NFL TODAY’S GAMES : Chiefs Seek to Win, Then Root Against the Raiders

When two playoff teams get together today at Soldier Field in Chicago, only the Kansas City Chiefs have something to play for. And somebody to root for.

Even if the Chiefs (10-5) beat the NFC Central champion Chicago Bears (11-4), Kansas City would end up as an AFC wild-card team if the Raiders beat San Diego on Sunday. A Raider victory would give them the AFC West title and a first-round playoff bye. But a Kansas City victory today and a Raider loss Sunday would give the Chiefs the AFC West title because the Chiefs beat the Raiders twice.

After today’s game, Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer said he will pay attention to the Chargers and Raiders.

“Will I be rooting for the Chargers?” he asked. “You bet.”

Raider Coach Art Shell said he will watch today’s game with interest.

“We want to win our division,” Shell said. “It’s important. You want to play two games (in the playoffs) instead of three. We want to win our division, and we expect to win our division.”

With that in mind, Shell smiled when asked if he will be cheering for the Bears.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll be a Bears fan,” he said. “I like the Bears. I like the way Mike Ditka coaches. I’m a Bears fan.”

In today’s other game, at Tempe, Ariz., the Philadelphia Eagles will play the Phoenix Cardinals, and the issue is more clear-cut. Sort of.

The Eagles (9-6), who have made the playoffs two seasons in a row only to lose in the first round, can get the home-field advantage for their wild-card game against the Washington Redskins by beating the Cardinals (5-10). But Philadelphia also is concerned about coming into the playoffs physically sound, a problem in previous years.

The Bears’ situation against Kansas City is cut and dried. They will meet either the New Orleans Saints or the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC wild-card game either Jan. 5 or 6, and will again go with Mike Tomczak at quarterback today in place of injured Jim Harbaugh. Running back Neal Anderson is expected to play after missing last week’s game with a rib injury.

While both Chicago and Kansas City are sure to play cautiously to avoid further injuries before the playoffs (the Chiefs’ Steve DeBerg has a broken finger on his non-passing hand), Ditka expects a hard-fought battle.

“It’s going to a spectacular football game,” Ditka said. “It could be one of the greatest games of the 1990 season.”