY made NFL debut vs. Lions on Thanksgiving Day (11/23/00).  Attended Michigan (1997-99) & had 20-5 (.800) record as 2-year starter.  Leads NFL in TD passes (24), needs 8 more to set new club record (BABE PARILLI, 31, 1964)……RB ANTOWAIN SMITH rushed for 88 yards & 1 TD in only career contest vs. Det. (10/5/97 w/ Bills).  Has 174 yards on 41 carries vs. NFC this season (4.2 avg.)……Among AFC East WRs with at least 10 catches, WR DAVID PATTEN ranks 3rd in receiving avg. w/ 14.7 yards (46 for 675 yards)……Club is tied for 2nd in AFC in sacks (28), DE RICHARD SEYMOUR leads team (5.0).  In only meeting, CB TY LAW had 7 tackles & 1 pass defensed.  Law played at Michigan (1992-94) & was first-team All American. LIONS:  Club seeks 10th win in past 14 Thanksgiving games, including fourth in past 5 vs. AFC on Thanksgiving…… Rookie QB JOEY HARRINGTON needs 1 TD pass to pass CHARLIE BATCH, FRED ENKE & JEFF KOMLO (11) for club rookie record.  Needs 1 completion to pass Batch (173) for second all-time among Lions rookies……RB JAMES STEWART needs 147 yards for second-career 1,000-yard rushing season.  Has 13 100-yard rushing games all-time & his team has 9-4 (.692) record.  Lions have 8-3 (.727) mark when he has more than 20 carries.  Has 254 yards receiving (34 catches) & needs 83 yards for career high (336, with Jaguars)……TE MIKHAEL RICKS leads NFL TEs with 15.3 yards per catch avg. (18 catches)……Team has surrendered 16 sacks, tied for fewest in NFC (SF), after allowing NFL-high 66 in 2001……LB CHRIS CLAIBORNE has 3.0 sacks & needs 1.5 for career high.

CLUBS PLAY first Thanksgiving game since 1996 (Dal, 21-10)……REDSKINS:  QB DANNY WUERFFEL passed for career-high 235 yards last week vs. Rams……RB STEPHEN DAVIS has 18 career 100-yard rushing games & with 100 yards vs. Dallas ties for most in club history (LARRY BROWN, JOHN RIGGINS).  Tied career-high with 3 TDs last week.  Rushed for 99 yards in last meeting in Dallas...…WR ROD GARDNER has 684 yards receiving & needs 58 for career high (741)……Defense ranks second in NFC in holding opponents to 38.1 redzone TD pct. (42 trips, 16 TDs)……DE BRUCE SMITH has 189.0 career sacks, second-most all-time.  Has sacks vs. 70 different NFL QBs & faces Dallas rookie QB Hutchinson for first time……LB JESSIE ARMSTEAD was prep star at Dallas’ Carter HS.  LB LA VAR ARRINGTON has 7.0 sacks in past 7 & career-high 9.0 this season.  LB JEREMIAH TROTTER had career-high 21 tackles vs. Cowboys on 12/12/99 (with Eagles)……CB DARRELL GREEN had career-high 2 INT-TDs vs. Cowboys, including first career TD on 12/9/84……COWBOYS:  Club 21-12-1 on Thanksgiving, including 5-0 vs. Wash…….Rookie QB CHAD HUTCHINSON had first career 300-yard passing game (301) last week……RB EMMITT SMITH is NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 16,877 yards & has rushed for 100 yards in 7 of 12 Thanksgiving games.  Seeks third consecutive 100 yard game vs. Redskins on Thanksgiving (132, 155) & with 100 yards will tie BARRY SANDERS in second all-time with 76 career 100-yard games (WALTER PAYTON, 77).  Averages 103.8 rushing yards per game in 22 career games vs. Redskins……WR JOEY GALLOWAY needs 183 yards for fourth career 1,000-yard receiving season.  Rookie WR ANTONIO BRYANT ranks second among NFC rookies with 28 receptions & 447 receiving yards. Defense has allowed 7 TDs in past 6 games……DT LA’ROI GLOVER tied for third in NFC among DTs with 5.5 sacks.

