WEEK 5 PRIMER

GAME OF THE WEEK

Minnesota (4-0) at Green Bay (4-0). The Vikings have been the Packers’ No. 1 nemesis, but primarily in the Metrodome--Minnesota holds an overall 9-7 edge--6-2 in the dome--over Green Bay in ‘90s. But this one will be played in Lambeau Field, where Green Bay has won 25 regular-season games in a row and 32 of 34 since 1994.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Washington (0-4) over Dallas (2-2). It’s folly to suggest an untested journeyman like Trent Green can beat anyone--unless the other team has a worse quarterback--like Dallas in Jason Garrett. Although Redskin Coach Norv Turner is 26-41-1 overall, he’s 4-4 against the Cowboys with three consecutive home wins over Dallas. Surprising record to date: 0-4.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Hardy Nickerson and the Tampa Bay defense. The Buccaneers are one of the league’s major disappointments because they played their entire preseason schedule and opening two games on the road while their new stadium was being built. This week the Buccaneers are home and will limit the Giants to nothing but field goals.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Indianapolis running back Marshall Faulk. The Chargers’ defense, No. 2 in the AFC in stopping the run, applies the brakes to an overrated Faulk, forcing Peyton Manning to beat them. Which he will do in recording his first NFL victory. Faulk is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, lowest of any back in the top 20 for yards rushing.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Dating to last season, including the playoffs, Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart has not thrown more than one touchdown pass in eight consecutive games. The value of Jerome Bettis? The Steelers went 5-3 in those eight dreadful games by Stewart. . . . The Saints haven’t had a 300-yard passer in 36 games and they have Danny Wuerffel at quarterback.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

He won’t be invited back. Saint tackle Willie Roaf was President Clinton’s invited guest and spent the night on the second floor of the North Wing of the White House in the Queens Room earlier this year. Roaf, a boyhood page to Clinton in the early ‘80s, when asked about the scandal surrounding the president, said, “Yeah, what President Clinton did was wrong. But it’s been known for years--even when he was governor in Arkansas--that he chased skirts.”

AND FINALLY

San Francisco Coach Steve Mariucci applied some perspective on his brief career by relaying a conversation between backup Atlanta quarterback Steve DeBerg, 49er quarterback Steve Young and himself last week. “Steve said something to DeBerg like I hope I’m still playing when I’m 44 years old,” Mariucci said. “I just hope I’m still coaching when I’m 44 years old.”

Mariucci will turn 43 next month.

ON TV

* San Francisco at Buffalo, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

Playing teams like Buffalo on national TV will enhance Mariucci’s chance of making it to 44.

Line: San Francisco by 10

* Oakland at Arizona, 1 p.m., Channel 2

If the game gets a high rating in L.A., Al Davis can use it as a reason to move back.

Line: Arizona by 2 1/2

* Philadelphia at Denver, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

Hopefully, Fox’s scoreboard graphic has the capability to run scores above 99.

Line: Denver by 15 1/2

* Seattle at Kansas City, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Well, at least there will be one decent game on television this week.

Line: Kansas City by 4

THE REST

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

Line: New York by 2 1/2

* Dallas at Washington, 10 a.m.

Line: Dallas by 2

* Detroit at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: Chicago by 1

* Carolina at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Line: Atlanta by 3

* New England at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 7

* San Diego at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Indianapolis by 1

* New York Giants at Tampa Bay, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Tampa Bay by 3 1/2

* Minnesota at Green Bay, Mon, 5:15 p.m., Ch. 7

Line: Green Bay by 7

TV game comments from Times staff

SIMERS’ RANKINGS / TOP 5

1. Denver--Babies are being born and named Bubby every day now in Denver.

2. San Francisco--Rice is content, and really, that’s all that matters.

3. Kansas City--Gannon or Grbac? Who cares? Chiefs have beaten Seahawks 16 of 20 times in Arrowhead.

4. Green Bay--”What Dreams May Come”: Movie about travels from heaven to hell to Green Bay. A tragedy.

5. Jacksonville--Vikings belong here, but not if you already know they’re going to lose to Green Bay.

BOTTOM 5

26. Washington--Norv Turner is reminder to president; someone else has always got bigger problems.

27. Chicago--Bears 4-0 at halftime, then Wannstedt starts coaching, making adjustments.

28. Buffalo--”Antz” is a new movie about itty-bitty creatures who get squashed: Doug Flutie’s life story.

29. Indianapolis--Manning versus Leaf until Leaf gets mad, takes his ball and goes home.

30. Philadelphia--Eagles gave up franchise-high 62 points in ‘72; keep that in mind as they play Denver.