WEEK 1 PRIMER

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS at PITTSBURGH

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Channel 11

*

So many questions in Dallas, so many changes in Pittsburgh, and for the winner, a quick start in 1997 and heady thoughts about moving smartly all the way into the playoffs. The Cowboys have had the best offensive line in football, but have struggled to find the right combination in the exhibition season and have not spent much time together. Running back Emmitt Smith played sparingly and sluggishly. Quarterback Troy Aikman has groused about not getting a chance to practice with wide receiver Anthony Miller. The Cowboys lack a pass rush, but have one of the best pass defenses in the game.

The Steelers start fresh with Kordell Stewart at quarterback. A year ago, they started Jim Miller, who has been cut. Stewart will hand the ball to Jerome Bettis until Bettis is stopped, and then it gets interesting. Does Stewart have the gumption to remain in the pocket, or does he take off, looking good at times, but ending up on injured reserve?

Key stat: The Steelers are 44-12 at Three Rivers Stadium in the ‘90s.

The Line: Dallas by 1.

The Edge: to Pittsburgh.

5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1) Looking for an early read on the playoffs? Teams that lose this weekend traditionally go nowhere later. Of the 254 teams that have lost on opening day since 1978, only 57 advanced to the playoffs. Nine of the 12 teams that made the playoffs last year won on opening day.

2) One streak definitely will be broken. The Chiefs, who have won seven consecutive season openers, play in Denver against the Broncos and Coach Mike Shanahan, who is 4-0 in opening games. Denver has won 11 of its last 13 home openers.

3) Who gets off to the best start throwing the ball? Steve Young and Brett Favre in the NFC and Dan Marino and Jim Harbaugh in the AFC have the best quarterback ratings in September. Cincinnati’s Jeff Blake, Oakland’s Jeff George and Baltimore’s Vinny Testaverde are also fast starters in the AFC, and Washington’s Gus Frerotte, Atlanta’s Chris Chandler and Dallas’ Troy Aikman come next in the NFC.

4) Favre catches a first-game breather against the Bears, and needs only three touchdowns in his first five games to reach 150 faster than any other quarterback in NFL history besides Marino. Marino did it in 62 games, Favre has played in 81, and Johnny Unitas did it in 87.

5) Have a nice day, Kevin Gilbride. Gilbride, makes his debut as the Chargers’ new coach in New England against the AFC’s defending Super Bowl entry, a team San Diego has lost to eight consecutive times. The last time San Diego beat the Patriots was in 1970, when they were the Boston Patriots.

ON TV

* Oakland at Tennessee, 10 a.m., Channel 4: A USFL-size crowd is expected to greet the Oilers, who now become Jeff George’s first victim.

Line: Oakland by 3

* Kansas City at Denver, 1 p.m., Channel 4: First place on the line already in the AFC West, a look at John Elway’s torn biceps and the Chiefs’ new passing game.

Line: Denver by 7 1/2

* Washington at Carolina, 5 p.m., TNT: The Redskins open against the zone blitz with the great neutralizer in Terry Allen, while the Panthers hope to buy time with Steve Beuerlein.

Line: Carolina by 4

THE REST

* Minnesota at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Line: Buffalo by 2 1/2

* San Diego at New England, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 7

* Indianapolis at Miami, 10 a.m.

Line: Miami by 6

* Atlanta at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Line: Detroit by 8

* Philadelphia at New York Giants, 10 a.m.

Line: Philadelphia by 3

* Arizona at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Cincinnati by 8

* New Orleans at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Line: St. Louis by 4

* Jacksonville at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Line: Jacksonville by 3

* New York Jets at Seattle, 1 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 6

* San Francisco at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

AROUND THE NFC

WEST

The Rams want to run the ball to keep the pressure off quarterback Tony Banks, but Lawrence Phillips’ knee continues to swell on artificial turf. . . . The Saints averaged 120 yards on the ground in exhibition games and might catch the Rams soft up the middle. . . . Kevin Greene might be better suited to a 3-4 defense, but the 49ers will use him in their “elephant” defense, employing him the way they used to use Charles Haley. . . .

