by John Czarnecki

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: It is impossible to figure out the Cardinals, who allowed Carolina to run over them for 270 yards last Sunday. They used to be good at home, but this year they are 3-0 on the road.

Both offenses have been struggling to run the ball consistently while both quarterbacks have been under a lot of pressure. Chicago's Jay Cutler has been sacked seven times in the last three games while Arizona's Kurt Warner lost a fumble and was intercepted five times last Sunday.

The Cardinals have struggled all season with the deep passing game, a significant part of their playoff production. They have only two pass plays of 40 yards or more. Last season Larry Fitzgerald had 14 catches of 25 yards or more. He has only three this year. His playoff average was 18.2 yards a catch and right now double coverage has limited him to 10.8 yards a catch.

Look for the Bears to keep Nathan Vasher at safety in their nickel scheme. It appears that Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin (right ankle) will play again, although he will test his ankle in warm-ups. Boldin re-injured the ankle last Sunday and has been hobbling often on game days.

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The Cardinals try to win their fourth straight road game. .

Despite missing much of practice this week, Bears WR Devin Hester (ankle) will start although rookie Johnny Knox is fast becoming Cutler's favorite deep target.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Cardinals were considered guilty of a lack of emotion and overall enthusiasm during last week's loss to the Panthers. Warner said the team simply didn't bring its "A" game. In his first two seasons, the Cardinals were 14-4 at home, including the playoffs, under coach Ken Whisenhunt, who is also handling the play-calling this season.

Whatever was going on between DT Tommie Harris and Bears coach Lovie Smith appears to be over. Harris has been practicing and is back in the starting lineup. Chicago has decided to take a wait-and-see approach with LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, who will miss another game, before considering him a candidate for injured reserve.

Chicago offensive coordinator Ron Turner has been taking the heat for why Cutler and the offense haven't been lighting up the scoreboard. Turner tried scaling back the offense this week, and he could end up being the fall guy if the Bears don't make the playoffs this season. There is no way that the Bears would consider firing Smith. The Cardinals would like to use rookie RB Beanie Wells more, but he remains a liability as a pass blocker.

Washington at Atlanta, 1 ET

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The Falcons try to bounce back after losing two straight games for the first time under coach Mike Smith. .

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Falcons are coming off their first two-game losing streak under coach Mike Smith and one would figure that they will stick with RB Michael Turner, who looked like his former self with 151 rushing yards Monday night in New Orleans. Turner watched some old film of his runs and decided he needed to get back to his bruising running style.

Redskins QB Jason Campbell seems to have become even more indecisive as the season progresses, having lost two offensive linemen and being under constant pressure. Look for him to run more today should the situation present itself.

Washington has failed to score more than 17 points in 11 of its past 12 games while the Falcons are 10-1 in the Georgia Dome under Mike Smith. The Redskins simply don't have one significant aspect of their offense to hang their hat on. TE Fred Davis replaces the injured Chris Cooley for Washington.

Like the Saints, the Redskins can and should get pressure on Atlanta QB Matt Ryan. Ryan, though, will have his full complement of receivers as Roddy White looked good on Friday. The Falcons are still struggling in the secondary since the loss of CB Brian Williams. They simply don't have enough good cover cornerbacks. Washington LT Stephon Heyer is expected to start.

CZAR'S SCOOP: There are some within the Redskins who believe that John Riggins' personal attack on owner Daniel Snyder is rooted in the fact that the Hall of Fame running back lost his radio gig on a Snyder station and blames him even if the talent changes were made by someone else. Snyder is a lot of things, but having a "black heart" isn't one of them. However, all the criticism of Snyder — plus his apology to the fans for how badly his team has played this season and how coach Jim Zorn has been handled — has put this team in a funk, it seems.

