CAPSULES

ARIZONA at WASHINGTON 10 a.m.

* The line: Washington by 7.

* Key injuries: ARI--None. WAS--QB Jeff George (back, questionable).

* Key elements: Flip a coin. The Redskins have lost three consecutive home games, the Cardinals are 0-7 on the road. Arizona has given up 170 or more yards rushing in its last three games while Washington has given up 140 or more in its last four. Martay Jenkins has 2,052 kickoff return yards for the Cardinals, shattering the NFL record of 1,791 set by Tyrone Hughes in 1996.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS AZ WAS Points scored 13.8 (28) 17.4 (24) Points allowed 28.2 (30) 17.7 (9) Passing Off. 203.6 (17) 233.3 (7) Rushing Off. 80.2 (27) 110.3 (18) Passing Def. 208.3 (17) 164.7 (2) Rushing Def. 163.7 (30) 110.6 (14) Time of Poss. 26:46 (30) 31:14 (9) Turnover Ratio -21 (30) -3 (T20) Red Zone TD% 34.2 (31) 46.7 (19)

*--*

The pick: Washington. But who would go out on Dec. 24 to watch the end of this train-wreck season?

KANSAS CITY at ATLANTA 10 a.m.

* The line: Kansas City by 4.

* Key injuries: KC--RB Donnell Bennett (knee, out). ATL--None.

* Key elements: The Chiefs should improve on their 4-0 record against Atlanta as the Falcons have been held to 14 or fewer points for seven consecutive games. All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez needs two receptions to become the first Chief and third tight end in NFL history with 90 receptions. Falcon running back Jamal Anderson is 83 yards short of his fourth 1,000-yard season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS KC ATL Points scored 22.8 (T8) 14.9 (27) Points allowed 21.7 (18) 26.7 (28) Passing Off. 262.6 (5) 180.3 (24) Rushing Off. 94.4 (25) 72.8 (29) Passing Def. 220.9 (21) 223.8 (22) Rushing Def. 112.7 (16) 131.6 (27) Time of Poss. 28:17 (27) 28:39 (25) Turnover Ratio +4 (T11) -10 (T25) Red Zone TD% 51.9 (13) 34.4 (30)

*--*

The pick: Kansas City. Was Falcons’ playing in the Super Bowl only a dream?

CHICAGO at DETROIT 10 a.m.

* The line: Detroit by 9 1/2.

* Key injuries: CHI--CB Walt Harris (knee, out). DET--S Kurt Schulz (ankle, questionable).

* Key elements: The Lions will clinch a playoff berth with a victory. The key to Detroit’s success is its ball-hawking defense (an NFC-leading 40 takeaways, including 25 interceptions). Lion running back James Stewart pounded out a career-high 164 yards against the Jets last Sunday while the Bears gained only 104 yards total offense against 49ers.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CHI DET Points scored 12.9 (29) 19.1 (T21) Points allowed 22.3 (21) 18.9 (11) Passing Off. 182.8 (23) 175.5 (25) Rushing Off. 113.7 (17) 102.6 (21) Passing Def. 206.3 (15) 202.9 (13) Rushing Def. 117.9 (22) 119.1 (24) Time of Poss. 28:29 (26) 30:07 (17) Turnover Ratio -9 (24) +10 (7) Red Zone TD% 44.0 (22) 43.1 (24)

*--*

The pick: Detroit. Lions do the honors, knocking the Super Bowl champion Rams out of playoff contention.

TAMPA BAY at GREEN BAY 10 a.m.

* The line: Green Bay by 2 1/2.

* Key injuries: TB--None. GB--WR Corey Bradford (knee, out); RB Dorsey Levens (knee, out).

* Key elements: There are two important factors to consider: 1. The Packers have not lost at home to the Buccaneers since 1989. 2. Tampa Bay is 0-18 when the game-time temperature is below 40 degrees. Tampa Bay’s Warrick Dunn has rushed for 520 yards and seven touchdowns in his last four games. The Packers counter with Ahman Green, who has averaged 112.4 yards in his last five.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS TB GB Points scored 24.9 (7) 22.4 (10) Points allowed 16.8 (7) 20.6 (15) Passing Off. 152.6 (30) 229.6 (10) Rushing Off. 128.1 (10) 96.7 (24) Passing Def. 190.7 (8) 208.1 (16) Rushing Def. 101.6 (10) 105.9 (11) Time of Poss. 30:03 (18) 30:38 (11) Turnover Ratio +13 (T3) -1 (T17) Red Zone TD% 59.1 (5) 48.1 (16)

*--*

The pick: Tampa Bay. It’s time for the cold jinx to end.

MIAMI at NEW ENGLAND 10 a.m.

