NFL Week 6 Capsules

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Baltimore (4-1) at New England (3-1)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Patriots -2½ Total: 44½

TV: CBS (8)

■ Weather: Low 60s, clear

■ Facts: The Ravens play the first of two straight games against teams coming off a bye. Teams coming off a bye are 2-9-1 against the spread dating to Week 10 last year. ... The Patriots, 33-14 losers to Baltimore in last year's playoffs, had three special teams/defensive scores in a 41-14 victory at Miami in Week 4. The last team to have three such TDs in a game was San Francisco in Week 5 last year. After the 49ers' ensuing bye, they lost 45-10 to Atlanta.

■ Analysis: This is a good matchup for Ravens QB Joe Flacco. In the past three games, passers facing the Patriots have set personal season highs in completion percentage. Also, New England is allowing an NFL-worst 54.7 conversion rate on third down. No team has been lousier than 50 percent in the past 15 seasons.

■ Forecast: Ravens 30, Patriots 21

Kansas City (3-1) at Houston (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Texans -4½ Total: 44½

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Mid-80s, clear

■ Facts: The visiting Chiefs couldn't get the Colts off the field last week in a 19-9 loss, yielding four drives of 10-plus plays. ... Houston's longest drive was 35 yards last week in its 34-10 loss to the Giants. In the Texans' first four games, they had 23 drives longer than that. ... Teams have topped 240 rushing yards three times this season, with the Texans doing it twice. They also are one of four teams to fall below 25, rushing for a franchise-low of 24 yards last week.

■ Analysis: Kansas City's loss at Indianapolis wasn't an energy zapper for the previously unbeaten Chiefs, whereas the Texans were embarrassed in their home loss to the Giants. Houston's swagger has turned into a stagger.

■ Forecast: Chiefs 20, Texans 17

San Diego (2-3) at St. Louis (2-3)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Chargers -8½ Total: 45

RADIO: KWWN (1100 AM, 98.9 FM)

■ Weather: Indoors

■ Facts: San Diego is 0-3 on the road this season against teams that had at least 11 losses last year. St. Louis was 1-15 in 2009. ... The Chargers, who allowed two special teams/defensive TDs last week at Oakland to give them a league-worst six in 2010, also lost fumbles at the Raiders' 1, 14 and 33. ... St. Louis had a league-high seven losses of 20-plus points in 2009, but last week's 44-6 defeat at Detroit was its first by more than four points this season. ... Key Rams WR Mark Clayton is out the year (knee). ... San Diego started 2-3 in its previous three seasons en route to the AFC West crown. ... The Rams are on a 41-game streak as an underdog, matching Cleveland's mark from 1999 to 2001.

■ Analysis: In front of the home crowd, the Rams will be force-feeding RB Steven Jackson so he can get the 141 yards necessary to pass Eric Dickerson as the franchise's all-time rusher leader. The Chargers, meanwhile, will concentrate on winning.

■ Forecast: Chargers 28, Rams 14

New Orleans (3-2) at Tampa Bay (3-1)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Saints -4½ Total: 43½

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Low 80s, clear

■ Facts: Besides allowing two defensive return TDs last week at Arizona, the third-place Saints were at a 19-yard disadvantage in average starting field position, the most in the NFL this year. ... Tampa Bay has gone a league-high three games without getting a sack. ... Last season, while the Saints still were fighting for the No. 1 seed, they blew a 17-0 lead in the Superdome against the Bucs in Week 16 and lost in OT, 20-17. ... New Orleans has a new man in the backfield, ex-Seahawks RB Julius Jones.

■ Analysis: After the Bucs' startling rally in the final minutes at Cincinnati last week, their bandwagon filled quickly. But folks who have been on board for a while know Tampa Bay was thwacked by Pittsburgh and fourth-string QB Charlie Batch three weeks ago. Drew Brees is better than Batch.

■ Forecast: Saints 34, Buccaneers 17

Atlanta (4-1) at Philadelphia (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Eagles -3 Total: 42½

TV: Fox (5)

■ Weather: Low 70s, clear

■ Facts: Kevin Kolb starts at QB for the Eagles instead of Mike Vick (questionable, ribs) for the second straight week. ... The road team has won all five of Philadelphia's games. ... No receiver in the league is targeted as often as Atlanta's Roddy White, with 58 chances. Last year, he had nine catches for 104 yards against the Eagles. ... Philadelphia is the only team to allow two opponents multiple 100-yard receivers in the same game (Detroit, San Francisco).

■ Analysis: Philadelphia's offensive line is hurting. Early on, center Jamaal Jackson went down. Now mauling OLT Jason Peter will be out at least this week (knee) against a team that has 11 sacks. Plus, the Falcons already lead the league with 10 interceptions, so Kolb could be putting some hurried throws up for grabs.

■ Forecast: Falcons 24, Eagles 20

Detroit (1-4) at New York Giants (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Giants -10 Total: 44½

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Mid-60s, clear

■ Facts: This is the Lions' 17th straight road game as a double-digit underdog, Also, their 23-game road losing streak is one short of the NFL futility record. ... The Giants' 34-10 victory last week at Houston was the most lopsided by an underdog since Carolina beat New York 41-9 in Week 16 last year as an 8-point 'dog. ... The Lions' 44-6 victory over St. Louis last week improved their record to 4-41 since midseason 2007. ... Lions QB Matthew Stafford (questionable, shoulder) seems likeliest to return Oct. 31, after Detroit's bye.

■ Analysis: Detroit, which has won three straight on the road against the Giants, can be excused if it exhales after its must-win against fellow bottom feeder St. Louis. Which means it could get smacked around by New York's top-rated defense. Surprisingly, that defense was rated last in exhibitions.

■ Forecast: Giants 34, Lions 13

Seattle (2-2) at Chicago (4-1)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Bears -6½ Total: 38

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Mid-60s, 10 percent chance of rain

■ Facts: Chicago is coming off a 23-6 victory against Carolina in which emergency starting QB Todd Collins had a 6.8 passer rating, the worst by a starter this year. He's now a third-team QB with Jay Cutler expected back. ... The Seahawks allow 2.7 yards per rush, second best in the NFL. ... The Bears are converting 21 percent of their third-down chances, the worst by any team in the last 20 years.

■ Analysis: Seattle's 20-3 upset loss to St. Louis two weeks ago was a predictable trap for the Seahawks considering Pete Carroll teams traditionally play poorly the week before USC faces Stanford. This also is the week the Seahawks unveil RB Marshawn Lynch.

■ Forecast: Seahawks 19, Bears 17

Miami (2-2) at Green Bay (3-2)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Off Total: Off

RADIO: KXNT-FM (100.5)

■ Weather: High 50s, 20 percent chance of rain

■ Facts: QB Aaron Rodgers (probable, concussion) is confident he'll make his 39th straight start for Green Bay, but it will be a game-time decision. Matt Flynn, who has attempted 12 passes in three years, is the backup. ... Miami is playing its first game since allowing three return scores against New England and firing its special teams coach. ... The Packers will be without standout TE Jermichael Finley (knee) and possibly sack leader Clay Mathews (doubtful, hamstring), while Miami will have LB Channing Crowder (groin) for the first time this year.

■ Analysis: Miami coach Tony Sparano surely has his team's attention after what had to be a hellish bye week. Expect Dolphins defenders to play with unrivaled emotion. The Packers, meanwhile, who barely got past Detroit in their last home game, will have to make do with an offense that has been ravaged by injury.

■ Forecast: Dolphins 21, Packers 14

Cleveland (1-4) at Pittsburgh (3-1)

Time: 10 a.m. Line: Steelers -13½ Total: 37

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Mid-60s, clear

■ Facts: Favorites of 13-plus points are 19-28-1 against the line since 2008, 0-3 this season. ... Rookie Colt McCoy will be the Browns' fifth starting QB in their past nine games. He's the fourth first-year starter in the league this year. The others were 1-1-1 ATS in their openers. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger returns from suspension for Pittsburgh. ... Last year as a 10-point underdog, Cleveland snapped a 12-game losing streak to Pittsburgh with a 13-6 home victory. ... Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall is one of three RBs averaging more than 100 yards a game.

■ Analysis: Can the deck be stacked any higher against McCoy? He'll be playing in one of the league's most hostile environments and against the league's fourth-rated rush defense. Plus, his top running back, Peyton Hillis, is questionable (thigh).

■ Forecast: Steelers 27, Browns 3

N.Y. Jets (4-1) at Denver (2-3)

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: Jets -3 Total: 41

RADIO: KXNT-FM (100.5)

■ Weather: Low 70s, 10 percent chance of rain

■ Facts: The Jets are fresh off their 29-20 Monday night victory against Minnesota. However, teams are 0-4 ATS on short rest since Week 2. ... Mark Sanchez's TD/INT ratio for New York is 8/0. In 1968, Broadway Joe Namath was at 15/17. ... Denver is on pace to total 829 rushing yards this season, the fewest since Detroit had 467 in an 11-game season in 1946. ... The Jets are yielding a league-high 13.6 yards per completion. In 2009 they ranked second-best at 10.4. Plus, CB Darrelle Revis (questionable, hamstring) is iffy.

