MillerLite

(Courtesy of USAToday/Sports)
* Partially deleted to fit 10000 characters posting bracket *

TOP GAMES—

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-2) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Colts by 1.
• Keys to the game: The Jaguars rushed for 157 yards in the first meeting and lost 21-14. But they will again turn to RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to pound away at the Colts' worst-ranked run defense. QB David Garrard found some chemistry last Sunday with WR Matt Jones, who has a significant height advantage against the Colts secondary.

DENVER BRONCOS (7-5) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-2)
Sunday, 4:15 ET, CBS • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Chargers by 7½.
• Keys to the game: Coach Mike Shanahan made the switch to QB Jay Cutler in hopes of taking advantage of the rookie's strong arm, but Denver has to be able to run the ball and help thwart the Chargers' aggressive pass rush. RB Tatum Bell is coming off a strong game, but it's not easy to run against San Diego.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-4) at DALLAS COWBOYS (8-4)
Sunday, 8:15 ET, NBC
• Surface: Sportfield RealGrass. Sheridan's line: Cowboys by 7.
• Keys to the game: A shootout might benefit the Saints, who aren't likely to stop Dallas' balanced attack. New Orleans WRs Joe Horn and Marques Colston continue to battle injuries that could keep one or both sidelined. The Saints made an increased effort to run the ball last weekend, but the Cowboys have the league's No. 4 run defense. Dallas is far more vulnerable to the pass, so QB Drew Brees is going to have to push the ball downfield.

—RETRO MATCHUP—

BUFFALO BILLS (5-7) at NEW YORK JETS (7-5)
Sunday, 4:15 ET, CBS • Surface: FieldTurf. Sheridan's line: Jets by 4.
• Keys to the game: The Bills had a season-high 475 yards in a Week 3 loss at home to the Jets. The Bills have to do a better job of protecting the ball and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. The Jets have won five of their past seven games by producing a plus-three turnover margin. New York's biggest concern has to be its run defense after allowing Bills RB Willis McGahee 150 yards. The Jets also want to take advantage of the Bills' smallish front line and set up play-action for QB Chad Pennington.

—BEST OF THE REST—

ATLANTA FALCONS (6-6) at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Falcons by 3.
• Keys to the game: The Falcons had 306 rushing yards in the first meeting, leaving it to the Bucs to prove they can stop Atlanta's ground game and force QB Michael Vick to go to the air. Plays should be there downfield with the Bucs forced to use their safeties heavily in run support. The secondary has allowed an NFL-high 23 TD passes. But the Falcons have dropped passes all season. Bucs rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski isn't getting much help from RB Cadillac Williams on the ground, and his lack of arm strength doesn't keep defenses honest.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-3) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Chiefs by 3.
• Keys to the game: If the Ravens can contain RB Larry Johnson, they should be able to shut down the Chiefs offense, which relies heavily on play-action. Kansas City also knows it can't get stuck in long passing situations and hope to protect QB Trent Green against Baltimore's fast and aggressive blitz packages. But Johnson has produced against some of the league's best run defenses this season, so Green should be able to count on support from his ground game.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-3) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-7)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Patriots by 3½.
• Keys to the game: Miami needs to run effectively because QB Joey Harrington is still prone to making critical mistakes. The Patriots will throw new looks his way, and the Dolphins can't lose the turnover battle. But Miami's defense held the Patriots to 213 total yards in the first meeting. The Patriots need a better effort from QB Tom Brady, who threw for just 140 yards vs. Miami at home. If the Dolphins have a defensive weakness, it's a vulnerability to big pass plays.

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-6) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-6)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Panthers by 3.
• Keys to the game: The Panthers need to take advantage of the Giants' shaky secondary. New York needs to put pressure on the passer. Offensively, the Giants need to open strong and neutralize the crowd. The offensive line has struggled with penalties on the road, and the Giants can't afford to consistently set themselves back 5-10 yards and still move the chains. If New York can keep it close, Carolina has blown five fourth-quarter leads.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-10) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS • Surface: Synthetic. Sheridan's line: Bengals by 11.
• Keys to the game: This matchup could be tighter than anticipated if the Raiders' top-ranked pass defense can cause problems for the Bengals' high-powered offense. Oakland struggles to move the ball and Cincinnati has allowed just seven points in its past two games, but if the Raiders can force turnovers and capitalize on short fields, they can put a scare into the Bengals, who have had three extra days off after beating Baltimore.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-6) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-8)
Sunday, 1 ET, Fox • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Eagles by 2.
• Keys to the game: QB Jason Campbell's mobility has helped the Redskins' pass protection, as he's been sacked three times in 98 dropbacks. But Campbell is still prone to "rookie" mistakes, and the Redskins don't have a chance in most games unless RB Ladell Betts has a big game on the ground. The good news for Washington is that Philadelphia's undersized front seven is vulnerable to the run. The biggest factor for Philadelphia is if QB Jeff Garcia continues to feel comfortable in the offense. He produced several big plays while on the move vs. Carolina and will need similar success with the Redskins likely to focus on RB Brian Westbrook.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4) at ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-9)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, Fox • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Seahawks by 31/2.
• Keys to the game: The Cardinals have to feel they can be competitive with the Seahawks narrowly winning while trying to overcome several key injuries. Meanwhile, Arizona's offense has started to hit its stride with the latest offensive line changes finally paying dividends. If rookie QB Matt Leinart has time, Cardinals WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald should have little trouble getting open downfield vs. the Seahawks' shaky secondary. The Seahawks' offense can hurt opponents on the ground or through the air, and the Cardinals don't stop either particularly well.

CHICAGO BEARS (10-2) at ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-7)

Monday night, 8:30 ET, ESPN
• Surface: FieldTurf. Sheridan's line: Bears by 6½.
• Keys to the game: St. Louis needs a strong start not only for team chemistry and confidence, but to put more pressure on Bears QB Rex Grossman. He has no TDs and six interceptions the last two games. Chicago needs to rebuild Grossman's confidence, and the best way is for RB Thomas Jones to exploit the Rams' weak run defense. The Bears defense has its own issues trying to ward off the Rams' strong passing game without injured DT Tommie Harris. The Rams will also want to take advantage of a vulnerable Chicago run defense.

OTHER MATCHUPS—

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-7) at DETROIT LIONS (2-10)
Sunday, 1 ET, FOX • Surface: FieldTurf. Sheridan's line: Lions by 11/2.
• Keys to the game: Despite four touchdown passes and 10 interceptions the last six games, QB Brad Johnson is likely to remain the Vikings' starter. Backup Brooks Bollinger has a separated left shoulder. The Vikings should be in good shape as long as RB Chester Taylor is able to play through bruised ribs. Detroit isn't likely to win the ground game against the league's top-ranked run defense. Expect offensive coordinator Mike Martz to attack Minnesota's secondary.

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-7) at HOUSTON TEXANS (4-8)
Sunday, 1 ET, CBS • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Texans by 1.
• Keys to the game: The Titans can't be outgained by more than 200 yards and hope to sneak a victory as they did in the first meeting. The Texans controlled the ball for 36:21 that day, but they're never quite sure what they will get out of their ground game. QB David Carr was sacked five times and lost two fumbles against Oakland, so the Texans need to find a way to get his confidence up early. Tennessee is receiving inspired play out of rookie QB Vince Young, but the Titans' offense still hinges on RB Travis Henry's ability to move the chains and create short-yardage situations. If the Texans are able to shut down Henry, Young will have to make plays in the passing game.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-8)at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-7)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, Fox • Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: 49ers by 4.
• Keys to the game: San Francisco QB Alex Smith is going to have to capitalize on the eight- and nine-man fronts defenses are using to try to contain RB Frank Gore. Smith is struggling, but the Packers' porous secondary presents an opportunity to build confidence pushing the ball downfield. Then again, Green Bay has been done in by poor run defense and tackling the past two games, so Gore might have success no matter how many men the Packers throw at him.