Patriots (3-1) vs. Chargers (2-3)

Well, this New England-San Diego rematch of the AFC title game has lost a little luster hasn’t it?

There’s no Tom Brady, no Shawne Merriman. Neither team is even in first place, but this Sunday night game still has the feel of a heavyweight fight. The Pats, in fact, are treating it as a playoff game, deciding to stay on the West Coast all week after winning in San Francisco last Sunday.

The host Chargers are 5-point favorites this time around on WagerWeb.com.

First off, let’s look at the injuries, which would seem to favor New England because Chargers starting wide receiver Chris Chambers is doubtful because of a sprained left ankle. Coach Norv Turner said Chambers’ availability would be a game-time decision. Five of Chambers’ 11 catches this year have been for TDs.

In addition, Chargers starting outside linebacker Jyles Tucker, Merriman’s replacement, also is listed as doubtful and said he would test his injured hamstring before Sunday’s game. The Pats, meanwhile, are pretty healthy. New England has listed LB Eric Alexander (hamstring), RB LaMont Jordan (calf) and WR Kelley Washington (ankle) as doubtful for Sunday, and none of them are huge contributors. RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) and CB Lewis Sanders (hamstring) are questionable but likely to play.

LaDainian Tomlinson said this week the Chargers “can’t afford to go to 2-4.”

The numbers back that up. Since the current playoff format began in 1990, 12 of the 132 teams that started 2-4 have gone on to make the postseason (9.1 percent). Yet 41 of the 99 teams that started the season 3-3 since ‘90 have advanced to the postseason (41.4 percent). At least one 3-3 team has advanced to the playoffs in all but one season since ‘90, and at least two 3-3 teams have gone on to the postseason in all but three seasons.

San Diego needs its defense to step up Sunday. That unit ranks No. 20 or below in such critical areas as yards allowed per game and per play; passing yards per game; first downs per game. Opponents have a league-high TD passes. And of the 129 points the Chargers have been hit with, 86 were scored in the first half. In addition, the Chargers allowed a season-high 167 rushing yards in last week’s loss in Miami.

San Diego’s offense has been good, averaging 29.6 points to rank fourth in the league, but the Chargers have lost three games by a total of 10 points. Quarterback Phillip Rivers is second in the AFC with 11 touchdown passes, but he’s struggled recently. Over the past two games, Rivers has completed less than 51 percent of his throws for a total of 339 yards with two TDs and two interceptions while getting sacked six times. Rivers has completed 11 passes of 20 or more yards, but the Chargers have allowed eight.

The Chargers have won all five of their home night games and are 16-2 overall at home with Rivers as quarterback. They also won both games last season in their powder blue jerseys, which they will be wearing Sunday. But New England has won 12 regular-season road games in a row.

New England has won 13 of the past 15 meetings, including that 21-21 victory in last year’s AFC Championship Game.

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Cowboys (4-1) vs. Cardinals (3-2)

The Dallas Cowboys enter Sunday’s game vs. Arizona at 4-1 yet seemingly too often answering questions about Terrell Owens (not enough balls his way) or Pacman Jones (pick your legal issue).

Jones was involved in a fight with one of his own team-assigned bodyguards this week, which just adds to the circus that is Dallas these days. And certainly the Cowboys haven’t been as dominant as many expected, but they are still 4-1 and are 4.5-point road favorites this week on WagerWeb.com.

Tight end Jason Witten and some of the players were not aware of the Pacman incident until they were told by coach Wade Phillips.

“Coach Phillips just reminded us to stay focused and think about the challenge at hand and not to let all of this get in the way of it,” Witten said. “If we let it, it will definitely be a distraction.”

Really, the more important news in the Dallas secondary this week involved top cover corner Terence Newman. He had surgery this week to repair a sports hernia and will miss a least a month, which means Jones will continue to start. Arizona is one of the surprises in the league and leads the NFC West thanks mainly to a passing game that ranks third in the NFL behind Kurt Warner. However, the Cards again will be without All-Pro WR Anquan Boldin, who underwent surgery on a fractured facial bone last Thursday after he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit on September 28 against the New York Jets. Boldin has caught 27 balls for 366 yards and five touchdowns in four games this season.

“He’s just not quite ready,” said Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt.

