Ask Mark

There has never been more parity in the AFC.

After 12 weeks, a record 14 teams are within one game of .500 or better - except the expansion Houston Texans (3-8) and the Bengals (1-10).

"These are one-week crusades for the next five weeks," Browns coach Butch Davis said.

Miami and Indianapolis each have one-game leads in their divisions. The Dolphins look to be stronger down the stretch than in the past because of the addition of running back Ricky Williams. The Colts' defense has made a huge turnaround under coach Tony Dungy.

Pittsburgh has a half-game lead over Davis' Browns. And, in the West, San Diego, Denver and Oakland are tied at 7-4.

The Texans have a lot to look forward to in rookie quarterback David Carr.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals want to be spoilers after being eliminated from the playoff hunt for an unbelievable 12th year in a row. They are parity's exception.

In the NFC, eight teams are within a game of .500 or better, but each division leader - Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay and San Francisco - has a more comfortable lead than any AFC division leader.

DOLPHINS (7-4) at BILLS (5-6): This is why Miami traded for Williams. It's going to Buffalo, where it will be cold, and the Bills can't stop the run. Miami bucks the trend of the home team winning nine of the past 13. DOLPHINS 20-17.

PANTHERS (3-8) at BROWNS (6-5): Cleveland running back William Green has 210 yards rushing in the last two games and will prevent Carolina from beating up on quarterback Tim Couch with its pass rush. BROWNS 23-13.

BEARS (3-8) at PACKERS (8-3): Ah, time to get out of the domes and warm-weather cities and back to the Frozen Tundra. Brett Favre has 168 consecutive starts, but he needs some help from the running game. He'll get it. PACKERS 27-17.

STEELERS (6-4-1) at JAGUARS (5-6): The matchups in this game are good ones for Pittsburgh, even on the road. Kordell Stewart probably will start again for Tommy Maddox, coming off a career-high 84.6 completion percentage last week against the Bengals.

Jerome Bettis needs just 66 yards to pass John Riggins for 10th place on all-time rushing list.

STEELERS 24-20.

CARDINALS (4-7) at CHIEFS (5-6): Kansas City finally gets a break, of sorts, in its schedule. Look for the Chiefs to continue the trend of getting some 450 yards a game on Arizona's defense during the Cardinals' five-game losing streak. CHIEFS 31-17.

FALCONS (7-3-1) at VIKINGS (3-8): One of the reasons quarterback Michael Vick has had room to work is Atlanta's average of 174 rushing yards in the past five games. . FALCONS 28-20.

TITANS (6-5) at GIANTS (6-5): Head coach Jim Fassel gives the ball to Tiki Barber, who responds with an NFC-best 1,335 scrimmage yards. On the other side, New York's defense is third in the league in points allowed, 185.GIANTS 21-13.

TEXANS (3-8) at COLTS (7-4): If the Colts can get any sort of running game from a revitalized Edgerrin James, Peyton Manning will find Marvin Harrison. Harrison is averaging six receptions a game in his career, best ever in the NFL. COLTS 27-12.

BRONCOS (7-4) at CHARGERS (7-4): Denver looks good on the road. It's a day game, and the Broncos are 7-0 in sunlight. They have the No.1 rush defense, which will make LaDainian Tomlinson work for every yard and put pressure on Drew Brees to win the game in the air. BRONCOS 23-17.

RAMS (5-6) at EAGLES (8-3): Quarterback A.J. Feeley will make his first career start after relieving injured Koy Detmer in San Francisco. Philadelphia has a big edge in special teams and running game, especially with Marshall Faulk out a second straight week. EAGLES 25-15.

SEAHAWKS (4-7) at 49ERS (7-4): San Francisco's offense can get well in a hurry against Seattle's 31st-ranked defense. What will Terrell Owens do in the rematch of the Sharpie game? Probably stay hot. He has three 150-yard receiving games in the past four. 49ERS 30-16.

BUCCANEERS (9-2) at SAINTS (7-4): This could be the game of the week, especially if New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister can play on his ankle. Tampa Bay's defense has allowed just 11 touchdowns and scored five of its own. BUCCANEERS 20-18.

JETS (6-5) at RAIDERS (7-4): Chad Pennington and Curtis Martin need to keep the New York offense on the field for as long as possible to help its defense cope with the Raiders offense. Too much Oakland offense. RAIDERS 27-24.

LAST WEEK: 8-8. THANKSGIVING: 1-1. SEASON : 110-67-1.

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