NFL Week 8: Game-by-game previews

★★★★★ five-star games

N.Y. GIANTS AT PITTSBURGH

3:15 p.m. • 715, DTV • Line: PIT by 3

Mark Craig's pick: NYG by 3

The Steelers (5-1) have made the Super Bowl champion Giants (5-1) an underdog for the first time this season. Former Steelers WR Plaxico Burress, a 2000 first-round pick, opposes his former club for the first time. Burress owns the Steelers' single-game record with 253 yards receiving. Pittsburgh leads the league with 25 sacks. Steelers RB Willie Parker (sore knee) is doubtful. WR Santonio Holmes (marijuana arrest) will be benched.

Our Over/Under: 319

Mewelde Moore fan club members fired up that Willie Parker might miss another game!

TAMPA BAY AT DALLAS

Noon • 709, DTV • Line: DAL by 2 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: DAL by 6

Tampa Bay (5-2) has won three of four vs. Dallas (4-3) since 2000 after losing all eight meetings before that. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden and Cowboys coach Wade Phillips have both coached three Pro Bowl quarterbacks, most among active coaches. Pro Bowl QBs for Gruden were Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson (who starts against Bucs this week) and Jeff Garcia. Phillips had John Elway, Doug Flutie and Tony Romo (out because of a broken finger).

Our Over/Under: 4

Interceptions Brad Johnson has today while daydreaming about his 2002 Super Bowl title in Tampa.

ATLANTA AT PHILADELPHIA

Noon • 712, DTV • Line: PHI by 9

Mark Craig's pick: PHI by 7

Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan grew up just outside Philadelphia in Exton, Pa. Atlanta (4-2) averages 163 yards rushing per game. Ryan is coming off career-best 301-yard passing performance vs. Chicago. The Eagles (3-3) are going for 500th franchise victory. Andy Reid is going for his 100th victory as Eagles head coach. Reid has never lost a game coming off a bye week in nine seasons in Philadelphia, which has won five of last six against Atlanta.

Our Over/Under: 1

Difficult decisions Eagles coach Andy Reid has to make before the game: Parka or no parka?

★★★★ four-star games

ST. LOUIS AT NEW ENGLAND

Noon • 711, DTV • Line: N.E. by 7 1/2

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

The Rams are 2-0 under Jim Haslett since going 0-4 under the fired Scott Linehan. Steven Jackson ran for 160 yards with three TDs but is questionable today (bruised thigh). The Patriots (4-2) are coming off a 41-7 victory over Denver, where QB Matt Cassel had his best game as pro. Brandon Meriweather takes over for safety Rodney Harrison, who tore a muscle in his right thigh against Denver.

Our Over/Under: 15

Snaps before Rams interim coach Jim Haslett realizes he's not going to be 3-0.

SAN DIEGO VS. NEW ORLEANS

Noon, London • 704, DTV • Line: SD by 3

Mark Craig's pick: N.O. by 7

The second game played in London (Giants beat Dolphins last year) matches the NFL's top passing offense (Saints) against the worst pass defense (Chargers). San Diego's Philip Rivers leads the NFL with a 108.5 QB rating. RB LaDainian Tomlinson is third in the AFC in rushing, but 14th in the NFL. The Saints are without RB Reggie Bush (knee). Both teams are 3-4.

Our Over/Under: 1,254

English soccer rowdies who will riot anyway today, since "football is football."

★★★ three-star games

ARIZONA AT CAROLINA

Noon • 708, DTV • Line: CAR by 4

Mark Craig's pick: CAR by 7

The NFC West-leading Cardinals (4-2) haven't reached the playoffs since 1998. NFC South co-leading Panthers (5-2) last made the postseason in 2005. Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin could play three weeks after surgery to repair facial fractures. The Panthers won last year's meeting behind 206 yards passing and TD from then-43-year-old Vinny Testaverde, who signed four days earlier. Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is 3-0 vs. the Cardinals and 7-1 vs. the NFC West.

BUFFALO AT MIAMI

Noon • 706, DTV • Line: BUF by 1

Mark Craig's pick: MIA by 3

The Bills (5-1) have won four in a row in the series, and seven of the past eight. Bills QB Trent Edwards threw four touchdown passes in his only game against Miami, last Dec. 9. Edwards ranks second in NFL in completion percentage, and he's tied for second in interception percentage. The Dolphins (2-4) have only four turnovers, tied with the Giants for the lowest total in the league. The Dolphins rank last in NFL in kickoff returns, kickoff coverage and net punting.

★★ two-star games

OAKLAND AT BALTIMORE

Noon • 705, DTV • Line: BAL by 7 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: BAL by 10

Defensive coordinators are brothers: Baltimore's Rex Ryan and Rob Ryan of Oakland (2-4). Former Raiders CB Fabian Washington, obtained by Ravens in draft-day trade, is expected to start for Baltimore (3-3).

CLEVELAND AT JACKSONVILLE

3:05 P.M. • 714, DTV • LINE: JAX BY 7

Mark Craig's pick: JAX by 9

The Browns (2-4) have won the past two meetings in Jacksonville. RB Fred Taylor has three consecutive 100-yard games against Browns (136, 181, 145) for the Jaguars (3-3).

He needs 43 yards rushing to reach 11,000.

SEATTLE AT SAN FRANCISCO

3 p.m. • 715, DTV • Line: S.F. by 5 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: SEA by 7

Seattle (1-5) has lost three in a row. QB Seneca Wallace will start in place of Matt Hasselbeck (bulging disk). The 49ers (2-5) play their first game under interim coach Mike Singletary, who replaced Mike Nolan after 3 1/2 losing seasons.

★ one-star games

KANSAS CITY AT N.Y. JETS

Noon • 707, DTV • Line: NYJ by 14

Mark Craig's pick: NYJ by 10

RB Larry Johnson won't play for Chiefs (1-5). He's benched as punishment for violating team rules. The Jets (3-3) are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1969 Super Bowl championship with a halftime ceremony.

WASHINGTON AT DETROIT

Noon • 710, DTV • Line: WAS by 7 1/2

Mark Craig's pick: WAS by 10

The Redskins (5-2) are 18-2 in their past 20 games against the Lions (0-6). Redskins RB Clinton Portis has NFL-high 818 yards rushing. The Lions are off their worst start since going 0-12 to begin the 2001 season.

CINCINNATI AT HOUSTON

3:05 p.m. • 713, DTV • Line: HOU by 9

Mark Craig's pick: HOU by 3

The Bengals started with seven consecutive losses for the sixth time. Houston (2-4) is playing the last of four consecutive home games after Hurricane Ike rearranged the schedule. Texans WR Andre Johnson has 450 yards in the past three games.