Falcons QB Ryan has thrown seven interceptions over the past three games, the worst stretch of his brief NFL career. "I've got to play better," Ryan said. "I haven't done a great job of protecting the football the last couple of weeks." Ryan had a lowly passer rating of 46.6 against the Saints, his third consecutive sub-70 rating. One of his interceptions was returned 38 yards by Jabari Greer for a touchdown. His second INT killed a potential go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter, when a pass intended for Tony Gonzalez was tipped by Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and intercepted by Tracy Porter.

The Falcons placed safety Jamaal Fudge on injured reserve Wednesday and signed safety Charlie Peprah, who played the past three seasons with the Packers. The Falcons have been pleased that new RB Aaron Stecker has proven to be a quick study. Atlanta needs Stecker after injuries to Ovie Mughelli (calf), Jason Snelling (hamstring) and Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor).

Green Bay at Tampa Bay, 1 ET

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The Packers look to extend the Bucs' winless streak. .

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Packers will get the first serious look at the Bucs' quarterback-of-the-future when Josh Freeman, the 17th pick in the draft, makes his first start of the season. Freeman spent three years at Kansas State, where he was 14-18 as a starter. His only regular-season exposure was nine snaps in the final two series of the Bucs' 35-7 loss to New England in their last game 10 days ago.

With Antonio Bryant out, WR Brian Clark will start in his place. To help Freeman, the Bucs would like to run as much as possible with Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward. The Packers plan to have LT Chad Clifton and recently re-signed RT Mark Tauscher in the starting lineup because Aaron Rodgers needs as much protection (31 sacks) as possible. Rodgers won't be too mobile, either, considering he has a bad left toe and a very sore right foot. Rodgers will still be minus secondary receivers Jermichael Finley and Jordy Nelson. Look for the Packers to get their running game untracked with the Bucs allowing 162 yards rushing a game.

CZAR'S SCOOP: It will be Throwback Day for the Bucs today in honor of Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon. For the first time, the Bucs will wear their original orange cream-sickle uniforms and helmets. They date to 1976-'77, when under coach John McKay and GM Ron Wolf the Bucs lost an NFL-record 26 straight games.

Speaking of Wolf, the former Packers general manager's name is popping up in Cleveland along with former Packers and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren to be the Browns' top football executive. It was Wolf who hired Holmgren to lead the Packers during their Super Bowl run in the mid-1990s.

The Bucs are mired in an 11-game skid, their longest since 30-plus years ago. The Packers placed center Jason Spitz on injured reserve on Saturday. Who knows what's in the future for rookie head coach Raheem Morris? It doesn't sound like Morris and Bucs GM Mark Dominik are getting along and there are now rumblings that defensive coordinator Jim Bates could be in trouble, too, if Morris is back next season. The Packers organization has been stunned by their two defeats to Brett Favre after unloading him last season after 16 seasons.

Carolina at New Orleans, 4 ET

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The Panthers head to New Orleans to face the undefeated Saints. .

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Most would think that the unbeaten Saints should make Carolina (3-4) their eighth victim this season until realizing that Panthers coach John Fox is 7-0 against the Saints in Louisiana, including a 2005 game in Baton Rouge when the Superdome wasn't available because of Hurricane Katrina.

Yes, the Panthers want to continue pounding the ball on the Saints, but Carolina's defense hasn't faced a team that runs and throws as well as Drew Brees & Co. Brees likes to work the middle of the secondary and the Panthers are again minus FS Charles Godfrey. The key to the game will be how well Carolina's nickel defense copes with Brees on obvious passing downs. Carolina's running game, too, will be hurting without FB Brad Hoover (high ankle sprain) and TE Dante Rosario, two players who didn't make the trip. The other fullback, Tony Fiammetta, suffered a concussion and probably will be scratched this morning. It may mean that TEs Jeff King and Gary Barnidge will be used as extra blockers.

WR Steve Smith finally caught his first TD of the season last week. Carolina's offense might have a chance because Saints NT Kendrick Clancy is lost for the season and DT Sedrick Ellis could be out for four games. Saints LB Scott Fujita will test his calf in warm-ups.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who spent five years of his career with the Saints, is also 5-0 against them in New Orleans. With a 158-yard rushing performance last week in Arizona, RB DeAngelo Williams became the leading rusher in Carolina history with 3,352 yards, 16 more than DeShaun Foster, who is out of football.

