TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

Dallas at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Cowboys 6-8, Bengals 5-9.

* Storyline: The Cowboys don’t appear to care anymore. If they couldn’t beat the Panthers at home in a game with playoff implications, why should they turn it up now? Plus, Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders are hurting. The Bengals have renewed fervor with Boomer Esiason’s leadership and Corey Dillon’s running. If they could get Carl Pickens back, it would be a big boost.

* The line: Bengals by 6.

* The pick: Bengals.

Kansas City at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Records: Chiefs 11-3, Chargers 4-10.

* Storyline: Rich Gannon will remain the Chief quarterback another week, and that could be a good thing for the Chiefs, who are playing as well as any team in the league. The Chargers are playing as poorly as any team in the league. Their once-respectable running game has followed the snowbirds south for the winter.

* The line: Chiefs by 9 1/2.

* The pick: Chiefs.

Green Bay at Carolina

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Packers 11-3, Panthers 7-7.

* Storyline: The Panthers will try to avenge the Packers’ victory in the NFC championship game last season. If the Kerry Collins-Fred Lane pass/run combination continues to click, the Panthers could give the Packers a game. But Green Bay is starting to roll, Brett Favre has eliminated most of his mistakes and the defense is stiffening up.

* The line: Packers by 6 1/2.

* The pick: Packers.

Chicago at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 5 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Bears 3-11, Rams 4-10

* Storyline: Both these teams are playing better than their records indicate. The Bears will try to beat the Rams with Darnell Autry replacing injured Raymont Harris at tailback and with Rick Mirer getting some time at quarterback. Tony Banks has picked it up for the Rams, and this team is better without Lawrence Phillips.

* The line: Rams by 4.

* The pick: Rams.

THE REST

Tampa Bay at New York Jets

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Buccaneers 9-5, Jets 8-6.

* Storyline: The wheels could be coming off for the Jets, who lost to the Colts last week. They need quarterback Neil O’Donnell to snap out of it. The Buccaneers need this game to clinch a playoff berth. If it is 42 degrees or colder, Tampa Bay could be in trouble because it is 0-17 in such games. But the Buccaneers won in the Meadowlands two weeks ago, beating the Giants. They might not be hurt as much as some teams if Trent Dilfer is held out because of his bum ankle, but they need Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn to be effective.

* The line: Buccaneers by 2.

* The pick: Buccaneers.

Miami at Indianapolis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Dolphins 9-5, Colts 2-12.

* Storyline: The Colts never were as bad as they appeared early on, and now that Jim Harbaugh is healthy, Marshall Faulk is running well and the offensive line has found its rhythm, the Colts could play better than expected. Harbaugh will try to exploit a beat-up Dolphin secondary. But the Dolphins are on a roll, having won four of five. Dan Marino is throwing the ball well.

* The line: Dolphins by 4.

* The pick: Dolphins.

Jacksonville at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Jaguars 9-5, Bills 6-8.

* Storyline: The Bills could rebound from their worst performance of the season. It has become apparent the Bills do not have a quarterback. Todd Collins will have to do for now. Mark Brunell, Collins’ counterpart for the Jaguars, needs to step up. Keep an eye on the Tony Boselli-Bruce Smith matchup. The Jaguars have something to play for; the Bills do not.

* The line: Jaguars by 5.

* The pick: Jaguars.

Detroit at Minnesota

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Lions 7-7, Vikings 8-6.

* Storyline: The Vikings are fading fast, having lost four in a row, and need to win this game to keep playoff hopes alive. Even though Randall Cunningham played decently last week, it remains to be seen if the Vikings can win without quarterback Brad Johnson. The Vikings are banged up, and Barry Sanders could have a field day on turf against a small front seven. But the Vikings are close enough to smell a playoff berth.

* The line: Vikings by 2.

* The pick: Vikings.

Tennessee at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Oilers 7-7, Ravens 5-8-1.

* Storyline: Could Eric Zeier save the day? The Ravens have bigger problems than Vinny Testaverde. But if the Ravens get ahead, they can put away the Oilers, who can not come back. The Oiler passing game has gone into hibernation. For the Oilers to win, Eddie George has to have a big day.

* The line: Oilers by 2 1/2.

* The pick: Ravens.

Philadelphia at Atlanta

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Eagles 6-7-1, Falcons 6-8.

* Storyline: Put Bobby Hoying in a suit of armor against this sack-happy defense. The Falcons have really come on, winning four of their last five. The Eagles have yet to win on the road, and it does not look as if they will start now. Whatever happened to Ricky Watters?

* The line: Falcons by 3.

* The pick: Falcons.

Arizona at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Cardinals 3-11, Saints 5-9.

* Storyline: These coaches know each other well. Cardinal Coach Vince Tobin was the defensive coordinator for Saint Coach Mike Ditka with the Bears. The Cardinals are playing for next year, but Ditka keeps trying to win now. Whether they use Leeland McElroy, Ron Moore, Mario Bates, Ray Zellars or Troy Davis, neither team has much of a running threat.

* The line: Saints by 2.

* The pick: Saints.

Seattle at Oakland

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Seahawks 6-8, Raiders 4-10.

* Storyline: The Raiders are in a state of disarray, but they might be better off if receiver Tim Brown follows through on his threat to take over play-calling. The Seahawks also are in a state of disarray, but it is because of injuries. John Kitna will get his first NFL start at quarterback. The Seahawks will be without their leader on offense--Warren Moon--and defense--Winston Moss. Both are hurt.

* The line: Raiders by 2 1/2.

* The pick: Seahawks.