HOME TEAM has won 9 of past 13 in series.  Club leading turnover ratio has won 11 of past 12……DOLPHINS:  Head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT has career 6-1 (.857) record all-time vs. Bills……QB RAY LUCAS has played QB in 6 career games vs. Buffalo (2 starts) & his teams are 5-1 (.833).  In past 3 starts, Lucas has completed 51 of 77 passes (66.2 pct.) for 642 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 100.7 passer rating……In 2 career meetings, RB RICKY WILLIAMS has 190 rushing yards (95.0 yards per game) & 1 receiving TD.  Last week became club’s single-season 100-yard rushing game leader with 6.  Needs 203 yards to surpass DELVIN WILLIAMS (1,258, 1978) & become team’s all-time single-season rushing leader……WR JAMES MC KNIGHT recorded career-long 77-yard reception vs. SD last week……DE JASON TAYLOR has 5.5 sacks in past 5 vs. Bills, including career-best 3.0 in 12/3/00 contest.  Team leads AFC in sacks (31), paced by Taylor’s AFC-best 11.0, tied for 2nd in NFL……S BROCK MARION had 100-yard INT-TD in 1/6/02 meeting, 2nd-longest in team history……BILLS:  QB DREW BLEDSOE has passed for 4,390 yards in career vs. Dolphins, his most vs. any opponent……In 2 career meetings, RB TRAVIS HENRY had 229 rush yards on 41 carries (5.6 avg.) with 1 TD (114.5 yards per game).  Henry is 43 yards shy from becoming 8th Bills RB to rush for 1,000……WR ERIC MOULDS has TD catch in 6 of past 9 vs. Miami, including 70-yard TD in Week 7 meeting.  Has 15 catches for 359 yards (23.9 avg.) & 3 TDs in past 3 against Dolphins.  Had career-best 240 receiving yards in 1998 Wild Card vs. Miami (1/2/99).  WR PEERLESS PRICE needs 73 receiving yards for first career 1,000-yard season……Offense is AFC’s 2nd-best in converting 4th down attempts (6 of 8, 75.0 pct.)……CB NATE CLEMENTS tied team record with 3 INTs in Week 4 meeting.  Also had 29-yard INT-TD.  Bills forced 6 turnovers in game, including 4 INTs.

CLUBS MEET for second time in past 4  weeks……RAVENS:  Have won 8 of past 9 vs. Bengals & head coach BRIAN BILLICK has 6-1 (.857) career record.  Under Billick, club is 26-9 (.743) after Nov. 1 (includes playoffs)……QB JEFF BLAKE was member of Bengals for 6 seasons (1994-99).  Ranks 3rd in team annals with 15,124 passing yards & 79.3 passer rating.  In last meeting, completed 16 of 24 passes (66.7pct.) for 183 yards with 1 TD & 0 INTs for 103.3 passer rating.  As starter, Blake has won 2 of past 3……RB JAMAL LEWIS had first 2 career 100-yard games against Cincy.  Aims for fourth consecutive 100-yard game vs. Bengals……WR TRAVIS TAYLOR has at least 4 catches in 7 of past 8 games……TE TODD HEAP leads NFL TEs in receptions (43)……Ravens have 14 sacks in past 5 meetings, including 3.0 by LB PETER BOULWARE & 2.5 by DE MICHAEL MC CRARY……Rookie S ED REED (No. 24) had 2 INTs for 67 return yards in last meeting.  Reed recorded 1st 2 blocked punts in team history this season…… BENGALS:  Club has scored 20+ points in past 5 games……In past 5 games, QB JON KITNA has completed 106 of 160 passes (66.3 pct.) for 1,284 yards & 10 TDs vs. 3 INTs for passer rating of 103.8……RB COREY DILLON has 100-yard rushing game in each of past 2 vs. Ravens, including 102 yards in Week 10.  Has 229 yards (114.5 yards per game) in those 2……WR CHAD JOHNSON has 100+ receiving yards in each of past 3 games.  Recorded career-high 152 yards on 7 catches (21.7 avg.) last Sunday at Pitt.  Has at least 4 receptions in 6 of past 7 games……KR unit gives club NFL’s 2nd-best avg. drive start (31.6).  KR BRANDON BENNETT tied for 3rd in NFL with 26.1 avg……Defense has forced 8 turnovers (3 INTs, 5 fumbles) in past 3 meetings, including 66-yard INT-TD by LB TAKEO SPIKES in 9/23/01 contest.  LB BRIAN SIMMONS has 2.0 sacks & 1 INT in past 3 vs. Ravens.  Defense has held Ravens to 1,080 net pass yards in past 5 (216.0 avg.).

