Harmon Forecast

[Louie]

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003

Baltimore 22 - *Cincinnati 16
With the most productive rushing attack in the NFL, the Ravens will punch lots of holes in one of the league's leakier defensive lines, the Bengals'. Baltimore has won nine of the last 10 in the series.

*Cleveland 23 - San Diego 13
Two teams with plenty of problems: The Browns' offense is almost as punchless as the Chargers' defense. S.D.'s running game, though, could keep things interesting. Cleveland was a 20-16 winner in 2001.

Dallas 26 - *Detroit 14
It won't matter much that the Lions have won six of their last seven against the Cowboys -- including a 9-7 yawner last year -- because there's no way Detroit can stop Dallas's newly rejuiced offense.

*Houston 21 - N.Y. Jets 17
Nobody runs the ball less adeptly than the Jets, but their air game may keep them in this one, because the Texans' secondary is struggling. N.Y. can't stop the run, so Houston should stay on the ground.

*Miami 28 - New England 19
A crucial game in the AFC East, in which the Patriots would have a great chance if they only had some passing, because that's the Dolphins' glaring defensive shortcoming. In '02 they each won at home.

*Minnesota 29 - Denver 22
We were thinking Super Bowl preview until the Broncos met the Chiefs and barely survived the Steelers, but Denver's still solid. Now we ask, do the Vikings have the D? Minnesota won last, four years ago.

New Orleans 19 - *Atlanta 17
These teams will fight a battle for third in the NFC South, and it's hard to tell which is weaker. In 2002, with Michael Vick passing or running for five TD's, Atlanta topped N.O. twice, 37-35 and 24-17.

*N.Y. Giants 20 - Philadelphia 16
The Giants can throw all day and the Eagles can't stop them, while N.Y. is best on defense against the only thing Philly can do with the ball, run. Last year each won once for the first time since '90.

*St. Louis 31 - Green Bay 21
Throw all day? The Rams should, too, in what shapes up as a great game -- one that'll be a lot closer than their last, a 45-17 St. Louis win in the '01 divisional playoffs. Both teams need this one badly.

*Seattle 28 - Chicago 14
This oh-never-mind matchup is an upset waiting to happen, but it's run defense the Bears need but don't have against the Seahawks. Seattle has taken five of seven in this series, most recently in '99.

Tampa Bay 20 - *San Francisco 15
A tougher pick than it appears, because the 49ers are solid on defense, and their loss to Seattle might be as much a motivator as a heartbreaker. The Buccaneers pounded S.F. in last year's playoffs, 31-6.

Tennessee 21 *Carolina 20
Our upset of the week, because we're just not yet convinced about the Panthers, and the Titans can shut down Carolina's thus-far-overpowering ground game. They met once, seven years ago, a Panthers win.

Washington 19 *Buffalo 16
If the Redskins insist on putting the ball up, the Bills can stay with them, but they can't if Washington runs. Buffalo was a 34-17 winner the last time they met, in '99, but it lacks offense this time.

Monday, Oct. 20, 2003
Kansas City 30 - *Oakland 14
There aren't any bright spots for the Raiders, but there are lots -- on offense, anyway -- for the Chiefs. In '02 K.C. ended a five-game Oakland series win streak, 20-10, then the Raiders stomped them 24-0.

* indicates home team
Open date: Arizona, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh