| Game of the week | Sunday night | Monday night | Rest of the week
Stock the fridge
Dolphins (2-1) at Colts (2-1)
4:15 p.m. ET, CBS, Dolphins by 1½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| This meeting of AFC East contenders should answer some questions. Are the young Colts ready to compete with the division's elite and are they as good as they've looked during their 2-1 start? What's wrong with the Dolphins, who haven't looked right since that season-opening victory in Denver? Can Jimmy Johnson and QB Dan Marino co-exist if Miami keeps struggling? |
Colts QB Peyton Manning, who threw for a team-record 404 yards in his last start, faces a good test against Miami's tough defense. Colts WR Marvin Harrison, who's averaging 140.6 receiving yards per game, faces feisty Dolphins CBs Sam Madison and Terrell Buckley. Marino has thrown only four TD passes and four INTs. |
0: Dolphins running backs averaging 3.5 yards per carry or better. Johnson is switching to rookie Cecil Collins as his starter.
28: Receptions by Harrison for a whopping 422 yards and six TDs in his first three games.
30: Receptions by all of the Dolphins WRs combined in 1999.
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Patriots (4-0) at Chiefs (2-2)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Chiefs by 2½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| The Patriots, who are the only 4-0 team in the NFL and the lone unbeaten squad in the AFC, are trying for their first 5-0 start since 1977. The trip to Kansas City should be their toughest test of the season thus far, because the Chiefs have played well at home. K.C. will look to avenge an ugly 40-10 loss at Foxboro last year, a defeat that started a six-game skid. |
Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe is off to fantastic start, having thrown for 1,261 yards with six TDs and only one INT. Pats WR Terry Glenn leads the NFL in receiving yards (544) and receptions (32). Chiefs CBs Cris Dishman and James Hasty will be tested all day. Chiefs LB Derrick Thomas will have his hands full with Patriots TE Ben Coates. Chiefs QB Elvis Grbac comes off a dreadful four-INT performance. |
11-2: New England's record in the last 13 games in which Glenn is in the lineup.
299.5: Passing yards per game for the Pats, second-most in the NFL behind the Colts' 303.7.
133.8: Rushing yards per game for the Chiefs, who rank fifth in the NFL. |
Keep the clicker handy
Broncos (0-4) at Raiders (2-2)
4:15 p.m. ET, CBS, Raiders by 7
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To catch the latest episode in the soap opera that has become the Broncos' 1999 season. After losing MVP Terrell Davis to a season-ending knee injury, the Broncos will start Bubby Brister at QB in an attempt to end their four-game slide. The rival Raiders would like nothing more than to extend the misery for the two-time Super Bowl champs. There's no love lost between Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and Raiders owner Al Davis. |
Broncos RB Derek Loville and newcomer John Avery will try to fill Davis' huge shoes. Brister was 4-0 as the starter in 1998. Raiders DTs Russell Maryland and Darrell Russell will try to make life tough on Denver's new backfield. Raiders RBs Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman carry the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. Raiders WR Tim Brown should match up with Broncos CB Dale Carter. |
4: TDs for Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey. No other Bronco, other than the injured Davis, has reached the end zone this season.
7-1: Denver's record in its last eight meetings with Oakland.
147.5: Rushing yards per game by the Raiders.
Minus-7: Denver's turnover margin, the worst in the AFC.
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Steelers (2-2) at Bills (3-1)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Bills by 6½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To find out if QB Kordell Stewart and Pittsburgh's struggling offense will be able to do anything against a very tough Bills defense. To see if the Steelers can end a two-game skid or if they're right back in last year's season-ending slump. To learn if Buffalo can avoid a letdown after a huge win in Miami and establish itself as a top AFC contender. |
Despite his new contract, Stewart might be on the verge of a benching. He's thrown four INTs and only one TD pass for a QB rating of 57.6. Steelers RB Jerome Bettis is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Bills NT Ted Washington will match up with Steelers C Dermontti Dawson. Bills WRs Eric Moulds and Andre Reed will test the Steelers CBs. |
2: Consecutive games in which the Steelers' No. 1 offense has been outscored by the opposing defense.
17: Catches for Steelers rookie WR Troy Edwards, who has been the lone offensive bright spot.
66.0: Rushing yards per game allowed by the Bills, who rank No. 3 in the NFL.
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Chargers (2-1) at Lions (2-1)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Lions by 3½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To find out which of these two big early-season surprises will be able to keep rolling and which one will fall back to the .500 mark. To watch Lions coach Bobby Ross face his former team for the first time. Ross took the Chargers to the Super Bowl in 1994, but he was fired after an 8-8 season two years later. |
Chargers LB Junior Seau leads one of the NFL's best run defenses against Lions RB Ron Rivers, who's averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Lions RB Greg Hill might get more carries this week, however. Chargers QB Jim Harbaugh will try to return this week despite a bruised elbow and two cracked ribs. If Harbaugh can't go, backup QB Erik Kramer will start. |
7: TD passes in his first three starts for Lions QB Charlie Batch, who threw just 11 TD tosses as a rookie last season.
132: Total yards last week for the Chargers, who struggled with Harbaugh, but beat the Chiefs thanks to the secondary's four interceptions.