SPECIAL REUNIONS:  Carolina assistant head coach/special teams SCOTT O’BRIEN was Cleveland special teams coach from 1991-95.  Cleveland head coach BUTCH DAVIS coached Carolina LB DAN MORGAN at Miami (Fla).…… PANTHERS:  QB RODNEY PEETE ranks fifth in NFC among current starters with 7.11-yard avg. per attempt……RB LAMAR SMITH needs 1 TD run to pass FRED LANE (7) for single-season club record……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD seeks club-record 18th 100-yard receiving game, including sixth vs. AFC opponents……TE WESLEY WALLS has 51 career TD catches & needs 1 to tie DAVE CASPER for third-most in NFL history among TEs……Club ranks second in NFL with opposing drive start at 25.2 yard-line……Team leads NFL with 35 sacks, including 31 by defensive line. Defense has allowed 25 possessions in redzone, second-fewest in NFL……Rookie DE JULIUS PEPPERS (No. 2) needs 4.0 sacks for NFL single-season rookie record (JEVON KEARSE, 14.5).  Seeks fourth multi-sack game.  DE MICHEAL RUCKER has 21.5 career sacks & needs 2.5 to pass LAMAR LATHON in second in club history (KEVIN GREENE, 41.5)…… BROWNS:  One of 4 NFL teams to rank in top 10 red zone offense (No. 9) & defense (No. 2).  Win over Carolina would give club 7 wins after Week 12 for 1st time since 1994 (most recent playoff berth)……QB TIM COUCH inside red zone has thrown 10 TDs vs. 0 INTs……Rookie RB WILLIAM GREEN (No. 16) recorded 1st 100-yd game of career last week vs. Saints (114).  In past 2 games (both starts), has 210 yards on 53 carries (4.0 avg.) & 1 TD……WR DENNIS NORTHCUTT is 5th player in team history to score TD via reception, rush & kick return in same season.  Tied for most 40+ yard receptions (4) in AFC.  Ranks No. 2 in NFL in PR avg. (15.4) with 2 TDs……In past 4 games, DE COURTNEY BROWN has 14 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble & 1 blocked FG……Second-year CB ANTHONY HENRY recorded 4th career multi-INT game last week at NO with 2……Defense is No. 1 in AFC, No. 2 in NFL inside 20, allowing 14 TDs in 41 trips (34.1 pct.); have denied points 12 times.

BEARS:  Club’s offense has scored TDs on 8 of past 13 trips inside redzone.  QB CHRIS CHANDLER seeks second consecutive win as starter at Lambeau, posting career highs with 29 completions, 50 attempts in 23-20 win on 11/18/01 (with Falcons).  Chandler is last visiting QB to win at GB.  QB JIM MILLER needs 2 TD passes for career high (13, 2001).  Passed for 353 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting……RB ANTHONY THOMAS has rushing TD in 3 of past 4 games……WR MARTY BOOKER leads NFL with 18 catches of 20 yards or more.  Has led club in receiving yards in 11 of past 14.  Posted career-high 12 receptions (141 yards) in last meeting.  WR DEZ WHITE had career highs with 8 catches & 106 yards (1 TD) last week……Club second in NFL with 13 fumble takeaways (GB, 14) & has at least 1 takeaway in 29 consecutive games……LB ROSEVELT COLVIN has 9.5 sacks & needs 0.5 for second consecutive 10-sack year …….PACKERS:  Clinch NFC North with win or tie.  Club has won 52 consecutive home games when leading by 10 or more points & can tie Steelers’ NFL record (53, 1989-00)……QB BRETT FAVRE seeks 22nd consecutive game vs. Bears with TD pass, second-longest streak vs. single opponent in NFL history (DAN MARINO, 24 vs. NYJ).  Has started 168 consecutive games, most ever by QB & longest current streak for any player.  Needs 264 passing yards to extend his NFL record to 11 consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards.  Has posted passer rating of 100.0 in 5 of 11 games in 2002…… RB AHMAN GREEN has 13 career 100-yard rushing games with Packers & club is 13-0 in those games.  Needs 100 yards vs. Bears to pass JOHN BROCKINGTON for second-most 100-yard games (JIM TAYLOR, 26) in club history.  GB is 15-2 (.882), including 5-1 in 2002, when Green has 25-or-more touches……WR DONALD DRIVER seeks fourth 100-yard receiving game in past 8……TE BUBBA FRANKS leads NFC TEs with 5 TDs……Defense has 33 takeaways, most in NFL……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 7.0 sacks in his past 5 games.  Had 72-yard INT-TD in last  meeting…… Rookie S MARQUES ANDERSON has 2 INT-TDs & need 1 to tie NFL rookie record (LEM BARNEY, RONNIE LOTT)