That Dallas offense is as good as any in football, but Tony Romo has a pick in eight consecutive games. He also has lost two fumbles. More important, the opposition has turned his seven turnovers into 29 points.

Dallas made a commitment last week in getting the ball to RB Marion Barber, who had 23 carries against the Bengals; he had just eight attempts the previous week against the Redskins. The Cowboys are 23-1 when Barber has at least 11 carries.

In the past, Dallas fans would take over in the desert, but Arizona is 8-2 overall in Glendale under Whisenhunt, and the past three games have been blowout wins.

The Cowboys have won three consecutive games including the last meeting, 27-10 in Week 10 of 2006.

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Packers (2-3) vs. Seahawks (1-3)

Two of the supposed NFC powers meet on Sunday in Seattle when the Seahawks host the Packers with both teams in desperate need of a win to stay relevant in the conference.

The Packers have lost three consecutive games for the first time since 2006, while Seattle is coming off a 44-6 butt-kicking by the Giants. The four-time defending NFC West champions, off to their worst start since opening the 2002 season 1-5, were outgained 523-187. The Seahawks’ lone win of the season came against the awful Rams. Yet they are 1-point favorites for Sunday’s game on WagerWeb.com.

Both starting QBs are banged up heading into this game, but it appears only one will sit out, and that’s Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck. He has a hyperextended right knee and didn’t practice this week. Coach Mike Holmgren says Hasselbeck is questionable and that he won’t decide until Sunday morning. But Holmgren added that he’s preparing to start No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye, who took almost all the snaps in practice this week because backup Seneca Wallace has a calf injury.

“The thing has just not responded,” Holmgren said of Hasselbeck’s knee. “He can’t do much with his leg. It’s not ligaments, it’s not anything like that. It’s just sore. He doesn’t have the green light to play. He could get it, but I have got to feel he’s not too vulnerable out there.”

Frye was 6-13 as a starter with the Browns. Seattle acquired him for a sixth-round draft pick one game into the 2007 season.

Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers hasn’t practiced all week, either. But despite his lingering shoulder troubles, he will start. The Packers listed Rodgers as probable on their injury report.

Rodgers was cleared to play last Sunday a few hours before the Packers’ home game against Atlanta and had one of his top performances this season. Rodgers completed 25 of 37 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in Green Bay’s 27-24 loss.

“I feel like I’m going to be able to be good for Sunday,” Rodgers said Friday. “I would’ve liked to do a little throwing, but I did as much as I could [in practice] with the run game and took the mental reps. I feel good about the game plan and my preparation.”

Besides Rodgers, other Packers starters injured but listed as probable are LT Chad Clifton (hamstring), FB Korey Hall (knee), CB Charles Woodson (toe) and LB A.J. Hawk (groin). Safety Aaron Rouse (knee) also is probable and likely will start in place of an injured Atari Bigby (hamstring), who is doubtful. DT Ryan Pickett (knee) is questionable but said Friday he would play.

Seattle, meanwhile, will be without starting WR Deion Branch.
Expect the Seahawks to run the ball a ton if Hasselbeck sits. Julius Jones leads a Seattle rushing attack that is averaging more than 140 rushing yards per game. Green Bay has allowed at least 175 rushing yards in three consecutive weeks.

The Packers, who were tied with Seattle for sixth in scoring defense last season (18.2 points per game), now rank 23rd in the league in that same category (25.6 ppg) and 26th in total defense (374.0 yards per game).Green Bay is allowing 25.6 points per game this season, compared to 18.2 last season.

The Seahawks returned all 11 defensive starters — including four Pro Bowlers — from last season’s unit, but rank 29th in scoring (31.0 ppg) and 27th in total defense (382.3 ypg).

The Packers lead the all-time series, 8-5, and won the last matchup 42-20, which came in the 2007 NFC title game.

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Eagles (2-3) vs. 49ers (2-3)

It’s now or never for the Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost two straight games and sit in last place of the NFC East.

Look no further than the second half of the past two losses, to Chicago and Washington. Philly has totaled only nine second-half points in those games. The Eagles have scored 38 points in the second halves of their first five games, compared to 89 points before halftime. Yet they are 4.5-point betting favorites on WagerWeb.com for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.