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Bengals (0-4) at Browns (0-4)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Bengals by 3
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| Because this game figures to be so bad, it might actually be fun to watch. No matter how bad it is, it's still the renewal of Ohio's NFL rivalry and the best chance thus far for the expansion Browns to get their first win. The real reason to watch is because this game will go a long way toward deciding the No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft. |
Peter Warrick, LaVar Arrington, Ron Dayne and any other college prospect who might end up on these teams next year. Seriously though, this game will match two of the top three picks in the '99 draft, Browns QB Tim Couch and Bengals QB Akili Smith, who makes his first start and is still upset with the Browns over the way they handled draft day. |
3: TDs for Browns rookie WR Kevin Johnson, the only TDs scored by Cleveland.
48.6: Completion percentage (18-for-37) for Smith in his first three games.
27-24: The Browns' edge in this series, which resumes after a three-year hiatus.
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Clean the garage
Bears (2-2) at Vikings (2-2)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Vikings by 12½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| Because every team in the NFC Central is either 2-1 or 2-2, so every divisional game is very important. The Vikings are looking to start a winning streak after holding off the Bucs to reach the .500 mark last week. The Bears hope to pull a big upset and build off the momentum of their dramatic two-TD rally to beat the Saints in the final two minutes. |
Vikings WR Randy Moss, who beat the Bears for four TD catches last year, broke out of his slow start with two TD catches last week. Vikings RB Robert Smith has yet to break off a run of more than 15 yards. Vikings WR Cris Carter (hip) might have his streak of 100 straight starts broken. Bears WR Curtis Conway will test a suspect Minnesota secondary. |
4: Consecutive wins for the Vikings in this series.
273.3: Passing yards per game allowed by Minnesota, more than any NFL team other than Washington (292).
21: First-quarter points last week for the Vikes, who were shut out the rest of the day.
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Ravens (2-2) at Titans (3-1)
4:15 p.m. ET, CBS, Titans by 7
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To find out if the Titans can bounce back from their first loss of the season, a frustrating 24-22 defeat at San Francisco. To see if the Ravens, who have put together a two-game winning streak with ugly wins over the Browns and Falcons, can make a statement by knocking off the AFC Central co-leaders. |
Titans RB Eddie George is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry, but he has caught 14 passes and scored five TDs. Titans WRs Kevin Dyson and Yancey Thigpen are making big plays for QB Neil O'Donnell. Ravens RB Errict Rhett has been a big early-season surprise, rushing for 350 yards in four games. Ravens QB Stoney Case is 2-0 as the starter. |
2: Rushing TDs for Case, the most for the Ravens.
8: NFL ranking for the Ravens in total defense. Baltimore is giving up just 275 yards per game.
293.0: Passing yards per game for the Titans, who rank fifth in the NFL.
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Cowboys (3-0) at Eagles (0-4)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Cowboys by 9½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To see if the unbeaten Cowboys can continue their perfect start and make quick work of an Eagles team that they shouldn't have any trouble with. To find out if the Eagles offense can break out of its stupor. Philadelphia scored three offensive TDs in the first quarter of the season, but has not reached the end zone since. |
Eagles QB Doug Pederson remains the starter, but rookie Donovan McNabb has been getting plenty of time. Cowboys WR Rocket Ismail leads the team with 13 catches for 288 yards. Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith has returned to his Pro Bowl form, and he always play well against Philly. Cowboys DE Greg Ellis is making big plays. |
47: Consecutive offensive series in which the Eagles have failed to score a touchdown.
144.7: Rushing yards per game for Dallas, the most in the NFC.
10: 100-yard rushing games for Smith in 18 career meetings with the Eagles.
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Giants (2-2) at Cardinals (1-3)
4:05 p.m. ET, Fox, Cardinals by 2½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To watch Kerry Collins' first start as the Giants QB. The oft-troubled Collins will get the nod for struggling New York in place of Kent Graham, who's out with a concussion. To see if the Cardinals and QB Jake Plummer can break out of their dreadful start and somehow regain their 1998 form. |
Collins might be able to win the starting job with a strong showing. Plummer has thrown an NFL-high 12 INTs and just two TD passes. Cardinals RB Adrian Murrell is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry. Cards WR Frank Sanders has caught 21 passes for 242 yards. Giants WRs Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard can make big plays for Collins. |
3: NFL ranking for Arizona's pass defense, one of the rare bright spots for the Cardinals.
87: Rushing yards last week for Giants RB Gary Brown in his first start of the season. Brown needs a big game this week to make things easier for Collins.
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Falcons (0-4) at Saints (1-2)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, no line
Preview | Baxter's Bits
| Why to watch |
Who to watch |
Numbers game |
| To find out if the NFC champion Falcons will ever win a game. Atlanta has been ravaged by injuries and turnovers in its ugly 0-4 start. The Saints and Mike Ditka will be seething after blowing a 10-0 lead in the final two minutes last week at Chicago. It will be interesting to see how New Orleans responds. |
Falcons QB Chris Chandler is doubtful, but he says he will try to play. If Chandler can't go, Tony Graziani will start although he's banged up, too. Falcons RB Ken Oxendine replaces Byron Hanspard as Atlanta's starter. Saints RB Ricky Williams is expected to play despite his elbow injury. Saints QB Billy Joe Hobert is expected to start despite a neck injury. |
Minus-9: Turnover margin for Atlanta, the worst in the NFL. In its Super Bowl run last season, the Falcons led the NFL with a margin of plus-20.
15: Sacks by the Saints in their first three games. That's not a good sign for Atlanta's injury-plagued QBs.
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ALSO SEE
Week 5 injury report
Week 5 picks
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