STEELERS:  Jacksonville one of only 8 NFL clubs head coach BILL COWHER (6-8) has sub-.500 record against……In last start vs. Jaguars (11/18/01), QB KORDELL STEWART completed 21 of 33 passes (.636) for 266 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 98.8 rating……RB JEROME BETTIS is tied for 6th in AFC with 7 rushing TDs.  Needs 66 rush yards to surpass HOF RB JOHN RIGGINS (11,352) for No. 10 on NFL’s all-time rushing list.  RB AMOS ZEREOUE leads club in rushing (512) & is 4th in receptions with 28……In past 4 games, WR HINES WARD has 35 catches for 511 yards (14.6 avg,) & 5 TDs with 3 rushes for 76 yards (25.3 avg.).  Leads NFL with 11 TD receptions & is tied for 2nd with 15 catches of 20+ yards.  Is 1st Pitt. WR with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since ROY JEFFERSON (1968-69).  TE MARK BRUENER has catch in 8 of 11 games……Defense No. 3 in NFL vs. run (90.7).  Tied for 2nd in AFC in sacks (28), LB JOEY PORTER leads team (7.0)……JAGUARS:  Are 6-1 (.857) all-time at home vs. Steelers.  Have won 5 of past 7 in series ……QB MARK BRUNELL has passed for 2,455 career yards vs. Pitt., his 2nd most vs. any one team.  Has 14 TD passes in 12 games against Steelers.  Has 4th quarter passer rating of 86.6, completing 50 of 91 attempts (54.9 pct.) for 626 yards, 4 TDs & 1 INT……RBs STACEY MACK (8) & FRED TAYLOR (5) are tied for 2nd in AFC for most TDs by RB duo with 13.  Mack has TD in 4 of past 5 games.  Taylor is 72 yards away from 3rd career 1,000-yard season in 5 years; played in 2 games in 2001 (groin).  Taylor has 5 TDs vs. Pitt., tied for his most vs. one team……Since 1996, WR JIMMY SMITH leads NFL in receptions (624) & receiving yards (8,803).  Has 68 career receptions vs. Steelers in 14 games (4.9 per game).  Team already reached club record for most offensive plays of 20+ yards in season with 30……LB WALI RAINER leads team in tackles (116)…… Rookie DT JOHN HENDERSON (6.0) & DT MARCUS STROUD (6.0) are one of 2 AFC tandems with 6.0 sacks apiece (Steelers’ Porter and LB CLARK HAGGANS the other).

CARDINALS:  Club seeks fourth win in past 6 games vs. AFC West.  Ranks fourth in NFC with avg. drive start at 29.1 yard-line……QB JAKE PLUMMER has 15-10 record (.600) when completing at least 60.0 pct. of passes.  Has rushed for 218 yards & career-best 6.1 yards per carry……RB MARCEL SHIPP had career-high 135 yards rushing, posting first career 100-yard game last week vs. Oak.  His 5.8 yards-per-carry avg. ties for NFL-best (min. 80 carries) with Raiders’ CHARLIE GARNER…… WR FRANK SANDERS has 6,579 career yards receiving & needs 66 yards to pass MEL GRAY (6,644) in 4th in club history.  Has 493 career receptions & needs 7 to become third player in franchise annals with 500……TE FREDDIE JONES seeks fourth consecutive game vs. KC with TD catch & has 4 TDs in past 3 vs. Chiefs.  Had career-high 2 TDs vs. KC on 11/26/00 & career-long 62-yard catch on 10/16/97 (with SD) ……Club has 14 INTs, fourth-most in NFC, after posting 17 in all of 2001……S ADRIAN WILSON needs 1 INT for first career 5 INT season. CHIEFS:  Have never lost to Cardinals at home (2-0-1).  Game is 2nd of 3 in row vs. NFC West.  Last week, offense recorded 552 total yards (3rd-most in team history) with 8.3 yards per carry……QB TRENT GREEN had career-high 30 completions vs. Cards (11/22/98 w/ Redskins).  In ’02 vs. NFC West, Green has completed 41 of 61 (67.2 pct.) for 536 yards & 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 98.8 rating……RB PRIEST HOLMES gained 307 scrimmage yards last week, 4th-most in NFL history (197 rush, 110 receiving).  Has 20 TDs & needs 7 to break NFL record (StL’s MARSHALL FAULK, 26, 1999).  Offense has scored 134 points in 4th qtr (12.2 avg.), best in NFL.  NFL record for 16-game season is 174 (SF, 1989)…… G WILL SHIELDS has started in 154 games in row for KC, 3rd-longest active streak in NFL……CB ERIC WARFIELD & S GREG WESLEY are only AFC teammates to each have 4 INTs.  Defense has not allowed TD in 10 of past 16 quarters ……K MORTEN ANDERSEN is AFC’s most accurate (21 of 23 FG, 91.3 pct.)……AFC’s least-penalized team (54).

