Ask Mark

Another weekend of games has arrived, but the NFL is still buzzing about the performance of Michael Vick last Sunday.

Vick ran for 173 yards, the most in one game by a quarterback, in Atlanta's overtime victory at Minnesota. His average was 17.3 yards a carry, also a record.

And his 46-yard run for the winning score was the longest TD run in overtime by a quarterback.

"I've never seen anyone turn on the jets like that," said Atlanta coach Dan Reeves, who has been in the NFL since 1965.

Vick has run for 648 yards and eight touchdowns, to go with his 10 touchdown passes and 1,994 yards through the air. He also has the lowest interception percentage in the league, 1.1, three interceptions in 280 attempts.

"He has changed the game," Vikings linebacker Henri Crockett said. "There are going to be no more pocket passers any more."

FALCONS (8-3-1) at BUCCANEERS (9-3): To create room for Vick, Atlanta will try to run right at the speedy Tampa Bay defense. That speed has helped the Bucs cut the average run by quarterbacks from 6.1 yards last season to 1.6 this year. The Falcons will try to force Brad Johnson to beat them through the air by stopping the struggling Tampa Bay run offense. Tampa Bay has the league's second-best home record, 23-7, since 1999. BUCS 20-17.

49ERS (8-4) at COWBOYS (5-7): Dallas' weakness is pass offense, against San Francisco's weak pass defense. SF is 28-16 in December games the past 10 years. 49ERS 25-15.

BROWNS (6-6) at JAGUARS (5-7): Jacksonville will pound the ball with its top-10 running game into the Browns' bottom-third run defense. Cleveland has a habit of losing games it should win and winning games it should lose - like this one. BROWNS 24-17.

RAMS (5-7) at CHIEFS (6-6): Quarterback Jamie Martin will make his second start for St. Louis. Chiefs running back Priest Holmes leads the NFL with 1,956 total yards. The forecast in Kansas City is for temperatures in the mid-30s today, and the Rams are 2-7 in their past nine when it's below 50 degrees. CHIEFS 27-17.

BILLS (6-6) at PATRIOTS (7-5): Drew Bledsoe goes home for the first time since the trade. Buffalo has to avoid falling behind like it did in first meeting, when New England scored on six of first eight possessions, because running back Travis Henry will become a non-factor. Also, NE has 98-53 scoring edge in fourth quarter. PATRIOTS 28-21.

TEXANS (3-9) at STEELERS (7-4-1): Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox returns to the lineup after two weeks of recovery from head and back injuries. He'll be throwing deep a lot against Houston because running back Jerome Bettis has a broken nose and the offensive line is beat up. Rookie kicker Jeff Reed is 9-of-10 on field goals, after tying a Steelers record with six in last week's game. STEELERS 30-10.

COLTS (8-4) at TITANS (7-5): The NFL's two winningest coaches since 1999, Tennessee's Jeff Fisher 40-20, .667) and Tony Dungy (28-22, .633), face off. But Dungy is 0-3 career against the Titans. Both teams are hot, and first place in the AFC South is at stake. Tennessee hopes to get defensive end Jevon Kearse back from injury, which would help put more pressure on Indy quarterback Peyton Manning. The difference should be Indianapolis' pass offense against Tennessee's bad secondary. COLTS 27-23.

GIANTS (6-6) at REDSKINS (5-7): Washington should be able to run the ball on NY unless coach Steve Spurrier decides he just wants to throw it for no real reason. Tiki Barber should go over 1,000 and carry NY to victory. GIANTS 17-13.

LIONS (3-9) at CARDINALS (4-8): This one has about as much curb appeal as the game in Charlotte, N.C., today. Detroit is 0-14 in the past two years on the road. CARDINALS 24-19.

SAINTS (8-4) at RAVENS (6-6): Baltimore quarterback Jeff Blake will see former teammates for the second consecutive week after his successful homecoming to Cincinnati. He was 7-3 as starter before injury in New Orleans in 2000. Ravens are 11-0 when Jamal Lewis runs for 100, but sorry, boys, these ain't the Bengals. SAINTS 24-16.

EAGLES (9-3) at SEAHAWKS (4-8): Former Mike Holmgren assistant Andy Reid is having more success developing quarterbacks than his mentor. The Eagles have won three consecutive games with three different quarterbacks, and their defense has allowed just four touchdowns in those three victories. Philadelphia's No.2 quarterback, Tim Hasselbeck, is brother of Seattle starter Matt Hasselbeck. EAGLES 26-17.

BRONCOS (7-5) at JETS (6-6): The New York media and Jets fans are running out of patience with coach Herman Edwards. What would a playoff berth followed by a .500 record make Edwards in Cincinnati? Mayor? Denver historically has had success against the Jets, and Brian

Griese's return from injury will only help. BRONCOS 27-15.

RAIDERS (8-4) at CHARGERS (8-4): San Diego won in overtime in Oakland in October, one of 20 OT games so far this year. Record is 21 in 1995. Chargers again will try to run LaDainian Tomlinson (1,318 yards rushing, 410 receiving) at Oakland's strong run defense. Chargers are 5-1 at home. This one's almost too close to call. Let's say it goes into overtime. SAN DIEGO 33-30.

VIKINGS (3-9) at PACKERS (9-3): Payback is, well, you know. Don't anticipate Brett Favre throwing four interceptions in this game at home. Green Bay has clinched NFC North crown and have won a record-tying 53 in a row at home when leading by 10 or more. PACKERS 31-20.

BEARS (3-9) at DOLPHINS (7-5): This is the Bears' first scheduled Monday night game in Miami since the 1985 loss that ruined their perfect season and, according to the Bears, remains the highest-rated MNF game ever-a 29.6 rating and 46.0 share. This one, however, shouldn't be much of a contest. Miami coach Dave Wannstedt should exact revenge against the team that fired him following 1998 season. DOLPHINS 27-14.

LAST WEEK: 9-5. SEASON: 119-72-1.

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