EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

CNNSI.com's Jon A. Dolezar breaks down this week's games.

Week 12 Previews
	Philadelphia (6-4)	8:30 p.m. EST Thursday
	Kansas City (3-7)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	151 -- Yards needed by Eagles running back/punt returner Brian Mitchell to become the third player with 20,000 combined yards, joining Walter Payton (21,803) and Jerry Rice (20,520).
Key Matchup	Chiefs left tackle John Tait (K.C. offensive line has allowed only 23 sacks this season) against Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas (22.5 sacks in past 26 games).
Player to Watch	Duce Staley, RB, Philadelphia: Has 454 total yards in the past three games and scored three touchdowns in his last game against the Chiefs, a 24-21 loss on Sept. 27, 1998.
	Carolina (1-10)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	New Orleans (5-5)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	2,051 -- Total yards Ricky Williams is on pace for this season.
Key Matchup	Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (239 yards and four touchdowns in past four games vs. Saints) against Saints strong safety Sammy Knight (11 interceptions in past 26 games).
Player to Watch	Doug Evans, CB, Carolina: In a tough season for the Panthers, Evans has been one of the few bright spots with his league-leading eight interceptions.
	Detroit (0-10)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Chicago (8-2)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	79-58-5 -- Bears' record against the Lions (.574 winning percentage), though the teams have split the season series in each of the past three years.
Key Matchup	Lions running back James Stewart (82 carries for 425 yards this season) against Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (57 solo tackles and two stuffs).
Player to Watch	Marty Booker, WR, Chicago: Has set career highs this season with 64 catches for 738 yards and seven touchdowns.
	Denver (6-5)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Miami (7-3)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	8-0 -- Broncos' record when Mike Anderson rushes for 100 yards, though Anderson is expected to split time with Terrell Davis, who is returning from knee surgery.
Key Matchup	Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers (28 catches for 569 yards and four touchdowns this season) against Broncos cornerback Deltha O'Neal (seven interceptions and 18 passes defensed).
Player to Watch	Dwayne Carswell, TE, Denver: Has caught only 23 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns this season, but with Rod Smith questionable with an ankle injury and Keith Poole doubtful with a rib injury, Carswell and backup tight end Desmond Clark will take on an increased role in the passing game.
	Indianapolis (4-6)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Baltimore (7-4)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	3.1 -- Ravens' league-leading yards per carry against, a big reason they haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 44 consecutive regular-season games.
Key Matchup	Ravens quarterback Elvis Grbac (14 interceptions in 296 passing attempts this season) against Colts safeties Idrees Bashir and Chad Cota (three combined interceptions).
Player to Watch	Moe Williams, RB, Baltimore: Ravens are down to essentially their fourth option at running back (with Jamal Lewis, Jason Brookins and Terry Allen all on the shelf), and Williams has only rushed for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 75 career games.
	Tennessee (4-6)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Cleveland (6-4)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	46-9 -- Margin by which the Browns have outscored their opponents in the first quarter this season.
Key Matchup	Titans running back Eddie George (averaging career-worst 2.8 yards per carry) against Browns linebackers Jamir Miller (65 tackles and 7.5 stuffs), Wali Ranier (37 tackles and three fumble recoveries) and Dwayne Rudd (59 tackles and five passes defensed).
Player to Watch	Jevon Kearse, DE, Tennessee: Playing close to his rookie-season form, with nine sacks, four stuffs and two fumble recoveries.
	Tampa Bay (5-5)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Cincinnati (4-6)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	13-9 -- Bucs' record against AFC opponents under head coach Tony Dungy.
Key Matchup	Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (76 catches for 891 yards) against Bengals safeties Chris Carter and Cory Hall (only one combined interception this season).
Player to Watch	Mike Alstott, FB, Tampa Bay: Has carried 99 times for 375 yards and seven touchdowns while outplaying backfield-mate Warrick Dunn.
	Minnesota (4-6)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	Pittsburgh (8-2)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	176.6 -- Steelers' league-leading rushing average.