The Niners also have dropped two straight and were held to a season-low 199 total yards and outscored 23-7 in the final three quarters of their 30-21 loss to New England last Sunday.

San Francisco committed three turnovers last week and has totaled 11 in three losses, compared to one in two wins. Five of J.T. O’Sullivan’s six interceptions have come in the past two games, and he has fallen back to earth after his quick start to the season. Defenses have been taking away O’Sullivan’s primary target, which has caused him to take off and scramble rather than move through his progressions. O’Sullivan also has shown a tendency to lock in on one receiver. He has completed less than half of his pass attempts in the past two games as well.

The Eagles entered last week with the No. 1 run defense in the NFL and the third-ranked defense overall. But the Redskins shredded that unit to the tune of 203 yards on the ground. And now comes Frank Gore, who leads the league with 603 yards from scrimmage. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry (88 for 423 yards), has three rushing touchdowns, and has caught 19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Expect the Eagles to throw a lot Sunday because they will be without star running back Brian Westbrook (ribs). He leads Philly with 194 yards rushing and has six touchdowns, two receiving. He should return on Oct. 26 after a bye week. Correll Buckhalter starts in his place.

Philly coach Andy Reid ruled two other offensive starters out for Sunday as well, guard Shawn Andrews (back) and wide receiver Reggie Brown (groin).

“Brian wants to go. He’s in the mind-set that he wants to play, but it’s a decision that I’ve got to make,” Reid said. “He’s a tough nut and I know that. I’ve got to do what I think is best for him and the football team down the road. It made the decision a little easier for me than it is for him. Obviously, he wants to contribute and compete.”

The Eagles have won three out of the previous four meetings, including the last one, in 2006.

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Rams (0-4) vs. Redskins (4-1

The largest spread on the WagerWeb.com NFL board this week is the Rams getting 13.5 points for Sunday’s game at Washington, which has won four games in a row.

Well, if you need additional reasons to bet on the RedskinsJason Taylor could start Sunday. That will be a boost to one of Washington’s main weaknesses, the pass rush. The Skins have no sacks in the past two games and only six all season. despite that near two-TD number, Pro Bowl defensive end

Taylor, who underwent a procedure Sept. 22 to relieve compartment syndrome in his left calf, practiced Thursday and Friday. Coach Jim Zorn was encouraged that Taylor “moved well” in limited reps and “looks like he’s up to speed,” saying that the 12-year veteran would participate against the Rams, although maybe not start. In addition, top cover corner cornerback Shawn Springs, who sat out last week because of a calf injury, will be active.

Zorn, meanwhile, isn’t concerned about the lack of sacks, citing the mobility of opposing quarterbacks and the discipline of the defensive linemen to not allow long scrambles.

“We’ve faced some very tough quarterbacks,” Zorn said. “You’re not going to sack Donovan McNabb much and you’re not going to sack Tony Romo much. A lot of times, we’re getting pressure but not finishing because the ball is already gone.” The competition has also been good. The Redskins’ five opponents are ranked first, fourth, fifth, third and ninth in total offense. St. Louis is ranked 30th.

On offense, Redskins QB Jason Campbell is off to a great start, having yet to throw an interception through five games. And Clinton Portis might be the league MVP so far. He had his second consecutive 100-yard performance last week, that coming against Philadelphia’s top-ranked run defense. It could be a long day for St. Louis’ 31st-ranked defense.

This will be the first game for the Rams since firing coach Scott Linehan following their Week 4 loss to Buffalo. That was the only game in which St. Louis has been competitive this year, but the Rams blew a big lead. Trent Green started that game, but new coach Jim Haslett has reinstalled Marc Bulger as the starting QB.

St. Louis has scored the fewest points in the NFL, and Bulger was sacked 11 times in his first three games, and has thrown for only two touchdowns.

The only offensive bright spot has been RB Steven Jackson, who has 480 total yards from scrimmage — 74 rushes for 269 yards and 20 catches for 211 yards — in four games. But he’s averaging 3.6 yards per rushing attempt, which is well under his career average of 4.4 yards per rushing attempt coming into the 2008 season.

The Redskins have beaten the Rams three of the last four times but the teams haven’t played since 2006, when Jackson had 252 yards from scrimmage in a St. Louis win.

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