Clip and save: The 49ers won’t let Greene return to pro wrestling. “I think everybody knows he has the capability of appearing deranged,” 49er President Carmen Policy said. “He conducts himself in a [manner] that sometimes makes Hulk Hogan seem subdued.”

Inside slant: The 49ers have a lot riding on Rod Woodson, his sore knee and his troublesome back. Without him, they appear vulnerable.

CENTRAL

The Bears have lost six in a row to the Packers. “I’ve played there, and I know they can be beaten,” Chicago linebacker Bryan Cox said. “Their armor has been pierced before.” . . . The Lions picked up defensive end Marc Spindler again, their very own third-round pick in 1990, who has been with Tampa Bay, the New York Jets, Seattle and Chicago. . . . The Packers have rushed for more than 100 yards in seven of the last 10 games with the Bears, and have won the last six meetings by an average score of 33-14. . . . Greg Davis, the Vikings’ kicker, might have to do the punting for an injured Mitch Berger. . . . Tampa Bay wide receiver Horace Copeland pulled up this week because of a hamstring injury.

Clip and save: Coach Bobby Ross has not gotten a great performance out of his Detroit team. “I’m not going to panic, and we’re going to get it right,” said Ross, who began his tenure in San Diego 0-4. “I know some things we’ve got to do that the players aren’t going to necessarily like, but we’re going to do ‘em.”

Inside slant: Lion quarterback Scott Mitchell sat out the last two exhibition games because of a groin injury.

EAST

An amazing stat: The Cardinals begin their 13th season in Arizona with their 13th starting quarterback. . . . Cowboy wide receiver Michael Irvin, who spent the first five games last season suspended because of drug problems, is coming off a great exhibition season. “I’d like to think that me not being on the field took something away from our team . . . and me being on the field gives something to our team,” he said. The Cowboys started off 2-3 last year. . . . The Giants have lost their last four games to the Eagles by a combined score of 88-43. . . . The Eagles are 12-4 under Ray Rhodes’ direction in the NFC East. . . . Redskin defensive tackle Sean Gilbert continues to hold out.

Clip and save: “It’s like two different guys,” said Giant linebacker Corey Miller, comparing quarterback Dave Brown’s play under Dan Reeves and now Coach Jim Fassel.

Inside slant: Philadelphia has taken a beating this week for not trying to acquire Greene. Greg Jefferson, who scares no one, will start at defensive end.

AROUND THE AFC

WEST

The Chargers are woefully weak at wide receiver and yet Eric Metcalf isn’t practicing as one of the team’s top three pass catchers. . . . The Seahawks’ No. 3 quarterback, Jon Kitna, went 41 for 52 during the exhibition season and is now a factor. . . . The Chiefs have been frustrated by wide receiver Brett Perriman’s inability to avoid injury. . . . Bronco running back Terrell Davis ranks sixth in NFL history in most yards gained in his first two years in the league. . . . The Raiders figure to get a big year out of tight end Ricky Dudley.

Clip and save: Bronco defensive end Neil Smith goes against his former team, and if his remarks after leaving the Chiefs are any indication of how he will play, look out. “They told me that they felt like I was on the decline. With all those things, it’s always going to stick with people. If I need any motivation, I just go back to whatever they told me and dig it up. . . .”

Inside slant: The Chiefs will have a problem with Smith. They will have to provide help for tackle Trezelle Jenkins to keep Elvis Grbac alive.

CENTRAL

Oiler running back Eddie George said he’s not worried about a sophomore jinx. “If I play well this season, do I have to worry about a junior jinx next year? There’s nothing to it.” . . . The Jaguars are 4-0 against the Browns/Ravens, and came back from fourth-quarter deficits of 27-16 and 25-10 last year. . . . The Bengals wanted to keep Garrison Hearst, went after Rod Woodson, Ryan McNeil, Wayne Simmons, Seth Joyner and Kevin Greene, and lost them all. . . . Steeler running back Jerome Bettis had a league-high 10 games of 100 or more yards last year. . . . The Ravens have reduced stadium capacity from 65,000 to 61,000, and still have not been able to sell out their opener.

