THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY

Minnesota (7-4) vs. Green Bay (6-5) at Milwaukee, 10 a.m.

It was early in the decade when the Packers last played a late-season game with the NFC Central lead on the line. Don Majkowski has led Green Bay past Chicago and San Francisco in its last two victories, but in between the Packers lost to Detroit. The Vikings have struggled with either Wade Wilson or Tommy Kramer at quarterback. Minnesota ended Green Bay’s four-game winning streak in mid-October, 26-14, with Herschel Walker gaining 148 yards and Majkowski being sacked eight times. However, the Packers have won their last four meetings with the Vikings in Milwaukee. Green Bay swept the series last season, 34-14 and 18-6.

INTERCONFERENCE GAMES

Atlanta (3-8) at New York Jets (2-9), 10 a.m.

Atlanta’s Deion Sanders returns to the Big Apple, where he played last summer for the Yankees. Jets’ Coach Joe Walton may be on his way out even if he wins this match of have-nots, and the same might be said for Atlanta’s Marion Campbell. Atlanta quarterback Chris Miller could have fun against the New York defense, which ranks last in overall and passing defense, and has allowed 25 touchdown passes. The Jets are 0-5 at home this season, but the Falcons are 0-6 on the road.

AFC GAMES

Cincinnati (6-5) at Buffalo (7-4), 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 4.

This is a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game, won by the Bengals, 21-10, but Ickey Woods played a big role in that game and he’s out for the season. Cincinnati also beat the Bills, 35-21, during the 1988 regular season, with both games at Cincinnati. However, the Bengals have been up and down this season, mostly because of injuries. Boomer Esiason has played hurt, having his good days and bad days. Buffalo is coming off a loss to New England, but the defense will get a lift with the return of linebacker Shane Conlan after allowing the Patriots 20 points in the last eight minutes--with the help of Jim Kelly’s two turnovers. The Bills are 14-1 at home the last two seasons.

Houston (7-4) at Kansas City (4-6-1), 10 a.m.

The Oilers, who have won three in a row, played perhaps their best game of the season last week in beating the Raiders. However, Houston lost three starters--center George Yarno, linebacker Robert Lyles and wide receiver Ernest Givins--to injuries in the process. With Mike Rozier running at full speed, Houston will challenge the Chiefs’ No. 2-ranked defense. After slowing Bo Jackson last week, the Oilers will try to do the same to Christian Okoye. The Oilers beat the Chiefs last season at Houston, 7-6.

San Diego (4-7) at Indianapolis (5-6), 10 a.m.

The Chargers are playing exceptional defense, having held opponents to 20 points or fewer in the last nine games, but the offense consists of getting the ball to receiver-returner Anthony Miller and hoping he scores. The Colts were impressive on offense last week with Eric Dickerson and Jack Trudeau both in reasonable physical condition. Indianapolis beat the Chargers last season at San Diego, 16-0, but the Chargers have won all three games the teams have played at the Hoosier Dome.

Seattle (4-7) at Denver (9-2), 1 p.m.

Reports in Seattle have former Raider coach Tom Flores replacing Chuck Knox next season, thanks to the Seahawks’ collapse after winning the AFC West title last season. Kelly Stouffer wasn’t the answer last week against the New York Giants, but is expected to start at quarterback again ahead of Dave Krieg. John Elway, who had a virus, will be back at quarterback for the Broncos after Gary Kubiak sparked a victory over Washington Monday night. Denver beat Seattle, 24-21, in overtime five weeks ago, ending a three-game losing streak against the Seahawks. The Broncos are 5-1 at home.

Pittsburgh (5-6) at Miami (7-4), 1 p.m.

The Dolphins have won six of seven games in tying Buffalo for the lead in the AFC East, the first time they’ve been there this late since winning the division title in 1985--but they barely got past hapless Dallas last week. Dan Marino brought Miami back against the Cowboys despite suffering bruised ribs early in the game. Pittsburgh’s offense has sputtered with Bubby Brister still slowed by a knee injury, but the Steelers were worse with him on the sidelines. The Steelers rushed for 305 yards while beating the Dolphins last season in Pittsburgh, 40-24.

NFC GAMES

Chicago (6-5) at Washington (5-6), 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Suddenly, the Bears are scrambling for a playoff berth after losing to Tampa Bay for the second time this season. Coach Mike Ditka is going back to Mike Tomczak at quarterback. Tomczak relieved Jim Harbaugh and nearly pulled out a victory against the Buccaneers with three touchdown passes in the final minutes. If Doug Williams’ back is better, he will probably replace Mark Rypien at quarterback again for Washington. Chicago defeated the Redskins, 34-14, last season at Washington, where the Redskins are 1-4 this season.

Tampa Bay (4-7) at Phoenix (5-6), 1 p.m.

It’s tough to figure the Buccaneers, who have ruined Chicago’s season with two victories sandwiched around five consecutive losses. However, Tampa Bay isn’t easy to beat when Vinny Testaverde avoids interceptions. The Cardinals will play their first game since Coach Gene Stallings was fired and replaced by Hank Kuhlmann, the former special teams coach. Phoenix beat the Buccaneers, 30-24, last season at Tampa Bay.

MONDAY NIGHT

New York Giants (9-2) at San Francisco (9-2)

TV: Channel 7, 6 p.m.

This may be the regular-season game of the year, with the home-field advantage in the playoffs perhaps to be determined. It means so much that the 49ers probably were caught looking ahead in their loss to Green Bay last week. San Francisco has beaten the Giants in seven of 10 games since 1980, and scored a 20-17 victory last season on Joe Montana’s bomb to Jerry Rice with 42 seconds left. New York’s Lawrence Taylor has 12 sacks and will be stalking Montana. However, the Giants knocked San Francisco out of the playoffs in 1985 and 1986. It could come down to the kickers, and Giant rookie Bjorn Nittmo has been shaky. The 49ers’ only two losses have been at Candlestick Park.

NOTE: All times Pacific. Standings, Page 18.