TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

Seattle at Dallas

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Seahawks 5-5; Cowboys 7-3.

* Story line: It’s almost desperation time for the Seahawks, who will have to scramble to make the playoffs. The Cowboys are in control in the NFC East, but they gave up 480 yards in last week’s 35-28 victory over the Cardinals. Emmitt Smith, who ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns last week, is back in top form for the Cowboys.

* Line: Cowboys by 5

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Green Bay at Minnesota

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Packers 7-3; Vikings 9-1.

* Story line: In the Vikings’ 37-24 victory over the Packers last month at Green Bay, Randall Cunningham passed for 442 yards and four touchdowns, Randy Moss caught five passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and the Viking defense intercepted three of Brett Favre’s passes while limiting him to 114 yards passing.

* Line: Vikings by 3

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Oakland at Denver

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Raiders 7-3; Broncos 10-0.

* Story line: John Elway is expected back for the Broncos, who won at Oakland two months ago, 34-17, even though Elway had to leave in the first half because of a hamstring injury. The Raiders will be without several banged-up players, including quarterback Jeff George, who had three passes intercepted by the Broncos. His replacement, Donald Hollas, is 4-0 as a starter.

* Line: Broncos by 11

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New Orleans at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Saints 5-5; 49ers 7-3.

* Story line: In his first start for the Saints, Kerry Collins passed for 150 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 24-3 victory over the Rams. He’ll need to be more productive against the 49ers, who probably are still seething after last week’s 31-19 loss to the Falcons, which dropped them into second place in the NFC West.

* Line: 49ers by 12 1/2

THE REST

Arizona at Washington

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Cardinals 5-5; Redskins 2-8.

* Story line: The Redskins are coming off a 28-3 victory over the Eagles and lost at Arizona two weeks ago, 29-27, on a last-second field goal. The Cardinals’ Jake Plummer passed for a career-high 465 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Cowboys.

* Line: Redskins by 1 1/2

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Chicago at Atlanta

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bears 3-7; Falcons 8-2.

* Story line: The division-leading Falcons are 5-0 at home after last week’s breakthrough victory over the 49ers. The Bears, 1-4 on the road, probably will be without quarterback Erik Kramer.

* Line: Falcons by 11

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Detroit at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Lions 3-7; Buccaneers 4-6.

* Story line: The Buccaneers, playing their way out of a potential playoff spot, have lost two in a row after starting the month with a victory over the Vikings. The Lions, 0-4 on the road, beat the Buccaneers, 27-6, two months ago at Detroit.

* Line: Buccaneers by 6

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Indianapolis at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Colts 2-8; Bills 6-4.

* Story line: The Colts show signs of improving behind rookie Peyton Manning, who led an 80-yard game-winning drive in last week’s 24-23 victory over the Jets, but their defense ranks among the league’s worst. The Bills won at Indianapolis last month, 31-24.

* Line: Bills by 7

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Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Jaguars 8-2; Steelers 6-4.

* Story line: The home team has won each of the last six games between these teams. The Steelers’ Kordell Stewart has played well lately and the Jaguars’ defense is one of the league’s worst against the pass.

* Line: Steelers by 2 1/2

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Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Eagles 2-8; Giants 3-7.

* Story line: The Eagles’ offense is the league’s worst, and the Giants’ is the second-worst. The Giants will make a change at quarterback, with Kent Graham replacing Danny Kanell.

* Line: Giants by 5 1/2

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Carolina at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Panthers 1-9; Rams 3-7.

* Story line: The Panthers, behind Steve Beuerlein, have been more competitive in recent weeks, defeating the Saints and losing to the 49ers and Dolphins by less than a touchdown. The Rams are unpredictable.

* Line: Rams by 1 1/2

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Kansas City at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Chiefs 4-6; Chargers 4-6.

* Story line: Can the Chiefs stay interested after losing five in a row? The Chargers’ Craig Whelihan picked up his first NFL victory last week despite completing only 15 of 42 passes against the Ravens. Now he’s without Natrone Means, who suffered a broken foot last week.

* Line: Chiefs by 3

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N.Y. Jets at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Jets 6-4; Oilers 6-4.

* Story line: The Oilers have won five of six and the Jets had won four in a row before losing last week to the Colts, 24-23. Both teams have potent offenses, the Jets’ led by Vinny Testaverde and the Oilers’ by Steve McNair and Eddie George. Home field hasn’t meant much to the Oilers, who are 2-3 at Nashville after last week’s 23-14 victory over the Steelers.

* Line: Oilers by 2 1/2

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Baltimore at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Ravens 3-7; Bengals 2-8.

* Story line: Paul Justin, who had been No. 3 on the depth chart, will start at quarterback for the Bengals, replacing Neil O’Donnell. The Bengals have lost their last five games. The Ravens haven’t been much better, losing five of six.

* Line: Bengals by 1 1/2