PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Playoff Chances on the Line Today

With major college football over until the bowls, the pros take over Saturdays for the next three weeks. Today’s schedule pits the Detroit Lions at the New York Jets, followed by the Cleveland Browns at the Dallas Cowboys.

One of the first things Boomer Esiason will do is throw a pass to Art Monk. Then he will have to get his other receivers involved against the Lions (7-6) to keep the Jets (6-7) in the playoff race.

Monk will set the NFL record of 178 consecutive games with a catch when he makes one against the Lions.

The Jets will try to keep the ball away from Barry Sanders, who leads the NFL with 1,594 rushing yards.

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If the Browns (9-4) beat the Cowboys, they will need only a Denver loss or tie against the Raiders, a Buffalo loss or tie against Minnesota, or a Kansas City loss or tie against Miami to clinch a wild-card berth.

Vinny Testaverde spent six playoff-less seasons in balmy Tampa and wouldn’t mind enduring the trying Cleveland elements after the New Year.

“It would be the first time in my career I would be out there on the field in the playoffs instead of sitting home watching,” he said. “That would mean a lot to me.”

The Cowboys (11-2), who are already in the playoffs, can clinch a first round NFC bye in the Dec. 31-Jan. 1 games with a victory.

Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, nursing a sprained left knee ligament the last two weeks while Jason Garrett and Rodney Peete won games, will start.

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Florida Coach Steve Spurrier has spurned overtures from the Carolina Panthers, meaning the expansion team has lost its top two prospects for the head coaching job. Former Washington Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs turned down the job in February, then reiterated that stance last week. . . . The lawyer for paralyzed Seattle Seahawk player Mike Frier said that Lamar Smith, not star running back Chris Warren, was driving the car that slammed into a utility pole and injured all three. . . . Miami Dolphin Coach Don Shula missed a regular-season practice for the first time in 25 years Friday when he underwent surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon.