TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

Denver at Kansas City

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Records: Broncos 9-1, Chiefs 7-3.

* Storyline: This had the makings for one of the year’s best games until Elvis disappeared. The Chiefs handed the ball over to Rich Gannon last week after Elvis Grbac suffered a broken collarbone, and Gannon then turned the ball over to Jacksonville. Denver beat the Chiefs in the opener, and the Broncos could be walking into a trap against a desperate Kansas City team, but so far the Broncos have proven themselves to be up to such challenges.

* The Line: Broncos by 4.

* The Pick: Broncos.

*

Minnesota at Detroit

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Vikings 8-2, Lions 4-6.

* Storyline: Scott Mitchell is hurting, but that’s not enough good news for the Lions, who have yet to play any differently under Coach Bobby Ross than Wayne Fontes. Frank Reich or Scott Mitchell hands the ball to Barry Sanders, who has averaged 5.1 yards a carry in 15 games against the Vikings, and has scored 11 touchdowns. Minnesota, however, has won six in a row and is on a Dec. 1 collision course with Green Bay.

* The Line: Pick ‘em.

* The Pick: Vikings.

*

Washington at Dallas

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Redskins 6-4, Cowboys 5-5.

* Storyline: The Cowboys beat the Cardinals and proclaimed every problem solved. They are still slow and fat on the offensive line, and now that Emmitt Smith has scored, it could be weeks before it happens again. The Redskins can’t stop the run, but on their side of the ball no one has been able to stop Terry Allen. The Redskins won the first meeting this year in an emotional Monday night game. The defense has given up only two touchdowns in the last 10 quarters and Cowboys have trouble scoring. But not in this game.

* The Line: Cowboys by 6.

* The Pick: Cowboys.

*

Oakland at San Diego

* Kickoff:, 5 p.m.

* TV: ESPN

* Records: Raiders 3-7, Chargers 4-6.

* Storyline: Doesn’t get much more exciting than this. Who draws the first penalty? Who throws the first interception? Who fumbles first? Craig Whelihan versus Jeff George and this looks like a pick ‘em game, which says something about the impact George has had on the Raiders. The Chargers manhandled the Raiders earlier this year, and at the time were pretty darn proud of it until they realized everyone manhandles the Raiders.

* The Line: Pick ‘em.

* The Pick: Raiders.

THE REST

New England at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Patriots 6-4, Buccaneers 7-3.

* Storyline: Has the feel of a wild-card game, although teams are in different conferences. The Patriots have proven they can beat Buffalo, picking up their last two wins against the Bills, but the rest of the league has rolled over them in recent weeks. New England is 17-0 when scoring 23 points or more since 1996, but it can’t score 23 points against this defense. Question is, how many can Tampa Bay score?

* The Line: Patriots by 2.

* The Pick: Patriots.

*

Tennessee at Jacksonville

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Oilers 5-5, Jaguars 7-3.

* Storyline: Final exam time for Steve McNair and the red-hot Oilers. Tennessee has gone 4-1 in last five games with McNair showing vast improvement. The Oilers rank third in the NFL running the ball, and Jacksonville is soft up the middle. The visiting team has won all five games in this series, and every game has been decided by seven or less points. The Jaguars came on strong last year, and have that look this season.

* The Line: Jaguars by 6.

* The Pick: Jaguars.

*

Green Bay at Indianapolis

* Kickoff:, 10 a.m.

* Records: Packers 8-2, Colts 0-10.

* Storyline: Oh, this is fair. The Packers reportedly are still going to bring Brett Favre, although Robert Brooks will get the day off to rest up his weary body. Lindy Infante as the Gipper? No, no way. The Packers have outscored their last 10 AFC opponents, 288-144. Get out the calculator to factor in Game 11.

* The Line: Packers by 12 1/2.

* The Pick: Packers.

*

Seattle at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Seahawks 6-4, Saints 3-7.

* Storyline: The Seahawks are convinced they are battling Kansas City for wild card superiority, and have been pointing to a rematch with the Chiefs at home next week. They might want to take the Saints seriously for a half, put some Moon shots on the board and then let Heath Shuler try to throw to win. Note to Seahawks: Do not let the Saints stay in the game and let Mike Ditka think his team has a chance, or watch out.

* The Line: Seahawks by 6.

* The Pick: Seahawks.

*

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bengals 3-7, Steelers 7-3.

* Storyline: The Bengals sport a modest two-game winning streak over the Colts and Chargers. The Steelers have won 10 in a row and 15 of 17 division home games. Cincinnati has anointed Corey Dillon its running back starter over Ki-Jana Carter. Pittsburgh just revs up the Bus.

* The Line: Steelers by 9.

* The Pick: Steelers.

*

Arizona at New York Giants

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Cardinals 2-8, Giants 6-4

* Storyline: The Cardinals continue to stick with Jake Plummer in order to continue losing with great hope for the future (Do not try to understand how Bill Bidwill’s mind works). The Giants have won 12 of the last 13 at home against the Cardinals, and need to keep pace with the Redskins, who have the same division-leading record as New York. How do the Giants react to pressure? Come on, they’re playing the Cardinals.

* The Line: Giants by 5.

* The Pick: Giants.

*

Philadelphia at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Eagles 4-6, Ravens 4-6.

* Storyline: Well, one thing about this game is that both teams feel good about playing the other, figuring they have drawn a break. The Eagles will start Bobby Hoying, presumably because Ray Rhodes has gotten tired of swapping Ty Detmer and Rodney Peete at quarterback. Baltimore immediately draws the edge because of Hoying’s inexperience, but how can anyone pick the Ravens these days?

* The Line: Eagles by 2 1/2.

* The Pick: Ravens.

*

Atlanta at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Falcons 2-8, Rams 2-8.

* Storyline: A titanic tussle to see who gets the better draft pick when the season is over. St. Louis has been a huge disappointment, and now it has also lost its lawsuit against the NFL. The Falcons have played to form--poorly--but they did beat the Rams, 34-31.

* The Line: Rams by 3 1/2.

* The Pick: Rams.

*

Carolina at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Panthers 5-5, 49ers 9-1.

* Storyline: The 49ers can wrap up the division title, hoist Steve Mariucci on their shoulders and proclaim themselves the best team to ever pick on every poor sap ever to play the game and yet provide no mercy. Mariucci has done his job in not allowing a letdown against substandard opposition, but we’re still waiting to see how he reacts against the big boys. The Panthers are 2-0 in their brief history in San Francisco and not about to become 2-1.

* The Line: 49ers by 9 1/2.

* The Pick: 49ers.

*

New York Jets at Chicago

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Jets 6-4, Bears 1-9.

* Storyline: The Bears have won the last four in this series, but Rich Kotite is no longer coaching the Jets. This has all kinds of upset possibilities, unless you’re sticking all the way with Bill Parcells’ record with the playoffs in sight. Parcells is 30-20 all-time in November, and while the Bears were feisty against Minnesota last week, they found a way to lose. Now can the Jets find a way to win?

* The Line: Jets by 3.

* The Pick: Bears.

* Record last week: 11-4. * Season record: 95-55.

* Upset special record: 5-14.