Harmon Selections For This Weeks N.f.l.

Sunday October 27, 2002
*Baltimore 20, Pittsburgh 17
The Steelers have built a full head of steam by overpowering the Colts, who got past the Ravens two weeks ago, but we smell an upset here. Pittsburgh bounced Baltimore from the 2001 playoffs, 27-10.
*Buffalo 27, Detroit 14
Illustrating how to take it to a weak pass defense, the Bills, whose air game is among the NFL's best, will throw all day against the Lions. Buffalo was a 22-13 winner the last time they met, in 1997.
*Cincinnati 17, Tennessee 16
It's a virtual tossup. The Bengals can stop the pass, which is all that's working for the Titans. After losing seven in a row to Tennessee, Cincy ended the divisional rivalry in '01 with a 23-21 win.
Cleveland 19, *N.Y. Jets 13
Never mind their solid air attack -- even the Browns' mediocre running will look good against the Jets' defense, one of the league's worst. And N.Y.'s offense? There isn't much. They last battled in '94.
*Dallas 18, Seattle 12
Who's as helpless as the Jets against the run? The Seahawks. So guess what the Cowboys will be doing. And Dallas's D doesn't have much to worry about. Last year though, Seattle spanked the Cowboys 29-3.
Denver 29, *New England 27
Offense anyone? The Patriots are all pass and the Broncos mostly run; N.E. can't stop the run and Denver fears the pass. In '01 the Broncos beat the Pats for the 12th time in their last 14 games, 31-20.
Indianapolis 24, *Washington 17
The Redskins can run on the Colts' suspect defensive line, and Washington's secondary can handle Indy's passing game, but the 'Skins lack the confidence of the Colts, who won last in this series, in '99.
*Jacksonville 21, Houston 13
As is so often the case in this wacky season, a good team (the Jaguars) has a glaring weakness (run defense) that a poor team (the Texans) can exploit. In this pairing, however, that won't be enough.
*Minnesota 28, Chicago 21
With Jim Miller's 9-yard TD pass to David Terrell with 28 seconds left, the Bears got past Minnesota in Week One, 27-23. We still look at the Vikings' offensive stats and think, they should be winning.
*New Orleans 23, Atlanta 17
This may be closer than it looks; we're not convinced that the Saints are as good as their record. Last season, the first time since '93 in which one of these teams didn't sweep, each won on the other's turf.
Oakland 26, *Kansas City 20
The Raiders' only shortcoming -- a big one -- is their pass defense, but that won't help the Chiefs much in the face of Oakland's offensive onslaught. The Raiders have won five in a row in the series.
*San Francisco 27, Arizona 10
Defensively, the run-stopping Cardinals can stay with the 49ers, which are all rush and no pass. Offensively, Arizona doesn't have a prayer. Two years ago S.F. won its third straight over the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay 14, *Carolina 9
Until last week's debacle in Atlanta, the Panthers' defense ranked right up there with the Buccaneers'; both teams, meanwhile, are still struggling with the ball. T.B. is two for three against Carolina.
Monday October 28, 2002
*Philadelphia 25, N.Y. Giants 19
This could be good if the Giants' ground game, the biggest weakness on either team, steps up. In '01 Philly ended a nine-game N.Y. series winning streak with a narrow four-point sweep, 10-9 and 24-21.