Campbell should give Redskins winning edge

Oct 05, 2008 (The Buffalo News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- DIS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Easily the top game on the Week Five NFL schedule is the NFC East battle between the Washington Redskins and the Eagles in Philadelphia. Washington looks like the NFC's surprise team under rookie head coach Jim Zorn. Buffalo is the biggest surprise in the AFC.

Going against baseball playoffs, the NFL doesn't waste many marquee games in early October.

Aside from Redskins-Eagles, there are only two divisional games on the schedule -- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions in the NFC North and Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans in the AFC South.

Game of the day

Redskins (3-1) at Eagles (2-2) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Eagles (-6)

The scoop: Washington's only loss was to unbeaten Giants on road. Eagles lost at Chicago on Sunday night, first loss by an NFC East team out of the division. . . . Eagles coach Andy Reid is 12-6 against Redskins, but Washington won in last visit to Philly, 20-12, in '07. . . . Eagles hope to have RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) back after he missed Chicago game. . . . Super stat: Eagles WR Hank Baskett has four career TD catches, three of them for 85 yards or more.

Outlook: 'Skins QB Jason Campbell having breakout year. Redskins, 17-13.

Top attractions

Titans (4-0) at Ravens (2-1) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Titans (-2z)

The scoop: Interesting that odds-makers like Titans on the road against No. 1-ranked defense. . . . Tennessee has won last seven regular-season games, longest streak going in NFL.

Outlook: Titans' rush will fluster rookie QB Joe Flacco. Tennessee, 20-16.

Steelers (3-1) at Jaguars (2-2) TV: Ch. 2, 8:15 p. m. The line: Jaguars (-5)

The scoop: Pittsburgh had to sign two RBs this week with Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall out with injuries. Journeyman Mewelde Moore will get start. . . . Defense saved Steelers in Monday night OT win over Ravens. . . . Steelers yielding only 236.2 yards per game, second in league.

Outlook: Jaguars seem to have righted ship with two narrow wins after 0-2 start. Jax, 17-10.

Bills (4-0) at Cardinals (2-2) TV: Ch. 4, 4:15 p. m. The line: Cardinals (-1z)

The scoop: Cards, especially QB Kurt Warner, were horrible in 56-35 road loss to Jets last week. Arizona is 1-0 at home, a 31-10 rout of Dolphins. . . . Bills won't win if they start like they did in wins over Raiders and Rams.

Outlook: Arizona bounces back from sad performance, Bills due for letdown. Cards, 31-24.

Buccaneers (3-1) at Broncos (3-1) Kickoff: 4:05 p. m. The line: Broncos (-3)

The scoop: Denver flaws apparent in road loss to Chiefs last week, but Broncos have won last six at home. . . . Bucs coach Jon Gruden is 1-8 all time against Denver. . . . First Tampa Bay visit to Denver since 1996.

Outlook: Broncos averaging 36.5 points a game at home. Denver, 36-27.

Best of the rest

Falcons (2-2) at Packers (2-2) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Packers (-3z) The scoop: Pack QB Aaron Rodgers expected to start despite shoulder injury. . . . Falcons still lead league in rushing yards, and RB Michael Turner leads league with 422 yards.

Outlook: For the record: Rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn are Packers' backup QBs. Green Bay, 27-17.

Chiefs (1-3) at Panthers (3-1) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Panthers (-9z)

The scoop: Larry Johnson's 198 rushing yards led upset of Denver last week. Johnson leads AFC with 415 rushing yards (4.8 average). . . . Chiefs very unpredictable, playing Pats tough on road and playing poorly at home versus Raiders.

Outlook: Chiefs gained confidence with last week's win. Panthers, 27-21.

Bears (2-2) at Lions (0-3) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Bears (-3z) The scoop: Lions swept season series from Bears in '07, including 37-27 romp (they scored NFL-record 34 fourth-quarter points) at Ford Field. . . . Bears' two losses by only three points. . . . First game for Lions since firing of President and GM Matt Millen. Detroit had week off to settle down after giving up 113 points in first three games.

Outlook: Lions play tough within division. Bears, 24-20.

Colts (1-2) at Texans (0-3) TV: Ch. 4, 1 p. m. The line: Colts (-3)

The scoop: Indy had bye week to shake out kinks in offense that produced average of only 17.3 points in three games. . . . After missing preseason, Colts QB Peyton Manning should be rounding into form. . . . Indy has 11-1 advantage in all-time series against AFC South rival. . . . Gary Kubiak, coach of disappointing Texans, getting some heat from fans and media in Houston for team's poor start. . . . Houston's home opener. Scheduled opener was postponed because of Hurricane Ike.

Outlook: That's more like it. Colts, 31-13.

Chargers (2-2) at Dolphins (1-2) Kickoff: 1 p. m. The line: Chargers (-6z) The scoop: Despite record, Chargers are highest-scoring NFL team (34.5 ppg). . . . Dolphins had bye week after shocking 38-13 rout of Patriots in Foxborough. . . . San Diego RB La- Dainian Tomlinson has 296 yards, but only 3.8-yard average after sitting out preseason.

Outlook: Unless Ronnie Brown goes crazy again, Fish won't be able to keep up with San Diego offense. Chargers, 31-17.

Vikings (1-3) at Saints (2-2) TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p. m. The line: Saints (-3) The scoop: Vikings have won seven of last eight (including playoffs) against Saints, but quarterbacking flaw is dooming what otherwise is a playoff caliber team. . . . Saints are 2-0 at home with losses coming by five and two points at Washington and Denver, two 3-1 teams. . . . Saints QB Drew Brees leads league with 1,343 passing yards. He has eight TD passes. RB Reggie Bush leads league with 31 receptions but for only 8.3 average.

Outlook: Tough to contain New Orleans attack. Saints, 30-17.

Patriots (2-1) at 49ers (2-2) Kickoff: 4:15 p. m. The line: Patriots (-3)

The scoop: Pats had bye week to regroup after shocking loss to Miami. Now they begin to answer the question: How much has the loss of Tom Brady weakened New England? . . . Supposedly improved Niners defense was riddled for 467 yards at New Orleans last week.

Outlook: Pats don't impress in 24-17 win.

Seahawks (1-2) at Giants (3-0) TV: Ch. 29, 1 p. m. The line: Giants (-7)

The scoop: Both teams coming off byes. . . . Defending Super Bowl champion Giants looking very solid and balanced. . . . Seattle's only win over win-less Rams. . . . Giants will be without suspended WR Plaxico Burress. Who can blame him for not showing up for a measly $7M a year job? Burress has been bad news at Michigan State, Pittsburgh and now the Meadowlands.

Outlook: Routine win for Giants, 33-17.

Dog of the day

Cowboys (3-1) at Bengals (0-4) Kickoff: 4:15 p. m. The line: Cowboys (-16)

The scoop: T. O. stirring the pot in Dallas. Who would have thunk it? . . . Cowboys should be fired up after home loss to Redskins last week. . . . After finally gaining respectability, the Bengals have sunk back to the depths again.

Outlook: Romo and Co. have big day. Dallas, 42-14.

Byes: Jets, Browns, Raiders, Rams.

mnorthrop@buffnews.com

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