SPOTLIGHT / A GLANCE AT THIS WEEK IN THE NFL : NOT SUPER

How much tougher can things get for the Super Bowl champions?

The Washington Redskins were embarrassed Sunday at Kansas City, falling behind, 28-0, in the first half on the way to a 35-16 loss to the Chiefs.

The only good news was they didn’t lose any ground to the Dallas Cowboys, who lost to the Rams. Every other team in the NFC East lost, too.

The Redskins are 6-4, but it will be a struggle to reach the playoffs (see chart, right).

“It is tough times for us,” Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs said. “That first half we dug ourselves a tremendous hole.”

The Redskins, who have had to revamp their offensive line on an almost weekly basis, lost veteran guard Joe Jacoby in the first half and Earnest Byner, their leading rusher, went out a short time later with a neck injury.

“Life up here is not easy,” Gibbs said. “Times like this test you. You learn a lot about your players.”

TERRAPIN, MY TERRAPIN

It was an intriguing day for products from that well-known quarterback factory--Maryland.

New England’s Scott Zolak, in his first NFL start, completed 20 of 29 passes for 261 yards and led the Patriots to their first victory after nine losses, 37-34, over Indianapolis in overtime.

Another former Terrapin, Pittsburgh’s Neil O’Donnell, pulled a hamstring and had to leave the game before the Steelers rallied to beat Detroit, 17-13.

And the best-known Maryland alum, Cincinnati’s Boomer Esiason, had the worst day. He completed 11 of 33 passes for 109 yards as the Bengals fell to the New York Jets, 17-14.

Another Maryland quarterback may play tonight if Buffalo’s Frank Reich gets some action in relief of Jim Kelly against Miami.

WEIRD, WILD STUFF

There were a couple of strange plays Sunday that baffled officials, as well as television announcers.

At Atlanta, Deion Sanders sent the zebras into a lengthy huddle to decide what to call when he intercepted a Phoenix pass on the Falcon two-yard line, his momentum carrying him back into the end zone.

Sanders then lateraled to teammate Tim McKyer, who pitched it back to Sanders.

As Sanders was trying to run out of the end zone, he started going down and fumbled the ball back into the field of play, where Ed Cunningham of the Cardinals recovered on the Atlanta four.

The Falcons eventually got the ball on their own two, the original point of the interception.

“Once a player enters the end zone the only thing he can do with the football to lose possession of the football is to throw an illegal forward pass,” referee Dale Hamer said.

The first lateral appeared to be forward, but Hamer said the officials didn’t see it that way.

The officials in Minnesota also didn’t see Houston’s Cris Dishman shoving the ball out of the end zone.

Here was the situation: The Oilers’ Webster Slaughter muffed a punt inside his 10, and the ball went into the end zone, where Dishman knocked it out of play.

Safety, right?

Wrong. Officials ruled that no possession had been gained and the ball left the field on its own impetus. Touchback, Houston ball on the 20.

The replay seemed to show that Dishman’s act was intentional, and a safety should have been called.

BAD BIRDS

Bet Seattle fans didn’t think their offense could get any duller with Chuck Knox leaving town.

So far, the Minnesota defense has scored more touchdowns (six) than the Seahawk offense (five).

NAMES AND NUMBERS

San Francisco’s Jerry Rice and Minnesota’s Anthony Carter each caught a pass for the 105th consecutive game, tying them with Dwight Clark and Dan Abramowicz for the sixth-longest streak in NFL history.

49er receiver John Taylor, activated from injured reserve Saturday, played for the first time since breaking his left leg Sept. 20 but did not have a reception. . . . Saint quarterback Bobby Hebert’s career record against the 49ers fell to 1-9.

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre suffered a separated shoulder after taking a hit early in the game from Philadelphia’s Reggie White but continued to play. His status for next week’s game in Chicago is unclear. The Packers also lost starting tailback Vince Workman to a shoulder separation. . . . The Packers are now 41-23-3 at Milwaukee’s County Stadium since 1970, compared to only 37-57-2 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

The Detroit Lions remain one of seven NFL teams that have never won in Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium. The Lions are 0-3 in Three Rivers, losing in 1973, 1986 and 1992. . . . Lion linebacker Michael Cofer may be lost for the season with a left-knee injury sustained in the second half. He will be examined Monday. . . . The Steelers are playing five consecutive home games against dome-stadium teams: Houston, Detroit, Indianapolis, Seattle and Minnesota.