FALCONS:  Club seeks eighth consecutive game without loss & plays second of 3 consecutive road games……QB MICHAEL VICK leads NFL with 0.8 INT pct. (2 INTs, 252 attempts).  Has led club to scores on 5 of his 9 drives (excluding possessions to run out clock) in final 2 minutes of half & game.  Ranks second in NFL with 112.5 third down passer rating, including 5 TDs & 0 INTs.  Leads NFL QBs with 475 yards rushing & tied for first with 6 rushing TDs (DONOVAN MC NABB)……RB WARRICK DUNN seeks third career 100-yard rushing game vs. Vikings, his most vs. any opponent.  RB T.J. DUCKETT leads NFC rookies with 414 yards rushing & 4 TD runs.  Club is 7-0-1 when FB BOB CHRISTIAN has at least one carry……WR BRIAN FINNERAN has 39 receptions in 2002, 28 for first downs.  Had career-high 104 yards receiving last week, posting first 100-yard game since 104-yard effort for NFL Europe League’s F.C. Barcelona Dragons on 6/6/99 (vs. Scotland).  DE BRADY SMITH had career-high 3.0 sacks last week……CB RAY BUCHANAN has 28 INTs with Falcons & needs 1 to tie KEN REAVES for fourth in club history……VIKINGS:  QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER needs 417 yards passing for his second-career 3,000-yard passing season.  Has connected with WR RANDY MOSS for 25 career TDs & needs 2 to become most prolific scoring tandem in club history (WARREN MOON/CRIS CARTER)……RB MICHAEL BENNETT seeks fifth 100-yard rushing game in past 6.  Has 6 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to tie TERRY ALLEN for fourth most in club history.  RB MOE WILLIAMS has 10 rushing TDs in 2002, second-most in NFC, & needs 3 to tie CHUCK FOREMAN & Allen for single-season club record……WR Moss needs 144 yards receiving to become first player in NFL history with 1,000 in first 5 seasons.  Has 6,252 career receiving yards & needs 149 to pass STEVE JORDAN (6,307) & SAMMY WHITE (6,400) in fourth on club’s all-time list……LB HENRI CROCKETT played in 72 games with Falcons from 1997-01.

TITANS:  Since 1992, have AFC-best 27-16 (.628) December record.  Club has won 9 of past 11 vs. NFC East……QB STEVE MC NAIR is 2-0 in career vs. NYG.  Has completed 37 of 58 passes (63.8 pct.) for 476 yards with 3 TDs & 1 INT for 99.5 passer rating.  Team is 10-3 (.769) when McNair passes & runs for TD in same game……In 2 career contests vs. NYG, RB EDDIE GEORGE has rushed for 247 yards (123.5 yards per game) & 2 TDs.  Aims for 3rd consecutive 100-yard game vs. NYG.  FB GREG COMELLA was member of Giants from 1998-2001 & helped team reach Super Bowl XXXV in 2000……In past 4 vs. NFC, WR DERRICK MASON has 30 catches for 409 yards (102.3 yards per game) & 2 TDs.  Ranks 5th in AFC with 18 3rd-down receptions.  WR KEVIN DYSON has 12 catches for 174 yards & 2 TDs in past 2.  In last meeting, TE FRANK WYCHECK had 2 TD receptions……Defense tied for 2nd in AFC with 28 sacks.  Club has allowed AFC-low 4 rushing TDs……Kickoff coverage unit forcing opp. into NFL’s poorest avg. drive start (23.4)…… GIANTS:  Club is 38-4 (.905) under Head Coach JIM FASSEL when leading after 3 quarters……QB KERRY COLLINS needs 234 yards passing to become second QB in club history with 3 consecutive 3,000-yard seasons (PHIL SIMMS, 1984-86)…….RB TIKI BARBER has 3,688 career rushing yards & needs 149 yards to pass RON JOHNSON in fourth in club history.  Rushed for career-high 146 yards vs. Texans last week.  Seeks fourth 100-yard rushing game in past 5……WR AMANI TOOMER seeks fourth consecutive game with TD……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY leads NFL rookies with 492 yards receiving & tied for first with 42 receptions (DEION BRANCH)……Defense has allowed 185 points, third-fewest in NFL & rank second vs. pass (167.3)……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN seeks NFL record-tying 10th consecutive game with at least 0.5 sacks (SIMON FLETCHER, JEVON KEARSE) & third consecutive multi-sack game.  Has 6.0 sacks in past 4.  DE KENNY HOLMES tied career-high with 3.0 sacks vs. Hou & spent 1997-01with Tenn.