Clip and save: Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell, who is supposed to be out until at least Oct. 12, has been back to the practice field, riding a bike and throwing.

Inside slant: The Jaguars, who will start Rob Johnson in place of Brunell, released veteran Todd Philcox, and acquired Steve Matthews on waivers.

EAST

For the first time since 1985, the Bills will open a season without Jim Kelly at quarterback. The last starting quarterback before Kelly was Vince Ferragamo. . . . The Colts have been unable to protect quarterback Jim Harbaugh and will open with four new starters along the offensive line. . . . Only one quarterback has won a Super Bowl when he was older than the Dolphins’ Dan Marino will be on January 25, 1998--Earl Morrall. . . . The Patriots say they have upgraded their protection for Drew Bledsoe. . . . When the final cuts were made, Jet Coach Bill Parcells had kept only 25 of the players who finished last season with the team.

Clip and save: Most everyone is expecting a breakout season for Colt linebacker Quentin Coryatt, including Coryatt. “I feel like if I can stay healthy, I hate to be boastful, but it’ll take an army to stop me,” he said.

Inside slant: The Colts have moved on without last year’s leading tackler, linebacker Jeff Herrod, a salary cap casualty.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE TIMES’ RANKING BY T.J. SIMERS

THE NFL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team / Comment

1. Denver (13-3): To give Packers a chance, Elway will throw with his left arm.

2. Green Bay (13-3): If Packers don’t repeat, state of Wisconsin goes on suicide alert.

3. San Francisco (12-4): Kids should be seen, not heard and not coaching the 49ers.

4. Dallas (10-6): Has anyone frisked Barry Switzer recently?

5. New England (11-5): You lose a Super Bowl here and you’re coaching the Jets.

6. Seattle (7-9): How did Dennis Erickson ever win at Miami?

7. Jacksonville (9-7): Mark Brunell, meet Wally Pipp. It’s Rob Johnson’s turn.

8. Carolina (12-4): Does anyone known who this Beuerlein guy is who is starting here?

9. Cincinnati (8-8): Bengals bring back Boomer--still looking for Icky.

10. Detroit (5-11): Ross has gone from Leonard Russell to Barry Sanders in one year.

11. Pittsburgh (10-6): Bill Cowher loses all his players and wins all his games.

12. Oakland (7-9): “Just win, baby,” takes on whole new meaning with Jeff George.

13. Kansas City (9-7): Jeff Brohm will obviously be next ex-49er QB to play here.

14. Washington (9-7): Paula Jones was asked to throw the first pass in new stadium.

15. Philadelphia (10-6): Eagles stick with jockey.

16. Indianapolis (9-7): Jim Harbaugh is protected by five turnstiles.

17. St. Louis (6-10): Instead of Gatorade, Vermeil & Co. have requested Geritol.

18. Miami (8-8): Time for Jimmy Johnson to make another Herschel Walker trade.

19. Minnesota (9-7): Over-and-under on games, no quarters before Robert Smith gets hurt.

20. New York Jets (1-15): Statue of Liberty will soon be replaced by likeness of Bill Parcells.

21. Buffalo (10-6): With Todd Collins at QB, Bills could go scoreless--all season.

22. Tampa Bay (6-10): Isn’t it time Florida State replaced the Buccaneers in the NFL?

23. Tennessee (8-8): Elvis might be the only one in attendance for this Memphis opener.

24. New York Giants (6-10): Ike & Tiki get big buildup--so did Ike & Nixon.

25. San Diego (8-8): Gilbride closes practices so no one notices he’s in over his head.

26. Arizona (7-9): Season will be canceled because of lack of interest.

27. New Orleans (3-13): Fans are buying tickets just to watch a tantrum by Ditka.

28. Chicago (7-9): Fans are staying home to watch a tantrum by Ditka on TV.

29. Baltimore (4-12): And Art Modell thought the grass was greener in Baltimore.

30. Atlanta (3-13): You got Greg Maddux pitching for Braves, Chris Chandler for Falcons.