* The line: Miami by 4.

* Key injuries: MIA--WR Bert Emanuel (rib, out); WR Leslie Shepherd (knee, out). NE--CB Ty Law (team suspension, out); RB J.R. Redmond (foot, questionable).

* Key elements: The Dolphins can win the AFC East with a victory, but it won’t be easy. Their last three games at Foxboro were decided by three points or fewer. Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe will be throwing against a defense with the No. 1 defensive passer rating (56.1) in the NFL. Miami defensive end Trace Armstrong leads the NFL with 16.5 sacks.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIA NE Points scored 19.7 (19) 16.8 (25) Points allowed 13.5 (3) 20.7 (16) Passing Off. 153.6 (29) 191.3 (20) Rushing Off. 123.1 (13) 90.2 (26) Passing Def. 172.6 (5) 217.3 (19) Rushing Def. 113.3 (17) 118.9 (23) Time of Poss. 30:37 (12) 29:52 (19) Turnover Ratio +12 (6) +1 (16) Red Zone TD% 52.4 (11) 42.0 (25)

*--*

The pick: Miami. Dolphins will probably make playoffs, but are stumbling in.

ST. LOUIS at NEW ORLEANS 10 a.m.

* The line: St. Louis by 3 1/2.

* Key injuries: STL--WR Tony Horne (toe, out). NO--RB Ricky Williams (fibula, out).

* Key elements: The Rams are Bear fans today, as they make the playoffs only with a victory and a Lion loss or tie. The Saints, 7-0 against the NFC West, have clinched their first playoff berth since 1992 and first division title since 1991. Ram wide receivers Torry Holt (1,514 yards receiving) and Isaac Bruce (1,428) need 72 yards from Bruce to become NFL’s first 1,500-yard receiving duo.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS STL NO Points scored 34.3 (1) 22.2 (12) Points allowed 30.0 (31) 18.6 (10) Passing Off. 336.1 (1) 203.7 (16) Rushing Off. 107.6 (20) 135.9 (7) Passing Def. 240.0 (28) 196.0 (11) Rushing Def. 101.4 (9) 97.3 (8) Time of Poss. 30:27 (T14) 32:04 (T5) Turnover Ratio -10 (T25) +9 (8) Red Zone TD% 63.0 (1) 50.0 (14)

*--*

The pick: St. Louis. Rams will pull out all the stops, but unless Chicago upsets Detroit, they won’t make the playoffs.

CINCINNATI at PHILADELPHIA 10 a.m.

* The line: Philadelphia by 10 1/2.

* Key injuries: None.

* Key elements: The Eagles have won five of six, clinching their first playoff berth since 1996 along the way. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is responsible for 75.3% of the Eagles’ total net offense (3,529 of 4,685 yards), more than any other NFL player. The Corey Dillon-led Bengals averaged 167.8 yards rushing over their last 12 games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CIN PHI Points scored 11.9 (30) 22.3 (11) Points allowed 22.9 (23) 15.9 (6) Passing Off. 118.5 (31) 196.1 (19) Rushing Off. 147.5 (2) 116.3 (15) Passing Def. 225.3 (23) 188.1 (7) Rushing Def. 119.1 (24) 115.2 (19) Time of Poss. 27:30 (29) 28:43 (24) Turnover Ratio -15 (29) +3 (T13) Red Zone TD% 40.0 (26) 53.2 (10)

*--*

The pick: Philadelphia. Question is, will the Eagles’ soft closing schedule--Cleveland, a bye and Cincinnati--hurt them going into the playoffs?

NEW YORK JETS at BALTIMORE 10 a.m.

* The line: Baltimore by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: NYJ--LB Bryan Cox (leg-injured reserve, out). BAL--None.

* Key elements: The Raven defense has given up fewer yards per carry (2.7) than any other NFL team and has gone 32 consecutive games without allowing an opposing runner to rush for 100 yards. The Ravens need to hold the Jets to 41 points or fewer to set an NFL 16-game record for fewest points allowed.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS NYJ BAL Points scored 20.1 (T14) 19.9 (17) Points allowed 19.1 (12) 9.7 (1) Passing Off. 230.1 (9) 182.5 (22) Rushing Off. 94.7 (24) 142.3 (4) Passing Def. 190.3 (9) 168.3 (4) Rushing Def. 121.6 (25) 61.3 (1) Time of Poss. 30:27 (T14) 33:41 (2) Turnover Ratio -1 (T17) +19 (1) Red Zone TD% 57.1 (6) 39.6 (27)

*--*

The pick: Baltimore. Ravens want to tie NFL shutout record, and Jets have scored only seven points each of the last two weeks.

