NFL Week 6: Game-by-game previews

★★★★★ Five-star games

CAROLINA AT TAMPA BAY

Noon • 710, DTV • Line: T.B. by 1 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: T.B. by 6

Carolina (4-1) has won eight of the past 10 meetings, including five in a row at Tampa Bay (3-2). Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams rushed for 123 yards and had three TDs last week in a 34-0 victory over Kansas City. Tampa Bay RB Earnest Graham has rushed for 100-plus yards in five consecutive home games. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia figures to play because Brian Griese has a sore right arm. Garcia has four consecutive victories vs. Panthers.

Our Over/Under: 2 Teammates Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith will punch out if the Panthers drop this one. (CM)

DALLAS AT ARIZONA

3:15 p.m. • 714, DTV • Line: DAL by 4 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: DAL by 7

The game matches two of the NFL's top offenses -- Dallas (4-1) is ranked third and the Cardinals (3-2) are fifth. The Cowboys' 151 points lead the NFC, and the Cardinals are second with 147. Dallas has won 22 of the past 27 meetings, including three in a row. With five sacks against Buffalo last week, the Cardinals have sacked the quarterback in 28 consecutive games, the longest streak in the league. The next-longest streak belongs to Dallas (22 in a row).

Our Over/Under: 5 Jarring tackles in this game that will once again make Cardinals QB Kurt Warner consider retirement.

NEW ENGLAND AT SAN DIEGO

7:15 p.m. • Ch. 11 • Line: S.D. by 5

Mark Craig's pick: S.D. by 7

S Rodney Harrison is still going strong six years after being released by the Chargers (2-3). Harrison has won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots (3-1). Pats QB Matt Cassel is a younger brother of Jack Cassel, who pitched with the Padres for part of 2007. Jack was with the Astros in 2008. Matt is 2-0 on the road, completing 38 of 55 passes for 424 yards, one TD and two INTs. These teams met for the AFC title last year, with the Pats winning 21-12.

Our Over/Under: 1,377 Patriots fans who really believe fill-in QB Matt Cassel can lead their team to the promised land.

★★★★ Four-star games

CHICAGO AT ATLANTA

Noon • 708, DTV • Line: CHI by 3

Mark Craig's pick: ATL by 3

The only losses for the Falcons (3-2) and Bears (3-2) were against the same two teams, Carolina and Tampa Bay. Bears RB Matt Forte leads NFL rookies with 383 yards rushing. Each QB set career highs in yards passing last week. Chicago's Kyle Orton passed for 334 in a 34-7 victory at Detroit. Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan passed for 194 yards in a 27-24 victory at Green Bay.

Our Over/Under: 278 Yards this year by which Michael Turner outrushes ex- mate LaDainian Tomlinson.

BALTIMORE AT INDIANAPOLIS

Noon • 705, DTV • Line: IND by 4

Mark Craig's pick: IND by 7

The Colts (2-2) have lost four consecutive home games, including two this season at new Lucas Oil Stadium. Baltimore (2-2) has not allowed a 100-yard runner in 23 consecutive games. Ravens coach John Harbaugh's sister, Joani, is married to Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean. Harbaugh's brother, Jim, is in the Colts ring of honor and has an Indy-based IndyCar team.

Our Over/Under: 17 Notches Marvin Harrison falls in public opinion after being accused of shooting a guy. (CM)

★★★ Three-star games

PHILADELPHIA AT SAN FRANCISCO

3 p.m. • 715, DTV • Line: PHI by 4 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: S.F. by 3

The Eagles (2-3) have won three of their past four meetings with San Francisco (2-3). QB Donovan McNabb needs 12 pass attempts and 264 yards passing to become Philadelphia franchise leader in both categories. Ron Jaworski holds both marks. McNabb already has club records with 2,301 completions and 177 touchdown passes. Niners LB Takeo Spikes made 139 tackles last season for the Eagles, who cut him in early March to save $5 million under the salary cap.

JACKSONVILLE AT DENVER

3:05 p.m. • 712, DTV • Line: DEN by 3 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: DEN by 7

The Jaguars (2-3) won 23-14 last year in Denver. The Broncos (4-1) are going for their 400th victory and seventh in a row at home. They won't have leading rusher Selvin Young, who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry but strained his left groin last week. K Matt Prater leads the league in scoring with 51 points and has hit all four of his tries from 50-plus yards. Rookie WR Eddie Royal, who is third in the AFC with 30 catches, sprained his left ankle on a punt return last week.

★★ Two-star games

GREEN BAY AT SEATTLE

3:15 p.m. • 713, DTV • Line: SEA by 1

Mark Craig's pick: G.B. by 7

Green Bay's turnover margin of plus-3 is tied for fourth in NFL. Seattle's minus-4 is tied for 27th.The Packers, 2-3 for the first time since 2000, have won nine of their past 12 road games. The Seahawks (1-3) are an NFC-best 43-15 at home since 2001 season. Coach Mike Holmgren, who began his head-coaching career with Green Bay in 1992, is 2-4 against the Packers since leaving for Seattle in 1999.

CINCINNATI AT N.Y. JETS

Noon • 706, DTV • Line: NYJ by 9

MARK CRAIG'S PICK: NYJ BY 10

The Bengals hope to avoid their first 0-6 start since 2002, when they opened season 0-7. QB Carson Palmer limited throwing during practice this week to rest his sore right elbow. The Bengals intercepted Brett Favre, then with Green Bay, five times in the QB's last appearance vs. Cincinnati in 2005. The Jets (2-2) are 2-0 under coach Eric Mangini in games following byes. Favre leads the NFL with a 110.8 passer rating.

★ One-star games

OAKLAND AT NEW ORLEANS

Noon • 707, DTV • Line: N.O. by 7

Mark Craig's pick: N.O. by 10

The Raiders' Tom Cable makes his debut as an NFL head coach. The Raiders (1-3) have eight sacks in the past two games. Drew Brees has thrown for 330 or more yards in three consecutive games for the Saints (2-3) and Reggie Bush has a league-high 38 catches.

ST. LOUIS AT WASHINGTON

Noon • 711, DTV • Line: WAS by 13

Mark Craig's pick: WAS by 10

Jim Haslett replaces Scott Linehan as coach of the Rams (0-4). St. Louis has lost eight in a row. The Redskins (4-1) are the only NFL team without an offensive turnover and Jason Campbell is the only starting quarterback without an interception.

MIAMI AT HOUSTON

Noon • 704, DTV • Line: HOU by 3

MARK CRAIG'S PICK: HOU BY 6

Ronnie Brown looks for his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game for Miami (2-2). Today's game is the second of four consecutive at home for Houston (0-4).