TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

Dallas at Green Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Cowboys 6-5, Packers 8-3.

* Storyline: Who thought these teams would have a combined eight losses come the big game? The Cowboys have roughed up the Packers in seven consecutive Packer losses in Dallas, but now must repeat the feat at Lambeau Field. Jerry Jones will be on the Cowboy sideline, OK, as long as Barry Switzer doesn’t put on the headset and start coaching. The Packers are coming off the most embarrassing defeat of the year, a loss in Indianapolis. Cheeseheads are not too embarrassed to appear in public. Both teams desperately need the victory, but if the Packers lose, they will have to declare Wisconsin a disaster area.

* The Line: Packers by 6 1/2.

* The Pick: Packers.

Miami at New England

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Records: Dolphins 7-4, Patriots 6-5.

* Storyline: Drew Bledsoe and Rick Mirer were drafted the same year and now appear to be riding the same track to oblivion. Mirer’s a goner in Chicago, and Bledsoe, who played in the Super Bowl a year ago for New England, is now apologizing for being immature and jumping into a crowd at a concert, while also being zinged by his coach, Pete Carroll, for not being a leader. He could be booed by the hometown fans too. Miami, meanwhile, has its own soap opera: “Jimmy Does Not Really Like Marino, or Does He?”

* The Line: Patriots by 5 1/2.

* The Pick: Patriots.

San Diego at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Records: Chargers 4-7, 49ers 10-1.

* Storyline: There is talk in San Diego that the reason the team is losing is because the players don’t care. That says a lot for Coach Kevin Gilbride, who has apparently lost his players’ attention 11 games into his reign as field general. Sounds more like an excuse from the front office for not acquiring better talent. The 49ers continue to play nobody, a good way to look good.

* The Line: 49ers by 14.

* The Pick: 49ers.

New York Giants at Washington

* Kickoff: 5 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Giants 7-4, Redskins 6-5.

* Storyline: The Giants are magicians, providing no explanation of how they are able to win each week. The Redskins were left devastated in Dallas, but they should get a reminder of the significance of the game from a sellout crowd, and all they have to do is put some pressure on Danny Kanell, and they will be back into a first-place tie with the Giants.

* The Line: Redskins by 5 1/2.

* The Pick: Redskins.

THE REST

Arizona at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Cardinals 2-9, Ravens 4-6-1.

* Storyline: How about back-to-back ties for the Ravens? They’ve already played back-to-back duds, so why not? The Cardinals are thrilled with Jake Plummer now that he has thrown for a bunch of yards, but look across the field, and you’ll see Vinny Testaverde, and that’s his trademark, and check out the Ravens’ level of success the past two years (8-18-1).

* The Line: Ravens by 4.

* The Pick: Ravens.

Buffalo at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bills 5-6, Oilers 5-6.

* Storyline: Steve McNair is injured, but showing guts by continuing to play. Bruce Smith could end McNair’s season with a big hit, but the Oilers still have one of the league’s better offensive lines and can run Eddie George past a charging Smith. The Bills haven’t scored a first-quarter touchdown in 15 games, so Todd Collins could be playing from behind again. Not good.

* The Line: Oilers by 3 1/2.

* The Pick: Oilers.

Indianapolis at Detroit

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Colts 1-10, Lions 5-6.

* Storyline: The Colts have their win for the year. The Lions appeared to be serious about winning last week in Minnesota, although their entire season has been marked by defeat following a victory. Detroit quarterback Scott Mitchell played one of his best games of the season on a sore hamstring. Lions fans can only hope he doesn’t get completely healthy.

* The Line: Lions by 9.

* The Pick: Lions.

Minnesota at New York Jets

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Vikings 8-3, Jets 7-4.

* Storyline: There could be a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East if the Patriots win and the Jets lose. Neil O’Donnell resumes control of the Jets, and while it’s clear Bill Parcells has no faith in him, O’Donnell’s still known best for not turning the ball over and giving his team a chance to win the close ones. But who comes in to save O’Donnell now that Glenn Foley is out with a sore knee? Chuck Clements. You think the Vikings will be trying to knock out O’Donnell?

* The Line: Jets by 1.

* The Pick: Vikings.

New Orleans at Atlanta

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Saints 4-7, Falcons 3-8.

* Storyline: Kudos to these two terrible teams for combining for seven victories. The Saints will start Doug Nussmeier at quarterback, with Heath Shuler now out for the season, and promote Danny Wuerffel to backup for not dropping the clipboard. The Falcons counter with Chris Chandler. As well as these bad teams have played, they have probably taken themselves out of the running for Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, which means they will continue to be led by guys best suited for the World Football League.

* The Line: Falcons by 4.

* The Pick: Falcons.

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Steelers 8-3, Eagles 4-6-1.

* Storyline: The Eagles are in position for a total collapse. They will pay the price now for playing the inexperienced Bobby Hoying, and appear to be steering clear of Ricky Watters, who will probably sign to play elsewhere after the season. The Steelers, meanwhile, just keep grinding, and with four of their last five on the road, they will have a tough time staying tied with first-place Jacksonville.

* The Line: Steelers by 3.

* The Pick: Steelers.

Tampa Bay at Chicago

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Buccaneers 8-3, Bears 1-10.

* Storyline: If New England couldn’t move the ball against the Buccaneers, how is Chicago supposed to do so? Tampa Bay might be looking ahead with its next three games coming against first-place teams, but Coach Tony Dungy has done a great job of keeping his youngsters focused.

* The Line: Buccaneers by 5.

* The Pick: Buccaneers.

Kansas City at Seattle

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Chiefs 8-3, Seahawks 6-5.

* Storyline: The trap of the week. The Seahawks have been pointing to this game for weeks believing it would be for a wild-card spot. Their plans were sabotaged by the Chiefs’ upset win over Denver and their own pratfall in New Orleans, but this is Seattle’s last gasp. Seattle is banged up, but the Chiefs have the look of a team that can’t score.

* The Line: Seahawks by 3.

* The Pick: Seahawks.

Carolina at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Panthers 5-6, Rams 2-9.

* Storyline: Which team has been a bigger disappointment? The Panthers dropped out of the division race early after winning the NFC West a year ago. The Rams won their opener and then fell flat under an enthusiastic Dick Vermeil. Carolina showed no running game against the 49ers last week, which provides a glimmer of hope for St. Louis, starved for any kind of victory. Rams waive Lawrence Phillips, go the rest of the way with Jerald Moore, keying upset special.

* The Line: Panthers by 3 1/2.

* The Pick: Rams.

Jacksonville at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Jaguars 8-3, Bengals 3-8.

* Storyline: The Bengals came on strong at the end of last season, but the Jaguars came on stronger and have more to play for since they are locked in a first-place tie with the Steelers. After 52 starts in a row, Jeff Blake goes to the bench and Boomer Esiason starts for Cincinnati. Look for Ickey Woods to return next. The Jaguars remain suspect in stopping the run, but Corey Dillon, as good as he has been, doesn’t look like a one-man wrecking gang.

* The Line: Jaguars by 5 1/2.

* The Pick: Jaguars.

* Last week’s record: 7-7-1.

* Season Record: 102-62-1.

* Upset special record: 5-14.