The Saints definitely love their new mouthpieces that cost almost $2,000 apiece. They are made by Dr. Alin Makkar, a neuromuscular dentist, and they are called Pure Power. Supposedly, the new mouthpieces help the players achieve instant and perfect physical balance.

The Saints are considered an NFC favorite now to make the Super Bowl by Vegas bookmakers. Carolina PK John Kasay (groin) is expected to kick field goals today, not kick-off specialist Rhys Lloyd. Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams should be one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the offseason, but the Saints will be looking at ways of retaining his services.

Detroit at Seattle, 4 ET

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The Seahawks look to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Lions. .

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Lions have really missed WR Calvin Johnson (sprained right knee) for the past two games and they believe he will be back in the lineup today. The Lions believe their receivers dropped six passes last Sunday in losing to the Rams; they have had just 273 passing yards total in losses to the Packers and Rams. Johnson, who is 6-foot-5 with 4.35 speed, has great hands and leaping ability. He changes the way defenses play the Lions. With him out, teams bring the safety in tight and make it even tougher on the running game. He needs to be double-covered.

Former Seahawks RB Maurice Morris should see extended playing time because Lions starter Kevin Smith has a sore shoulder. Seattle has had two shutout victories at home this season, but QB Matt Hasselbeck has been struggling with his accuracy ever since breaking a rib. He is also struggling to get in sync with top acquisition, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The question will be whether Detroit can take advantage of Seattle's beat-up offensive line and limit Hasselbeck's ability to go through his progressions. The Lions are 2-29 in their past 31 games.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Center Dominic Raiola, now in his ninth year with the Lions, came to the rescue of rookie QB Matthew Stafford last week when fans starting heckling him toward the end of the 17-10 loss to the Rams last Sunday. Raiola was not apologetic about his action; he just doesn't want Stafford to be impacted by abuse the way Joey Harrington was in his tortured four years with the Lions. "It's his first year here," Raiola said. "You want to run him out of town already? You know what I'm saying? That just hit home with me because I've been through it with Joey. They sent him packing. And they're not going to do it to this guy. I'm going to be right here next to him."

Look for the Seahawks to cut the cord with WR Deion Branch and his $5 million salary next year because they really have to pay Nate Burleson, their best deep threat. Seattle CB Marcus Truffant moves back into the starting lineup.

Other games

Tom Brady can tie Drew Bledsoe's team record for 300-yard passing games today. (Julian Finney / Getty Images)

Miami at New England: The big noise this week was Miami OLB Joey Porter complaining about all the calls that Tom Brady gets from the officials. It was so serious that Brady felt like he had to respond. Remember last season, when the Dolphins snapped New England's 21-game regular-season winning streak with a 38-13 victory in Foxborough when they unleashed the wildcat on an unsuspecting New England? They gained 461 yards that day. And with three rookies starting in their secondary, look for Miami to run Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams as much as they can to protect their defense. It makes sense with the Pats allowing 4.5 yards a rush. Miami has scored 30-plus points in four straight games while Brady (26) is one shy of Drew Bledsoe's team record for 300-yard passing games.

Baltimore at Cincinnati: Under Marvin Lewis, the Bengals are 1-4-1 coming off the bye week, but QB Carson Palmer is 7-3 as a starter against the Ravens. Of course, the Bengals beat the Ravens in Baltimore and this week Chad Ochocinco sent Ray Lewis and the Baltimore secondary a gift basket with deodorant in it. Funny antics aside, Ochocinco said if the Bengals can win this game and then next week against the Steelers, "It sets us up for a playoff berth and then keep winning and being successful throughout the season." After an inconsistent start, Ochocinco has returned to top receiver form over the last three games with 22 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns. It's his best three-game run since the beginning of the 2007 season. Palmer says he's playing as well as he ever has.