With seven catches for 87 yards, Atlanta’s Andre Rison has caught six or more passes in seven consecutive games. During his streak he has 57 receptions. . . . The Falcons rushed for 114 yards and are 4-0 in games in which they have gained 100 yards, and 0-6 in games they have not.

Fuad Reveiz extended his own Viking record by kicking his fifth field goal of 50 or more yards.

San Diego has not allowed an opposing runner to gain 100 yards in the last 22 games, the longest current streak in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a 100-yard rusher since 1988.

The Indianapolis-New England game drew 42,631 to the Hoosier Dome, the smallest crow since 34,927 came to a strike game against the New York Jets on Oct. 11, 1987. There were 5,207 no shows. The teams drew 155 more for their exhibition game at the Hoosier Dome in August.

THE LAST WORD

Green Bay linebacker Johnny Holland, whose fumble recovery set up the winning field goal for the Packers: “The ball hadn’t been bouncing our way for a few years, and it finally did today.”

And on the flip side, from Detroit receiver Willie Green: “Last year, we had all the breaks. This year, we haven’t had any.”

Minnesota quarterback Rich Gannon, who completed nine of 28 passes for 111 yards, on the Vikings’ offensive struggles: “We had blown assignments, drops, sacks, penalties, bad throws and, the next thing you know, we had to punt.”

Pittsburgh’s Barry Foster, who had his seventh 100-yard rushing game for the Steelers: “I’m just trying to take this football team as far as I can.”

New England’s Charlie Baumann, who kicked the winning field goal in overtime for the Patriots: “You have to embrace opportunities like this. If these situations scare you, you really don’t belong in this profession.”

New Orleans Coach Jim Mora, with some nifty cliche work after the Saints blew a 20-7 lead against San Francisco in the fourth quarter: “When you play these guys, no lead is safe.”

TONIGHT’S GAME

BUFFALO (7-2) at MIAMI (7-2)

Time: 6 p.m. TV: Channel 7, 3, 10, 42

The Buffalo Bills should be pleased to know that Miami has no newly signed all-pros to spring on them tonight.

The last time the AFC East rivals met, tight end Keith Jackson played a pivotal role five days after signing with Miami as a free agent. Instead of looking out of shape or confused in a new offense, Jackson caught four passes for 64 yards and one touchdown as the Dolphins stunned Buffalo, 37-10.

Of course, beating the Bills is a breeze--if you hold Thurman Thomas to 33 yards rushing and intercept four of Jim Kelly’s passes. That’s what the Dolphins did in the first game.

Because of the NFL’s tiebreaker system, a series sweep of Buffalo would in effect give Miami a two-game lead over the Bills with six to play.

“The game’s going to be like a war,” Buffalo linebacker Carlton Bailey said. “The winner is in the driver’s seat. For the loser, it’s going to be tough the rest of the way.”

Still, both teams appear bound for the postseason, where they could well meet again. This game might determine whether the next one takes place in Buffalo or Miami.

“I feel the team that wins will have the home-field advantage for the playoffs,” Dolphin safety Louis Oliver said. “And whoever loses this game, their confidence is going to be shot.”

Oliver had the game of his life against Buffalo last month, running back three interceptions for 170 yards and one score--an NFL record-tying 103-yard return.

“Part of our game plan this week is to keep the ball away from Louis Oliver,” Buffalo’s James Lofton said with a chuckle. “If he doesn’t get it, they probably won’t score as often.”

The earlier game seemed to have a lasting effect on the Bills. They averaged 38 points per game prior to the defeat and have averaged 17 points since then. Still, Buffalo has won three in a row to erase a two-game Miami lead in the East.

“After that loss, we’ve had to scratch and claw and fight and do everything we could just to get back to the position we’re in now,” Bill center Kent Hull said. “Now we’ve got a chance to control our own destiny.”