Top of the World, Maa

Denver Coach Mike Shanahan has replaced Michael Dean Perry with Maa Tanuvasa in the defensive lineup. Tanuvasa, a former draft pick of the Rams, has 6 1/2 sacks. Perry, a six-time Pro Bowl player, may be through for the year if he’s unable to impress Shanahan. “His leg strength isn’t there,” Shanahan said. “It isn’t what it once was. He has not been able to play with the same type of explosiveness that he had.” . . . Linebacker Wayne Simmons, acquired recently from the Packers, will start for the Chiefs after signing a three-year contract extension. The signing means the Packers get a fifth-round pick, instead of a sixth-rounder. . . . Why are the Raiders so crummy? Only New Orleans fares worse on third down. The Raiders have converted only 25 of 98 times on third down. . . . Chris Warren returns as the Seahawk starting running back.

Midseason predictions: 1. Denver (12-4)--Kansas City, San Francisco and Pittsburgh offered a combined record of 19-5 and a tough test for Broncos. 2. Kansas City (11-5). 3. Seattle (9-7). 4. Oakland (8-8). 5. San Diego (7-9).

Midseason yuks: Denver running back Terrell Davis is trying to reach the 2,000-yard mark, although he already has had himself rushing for more than 3,000--on his video football game. “I’ll play myself and I’ll have, like, 3,100 yards or 4,600 yards in a season, and man, I’m just crushing the records,” Davis said. “But in real life, it just doesn’t happen.”

CENTRAL / Blake, Your Table Is Ready

Quarterback Jeff Blake overturned a table in the Bengals’ locker room after last week’s loss to the Giants and several players almost came to blows. “What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room,” Blake said. Did anything happen out of the ordinary? “Nope,” he said. . . . The Jaguars, losers of three in a row on the road and headed to Memphis, are hearing jeers from fans who are questioning Mark Brunell as the starting quarterback. . . . Pittsburgh voters will decide next week whether to raise sales taxes to build separate stadiums for the Pirates and Steelers. The cost to each family: $55 to $60 a year. The latest polls in Allegheny County--Pittsburgh and close suburbs--show it’s 50%-38% against, with 12% undecided. Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher said, “It’s hard to think of this place without both the sports teams, baseball and football.”

Midseason predictions: 1. Pittsburgh (10-6)--Three-game stretch at season’s end against Denver, New England and Tennessee looks pivotal. 2. Jacksonville (10-6). 3. Tennessee (9-7). 4. Baltimore (7-9). 5. Cincinnati (5-11).

Midseason yuks: The Baltimore Ravens beat Washington, and owner Art Modell said, “The best is yet to come.” Let’s hope so.

EAST / Stay Home Where It’s Safe

The Bills lost linebacker Chris Spielman because of a career-threatening neck injury, and benched quarterback Todd Collins in favor of Alex Van Pelt. Maybe they should take a vote on whether to show up. Third-year inside linebacker John Holecek replaces Spielman, even though he is listed as questionable because of an ankle injury. . . . The Colts’ woes continue with the loss of defensive end Tony Bennett to a knee injury for the rest of the season. And while Jim Harbaugh sits out, Paul Justin continues to build his resume. “He’s a good quarterback; he makes things happen,” wide receiver Sean Dawkins said. “He gets the ball downfield, he gets it out of there quick, like we need it, and he puts it on a line. He’s just going to get better as he goes along.” . . . Karim Abdul-Jabbar starts for the Dolphins, but Jimmy Johnson is moving toward Irving Spikes. . . . Since his 40-carry, 199-yard game against the Jets, Curtis Martin has averaged only 18 carries a game for the Patriots.

Midseason predictions: 1. New England (9-7)--Season finale on Monday night in Miami may determine division winner on tiebreaker. 2. (tie) Miami (9-7) and New York Jets (9-7). 4. Buffalo (6-10). 5. Indianapolis (2-14).

Midseason yuks: A quarterback controversy in New York, which people actually care about. “We went through a period of time where, basically, we weren’t scoring enough points,” Jet Coach Bill Parcells said. “Neil [O’Donnell] knows what his job is. His job is to get the team into the end zone. If he does that, I’m going to be happy. If he doesn’t do that, I’m not going to be happy with him.” And that would be Glenn Foley’s cue to start warming up.