The Steelers travel to Arizona, while the Green Bay Packers take their 6-0 record to division rival Minnesota.
View full sizeThe Steelers have struggled on the road this season, going 1-2, with their lone victory over the Colts. They travel to Arizona this weekend.Pittsburgh (4-2) at Arizona (1-4)
When: 4:05 p.m.
TV: WOIO Channel 19.
Early line: Steelers by 4.
The skinny: Pittsburgh 1-2 on road, with lone victory, 23-20, at winless Indianapolis. . . . Rashard Mendenhall's 113 yards in first two quarters against Jacksonville on Sunday were second-most in half in Steelers' history, one shy of Willie Parker's 114 against Cleveland on Dec. 7, 2006. . . . Pittsburgh has held last five opponents to 20 points or less after season-opening 35-7 loss at Baltimore. . . . Six members of Arizona coaching staff once were coaches for Pittsburgh, including head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was with Steelers from 2001 to '06, the last three seasons as offensive coordinator. . . . Series history dates to 1933, fourth-oldest for Cardinals. . . . Arizona's Kevin Kolb has thrown for one touchdown and five interceptions in last three games.
Green Bay (6-0) at Minnesota (1-5)
When: 4:15 p.m.
TV: WJW Channel 8.
Early line: Packers by 9 1/2.
The skinny: Packers have won seven of last 10 meetings in back-and-forth rivalry, their best 10-game run in series since late 1980s. . . . With one more win, Packers would run their streak, including playoffs, to franchise-long 13 straight games. They won 12 in row during span in 1961-62. . . . Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had 141.3 rating, with 301 yards and four touchdowns, at Minnesota last year. . . . Rodgers is first player in NFL history to start season with a 110-plus passer rating in six straight games. . .. Rookie Christian Ponder will start at QB for Vikings, replacing Donovan McNabb. He's fourth QB in last 11 seasons to make first Vikings start against Packers, with Spergon Wynn (2001, road), Tarvaris Jackson (2006, road) and Brooks Bollinger (2007, road) all losing their debuts. . . . In 25 career games against NFC North opponents, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has rushed for an average of 100.9 yards per game.
Indianapolis (0-6) at New Orleans (4-2)
When: 8:20 p.m.
TV: WKYC Channel 3.
Early line: New Orleans by 14.
The skinny: Game is rematch of 2010 Super Bowl in Miami, which New Orleans won, 31-17. . . . Colts have beaten Saints in two straight regular season meetings, both with Peyton Manning, who is now injured, at quarterback. . . . RB Donald Brown, who scored his first touchdown rushing of season last week, is averaging 5.6 yards per carry in past two games. . . . New Orleans native and WR Reggie Wayne had seven catches for 115 yards receiving with two TDs in last regular-season game against Saints. WR Pierre Garcon tied career-high with eight receptions last week. In his past four games, Garcon has 21 catches for 405 yards and four TDs. . . . Saints QB Drew Brees has passed for 350-plus yards in four straight games, longest such streak in NFL. Brees also has set NFL record with 20-plus completions in 26 straight. . . . TE Jimmy Graham is second TE in NFL history with 100-plus yards receiving in four straight games in same season, first being Tony Gonzalez in 2000.
Houston (3-3) at Tennessee (3-2)
When: 1 p.m.
Early line: Titans by 3.
The skinny: Texans have won three of past four against AFC South. . . . Matt Schaub has thrown for 1,449 yards with 11 TDs and one interception with 101 passer rating in past five games against Titans. On road, Schaub has six TDs and one interception with 100.6 passer rating. . . . Arian Foster averaging 121.2 yards rushing per game with seven TDs in past six games against AFC South. Foster looking for fourth straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. . . . Titans 7-2 at home versus Texans. Titans 2-0 at home this season. . . . Matt Hasselbeck has thrown for 669 yards with three TDs and one interception with 106.2 passer rating at home this season. He has 90 or better passer rating in four games. . . . Chris Johnson averaging 91.7 yards rushing per game versus AFC South. Johnson needs 28 yards to reach 6,000 for his career.
Washington (3-2) at Carolina (1-5)
When: 1 p.m.
Early line: Panthers by 2 1/2.
The skinny: Redskins QB John Beck will make his fifth start, first since 2007 when he was with Miami. RB Tim Hightower has three TDs in four career meetings with Carolina. When he has 15-plus carries, his teams are 7-1. RB Roy Helu leads NFC rookies averaging 5.1 yards per carry. . . . In five games with 19-plus carries, RB Ryan Torain has 597 yards (119.4 per game), including four 100-yard games. . . . WR Santana Moss needs 158 yards receiving to reach 9,000 for career. . . . Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton averaging 307.8 pass yards per game and is the only player in NFL history with six-plus TD passes and six-plus rushing touchdowns in first six games. He leads all QBs with six rushing TDs. . . . RB DeAngelo Williams needs 30 yards receiving to become first player in franchise history with 4,000-plus yards rushing and 1,000-plus yards receiving in career. . . . Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart needs 51 yards rushing to join Williams and DeShaun Foster as only players in team history with 3,000-plus yards.
San Diego (4-1) at N.Y. Jets (3-3)
When: 1 p.m.
Early line: Chargers by 1 1/2.
