NFL Week 6 preview capsules
Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
at Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Sunday, 1, Fox, Sam Rosen, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin
Covers.com line: Ravens by 31/2
Game plan: The Cowboys' offensive struggles begin with their run blocking, as Dallas is ranked 31st in the NFL with an average of 2.4 yards a carry on first down. That has backed gun-slinging QB Tony Romo into too many long passing downs, which is exactly what the Ravens defense feasts on. But yards are there to be had for Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray to alleviate some of that pressure. Baltimore is ranked 20th vs. the run and struggled to contain shifty Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles last weekend. The Ravens offense has produced a league-high 30 plays of 20-plus yards, but the receivers aren't consistently getting open quickly and could struggle against Dallas' bump-and-run corners.
Need to know: Murray has 11 carries for negative yardage in his last two games. Baltimore has a 13-game home winning streak.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3)
Sunday, 1, CBS, Marv Albert, Rich Gannon
Covers.com line: Bucs by 41/2
Game plan: The Chiefs' tailspin season could be at a crossroads with QB Brady Quinn starting for injured Matt Cassel (concussion). The philosophy won't change with Quinn at quarterback — the Chiefs will continue to ride Charles, who is averaging 27 carries over the last three games. The Bucs are trying to get more out of their running backs and might add LeGarrette Blount to the mix more with rookie Doug Martin failing to produce many big gains behind a struggling offensive line.
Need to know: The Chiefs last defeated the Bucs in 1993.
Oakland Raiders (1-3)
at Atlanta Falcons (5-0)
Sunday, 1, CBS, Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Covers.com line: Falcons by 91/2
Game plan: A conservative game plan is almost a guarantee as the Raiders try to avoid Atlanta's takeaway-generating defense. The Falcons (plus 10 turnover margin) are turning those takeaways into points quickly and easily. Atlanta has lighter personnel than most in its front seven and is susceptible against a ground-and-pound approach. With Darren McFadden rested coming out of the bye, he could be in line for a 30-carry performance if the Raiders can keep it close. However, Oakland is generating a league-worst 60.8 rushing yards a game.
Need to know: Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez needs one TD catch to become the eighth player in league history with 100.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
at Cleveland Browns (0-5)
Sunday, 1, CBS, Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
Covers.com line: Bengals by 1
Game plan: The Bengals running game isn't dynamic — far from it with workmanlike BenJarvus Green-Ellis and no proven backup. That's making the offense predictable and the coverage heavy when QB Andy Dalton drops from center. The Bengals can spread the field to find the Browns' weakest link in the secondary with CB Joe Haden back from suspension to shadow WR A.J. Green. Cleveland QB Brandon Weeden has the arm to poke holes in any kind of defense.
Need to know: Green is the first player to top 100 receptions, 1,500 yards and 10 receiving TDs in his first 20 games.
Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
at New York Jets (2-3)
Sunday, 1, CBS, Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Covers.comline: Jets by 31/2
Game plan: Colts rookie QB Andrew Luck has a TD pass in every game this season and has clicked with WR Reggie Wayne to the tune of 36 receptions (60 targets) in four games. Wayne has a date with New York CB Antonio Cromartie, who virtually erased WR Andre Johnson in Monday night's loss to the Texans. The Colts' average offensive line has to be at its best with rookie RB Vick Ballard getting his first career start. The Jets would welcome a big play or three from their defense. QBMark Sanchez has completed less than 44% of his passes since Week 1.
Need to know: In 130 rushing attempts this season, the Jets have one gain of more than 14 yards, a 22-yarder by backup QB Tim Tebow in Week2.
Detroit Lions (1-3)
at Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
Sunday, 1, Fox, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
Covers.comline: Eagles by 31/2
Gameplan: The Lions have faced nickel or dime defenses more than any other team in the NFL this season. The message from defenses is clear — assign two defensive backs to home-run threat Calvin Johnson and dare the Lions to win by throwing jabs. RBs Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell (175yards receiving) should be able to dent a six-man front. The Eagles aren't generating many big plays, and QB Michael Vick has 38 turnovers in his last 27 starts.
Need to know: The Eagles are 31st in the NFL in scoring (16 points a game).
St. Louis Rams (3-2)
at Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Sunday, 1, Fox, Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, Jaime Maggio
Covers.comline: Dolphins by 4
Gameplan: The Rams know they have a D-line capable of dominating the line of scrimmage and making it extremely difficult for rookie QB Ryan Tannehill to put together long drives. Tannehill has impressed stretching the field, but he might not have the time to allow his receivers to break free. The Rams don't know how they'll replace WR Danny Amendola.
Need toknow: Amendola has 32receptions, 19 more than anyone else on the team.
Buffalo Bills (2-3)
at Arizona Cardinals (4-1)
Sunday, 4:05, CBS, Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker
Covers.comline: Cardinals by 41/2
Game plan: The Cardinals have allowed 17 sacks in the last two games, and an offense averaging 2.7 yards a carry is down to its third-string running back. This is the weekend for Buffalo's maligned defense to stuff the run and create impact plays in the pass rush, although it remains to be seen how the team will react after spending the week in Phoenix after Sunday's loss at the San Francisco 49ers. The Bills offense is struggling with RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller less than 100% healthy and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick prone to turnovers when forced into a one-dimensional attack.
Need to know: Fitzpatrick has a 58.8 passer rating when the Bills are trailing this season.
New England Patriots (3-2)
at Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Sunday, 4:05, CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
Covers.com line: Patriots by 31/2
Game plan: Patriots QB Tom Brady talked to WR Deion Branch, who spent four-plus seasons in Seattle, about the notorious crowd noise at CenturyLink Field, and said he wasn't as concerned with quieting the fans as he was with the top-ranked Seahawks defense. Seattle focuses on stopping the run and swarming the passer on long passing downs. But New England can counter with WR Wes Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski ripping off yards after underneath receptions.
Need to know: Welker has three consecutive games with 100-plus yards receiving.
Minnesota Vikings (4-1)
at Washington Redskins (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25, Fox, Dick Stockton, John Lynch, Jennifer Hale
Covers.comline: Redskins by 21/2
Gameplan: All indications are Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is recovering from his Week 5 concussion and will start. The problem, however, is that Washington's offense lacks a dynamic factor when Griffin isn't using his legs. The Redskins have at least 175 rushing yards in seven consecutive games, but the Vikings bring the league's No. 6-ranked run defense to town.
Need toknow: The Redskins have lost eight consecutive games at FedExField.
Green Bay Packers (2-3)
at Houston Texans (5-0)
Sunday, 8:20, NBC, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya
Covers.com line: Texans by 31/2
Game plan: The Texans have a strong identity on both sides of the ball, and injuries could leave the Packers hard-pressed to force Houston out of its comfort zone. The Texans average a league-high 35:28 time of possession and have a plus eight turnover margin on the strength of their ground game setting up an efficient play-action passing game. Green Bay was bordering on one-dimensional before RB Cedric Benson was injured.
Need to know: The Pack have won five consecutive Sunday night games with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Denver Broncos (2-3)
at San Diego Chargers (3-2)
Monday, 8:30, ESPN, Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
Covers.com line: Chargers by 1
Game plan: Few offenses are capable of executing the quick-set attack New England hit Denver with last weekend, but the Broncos still spent extra time in the film room going over all 97times the defense lined up against the Patriots to prepare for upcoming opponents trying to replicate the blueprint. San Diego is hitting its offensive stride with QB Philip Rivers developing chemistry with vertical threat Robert Meachem and RB Ryan Mathews responding to coach Norv Turner's challenge to step up. The Broncos are moving the ball but have lost seven fumbles.
Need to know: The Broncos defense has allowed an average of 12.5points in the team's two victories and 28.3 in three losses.
Compiled by Derek Harper and Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange
Times p.m. Eastern