NFL Notes and Picks

NFL Today

Arizona at St. Louis (+3 ½)
St. Louis has lost its last two home games against Arizona after beating the Cardinals three straight times on its own field.

Atlanta at Tennessee (-9)
The Falcons have been outscored 37-10 in dropping their first two road games this season. They have not opened a year 0-3 away from home since losing their first six road games in 1996.

Carolina at New Orleans (-3)
David Carr and Steve Smith could have success against a New Orleans defense that has given up 239.0 passing yards per game - third-most in the conference.

Cleveland at New England (-16 ½)
New England has won three straight and five of the last six meetings against Cleveland. The Browns haven't won a road game against the Patriots since Oct. 25, 1992.

Detroit at Washington (-3 ½)
Detroit is 0-17 in Washington. This will be the first meeting between the Lions and Redskins since Nov. 7, 2004, when Detroit won 17-10 at home.

Jacksonville at Kansas City (+1)
The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 35-30 at home on Dec. 31, clinching a wild card spot when other outcomes swung in their favor. Larry Johnson had 138 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Jaguars, however, have won four of the six all-time meetings between the teams.

Miami at Houston (-5 ½)
Houston has won its only two meetings with Miami, a one-point victory in 2003 and a two-point victory last season at home, Gary Kubiak's first NFL win.



N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants (-3 ½)
The Giants have won the last three meetings with the Jets and six of 10 all-time meetings. The Giants' last loss in the series came Oct. 31, 1993.

Seattle at Pittsburgh (-5 ½)
Seattle has won four of these teams' five regular-season meetings since 1993, but Pittsburgh has won eight straight home games against NFC opponents since a 33-21 defeat to St. Louis on Oct. 26, 2003. The Steelers have won their two home games this year by a combined 63-19.

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis (-10)
The Bucs weren't good defensively in their last meeting with the Colts on Oct. 6, 2003, as Indianapolis trailed 28-7 in the fourth quarter before rallying to tie the score at 35 with 35 seconds left. The Colts went on to win 38-35 in overtime, with Manning finishing 34-of-47 for 386 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Baltimore at San Francisco (+3 ½)
These teams last met on Nov. 30, 2003 in Baltimore, and the Ravens won 44-6.

San Diego at Denver (-1)
San Diego always has a tough time on the road against the Broncos. The Chargers rallied from a 17-point deficit for a 35-27 victory in their last game in Denver on Nov. 19, but that win was their first one there since 2000.



Chicago at Green Bay (-3)
The Bears have won four of the last six meetings between the teams, including three straight at Lambeau Field.

Dallas at Buffalo (+10)
This will be the first meeting between the Bills and Cowboys since Nov. 9, 2003, when Dallas won 10-6 at home. The Cowboys are 4-3 against the Bills in the regular season.

Picks
San Diego +1
KC +2
Bears +3