Game of the Week: Dallas at San Francisco, Sunday, 1 p.m., Channel 11.

By T.J. SIMERS

Oct. 31, 1997 12 AM PT

The 49ers have completed their junior varsity schedule and now move on to the Cowboys, who don’t look that imposing themselves. After losing to Tampa Bay to open the season, the 49ers rolled off seven consecutive wins against opponents with a combined mark of 9-24.

The 49ers have the NFC’s No. 1 overall defense and No. 1 defense against the rush, and on offense they rank No. 1 rushing. Those are statistics befitting a champion, and San Francisco is undoubtedly looking ahead to securing home-field advantage for the playoffs.

The Cowboys are fighting for survival. They have already lost four division games, making it difficult to get past the division-leading Giants, but before thinking about postseason play, they must first find a way to get into the end zone. They have scored only nine touchdowns in 32 visits inside the 20-yard line.

The Line: San Francisco by 6 1/2.

Five Things to Look For:

1. Lion defensive end Kerwin Waldroup going after Brett Favre’s knees. NFL league disciplinarian Gene Washington summoned Waldroup to New York to warn him that the next time he goes low on a quarterback, he will be disciplined severely. Favre complained that Waldroup, who has been fined for hitting Trent Dilfer this year and Bobby Hebert a year ago, tried to deliver a cheap shot to his knees in the first meeting between the Packers and Lions.

“He just told me they’re going to suspend me if I hit another quarterback low,” Waldroup said. “Basically I can’t touch ‘em nowhere under the knees. Can’t grab ‘em, can’t hit ‘em, nothing.”

Lion Coach Bobby Ross said, “I have a problem with players being told they’re going to be suspended; this is a game of aggression. I am going to call and find out the complete scenario of their conversation.”

2. The Eagles to run up yardage on the Cardinals. Since being ranked No. 6 in defense a month ago, the Cardinals have given up yardage totals of 353, 426, 407 and 283 in the last four games.

3. The Cardinals, however, to get lots of yardage back while returning kicks against the Eagles. Philadelphia is giving up an NFL-worst 28.1 yards a kickoff return. Opponents have enjoyed the league’s best starting field position against the Eagles, at almost the 34-yard line.

4. The signing of Redskin defensive lineman Sean Gilbert before Tuesday. The Redskins rank last in stopping the run, and if Gilbert, who has been asking for $5 million per season, isn’t signed by Tuesday, he must sit out all year.

5. Lots of turnovers on Monday night. The Steelers lead the NFL during the ‘90s with 276 takeaways, and the Chiefs are second with 269. The Chiefs are tied for the NFL lead with 12 interceptions. The Steelers have 11.

ON TV

* New England (5-3) at Minnesota (6-2), 10 a.m., Channel 4: The Patriots have faltered, losing three of their last four, but catch a break against a Viking team confronted with its own set of distractions, including the possible sale of the team.

The line: Minnesota by 1.

* Washington (4-4) at Chicago (1-7), 10 a.m., Channel 11: Teams have been successful running on the Redskins, which gives Raymont Harris and the Bears a chance to win a second consecutive game. Terry Allen will return to the Redskin lineup, so the good thing is both teams should run a lot--making for a quick game.

The line: Washington by 3.

* Detroit (4-4) at Green Bay (6-2), 5 p.m., ESPN: The Packers were upset five weeks ago by the Lions, but after smoking the Patriots, they appear to be rounding into Super Bowl form. The Lions are always capable of good things because of Barry Sanders and always capable of self-destructing because of quarterback Scott Mitchell.

The line: Green Bay by 10.

SUNDAY’S OTHER GAMES * Miami at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

The line: Buffalo by 2

* Oakland at Carolina, 10 a.m.

The line: Carolina by 3

* San Diego at Cincinnati

The line: Pick ‘em

* Baltimore at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

The line: N.Y. Jets by 5

* St. Louis at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

The line: Atlanta by 3

* Tampa Bay at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.