Game of the Week

San Diego (5-10) at Arizona (8-7): The NFL has extended the deadline to sell tickets and lift the TV blackout to Saturday because Cardinal fans have become so overwhelmed by their team’s success they need time to regain consciousness. One more win and the Cardinals make the playoffs. One more loss and it’s business as usual for the Chargers.

Upset of the Week

Time to take advantage of a hot streak: 1) Tennessee over Minnesota--Vikings preparing for playoff swoon; 2) Kansas City over Oakland--Get serious, the Raiders favored! 3) Pittsburgh over Jacksonville--Kordell Stewart does everything he can to avoid being yelled at by Coach Bill Cowher. Record: 5-11.

Potential Star of the Week

Eagle quarterback Koy Detmer . . . if you believe in Santa Claus. Eagles have gone two games without allowing a sack and going back to 1970 have never gone three in a row without giving up a sack. What a fine going-away present for Coach Ray Rhodes to be fired Monday.

Potential Stiff of the Week

Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler. If John Elway couldn’t handle the Dolphin defense, then how can anyone expect Chandler to? The first letdown for the Falcons after the illness of Coach Dan Reeves against a team with a chance to win a home playoff game.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Green Bay Coach Mike Holmgren has beaten Chicago Bear Coach Dave Wannstedt nine times in a row.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

You can depend on Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre. He makes his 109th consecutive start Sunday--only Ron Jaworski, who opened 116 consecutive games for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1977-84, has a longer streak.

AND FINALLY

Over the last 23 games the team with the best record is not the 49ers, Packers, Vikings or Broncos. It’s the Falcons at 19-4.

ON TV

SATURDAY

* Minnesota at Tennessee, 9:30 a.m., Ch. 11

Are the three Rs--Randall, Randy and Randle--too much for the Oilers?

Line: Vikings by 7.

* Kansas City at Oakland, 1 p.m., Channel 2

The Chiefs looked like Super Bowl material during their victory over Raiders in Week 1.

Line: Raiders by 3

SUNDAY

* Miami at Atlanta, 10 a.m., Channel 2

Falcons have Dirty Bird routine down pat. Dolphins need a win for home playoff game.

Line: Falcons by 3.

* St. Louis at San Francisco, 1 p.m., Ch. 11

Not much has changed with Rams since move to St. Louis. In other words, 49ers win.

Line: 49ers by 12 1/2.

* Seattle at Denver, 1:15 p.m., Channel 2

Broncos need to get their edge back. Seahawks may need a new coach.

Line: No line.

* Washington at Dallas, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Cowboys are bound for playoffs, but they’ll soon be joining Redskins on sidelines.

Line: Redskins by 1.

MONDAY

* Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, 5:15 p.m., Ch. 7

Steelers are playing for respect. Jaguars need a tuneup for playoffs after loss to Vikings.

Line: Jaguars by 3

THE REST

* Buffalo at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Line: Bills by 3.

* Carolina at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Colts by 5.

* Detroit at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Line: Ravens by 1 1/2.

* Green Bay at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: No line.

* New England at New York Jets, 10 a.m.

Line: Jets by 6 1/2.

* Tampa Bay at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Buccaneers by 6 1/2.

* New York Giants at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Line: Giants by 4.

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

Line: Cardinals by 7 1/2.

Simers’ Rankings / Top 5

1. Minnesota--Santa Claus ran into Randy Moss the other day. Moss told him to get lost.

2. New York Jets--Parcells’ ego should feel right at home in Mile High Stadium come the title game.

3. Denver--Broncos trying to set NFL record. First team to go 13-0 and never win again.

4. Atlanta--It would be sports story of the year if Reeves comes back to coach Falcons in Super Bowl.

5. San Francisco--Talk about returning Christmas gifts, you think the 49ers would like to exchange Druckenmiller for Plummer?

Bottom 5

26. Baltimore--Since Ravens moved into town, team has gone 15-31-1. Did they miss football that much?

27. St. Louis--Rams announce they will not fire Dick Vermeil. About time they gave it up.

28. San Diego--Ryan Leaf says everyone falls asleep in team meetings. One more game and Chargers get a long winter’s nap.

29. Carolina--Panthers kept Steve Beuerlein and got rid of Kerry Collins. Happy New Year.

30. Philadelphia--Irving Fryar announces retirement. Didn’t know he was still playing.