TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

San Francisco at Atlanta

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: 49ers 7-2; Falcons 7-2.

* Story line: Can the Falcons step up and take over the division lead? They lost at San Francisco in September, 31-20, but they rolled over the Patriots, 41-20, last week at Foxboro, Mass. Steve Young will start for the 49ers after sitting out last week’s 25-23 victory over the Panthers because of an abdominal strain.

* Line: 49ers by 3

*

Seattle at Oakland

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Seahawks 5-4; Raiders 6-3.

* Story line: The Raiders took advantage of five Seahawk turnovers to win at Seattle, 31-18, two weeks ago. They may again be without quarterback Jeff George, who is doubtful after playing only one series before re-injuring his groin in last week’s 13-10 loss to the Ravens. The loss ended the Raiders’ five-game winning streak.

* Line: Seahawks by 1 1/2

*

Dallas at Arizona

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Cowboys 6-3; Cardinals 5-4.

* Story line: The Cowboys seem ready to take control of the division race behind Troy Aikman. In the three games he has started and finished, the Cowboys dominated the Cardinals, Eagles and Giants by a combined 88-16. They routed the Cardinals, 38-10, in the season opener at Dallas.

* Line: Cowboys by 3 1/2

*

Chicago at Detroit

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Bears 3-6; Lions 2-7.

* Story line: The Lions have lost three straight since they upset the Packers last month, reaching a low point with last week’s 10-9 loss to the Eagles. Erik Kramer, suffering from a torn rotator cuff, is questionable for the Bears, who defeated the Lions, 31-27, last month at Chicago.

* Line: Lions by 6

THE REST

Cincinnati at Minnesota

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bengals 2-7; Vikings 8-1.

* Story line: The Vikings’ Randall Cunningham, leading the NFL with a 113.2 quarterback rating, had bone chips removed from his right knee last Monday, but is expected to start. The struggling Bengals are the least-penalized team in the NFL, which must be good for something. Or not.

* Line: Vikings by 11

*

Miami at Carolina

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Dolphins 6-3; Panthers 1-8.

* Story line: This could be a minefield for the Dolphins, whose only victory in four road games was at Indianapolis in their opener. Six of the Panthers’ losses have been by seven points or fewer, and Steve Beuerlein has played so well since the release of Kerry Collins that he was given a three-year contract extension.

* Line: Dolphins by 3

*

New England at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Patriots 5-4; Bills 5-4.

* Story line: Last week’s 34-12 loss to the Jets was Doug Flutie’s first as the Buffalo starter and ended the Bills’ five-game winning streak, but the magic won’t easily wash away. The Patriots have lost three of four and their defense is banged up.

* Line: Bills by 3

*

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Jets 6-3; Colts 1-8.

* Story line: Vinny Testaverde is 6-0 as the Jets’ starter, and the Jets overwhelmed the Colts, 44-6, two months ago at the Meadowlands. But the Colts and Peyton Manning (second in the AFC with 2,013 yards passing) are making progress.

* Line: Jets by 6 1/2

*

Philadelphia at Washington

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Eagles 2-7; Redskins 1-8.

* Story line: The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 17-12, last month at Philadelphia when both teams were winless. Bobby Hoying led them to a 10-9 victory over the Lions last week, but his 50.8 quarterback rating is the NFC’s lowest.

* Line: Redskins by 4

*

Pittsburgh at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Steelers 6-3; Oilers 5-4.

* Story line: Eddie George has put together five consecutive 100-yard rushing games for the Oilers, who have won four of five, including a 41-31 victory over the Steelers two weeks ago at Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ inconsistent Kordell Stewart was on target Monday night in a 27-20 victory over the Packers.

* Line: Oilers by 1 1/2

*

St. Louis at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Rams 3-6; Saints 4-5.

* Story line: Kerry Collins, making his first start for the Saints, shouldn’t expect much help from a running game that has failed to produce as much as 70 yards in each of the team’s last six games. They beat the Rams, 24-17, on opening day at St. Louis.

* Line: Saints by 2 1/2

*

Baltimore at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Ravens 3-6; Chargers 3-6.

* Story line: Ryan Leaf wasn’t the answer for the Chargers, but will Craig Whelihan be any better? The Ravens ended a four-game losing streak with last week’s 13-10 victory over the Raiders.

* Line: Ravens by 1

*

Green Bay at N.Y. Giants

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Packers 6-3; Giants 3-6.

* Story line: The Pack is whack. After looking so impressive in their victory over the 49ers two week ago, the Packers fell flat Monday against the Steelers and have lost three of five. Another loss could put them three games behind the Vikings going into next week’s game at Minnesota. The Giants have lost two in a row.

* Line: Packers by 7

*

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Buccaneers 4-5; Jaguars 7-2.

* Story line: Jaguar quarterback Mark Brunell is listed as questionable after sitting out the second half of last week’s 24-11 victory over the Bengals. The Jaguars are 4-0 at home, while the Buccaneers are 0-4 on the road.

* Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2