THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY

Philadelphia (8-4) at New York Giants 9-3), 10 a.m.

Philadelphia can go ahead of the Giants in the NFC East because of its earlier victory over New York. Acrobatic receiver Cris Carter has helped Randall Cunningham revive the Philadelphia passing game and the Eagles have righted themselves with two consecutive victories after losing two in a row. With quarterback Phil Simms nursing a sore knee, the Giants have lost two of three, falling to the Rams and San Francisco. The Giants will be without All-Pro linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who has a sprained ankle. The Eagles rallied for a 21-19 victory over the Giants eight weeks ago and have beaten New York three consecutive times. The Giants are 5-0 at home.

AFC GAMES

Cincinnati (6-6) at Cleveland (7-4-1), 10 a.m.

A year after playing in the Super Bowl, the Bengals are in danger of missing the playoffs after losing three of their last four games. Boomer Esiason’s offense has been inconsistent, and the defense has just been bad, ranking 27th against the run. Bernie Kosar’s Cleveland offense has scored only 37 points in the last three games. In the past two weeks, the Bengals routed Detroit, 42-7, and the Browns lost to the Lions, 13-10. Cincinnati beat Cleveland, 21-14, 10 weeks ago, but the Browns have won six of the last eight meetings.

Indianapolis (6-6) at New England (4-8), 10 a.m.

With playoff hopes gone, the Patriots will save Steve Grogan some wear and tear, going with their fourth starting quarterback this season--former Raider Marc Wilson. Indianapolis has climbed back into the playoff picture with victories over the New York Jets and San Diego behind banged-up quarterback Jack Trudeau.

Houston (7-5) at Pittsburgh (6-6), 10 a.m.

The Oilers, struggling in their attempt to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season, are coming off a 34-0 loss to Kansas City. A number of Oilers were hurt in that game, including wide receivers Ernest Givins (ankle) and Drew Hill (back). But both are expected to play today. The Oilers have won four of their last five games against the Steelers, but they are 2-4 on the road. The Steelers have won their last two games, 20-17 over San Diego and 34-14 over Miami.

Miami (7-5) at Kansas City (5-6-1), 10 a.m.

The Dolphins fell out of a tie with Buffalo for the AFC East lead by blowing a 14-0 lead and losing to Pittsburgh last week, but may have bigger problems. Dan Marino left that game with a shoulder injury and Miami may have to go with Scott Secules at quarterback. Even with improving Sammie Smith, the Dolphins don’t want to match running games with Kansas City and Christian Okoye.

New York Jets (3-9) at San Diego (4-8), 1 p.m

TV: Channel 4.

Al Toon has returned to the Jets’ lineup, and Ken O’Brien and the passing game were factors again in a victory over Atlanta. However, O’Brien might not have time to pass against the San Diego rush, led by Leslie O’Neal with 10 1/2 sacks, Lee Williams with 10 and Burt Grossman with 6 1/2. The Chargers, who have the 27th-ranked passing offense in the league, will start rookie Billy Joe Tolliver at quarterback in place of Jim McMahon.

NFC GAMES

Chicago (6-6) at Minnesota (7-5), 5 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

The Bears need a victory just to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot after losing six of their last eight games. It might be best for Mike Ditka to start Jim Harbaugh at quarterback and bring Mike Tomczak off the bench. Minnesota, which has had trouble scoring touchdowns in consecutive losses to Philadelphia and Green Bay, needs to go more to Herschel Walker. The Bears have won nine of the last 12 against Minnesota, including a 38-7 rout the second week of the season. The Vikings have a 10-game winning streak at the Metrodome.

Green Bay (7-5) at Tampa Bay (5-7), 10 a.m.

Don Majkowski, who didn’t practice last week, completed his first 14 passes and 17 of 19 in the first half against Minnesota as Green Bay moved into a first-place tie with the Vikings in the NFC Central. While winning three of four, the Packers limited San Francisco, Chicago and Minnesota to a combined 49 points. Vinny Testaverde has led Tampa Bay to its first two-game winning streak since 1984.

New Orleans (6-6) at Detroit (3-9), 10 a.m.

The Saints were the hottest team in the NFL with five wins in six games before blowing a two-touchdown lead and losing to the Rams. Morten Andersen slumped early but has made 15 of 20 field goal attempts. The Lions are making a run at respectability with two victories in three games, beating division leaders Green Bay and Cleveland.

San Francisco (10-2) at Atlanta (3-9), 10 a.m.

The 49ers don’t want to get caught looking ahead to the Rams’ game next week or planning to bring their two-game lead in the NFC West to Anaheim. San Francisco has won seven of eight games since losing to the Rams. Joe Montana, having one of his best seasons, is far ahead in the quarterback ratings. Interim Coach Jim Hanifan will call the shots for Atlanta after Marion Campbell resigned early last week. The 49ers trounced the Falcons, 45-3, three weeks ago and are 9-1-1 against the Falcons in the last six seasons.

Washington (6-6) at Phoenix (5-7), 1 p.m.

Mark Rypien played last week the way the Redskins envisioned he would when they traded Jay Schroeder. Rypien passed for 401 yards and four touchdowns to beat Chicago and keep Washington’s playoff hopes alive. Phoenix will go back to Gary Hogeboom at quarterback over Tom Tupa. The Redskins have beaten the Cardinals in nine of their last 10 meetings, including a 30-28 victory eight weeks ago.

MONDAY NIGHT

Buffalo (8-4) at Seattle (4-8)

TV: Channel 7, 6 p.m.

The Bills are hanging on to a one-game lead in the AFC East despite losing two of their last four games. Jim Kelly leads the AFC quarterback ratings, and the Bills have the league’s No. 2 offense, but Buffalo has won just two of its last nine road games. Seattle, which has lost four in a row, is going back to Dave Krieg as the starting quarterback.

NOTE: All times Pacific. Standings, Page 17.