PRO FOOTBALL / Week 1 : THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY Cleveland (8-8) at Chicago (15-1) Both teams won division titles with tough defense last season but any similarity ends there. The Bears also can play offense, although that could change if quarterback Jim McMahon fails to overcome a series of physical problems that grounded him most of the exhibition season--but gave him time to make commercials and promote his book. The Browns’ questionable offense is directed by the unproven Bernie Kosar. He’ll face a Bear defense remodeled to a 3-4 from the ferocious 46 that terrorized quarterbacks and choked off running backs last season. The Bears and 320-pound William (Refrigerator) Perry want to demonstrate that they can play defense for Vince Tobin the way they played it for Buddy Ryan.

OTHER INTERCONFERENCE GAME Houston (5-11) at Green Bay (8-8) The Oilers keep looking like a team on the move, and their 4-0 exhibition record indicates they and quarterback Warren Moon may finally be on the right track. But they are traditionally terrible on the road. The Packer defense hardly stopped anybody last season and the offense is going with third-year quarterback Randy Wright, with Vince Ferragamo in reserve. The Packers’ best runner, fragile Eddie Lee Ivery, already is out with a neck injury.

AFC GAMES Miami (12-4) at San Diego (8-8) A combination of two of the NFL’s potent passers--Dan Marino and Dan Fouts--light pass rushes and beat-up secondaries should make this a high-scoring contest. The Chargers have won three of the last four games against the Dolphins, all in overtime, and are ready to unleash do-it-all Gary Anderson as the centerpiece of their attack.

Indianapolis (5-11) at New England (11-5) The Colts are just what the Patriots need to shake off their Super Bowl debacle, with its drug-tainted epilogue. They usually play well at home--7-1 in 1985. Colt quarterback Gary Hogeboom, a bust in Dallas, has found a home in Indianapolis, but he doesn’t have much to work with. The Patriots will be all over his receivers, and Andre Tippett will be all over Hogeboom. Patriot minuses: defensive end Ken Sims and running back Robert Weathers are out.

New York Jets (11-5) at Buffalo (2-14) Don’t be misled by the Bills’ offensive explosion for 440 yards in the exhibition final against the Bears. It wasn’t exactly a game the Bears were pointing for, and the Bills still couldn’t find the end zone often enough to overcome their lingering defensive problems. The Bills have some offensive talent, but new quarterback Jim Kelly will need time to get acquainted. The Jets’ shaky offensive line may not be a liability in this one.

Cincinnati (7-9) at Kansas City (6-10) Left-hander Boomer Esiason has a massive, nearly impregnable offensive line and a complete arsenal of weapons to hurl at the Chiefs’ rebuilt defense, but the Bengals have been slow starters. Chief quarterback Todd Blackledge could have a big day against the Bengals’ permissive defenders.

Pittsburgh (7-9) at Seattle (8-8) These are two clubs that appear on the decline. The Seahawks are hoping that fullback John L. Williams, their first-round pick, will provide an offensive lift, as deep threat Daryl Turner did last season. Quarterback Dave Krieg is too erratic to carry them every week. The Steelers’ hope is still the touchdown tandem of John Stallworth and Louis Lipps, but Lipps has a hamstring problem.

NFC GAMES

San Francisco (10-6) at Tampa Bay (2-14) Buccaneer quarterback Steve DeBerg has a lot going for him emotionally: a chance to burn the team that dumped him five years ago, and to show that he earned the starting job, not because Steve Young flopped. He could have a big day against a 49er defense that has shown little pass rush and has a green and battered secondary. Otherwise, he’ll hand off to James Wilder a lot. For the 49ers, Joe Montana’s status is questionable after he missed the last three exhibition games with an ankle injury. Former Ram Jeff Kemp, the new backup, has indicated, however, that he, too, knows how to use those multiple 49er weapons.

Philadelphia (7-9) at Washington (10-6) It’s time to put up or shut up for Eagle Coach Buddy Ryan. It’s time to play football, and he’s in a town where rhetoric comes cheap. The test will be whether his Eagles can play the 46 against a team with a revived offense. Quarterback Jay Schroeder, starting what is expected to be his first full NFL season, and USFL refugee Kelvin Bryant give the Redskins a lively look. The Eagles have proven weapons in Ron Jaworski and receivers Mike Quick and John Spagnola, but the starting running backs (Junior Tautalatasi and Mike Waters) are rookies.

Atlanta (4-12) at New Orleans (5-11) The first showdown of the ’86 season. The loser may spend the rest of the year trying to escape the NFC West’s cellar. The Saints, under new Coach Jim Mora, should enjoy an emotional edge at home. The Falcons’ main motivation may be to save Dan Henning’s job. This could be a smash opener for local boy Bobby Hebert, who will attack the Falcons’ flimsy secondary. The Falcons, with Gerald Riggs recently returning from a preseason holdout and William Andrews’ comeback in doubt, probably won’t offer much offense.

Detroit (7-9) at Minnesota (7-9) All signs point to disaster for the Lions, who won only once outside the Silverdome last season and don’t appear to have eliminated their weak spots, including the NFL’s least-productive offense. The Vikings’ offense is showing new life behind new Coach Jerry Burns and veteran quarterback Tommy Kramer. Neither side will frighten anyone with its defense.

MONDAY NIGHT New York Giants at Dallas (10-6) The Cowboys’ sweep of the series last season, 30-29 and 28-21, got them the NFC East title on a tiebreaker, and both were shut out in their only playoff games. Giant runner Joe Morris’ late return after a training camp walkout leaves him a doubtful contributor. The Cowboys had an 0-5 exhibition season, despite the addition of Herschel Walker, while Tom Landry let new aide Paul Hackett install a new offense. But the Cowboys are usually ready when the bell rings. They’ve won 20 of their last 21 openers.