PRO FOOTBALL / WEEK 15 : THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY

Buffalo (8-6) at San Francisco (12-2), 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

The Bills seemed like a shoo-in for the AFC East title until losing three of their last four games to fall into a tie with Miami. Even Buffalo’s explosive trio of quarterback Jim Kelly, wide receiver Andre Reed and running back Thurman Thomas have been struggling. With their seventh NFC West title of the 1980s tucked away, the 49ers have also assured themselves of the best record in the NFL and the home-field advantage through the playoffs. Joe Montana showed the Rams that even if you shut down wide receiver Jerry Rice, he can hurt you by throwing to John Taylor and Mike Wilson. However, San Francisco may let Montana rest his sore ribs and play Steve Young at quarterback. The 49ers have won four straight games and nine of the last 10 but are only 4-2 at home. Buffalo has lost four straight on the road.

INTERCONFERENCE GAMES

Minnesota (9-5) at Cleveland (7-6-1), 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2.

The Vikings can wrap up the NFC Central title and just about finish off the Browns’ playoff hopes. Bernie Kosar, with his sore elbow and problems in the offensive line, could be a sitting duck for Chris Doleman, Keith Millard and the NFL’s fiercest pass rush. Cleveland has scored three touchdowns in the last four weeks while going 0-3-1. Even victories over the Vikings and Houston next week won’t guarantee the Browns the AFC Central title or a wild-card spot.

AFC GAMES

Houston (9-5) at Cincinnati (7-7), 10 a.m.

After coming within seconds of winning the Super Bowl last season, the slumping Bengals are down to their last stand, having lost four of their previous six games. Cincinnati can still win the AFC Central, but only in a three-way tie with Houston and Cleveland--not likely since the Browns have a tie. The Oilers can wrap up the title with one victory. Houston has won five of six from Cincinnati, including a 26-24 victory five weeks ago on Tony Zendejas’ last-play field goal. Quarterback Boomer Esiason and running back James Brooks of the Bengals were slowed by injuries in that game.

Miami (8-6) at Indianapolis (7-7), 10 a.m.

The Dolphins are tied with Buffalo for the AFC East lead but may have a chance to move ahead since the Bills are playing at San Francisco. Miami would lose out in a tiebreaker with Buffalo but also is tied with the Raiders in the wild-card race. The emergence of Sammie Smith, who ran for three touchdowns last week, has made life easier for quarterback Dan Marino. The Dolphins beat the Colts, 19-13, six weeks ago. The Colts were without Eric Dickerson in that game because of a hamstring injury. Indianapolis is still in the division race and the wild-card hunt, but quarterback Jack Trudeau was hurt again last week.

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

Coach Marty Schottenheimer’s Chiefs are making a run for the playoffs with a 4-1-1 record in the last six weeks behind quarterback Steve DeBerg. Coach Dan Henning announced that the Chargers will go with rookie Billy Joe Tolliver, who passed for 350 yards last week, over Jim McMahon in the last two games. San Diego has beaten the Chiefs four straight times, including a 21-6 victory 12 weeks ago--the only time this season Kansas City has scored in single digits. The Chiefs are 5-2 at home, losing only to Denver and Cincinnati by a total of seven points.

New England (5-9) at Pittsburgh (7-7), 10 a.m.

The Steelers have kept their playoff hopes alive by winning three of their last four games. Pittsburgh, with former Bruin Carnell Lake making an impact at safety, has allowed just 17 points a game during the last 12 games and leads the NFL with 38 takeaways. The Steelers have also gotten strong running from Tim Worley and Merril Hodge. Marc Wilson has played two decent games (1-1) at quarterback for the Patriots, who are having their first losing season since 1981.

NFC GAMES

Washington (8-6) at Atlanta (3-11), 1 p.m.

Quarterback Mark Rypien has led the Redskins back into the playoff picture with four wins in their last five games. Washington is averaging 377.9 yards a game, second in the league. Gerald Riggs, Atlanta’s all-time leading rusher, returns for the first time with the Redskins. The Falcons have lost five straight by an average margin of 22 points and just want to finish the season. But quarterback Chris Miller, who has passed for 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions, has continued to show his class.

Green Bay (8-6) at Chicago (6-8), 10 a.m.

Despite their loss at Kansas City, the Packers can still win the NFC Central for the first time since 1972 by beating the Bears and Dallas, if Minnesota loses to Cleveland and Cincinnati. Chicago quarterback Mike Tomczak may play despite a rib-muscle injury. The Bears have lost four straight and eight of 10 since a 4-0 start. The Packers ended an eight-game losing streak against the Bears with a 14-13 victory six weeks ago on a touchdown pass from Don Majkowski to Sterling Sharpe with 32 seconds left.

Tampa Bay (5-9) at Detroit (5-9), 10 a.m.

Coach Wayne Fontes has the Lions looking like a team of the future with consecutive wins over New Orleans, Chicago and Tampa Bay. Rookie Barry Sanders leads the NFC in rushing with 1,208 yards. Quarterback Rodney Peete’s touchdown run on the last play gave the Lions a 17-16 victory over Tampa Bay nine weeks ago, but Detroit hasn’t beaten the Buccaneers at home since 1985. Tampa Bay’s Vinny Testaverde missed that first game with an injury but can put up big numbers any time despite his penchant for the interception.

MONDAY NIGHT

Philadelphia (10-4) at New Orleans (7-7), 6 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

The Eagles are tied with the New York Giants for the NFC East lead but will win the title if they finish in a tie because they swept the Giants this season. Philadelphia has won four straight since a two-game mini-slump, with Randall Cunningham getting the passing game in gear. The Saints again will go with John Fourcade in place of Bobby Hebert at quarterback. Fourcade led the Saints past Buffalo last week after losses to the Rams and Detroit knocked New Orleans out of the playoff chase. Fourcade has played in the NFL, the United States Football League, the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League.

NOTE: All times Pacific. Standings, Page 20.