The skinny: Last time teams met was in 2009 AFC divisional playoffs, when Jets won en route to AFC championship game. . . . Chargers coming off bye on three-game winning streak, looking to improve to 5-1 and match team's best start since 2002. Would be eighth straight year San Diego has had winning streak of four or more games. . . . TE Antonio Gates, who has missed last three games with foot injury, has 537 career catches -- five from passing Kellen Winslow for second on team's career list. With one more TD catch, Gates will join Tony Gonzalez as only TEs in NFL with 70 or more. . . . K Nick Novak, who was in training camp with Jets, has made first 11 FG attempts; needs to make next three to break John Carney's team record for consecutive FGs to start season, set in 1993. . . . Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was Chargers QBs coach from 2002 to '05 under father, Marty, who was coach. . . . RB LaDainian Tomlinson and CB Antonio Cromartie playing against former team for first time since joining Jets last season. Tomlinson signed as free agent; Cromartie traded to New York.
Denver (1-4) at Miami (0-5)
When: 1 p.m.
Early line: Dolphins by 3.
The skinny: Denver has beaten Miami once in 11 regular-season meetings since 1968. . . . Broncos 0-7 against Dolphins in Miami but beat Falcons there in Super Bowl in January 1999. . . . Eric Decker has five touchdowns for Denver. No Miami player has more than one TD. Decker (25.6 yards per) and teammate Quan Cosby (16.8) rank first and third in NFL in punt returns. . . . Brandon Marshall, who caught 25 touchdown passes for Broncos, plays against them for first time. He has four TDs in 19 games with Miami. Marshall has six drops -- tied for most in NFL. Five were potential scores. . . . Dolphins tied for next to last in league in red-zone scoring, with six touchdowns in 18 trips. . . . Miami 15 for 62 converting on third down, worst in league.
Atlanta (3-3) at Detroit (5-1)
When: 1 p.m.
Early line: Lions by 4 1/2.
The skinny: QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and coach Mike Smith each made Falcons debut in 2008 against Detroit. Ryan threw TD on first throw, Turner had franchise-high 220 yards and Smith started on way to becoming first Falcons coach to have three straight winning seasons. . . . Lions coming off first loss after starting 5-0 for first time since 1956; are 5-1 for first time since 1991. . . . Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (1,099) is three catches from ranking second on all-time list ahead of Cris Carter (1,101) and Marvin Harrison (1,102) and behind Jerry Rice (1,549). . . . Lions coach Jim Schwartz said it was "unfortunate" his heated confrontation with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh overshadowed last week's tight game between two of NFL's turnaround teams. . . . When Turner has at least 21 carries, Falcons are 24-1. . . . Lions RB Jahvid Best had third concussion of career last week and team tried to acquire Eagles RB Ronnie Brown just before deadline, but trade voided.
Kansas City (2-3) at Oakland (4-2)
When: 4:05 p.m.
Early line: Raiders by 3 1/2.
The skinny: Raiders swept season series last year for first time since 2001. Chiefs have won seven of last eight games in Oakland. . . . Kansas City QB Matt Cassel 56-for-82 for 693 yards, seven TDs, one INT and a 117.6 passer rating last three games. . . . Chiefs RB Jackie Battle had career-high 119 yards rushing last game against Colts. . . . Kansas City WR Dwayne Bowe coming off seventh career multi-TD game. . . . Oakland WR Jacoby Ford had fourth career kick return for TD last week, joining Travis Williams as only players with that many in first 20 games of career. . . . QB Carson Palmer could make first start for Raiders since being acquired in trade from Cincinnati to replace injured Jason Campbell.
St. Louis (0-5) at Dallas (2-3)
When: 4:15 p.m.
Early line: Cowboys by 10 1/2.
The skinny: Cowboys played 11 straight games decided by four points or less. . . . Game will end about same time as their neighboring baseball teams, Rangers and Cardinals, will be starting Game 4 of World Series a few blocks away. Could be quite a traffic jam in Arlington. . . . Teams have alternated wins and losses last 10 times they have met. Rams won last time. Dallas 9-9 in regular season at $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium. . . . If A.J. Feeley opens at QB for St. Louis in place of injured Sam Bradford (high ankle sprain), it will be first start since 2007. He will have new target in WR Brandon Lloyd, acquired in trade from Denver this week. . . . Dallas and St. Louis have each run for one TD this season. Only Kansas City is worse. . . . Dallas QB Tony Romo has 20 career three-TD games, tying Danny White for club record.
Baltimore (4-1) at Jacksonville (1-5)
When: Monday, 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Early line: Ravens by 8 1/2.
The skinny: Ravens have won seven of last eight in series, with only loss coming in Jacksonville in 2005. . . . QB Joe Flacco threw for 297 yards in only game against Jaguars. . . . RB Ray Rice averaging 140 yards from scrimmage, third best in NFL behind Matt Forte and Fred Jackson. . . . Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio began coaching career in Baltimore, working as LB Ray Lewis' position coach in 1999. . . . Jaguars 6-3 on Monday night. . . . Jags' RB Maurice Jones-Drew, third in NFL in rushing, needs 6 yards to reach 8,000 for his career.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/10/nfl_week_7_capsule_previews_of.html
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