Key Matchup	Vikings offensive tackles Brad Badger and Chris Liwienski against Steelers outside linebackers Joey Porter (eight sacks this season) and Jason Gildon (seven sacks).
Player to Watch	Kendrell Bell, LB, Pittsburgh: Steelers' second-round pick is likely the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, thanks to his 50 solo tackles, 8.5 stuffs and seven sacks.
	New England (6-5)	1 p.m. EST Sunday
	New York (7-3)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	10 -- Rushing touchdowns for Curtis Martin this season, tying him with Seattle's Shaun Alexander for the league lead.
Key Matchup	Jets running back Curtis Martin against Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi (41 total tackles and one forced fumble this season).
Player to Watch	Antowain Smith, RB, New England: Enjoying his best season since 1998 with 187 carries for 721 yards and seven touchdowns.
	San Diego (5-6)	4:05 p.m. EST Sunday
	Seattle (5-5)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	915-912 -- Difference in the 44-game series of this rivalry (22-22 total record), with the Seahawks enjoying a three-point advantage in total points scored.
Key Matchup	Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (190 carries for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns this season) against Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (66 tackles and 6.5 stuffs).
Player to Watch	Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle: Has a 91.9 quarterback rating in the past five games, thanks to a 61.6 completion percentage during that span.
	Arizona (4-6)	4:15 p.m. EST Sunday
	Oakland (8-2)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	1,704 -- Receiving yards Arizona's David Boston is on pace for this season.
Key Matchup	Raiders wide receivers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice (combined 106 catches for 1,504 yards and 13 touchdowns this season) against Cardinals free safety Kwamie Lassiter (18 interceptions in the past four seasons).
Player to Watch	Charlie Garner, RB, Oakland: Versatile running back has 840 total yards this season and had three touchdowns runs in his past two games against the Cardinals while he was with the 49ers.
	Dallas (2-8)	4:15 p.m. EST Sunday
	Washington (5-5)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	22-11 -- Cowboys' record in game following Thanksgiving.
Key Matchup	Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter (14.6 quarterback rating in two games this season) against Redskins cornerbacks Darrell Green (53 career interceptions), Champ Bailey (12 career interceptions) and Fred Smoot (three interceptions in eight games this season).
Player to Watch	Stephen Davis, RB, Washington: Has 610 rushing yards in his past six games, and has rushed for 418 yards and five touchdowns in his past five games against the Cowboys.
	St. Louis (8-2)	4:15 p.m. EST Sunday
	Atlanta (6-4)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	43-23-2 -- Rams' record against the Falcons (.647 winning percentage), including wins in the past four games.
Key Matchup	Falcons wide receivers Terance Mathis and Tony Martin (combined 46 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns this season) against Rams cornerbacks Aeneas Williams and Dexter McCleon (combined 66 interceptions in 242 career games).
Player to Watch	Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis: Has gained 767 total yards and scored three touchdowns in the past four games against the Falcons.
	Buffalo (1-9)	8:30 p.m. EST Sunday
	San Francisco (8-2)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	18-13 -- Bills' record (.581 winning percentage) against NFC West teams.
Key Matchup	49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens (69 catches for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns) against Bills cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Ken Irvin (combined three interceptions).
Player to Watch	Alex Van Pelt, QB, Buffalo: Has thrown for 625 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games while filling in for Rob Johnson.
	Green Bay (7-3)	9 p.m. EST Monday
	Jacksonville (3-7)	• Preview • Stats Matchup • Injury Report
Key Stat	62 -- Yards needed by Ahman Green to become the first Packers running back with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since John Brockington in 1971-73.
Key Matchup	Jaguars center Jeff Smith against Packers middle linebacker Bernardo Harris (53 total tackles and 2.5 stuffs this season).
Player to Watch	Bill Schroeder, WR, Green Bay: Has a career-high six touchdown catches this season and is averaging a career-best 19.6 yards per carry, but is on pace for only 44 receptions after catching 65 last season.

 

Related information
Stories
2001 AFC Playoff Standings 2001 NFC Playoff Standings CNNSI.com's NFL Preview Grid: Week 11 CNNSI.com's NFL Week 11 Recap Grid CNNSI.com's Top Performers: NFL Week 11 CNNSI.com's NFL Week 11 Photo Gallery
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.