The Matchups

TODAY

* Arizona (4-9) at Houston (1-12) -- These teams meet for the first time. The Cardinals have won two in a row on the road and haven’t won three consecutive road games since 1987, their final year in St. Louis. The Texans have blown a second-half lead in three straight games.

* Carolina (9-4) at New Orleans (3-10) -- After averaging 27.8 points in their first nine games, the Panthers have averaged 12.5 in the last four. The Saints have lost 12 of their last 16 home games against division opponents.

* Philadelphia (5-8) at St. Louis (5-8) -- The Eagles have finally found a running attack, averaging 139.8 yards rushing in their last five games. St. Louis has the most turnovers in the league, 34.

* New York Jets (3-10) at Miami (6-7) -- New York, which had 27 turnovers in its first 10 games, has only one in its last three. The Dolphins have won three straight, in which they have averaged 26.7 points.

* Pittsburgh (8-5) at Minnesota (8-5) -- After winning 11 straight on the road, the Steelers have lost two consecutive games away from home. The Vikings, who have won six in a row, are inching closer to Chicago in the NFC North.

* San Diego (8-5) at Indianapolis (13-0) -- The undefeated Colts have won a franchise-record 11 consecutive home games. But this one means more to the Chargers, seeing as Indianapolis already has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

* San Francisco (2-11) at Jacksonville (9-4) -- 49er rookie quarterback Alex Smith has nine interceptions, nine fumbles and no touchdowns. Jacksonville is looking for its first 10-victory season since 1999.

* Seattle (11-2) at Tennessee (4-9) -- The Seahawks are looking to tie a team record with their fifth consecutive road victory. Tennessee is facing a Seattle defense that has given up only three points in the last two games.

* Cincinnati (10-3) at Detroit (4-9) -- With a victory, the Bengals can clinch their first division title since 1990. Detroit has lost four of its last five home games and has averaged only 10.8 points during a four-game losing streak.

* Cleveland (4-9) at Oakland (4-9) -- The incentive here is salvaging pride. The Raiders are hoping to avoid their third consecutive 10-loss season, which would be a franchise record. Cleveland has lost six consecutive road games.

* Dallas (8-5) at Washington (7-6) -- The Redskins, who had a stunning come-from-behind victory over Dallas in Week 2, are looking to sweep the season series for the first time since 1995. Ten of Dallas’ 13 games have been decided by seven points or fewer.

* Atlanta (8-5) at Chicago (9-4) -- The Bears have beaten the Falcons four consecutive times in Chicago. Atlanta is 1-4 against teams with winning records.

MONDAY

* Green Bay (3-10) at Baltimore (4-9) -- The Packers lost two three-point heartbreakers on “Monday Night Football” this season. Baltimore is looking to avoid its first 10-loss season since 1998.

--SAM FARMER