GAME FEATURES two No.1 overall QBs: Indy’s PEYTON MANNING (1998) & Houston rookie DAVID CARR (2002).  Both QBs have taken every snap in 2002……TEXANS:  Club attempting to earn consecutive victories for 1st time.  Team to play 2nd & final game of season on artificial surface……In 4 games vs. AFC South rivals, QB Carr has completed 64 of 104 (61.5 pct.) & 3 TDs vs. 4 INTs.  In club’s 3 wins, Carr has thrown 3 TDs vs. 1 INT……Rookie RB JONATHAN WELLS rushed for 93 yards on 14 carries (6.6 avg.) in first meeting between teams.  Wells ranks 2nd among AFC rookie rushers (435) & is 1 of 2 AFC rookies to lead his team in rushing (CLINTON PORTIS, Denver)……WR COREY BRADFORD tied for 5th in AFC in TD receptions (6).  Has 3 catches for 40+ yards, tied for 4th in AFC.  TE BILLY MILLER ranks 5th among AFC TEs with 30 catches…….In AFC, defense ranks No. 2 vs. pass (191.1) & No. 4 overall (319.7).  LB JEFF POSEY had 2.0 sacks in Week 3 contest vs. Colts; ranks 3rd in AFC with 7.5.  LB JAY FOREMAN leads team in tackles (126)…… COLTS:  In first meeting between clubs, QB Manning completed 21 of 28 passes (75.0 pct.) for 272 yards with 2 TDs & 0 INTs for 128.9 passer rating.  Needs 1 TD pass for 5 consecutive seasons with 20+ TD passes – would be 4th-longest streak in NFL history……In Week 3 vs. Houston, RB EDGERRIN JAMES had 117 scrimmage yards (88 rushing, 29 receiving)……WR MARVIN HARRISON had 8 catches for 110 yards while WRs QADRY ISMAIL & REGGIE WAYNE each added TD catches in Week 3 meeting.  Harrison became 1st player in NFL history to record 4 consecutive 100-catch seasons with 11 catches (107 yards) vs. Denver last Sunday……Defense held Texans to 204 total yards (78 passing).  Colts posted 4 sacks, including 2.0 by DE BRAD SCIOLI.  1st Rd. draft pick DE DWIGHT FREENEY (No. 11) had 1st career sack against Hou.  Leads AFC rookies in sacks (7.0) & tied for 4th in AFC.  Club allowing fewest 1st downs in AFC (17.2 per game)……Last Sunday night in Denver, K MIKE VANDERJAGT became 1st NFL player to kick 50+ yard FG to tie game in 4th quarter & kick game-winning FG of 50+ yards to win in OT.

BRONCOS:  Have won 9 of past 11 vs. Chargers, including Week 5 meeting.  Team has AFC-best 4-1 (.800) record on road.  Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 14-4 (.777) all-time vs. SD……QB STEVE BEUERLEIN threw 2 TDs & 0 INTs in last start vs. Chargers (12/17/00 w/ Carolina).  QB BRIAN GRIESE in 5 career starts vs. SD has completed 123 of 193 (63.7 pct.) for 1,198 yards & 8 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 88.4 passer rating……Second-round draft pick RB CLINTON PORTIS is tops among NFL rookies in rushing yards (836) & TDs (7).  Rushed for 102 yards & had TD reception in earlier meeting ……WRs ED MC CAFFREY (148) & ROD SMITH (187) set career highs in receiving yards in 11/19/00 meeting vs. SD.  With reception last week vs. Colts, McCaffrey set franchise mark with 63 consecutive games with catch……Broncos lead NFL in rush defense (72.7) & rank 1st in AFC in overall defense (280.7).  Held Chargers RB Tomlinson, NFL’s 2nd-leading rusher, to 48 yards in first meeting this year……CB DELTHA O’NEAL ties for AFC lead with 5 INTs.  Aims for 3rd consecutive game with INT against SD……CHARGERS:  Have 4-1 (.800) home record……Offense is AFC’s best inside 20 with 68.8 TD pct. (22 TDs, 32 poss.).  In past 2 division games, QB DREW BREES has completed 44 of 66 passes (66.7 pct.) for 489 yards & 4 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 96.1 passer rating.  Has 5 TDs on 3rd down, tied for 3rd in AFC……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON is 2nd in NFL in scrimmage (1,457) & rushing yards (1,098).  Averaging 105.4 yards per game at home in 2002……In past 2 vs. Broncos, WR CURTIS CONWAY has 9 catches for 179 yards & 2 TDs.  Aims for 3rd in row vs. Denver with TD……Defense has 10 sacks in past 3 vs. Broncos.  Club is 1 of 2 AFC teams with 4 players registering 4.0 sacks or more (DE RAYLEE JOHNSON, 5.5; DE ADRIAN DINGLE, rookie LB BEN LEBER & DE MARCELLUS WILEY, 4.0)……In last meeting at SD, RONNEY JENKINS had 88-yard KR-TD & 56.5 KR avg.

