GAME OF THE WEEKNew York Jets (9-4)...

GAME OF THE WEEK

New York Jets (9-4) at Miami Dolphins (9-4). Two of the game’s dominant coaches oppose each other for first place in the AFC East. The Jets won the first meeting, and will just about sew up the division title with a win because of all the tiebreakers to their advantage. Miami is 6-0 at home, and the Dolphins lead the AFC with 26 interceptions.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Kansas City (5-8) over Dallas (8-5). Chan Gailey’s Cowboys are not being challenged in the NFC East, are banged up and overrated to boot. The Chiefs showed no quit in Denver, and will be playing before the hicks from the sticks, who haven’t figured out that Kansas City has been eliminated from contention. Record: 3-11.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Washington running back Terry Allen. Or Skip Hicks. The Redskins are one of the NFL’s hottest teams, going 3-1 since a 1-8 start, but have lost wide receiver Michael Westbrook, leaving Leslie Shepherd as the team’s only legitimate threat in the passing game. So the ball goes to Allen against the Panthers.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart. The Steelers have scored only two touchdowns in their last 40 possessions, and the Buccaneers still have a shot at claiming the final wild-card berth in the NFC.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Jamie Martin makes his first NFL start for the Jaguars in place of injured quarterback Mark Brunell. Last year Rob Johnson and Steve Matthews made their first NFL starts for an injured Brunell and each won.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

The Chiefs began this season with Super Bowl aspirations, in large part because of their defense, but Kansas City has surrendered 22.6 points a game--the most in Marty Schottenheimer’s 10-year tenure with the team.

AND FINALLY

Blame it on the refs for Seattle losing to the New York Jets last week, but the Seahawks went into the game with an AFC-leading 45 sacks and were unable to haul down Vinny Testaverde, who threw 63 passes.

TV GAMES

* Denver at New York Giants, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

Including playoffs, Broncos have won 18 in a row. Make it 19.

Line: Denver by 12 1/2.

* Chicago at Green Bay, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

To avoid further injuries, Packers banned from Lambeau Leap.

Line: Green Bay by 13 1/2.

* Dallas at Kansas City, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

Mediocre Cowboys can clinch NFC Least with victory.

Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2.

* New York Jets at Miami, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Which fish is biggest in AFC East, Tuna or Dolphin?

Line: Miami by 3.

* Detroit at San Francisco, Mon., 5:15 p.m., Ch. 7

49ers--and viewers--hope this “MNF” appearance goes better than two weeks ago.

Line: San Francisco by 10.

THE REST

* Arizona at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Line: Arizona by 3.

* Atlanta at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Line: Atlanta by 4.

* Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Indianapolis by 4.

* New England at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 7.

* Oakland at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Line: Buffalo by 7.

* Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Line: Tampa Bay by 2 1/2.

* Tennessee at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Line: Jacksonville by 3 1/2.

* Washington at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Line: Carolina by 3.

* San Diego at Seattle, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 7.

* Minnesota at Baltimore, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Minnesota by 10.

TV game comments from Times staff

SIMERS’ RANKINGS

TOP 5

1. Denver--Giants provide exhibition game for Broncos before game of the year in Miami.

2. Minnesota--Vikings have lost quarterback, running back, two receivers and remain unstoppable because Moss is boss.

3. Jacksonville--Jamie Martin gets QB start. It was either that or just play with 10 other guys no one has heard of.

4. Atlanta--Falcons versus Saints. As good as it gets these days in the NFL.

5. San Francisco--Frauds from ‘Frisco can’t catch Falcons. How ridiculous does that sound?

BOTTOM 5

26. Detroit--Watching an anguished Bobby Ross on the sideline, what comes to mind? Auditioning for lead in “Psycho.”

27. Chicago--Eight straight losses to Packers. Make it nine, proving it’s no fluke.

28. Philadelphia--Owner wants new stadium for crummy team. Philly may be city of Brotherly Love, but there’s a limit.

29. Cincinnati--Bengals fire punter for criticizing management. Can they afford to dump their most active player?

30. Carolina--Panthers versus Redskins. A game Phil Luckett and his crew couldn’t make much worse.