GAME OF THE WEEK

SAN FRANCISCO (4-1) at GREEN BAY (5-1)

* KICKOFF: Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7.

* STORYLINE: This has the look of the best game of the year so far, with home-field advantage for the NFC championship game possibly at stake. Would you want to play at Lambeau Field in January if you were wearing short sleeves with the 49ers? The Packers are nearly at full strength, and the 49ers recorded lopsided victories in their last two games with Elvis Grbac at quarterback. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre has 20 touchdowns in six games. Packer Coach Mike Holmgren is a former 49er offensive coordinator.

* 49ER UPDATE: Tight end Brent Jones remains sidelined because of a shoulder injury, and running back Derek Loville is questionable because of a knee injury. Quarterback Steve Young, who learned his groin injury was more serious than first thought, contends he’s ready to play but has continued to miss practice time.

* PACKER UPDATE: Green Bay is having problems at left tackle, and considering how valuable Favre’s well-being is to the Packers, this raises serious concern. Rookie John Michaels started last week but left the game because of a knee injury and is questionable.

* EDGE TO GREEN BAY: The Packers have won their last three Monday night games and 14 of 15 on the frozen tundra.

* THE LINE: Green Bay by 5 1/2.

KEY GAMES

ARIZONA (2-3 at DALLAS (2-3)

* KICKOFF: Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 11

* STORYLINE: The Cardinals involved in a key game? A key game between 2-3 teams? Well, the Cardinals have won two in a row with newfound running back sensation LeShon Johnson, and the Cowboys believe they are ready to begin their march to playoffs because of the return of Michael Irvin. Johnson has 311 yards rushing in 33 carries the last two games. Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, starving for a solid receiver, will be looking for Irvin often.

* CARDINAL UPDATE: Arizona has lost 11 in a row to Dallas, and Irvin has topped the 100-yard mark in three of the last four games against the Cardinals.

* COWBOY UPDATE: Defensive end Charles Haley continues to struggle because of a sore back, so Hurvin McCormack will start.

* EDGE TO DALLAS: If the Cowboys lose this one, Barry Switzer is going to have to go into the witness protection plan.

* THE LINE: Dallas by 14 1/2.

*

WASHINGTON (4-1) at NEW ENGLAND (3-2)

* KICKOFF: Sunday, 10 a.m.

* STORYLINE: The Redskins are leading the NFC East with Gus Frerotte at quarterback. Frerotte is smart enough to know he should hand off as much as possible to Terry Allen, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in three games. Combined with an improved but injury-prone defense, the Redskins have put themselves in position to win every game. The Patriots have not been so consistent, although they have the offensive firepower to sneak up on the Bills and Colts in the AFC East.

* REDSKIN UPDATE: Starting defensive end Sterling Palmer is out because of a knee injury, putting Dexter Nottage on the field. Former Colt and Ram receiver Flipper Anderson has joined the team.

* PATRIOT UPDATE: Running back Curtis Martin, the AFC’s rookie of the year ago, is rushing for 22 yards a game less than last season.

* EDGE TO NEW ENGLAND: The Patriots should take advantage of Redskin weaknesses on defense.

* THE LINE: New England by 5.

*

BALTIMORE (2-3) at INDIANAPOLIS (4-1)

* KICKOFF: Sunday, 5 p.m., TNT.

* STORYLINE: The past meets the present. The Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, and the Cleveland Browns took their place in Baltimore and became the Ravens. Ted Marchibroda, who coached the Colts a year ago, now coaches the Ravens. Baltimore owner Art Modell wanted Indianapolis to let the Baltimore team call itself the Colts, but the Irsay family said it would cost $25 million.

* RAVEN UPDATE: Running back Bam Morris, last seen in the Super Bowl, is expected to make his Baltimore debut after sitting out because of a drug suspension.

* COLT UPDATE: The team is recovering from injuries, which might not be good, considering its success without its best players.

* EDGE TO INDIANAPOLIS: Vinny Testaverde is still the starting quarterback for the Ravens.

* THE LINE: Indianapolis by 8 1/2.

*

PHILADELPHIA (3-2) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-3)

* KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m.

* STORYLINE: The Eagles were well on their way to stealing the NFC East, thanks to their quick start and Dallas’ demise. But Rodney Peete was lost for the season because of a knee injury, and the decision was to go the rest of the way with Ty Detmer at quarterback rather than trade for Jeff George or Rick Mirer. The Giants, with Dave Brown at quarterback, have won their last two games.

* EAGLE UPDATE: Mark Rypien has been signed to back up Detmer.

* GIANT UPDATE: The defense has not given up an offensive touchdown in the last eight quarters.

* EDGE TO NEW YORK: Detmer can’t see over his offensive line.

* THE LINE: Philadelphia by 3.

*

MIAMI (3-2) at BUFFALO (4-1)

* KICKOFF: Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 4

* STORYLINE: The Bills are amazing. They lost quarterback Jim Kelly to a hamstring injury and still managed to beat Dallas and undefeated Indianapolis. Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino is still sidelined because of a broken right ankle, and the Dolphins are looking vulnerable now that Jimmy Johnson’s pep talks have begun to wear off.

* DOLPHIN UPDATE: Johnson cut starting safety Gene Atkins after he was repeatedly beat deep and blasted his offensive line for going belly up. Do the Dolphins respond like his Cowboys of old, or will there have to be more firings?

* BILL UPDATE: Todd Collins was beginning to play like a legitimate starting quarterback, and then came word on Wednesday that Kelly, who was injured Sept. 19 in practice, was ready to return. But on Thursday the Bills said Kelly might not start and listed him as questionable. Does Buffalo go with Kelly if not completely healed, or does it stick with Collins? Does it really matter?

* EDGE TO BUFFALO: The Bills have beaten the Dolphins in 14 of their last 18 meetings. The Dolphins’ lack of talent is beginning to show.

* THE LINE: Buffalo by 6.

THE LINE ON THE REST

Chicago plus 1 at New Orleans

Cincinnati plus 9 1/2 at Pittsburgh

Minnesota plus 6 1/2 at Tampa Bay

Houston plus 1 at Atlanta

St. Louis plus 6 1/2 at Carolina

N.Y. Jets plus 8 1/2 at Jacksonville

Detroit plus 2 at Oakland