■ Analysis: Denver, which gained a first down on every drive against the Baltimore's third-rated defense last week, will be wearing orange costumes and could catch New York flat after its celebrated victory against Minnesota.

■ Forecast: Broncos 28, Jets 21

Oakland (2-3) at San Francisco (0-5)

Time: 1:05 p.m. Line: 49ers -6½ Total: 41

TV/RADIO: None

■ Weather: Mid-60s, 30 percent chance of rain

■ Facts: The 49ers are the biggest 0-5 favorite since the 1987 Giants were a 10-point choice over the Cardinals. But three of New York's losses had come in replacement games. ... Oakland, which likely will go with QB Jason Campbell, snapped its 13-game losing streak to San Diego last week despite 12 penalties. The Raiders are 2-0 this year with that many infractions. All other teams are 0-5. ... Oakland lost to a 0-5 Rams team on the road in 2002 as an 8-point favorite. ... San Francisco's minus-10 turnover margin is worst in the league. In 1983, the Raiders were minus-13 but won the Super Bowl.

■ Analysis: If the 49ers can limit their turnovers, the Raiders' rush defense (league-worst 5.0 per carry) should allow Frank Gore to run free. After all, San Francisco threw a mighty fourth-quarter scare into the Eagles last week before losing only 27-24 despite a minus-4 turnover differential.

■ Forecast: 49ers 21, Raiders 10

Dallas (1-3) at Minnesota (1-3)

Time: 1:15 p.m. Line: Vikings -1½ Total: 44

TV/RADIO: Fox (5), KWWN (1100 AM, 98.9 FM)

■ Weather: Indoors

■ Facts: The Vikings won last year's division playoff against visiting Dallas 34-3, sacking Tony Romo six times (three by DE Ray Edwards). Romo also went down six times last week in a 34-27 home loss to Tennessee. ... Vikings QB Brett Favre (questionable, elbow) had four TDs and no interceptions in that playoff meeting. He's had six TD throws and nine INTs since. ... Cowboys WR Miles Austin, who has three 140-yard receiving days this season, had only 34 yards on four catches in that loss to the Vikings.

■ Analysis: The last team to recover from a 1-3 start and make the playoffs was Minnesota in 2008, so the Vikings shouldn't leap for the panic button. Just can't see the Cowboys handling that aggressive pass rush while using a silent count. Plus, Randy Moss has 11 TD catches in seven games against Dallas.

■ Forecast: Vikings 20, Cowboys 13

Indianapolis (3-2) at Washington (3-2)

Time: 5:15 p.m. Line: Colts -3 Total: 43½

TV/RADIO: NBC (3), KBAD-AM (920)

■ Weather: Low 70s, clear

■ Facts: Washington has the NFL's worst-rated defense, yielding an average of 401.2 yards. Already, Indianapolis thrashed the Giants and their top-rated defense, 38-14. ... Redskins rookie free-agent WR Anthony Armstrong has only seven catches, but two are for 57 and 48 yards. ... The Colts gave up an 8-minute, 15-play opening drive to the Chiefs last week, but never allowed a TD while handing Kansas City its first defeat.

■ Analysis: Veteran Redskins DB DeAngelo Hall bemoaned the fact that their defensive schemes couldn't baffle Rams rookie Sam Bradford during a 30-16 loss in St. Louis, so how are they going to fluster Peyton Manning?

■ Forecast: Colts 31, Redskins 17

MONDAY'S GAME

Tennessee (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-2)

Time: 5:30 p.m. Line: Titans -3 Total: 45

TV/RADIO: ESPN (30), KWWN (1100 AM, 98.9 FM)

■ Weather: Low 80s, clear

■ Facts: The Titans and Jaguars enter the weekend tied for first -- and last -- in the AFC South. The only time a team with a winning record finished last in a division/conference was in the Western Division in 1935. ... Jacksonville won last week at Buffalo, 36-26, despite a minus-3 turnover margin. All other teams this season are a cumulative 0-19 at such a disadvantage. ... Titans RB Chris Johnson had a season-best 228 rushing yards in a Week 9 Titans victory against the Jaguars last year.

■ Analysis: Jacksonville QB David Garrard will quickly be removed from his comfort zone against the league's top sack masters (22). Plus, the Jaguars' defense is a big gain waiting to happen. They've given up a league-high eight pass plays of 40-plus yards.

■ Forecast: Titans 28, Jaguars 16

Last week: 7-7 vs. spread; 6-8 straight up

Season total: 40-33-3 (.548) vs. spread; 45-31 (.592) straight up