Houston at Indianapolis: The Colts are pretty beat up on defense, but it's the improving Houston defense that figures to be the story today if the Texans are going to snap an 0-7 streak here. The Colts have outscored the Texans by an average of 17 points in the seven wins. In their last five games, the Texans are 4-1 with a three-game winning streak. They've reduced their rushing yards allowed from 205 a game to 113.3. The defense has gone from 32nd to 16th. They lead the league in forcing three-and-outs with 35. They've forced 14 turnovers, ranking fifth in the NFL. Over their last five games, the Texans have allowed an average of 260.4 yards, ranking fourth in the NFL. The 58.2 yards a game rushing ranks first.

Kansas City at Jacksonville: Larry Johnson didn't make the trip and if Jamaal Charles or Kolby Smith runs well, who knows how much more L.J. will play this season? Reportedly, there are already 10,000 signatures from fans on a petition asking the Chiefs to bench Johnson permanently. He is 75 yards shy of overtaking Priest Holmes as the franchise's all-time leading rusher. Holmes was a fan favorite. The Chiefs have lost 29 of their last 32 games and they are also 0-12 without Johnson when he was injured in 2007 and then suspended for four games in 2008.

San Diego at N.Y. Giants: This is first time that Phillip Rivers faces the Giants since he was part of the draft-day trade six years ago for Eli Manning. Since he took over, Manning has started 86 consecutive games and has a 51-35 overall record, including playoffs. Manning has struggled with the blitz because of his sore right foot. New York, which has lost three straight, hopes to have LB Michael Boley and DE Chris Canty for this game; the Giants also will start Aaron Rouse for C.C. Brown at safety. Good news for Rivers: the Giants have allowed 31 plays of 20 yards or more this season.

Chris Johnson says if he gains 2,000 yards, he'll buy cars for his offensive linemen. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

Tennessee at San Francisco: The Titans are 1-9 on their last 10 trips to the West Coast. However, Vince Young got the offense going last Sunday by basically handing off to Chris Johnson, who raced for a franchise-record 228 yards. The second-year pro will find it tougher going against the 49ers. Still, Johnson, who leads the NFL with 824 yards, now wants to reach 2,000. "It's a goal of mine," Johnson said. "It's really a goal of the offensive linemen because I told them if I get to 2,000 yards I'd buy them all a car." Said tackle David Stewart: "I am a truck guy, but a free car is a free car." Just because the 49ers' offense has been clicking with QB Alex Smith and No. 1 pick Michael Crabtree, don't look for San Francisco to alter its approach. The 49ers will stick with Frank Gore, who has three runs of 60 yards or more.

Dallas at Philadelphia: The Cowboys come to town on a three-game winning streak with QB Tony Romo red hot, throwing for eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in that span. However, this is where last season came to a horrible end. With a playoff berth on the line, the Eagles won 44-6, handing Dallas its worst loss in 20 years. Dallas had four turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns in the third quarter. Chris Clemons had a 73-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, and Joselio Hanson went 96 yards with a fumble for another score. "It was overall a horrendous game for us," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. With a win, the Eagles can take sole possession of first place in the NFC East. The Eagles lead the NFL with 21 takeaways, including 14 interceptions. In the four games the Cowboys have lost to the Eagles in the last three seasons, they committed 16 turnovers.

Pittsburgh at Denver (Monday night): The Steelers have not won in Denver in the regular season since 1990, but on the flip side coach Mike Tomlin is 4-0 on Monday night. The Steelers figure to run Rashard Mendenhall based on how the Broncos struggled in Baltimore last Sunday, losing their first game of the season. The Broncos have a very good pass rush and it should be effective when the Steelers go to their no-huddle offense. Baltimore's pass rush limited Kyle Orton's effectiveness down the field and he should be harassed by Pittsburgh's zone-blitz scheme. Denver's running game has been nonexistent lately. Tyrone Carter is expected to start for FS Ryan Clark