Rematch of 2001 NFC Championship Game (StL 29-24)……RAMS:  Offense ranks second in NFC with 59.0 redzone TD pct. (39 trips, 23 TDs) & defense ranks fourth holding opponents to 43.8 redzone TD pct. (32 trips, 14 TDs)……QB KURT WARNER seeks third consecutive win vs. Eagles, including playoffs……RB MARSHALL FAULK needs 62 yards to become second player in NFL history with 5,000 yards rushing with 2 different teams (ERIC DICKERSON, Colts & Rams).  Would become fourth Ram to reach 5,000 yards.  Has 16,131 career yards from scrimmage & needs 163 to pass TONY DORSETT (16,293) in seventh all-time.  Averaging 103.3 rushing yards in past 3 games, including postseason, vs. Phil.  Rookie RB LAMAR GORDON had career-high 10 catches last week……WR ISAAC BRUCE seeks third 100-yard receiving game in past 4.  Needs 1 reception to become first Ram with 600 career catches.   WR TORRY HOLT needs 100-yard game to pass TOM FEARS (16) for 4th-most 100-yard games in club history……S KIM HERRING needs 1 INT for career high……EAGLES:  Club plays third of 4 consecutive vs. NFC West (W-Ariz, W-at SF, StL, at Sea).  Have 27-4 (.871) mark under head coach ANDY REID when scoring at least 20 points.  Have scored in 37 of 44 quarters in 2002 & have won 9 consecutive conference games, longest current streak in NFL……QB A.J. FEELEY makes first career start……RB DUCE STALEY has 12 career 100-yard rushing games & with 100 yards vs. Rams passes RICKY WATTERS for sole possession of third place in club history.  Seeks fourth 100-yard rushing game in past 6 vs. NFC.  Had career-high 11 receptions (81 yards) in last meeting……WR TODD PINKSTON has career-high 5 TD catches & posted career highs with 7 receptions, 99 yards in last meeting…… Defense has allowed 184 points, second-fewest in NFL…….TE CHAD LEWIS seeks third consecutive 5-catch game, including postseason, vs. Rams……DE HUGH DOUGLAS needs 2.0 sacks for third 10.0-sack season in fifth year with Eagles…… LB LEVON KIRKLAND has never missed game (171) in his NFL career.

SEAHAWKS:  QB MATT HASSELBECK has completed 66.5 pct. of pass attempts (135 of 203), second-best in NFC.  Passed for career-high 352 yards & 3 TDs last week vs. KC……RB SHAUN ALEXANDER rushed for season-high 145 yards vs. Chiefs.  Has 6 career 100-yard rushing games & club is 6-0 in those contests.  Has 27 career rushing TDs & needs 2 to pass SHERMAN SMITH (28) in third in club history……WR KOREN ROBINSON seeks fourth 100-yard receiving game of season after posting career-high 168 yards (8 catches, 1 TD) last week.   WR BOBBY ENGRAM has 31 catches, 28 for first downs.  Ranks second in NFC with 19 third-down receptions (222 yards)……DT JOHN RANDLE has 128.0 career sacks & needs 0.5 to pass RICKEY JACKSON in eighth on NFL’s all-time list.  Rookie DT ROCKY BERNARD has 4.0 sacks & needs 0.5 to set club single-season rookie record……S REGGIE TONGUE needs 1 INT to tie career high……49ERS:  Club has 27-16 (.628) December record in past 10 seasons.  Team has NFL low 9 turnovers in 2002.  Rank fourth in NFL with +9 turnover ratio……QB JEFF GARCIA seeks fourth consecutive win in 2002 vs. NFC West.  Has 7 TD passes, 0 INTs & topped 100.0 passer rating in each of past 3 vs. division rivals.  Leads NFL with 128.3 third down passer rating, including 12 TDs & 0 INTs……RB GARRISON HEARST seeks second 100-yard rushing game in past 4 vs. NFC West.  Has 14 career 100-yard rushing games with 49ers & will move into sole possession of second-place in club history (ROGER CRAIG) with 100 yards vs. Seahawks.  Club has 13-1 record when he rushes for 100 yards……WR TERRELL OWENS seeks third consecutive 2-TD game & fourth multiple-TD game of season.  Seeks fourth 150-yard receiving game in past 5 after posting 166 yards (13 receptions) last week vs. Eagles……DE ANDRE CARTER has 8.5 sacks in past 10 games & has at least 0.5 sacks in 6 of past 7.  Needs 1.5 sacks for first-career 10-sack season……Rookie K JEFF CHANDLER made NFL debut last week & connected on only FG attempt (35 yards).