PITTSBURGH at SAN DIEGO 1:05 p.m.

* The line: Pittsburgh by 3.

* Key injuries: PIT--S Lee Flowers (knee, out). SD--DE Neil Smith (knee, doubtful).

* Key elements: The Steelers will earn a wild-card playoff spot with a victory and losses by the Colts and Jets. Charger quarterback Ryan Leaf goes up against a Steeler red-zone defense that is the NFL’s best. Leaf has 1,091 yards passing and eight touchdowns in the last five games. The Steelers’ Kordell Stewart has six touchdown passes and one interception in last four games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS PIT SD Points scored 19.1 (T21) 16.5 (26) Points allowed 15.6 (5) 27.1 (29) Passing Off. 155.5 (28) 206.5 (15) Rushing Off. 141.1 (5) 68.7 (30) Passing Def. 192.0 (11) 223.5 (22) Rushing Def. 110.8 (14) 86.1 (3) Time of Poss. 31:05 (10) 28:54 (23) Turnover Ratio +13 (T3) -28 (31) Red Zone TD% 46.5 (25) 37.8 (29)

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh. Steelers still have possibility of reaching playoffs. Chargers ready for some eggnog.

MINNESOTA AT INDIANAPOLIS 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Indianapolis by 5 1/2.

* Key injuries: MIN--QB Daunte Culpepper (ankle, questionable). IND--None.

* Key elements: You want exciting offense? This game features Pro Bowl quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Peyton Manning, Pro Bowl running backs Robert Smith and Edgerrin James, and Pro Bowl wide receivers Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS MIN IND Points scored 25.8 (5) 26.5 (4) Points allowed 22.7 (22) 21.1 (17) Passing Off. 237.9 (6) 266.6 (4) Rushing Off. 142.4 (4) 115.4 (16) Passing Def. 239.3 (27) 216.9 (18) Rushing Def. 107.6 (13) 124.5 (26) Time of Poss. 29:49 (20) 29:15 (22) Turnover Ratio -10 (T25) -7 (22) Red Zone TD% 55.6 (T8) 59.2 (4)

*--*

The pick: Indianapolis. If it’s Bubby Brister instead of Daunte Culpepper, all the more reason the Colts should win. But if Jets and Dolphins have already won by kickoff, Colts have nothing to play for.

CAROLINA at OAKLAND 1:15 p.m.

* The line: Oakland by 8 1/2.

* Key injuries: CAR--RB William Floyd (ribs, doubtful). OAK--RB Napoleon Kaufman (knee, questionable).

* Key elements: Carolina has 18 takeaways in its last four games. Oakland will win the AFC West and first-round bye with a victory. Rich Gannon tops AFC quarterbacks with 497 yards rushing while running back Tyrone Wheatley needs 20 yards rushing for his first 1,000-yard season.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS CAR OAK Points scored 20.1 (T14) 28.5 (3) Points allowed 17.2 (8) 19.3 (13) Passing Off. 220.9 (11) 205.1 (16) Rushing Off. 78.3 (28) 152.7 (1) Passing Def. 230.3 (25) 232.0 (25) Rushing Def. 118.9 (23) 98.1 (7) Time of Poss. 30:35 (13) 31:48 (7) Turnover Ratio +6 (T9) +13 (T3) Red Zone TD% 39.3 (28) 56.7 (7)

*--*

The pick: Oakland. Raiders have had their missteps. Time to get primed for playoffs.

DALLAS at TENNESSEE, MONDAY, 6 p.m.

* The line: Tennessee by 13 1/2.

* Key injuries: DAL--QB Troy Aikman (concussion, out). TEN--None.

* Key elements: Tennessee will clinch home-field advantage with a victory or a Baltimore loss or tie. Rookie quarterback Anthony Wright may have it rough against a Titan defense that has given up only two touchdowns in 20 quarters. Eddie George needs 27 carries to break Jamal Anderson’s NFL record of 410. George has 10 touchdowns in his last five games.

*--*

THE MATCHUPS DAL TEN Points scored 19.6 (20) 21.0 (13) Points allowed 22.0 (20) 12.7 (2) Passing Off. 174.5 (26) 203.3 (18) Rushing Off. 128.0 (11) 128.4 (11) Passing Def. 167.9 (T3) 160.9 (1) Rushing Def. 169.9 (31) 86.9 (4) Time of Poss. 29:24 (21) 33:51 (1) Turnover Ratio -13 (28) -1 (T17) Red Zone TD% 48.9 (15) 48.0 (17)

*--*

The pick: Tennessee. Eddie George against Cowboys’ rushing defense? He’ll get all the yards he wants until Titans take him out to save him for playoffs.