Chicago had five sacks and four interceptions in St. Louis last week, but don't expect that against any real NFL team, which the Rams are not. The Bears' defense that helped it get to the Super Bowl in 2006 isn't close to that level now.

Carolina (8-3) at Green Bay (5-6)

Two teams that surrendered 96 points between them last week.

The Panthers gave up 45 in Atlanta and fell into a tie with Tampa Bay in the NFC South. Asked what the problems were, coach John Fox responded: "I don't know what you call problems. I think overall in our body of work we've played pretty good defense and good enough to win eight games. Are the three losses problems? I guess."

The Packers' 51-29 loss in New Orleans on Monday night left them a game behind the Bears and Vikings. This is the toughest game remaining on a schedule that includes Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit, plus an important showdown with the Bears.

New Orleans (6-5) at Tampa Bay (8-3)

The Saints, whose defense finally showed up Monday night with three interceptions, probably can't afford more than one more loss and maybe not even that if they hope to make the playoffs. They certainly can't afford to lose a division game against a rival that's already two games ahead of them.

Tampa Bay is 5-0 at home for the first time in franchise history. The Bucs also are resilient, three times overcoming double-digit deficits to win road games. Last week, they fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter against winless Detroit and were up 21-17 by halftime.

Indianapolis (7-4) at Cleveland (4-7)

Indy has won four straight and should get to seven — after this it has Cincinnati and Detroit. The Colts are finishing strong instead of starting that way, their usual habit. That will make them a threat in the playoffs, assuming they get there.

Brady Quinn is out for the season with a broken finger and Derek Anderson is back at quarterback for the Browns, who are the victims of heightened expectations and a hard schedule. Owner Randy Lerner, whose Aston Villa side has surged up the table in soccer's English Premiership, said this week he hasn't decided yet whether to retain general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel.

Atlanta (7-4) at San Diego (4-7)

When was the last time a 4-7 team had a chance to win a division? That's what the Chargers can do in the awful AFC West, where they are two games behind struggling Denver. But San Diego is playing very poorly, is being coached badly and might have less talent than people think.