BRONCOS AT RAVENS

When: Noon. Line: Ravens by 31/2.

Synopsis: Denver seeks its first 7-0 start since it won the Super Bowl in the 1998 season and has used a tough defense to reach its lofty status this time. The Broncos rank No. 1 in scoring defense (11 points per game) and No. 2 in total defense (262.5 yards/game). But Baltimore is in the top 10 in the major offensive categories, although its defense is struggling, allowing 382.7 yards per outing in its 3-game losing streak.

RAVENS 27, BRONCOS 22

BROWNS AT BEARS

When: Noon. Line: Bears by 13.

Synopsis: Chicago tries to bounce back from its 45-10 mauling in Cincy and gets the perfect spot here for a turnabout. Cleveland's offense has scored just 4 TDs this season and ranks 30th or worse in points, yards and passing. Plus QB Derek Anderson's passer rating in his last 3 outings is 30.9. So the Bears' middle-of-the-pack defense should pad its stats. And Chicago QB Jay Cutler, who has been inconsistent, should fatten up vs. a defense that has allowed an average of 29 points and 501 yards in its last two games, both losses.

PICK OF THE WEEK (to win): BEARS 30, BROWNS 10.

TEXANS AT BILLS

When: Noon. Line: Texans by 3.

Synopsis: Harvard product and former Ram Ryan Fitzpatrick has been far from spectacular but had helped Buffalo to 2 wins filling in for QB Trent Edwards, who remains out with a concussion. He works vs. a defense that has allowed an average of 2 passing TDs in the last 3 outings. Houston loves to throw (Matt Schaub already has 16 TD passes, a franchise record) and key WR Andre Johnson is expected to play despite suffering a bruised lung last week.

TEXANS 23, BILLS 17.

49ers at COLTS

When: Noon. Line: Colts by 13.

Synopsis: Indy shoots for its fourth 7-0 start in 5 years but gets a better test here than it did last week in toying with the Rams. Rookie RB running back Donald Brown probably won't play because of a shoulder injury, giving more work to Joseph Addai. SF turns to QB Alex Smith after benching Shaun Hill, and the 2005 No. 1 pick will be throwing to Michael Crabtree, who makes his second appearance since ending a holdout. Look for RB Frank Gore to test Indy's so-so run defense, early in the contest.

COLTS 27, 49ers 20.

DOLPHINS AT JETS

When: Noon. Line: Jets by 31/2.

Synopsis: NY ended a 3-game slide by beating weakling Oakland last week, but now goes to Miami where the Dolphins are in desperate need of a win. NY has two consecutive 300-yard rushing games but Miami is No. 4 vs. the run. So look for the Dolphins to try to force the game into the hands of turnover-prone QB Mark Sanchez and use its potent wildcat offense to wear down the Jets' defense.

PICK OF THE WEEK (vs. point spread): DOLPHINS 23, JETS 17.

RAMS AT LIONS

When: Noon. Line: Lions by 4 .

Synopsis: The Rams are 2-21 since the start of last season, the Lions are 1-21. Detroit could have rookie QB Matthew Stafford back after missing 2 games because of a knee injury. If not, Daunte Culpepper starts again. Other than that, who really cares?

LIONS 20, RAMS 17.

SEAHAWKS AT COWBOYS

When: Noon. Line: Cowboys by 9 1/2.

Synopsis: Maybe Miles Austin is the wideout the Cowboys thought since-departed Terrell Owens would be. Austin has emerged as a major force the last 2 weeks, racking up huge stats in tandem with QB Tony Romo, as Dallas has gotten back on track. They work vs. a middle-of-the-pack pass attack. Seattle has been inconsistent and now has lost LB Lofa Tatupu for the season (torn pectoral).

COWBOYS 27, SEAHAWKS 16.

GIANTS AT EAGLES

When: Noon. Line: Giants by 1.

Synopsis: NY tries to rebound after being upset last week by Arizona and history says the Giants have a good chance — QB Eli Manning is 4-0 in Philadelphia. But he has been struggling recently, with 4 interceptions and just 2 TDs in the last 2 games — both losses. Philly probably will be minus key RB Brian Westbrook, who suffered a concussion last week. Does that mean more wildcat looks with Michael Vick?

GIANTS 23, EAGLES 20.

RAIDERS AT CHARGERS

When: 3:05 p.m. Line: Chargers by 16 1/2.

Synopsis: Oakland reverted to form last week, being pounded by the Jets after upsetting Philly in its previous outing. The Raiders stick with QB JaMarcus Russell, a turnover machine who runs an offense that has generated 7 or fewer points in 4 of the last 5 games. San Diego has been far from the class of the AFC West as predicted, but finally had a dominating victory last week in KC and has beaten Oakland 12 straight times and is averaging nearly 27 points per game this year.

CHARGERS 30, RAIDERS 10.

JAGUARS AT TITANS

When: 3:05 p.m. Line: Titans by 3.

Synopsis: Vince Young gets the call at QB as the winless Titans want to see if he is in their future. But the big problem for Tennessee is a beat-up defense — the Titans have allowed an average of 42.3 points in their last 3 outings. Jacksonville has won three of four and beat the Titans 37-17 four weeks ago. One negative for the Jags is that standout CB Rashean Mathis is out because of a broken finger.

JAGUARS 23, TITANS 17.

PANTHERS AT CARDINALS

When: 3:15 p.m. Line: Cardinals by 10.

Synopsis: Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who has been turnover-plagued since committing six in a playoff loss last season to Arizona, faces an emerging defense that's No. 1 vs the run (Carolina's strength) and contained the Giants last week. Arizona loves to throw, but Kurt Warner and company must work against the NFL's top pass defense.

CARDINALS 24, PANTHERS 17.

VIKINGS AT PACKERS

When: 3:15 p.m. Line: Packers by 3.

Synopsis: Have you heard? QB Brett Favre, now at the helm for Minnesota, makes his first appearance as an enemy in once-adoring Green Bay. He'll probably have to produce a lot of points, because the Vikes have allowed at least 23 in four of their last five outings. Minnesota sacked Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers eight times in a 30-23 victory early this month. Look for a happy homecoming for Favre.

VIKINGS 27, PACKERS 24.

FALCONS AT SAINTS

When: 7:40 p.m. Monday. Line: Saints by 10 .

Synopsis: The Saints try to stay unbeaten but get a challenge here as Atlanta tries to close to a game behind them in the NFC South. The Saints have scored at least 45 points 4 times and the Falcons are 25th in defense and struggled vs. up-and-down Dallas last week. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan has been intercepted four times in his last two outings.

SAINTS 38, FALCONS 31.

RECORD

Last week: 10-3. Season: 68-35.

Vs. point spread: Last week: 9-3-1. Season: 53-49-1.

Pick of the week (to win): Right. Season: 7-0.

Pick of the week (vs. point spread): Last week: Wrong. Season: 4-3.