BUCCANEERS:  QB BRAD JOHNSON is 49-27 (.645) as starter, including 17-9 with TB.  Has 5 TD passes & 0 INTs in past 2 starts vs. Saints……WR JOE JUREVICIUS had first career TD reception (53 yards) vs. Saints on 10/24/99 (with NYG).  Seeks TD in fourth consecutive game vs. NO (11, 46, 53)……TE RICKEY DUDLEY has 9 catches, 3 for TDs in 2002……Defense has scored 5 TDs & surrendered 11.  Club has allowed NFL-low 126 points & seeks to hold opposing offense without TD for fifth time in past 9 games.  Defense holds opponents to NFL-best 23.8 redzone TD pct. (21 trips, 5 TDs) & leads league with 25 INTs……DT WARREN SAPP leads all NFL DTs with 7.5 sacks.  Seeks at least 0.5 sacks in third consecutive game vs. NO.  DE SIMEON RICE has 11.0 sacks in past 7 games & seeks sack in sixth consecutive game……SAINTS:  Offense ranks first in NFC with 60.0 redzone TD pct. (40 trips, 24 TDs)……QB AARON BROOKS ranks second in NFC with TD pass every 5.6 attempts.  Ranks second in NFC with 98.1 fourth-quarter passer rating.  Has rating of at least 100.0 in 11 starts & Saints are 9-2 in those games.  Has 56 career TD passes & needs 4 to tie JIM EVERETT for third-most in team history……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER has 6 100-yard rushing games & needs 100 yards for second-most 100-yard games in single-season in club history.  Needs 1 rushing TD to become fourth Saints’ player with 10 in single-season.  Needs 50 yards for first 1,000-yard season……WR JOE HORN has 23 TD catches with club & needs 3 to pass QUINN EARLY (25) in fourth place.  Former NFL Europe standout WR MICHAEL LEWIS had career-high 114 receiving yards last week……DE DARREN HOWARD has 5.0 sacks in past 6 games. 

REMATCH of last year’s AFC Wild Card playoff (Raiders 38, Jets 24)……JETS:  Have won 4 in row, outscoring opp. 119-50.  Team has not allowed point in 4th quarter in past 4 (30-0).  Since 1997, club has won NFL-best 27 road games & are 9-3 (.750) on road under head coach HERMAN EDWARDS……QB CHAD PENNINGTON has 5-2 (.714) record as starter, completing 146 of 198 passes (73.7 pct.) for 1,571 yards with 11 TDs & 3 INTs for 108.8 passer rating.  Leads NFL with 70.2 comp. pct. & tops AFC with 99.8 rating.  Made NFL debut vs. Oak. (12/10/00) & threw 1st career TD pass ……RB CURTIS MARTIN aims for 3rd 100-yard game in row.  Rushed for 120 yards last week vs. Bills & has team-record 27 100-yard games……In past 3 games, WR LAVERANUES COLES has 19 catches for 272 yards & 1 TD.  Had 13 receptions for 234 yards (2 100’s) & 1 TD in 2 games vs. Raiders last year……Special teams unit has NFL’s best PR (SANTANA MOSS, 18.5 avg.) & AFC’s top KR (CHAD MORTON, 26.4 avg.)……RAIDERS:  Have won 8 of past 10 vs. NYJ (incl. playoff).  Team has 35 wins on MNF & needs 1 to tie Miami for most in AFC.  Club leads NFL in offense (412.6) & pass offense (310.4)……QB RICH GANNON leads NFL in att. (463), comp. (319) & yards (3,535).  On pace for 464 comp. & 5,142 yards – both NFL records.  Threw for 340 yards last week & has 8 300-yard games in 2002.  Needs 1 to tie NFL record.  In playoff, Gannon completed 23 of 29 passes (79.3 pct.) for 294 yards with 2 TDs & 0 INTs for 131.9 passer rating……RB CHARLIE GARNER rushed for 158 yards & 1 TD in Wild Card contest.  Ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,378 scrimmage yards……WR JERRY RICE needs 44 receiving yards for 14th 1,000-yard season, extending his NFL record.  Rice had 9 catches for 183 yards & 1 TD in playoff.  WR TIM BROWN has 996 career receptions & needs 4 to become 3rd player in NFL history with 1,000……S ROD WOODSON’s teams are 16-1 (.941) on MNF, best in NFL history.