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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2009

GAME OF THE DAY

VIKINGS-STEELERS, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

TV/CREW: Fox, Channel 13 (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa)

ABOUT THE VIKINGS: Seeking their first 7-0 start since 2000, Brett Favre's Vikings are averaging a nifty 31.5 points per game.

ABOUT THE STEELERS: The defending Super Bowl champs have been sloppy at times, but RB Rashard Mendenhall has emerged as a stud.

KEY STAT: The Steelers are 32-2 when Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating is at least 100.0.

KEY MATCHUP: Steelers LT Max Starks vs. DE Jared Allen, who leads the NFC with 7.5 sacks.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Steelers, 20-16

TONIGHT'S GAME

CARDINALS-GIANTS, 8:20 p.m.

WHERE: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

TV/CREW: NBC, Channel 8 (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Andrea Kremer)

ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Arizona is 2-0 on the road, WR Larry Fitzgerald has few peers and the defending NFC champs are tough to run against.

ABOUT THE GIANTS: Last week's 21-point loss at New Orleans doesn't sit well with Tom Coughlin's proud bunch.

KEY STAT: Ahmad Bradshaw of the Giants averages 6.2 yards per carry.

KEY MATCHUP: Giants WR Steve Smith vs. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Giants, 24-7

PACKERS-BROWNS

1 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The ballhawking Packers could force six turnovers today, especially if the weather turns bad.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Packers, 20-10

49ERS-TEXANS

1 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: San Francisco has had two weeks to stew about that 35-point loss to the Falcons.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: 49ers, 21-17

CHARGERS-CHIEFS

1 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: K.C. is 14-5 against San Diego at Arrowhead since 1990 and Matt Cassel hasn't been picked off in more than a month.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Chargers, 22-10

COLTS-RAMS

1 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Rams RB Steven Jackson is a heck of a player, but he's facing a heck of a team today.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Colts, 34-14

BILLS-PANTHERS

1 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: That minus-10 turnover ratio is disturbing, but the Panthers are starting to build some momentum.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Panthers, 16-7

JETS-RAIDERS

4:05 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Oakland's revived pass rush could cause problems for rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Jets, 17-6

BEARS-BENGALS

4:15 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Bengals RB Cedric Benson can't wait to show his original club how big a mistake they made in dumping him.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Bears, 21-14

FALCONS-COWBOYS

4:15 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The Cowboys may have unveiled an important new weapon in WR Miles Austin, who terrorized the Chiefs.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Cowboys, 33-31

SAINTS-DOLPHINS

4:15 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Miami's defense has had two weeks to prepare for the NFL's scariest attack.

IRA KAUFMAN'S CALL: Dolphins, 31-24

Last week: 7-7. Season record: 66-24.

GAME OF THE DAY

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