Week 6 Primer

Game of the Week

Washington (0-5) at Philadelphia (0-5). A thriller for the basement rights to the NFC Least Division. The Eagles are trying to stack the losing deck by going back to Rodney Peete, but Norv Turner isn’t the worst coach in the NFL by accident. He had Gus Frerotte taking snaps with the first unit, just in case he has a late lead. Line: Washington by 2 1/2.

Upset of the Week

Carolina (0-4) over Dallas (3-2). Or picking one correctly. Carolina stinks, so, Carolina over Cowboys--in Dallas. The Panthers will be looking to show quarterback Kerry Collins that they can win without him, and the Cowboys are still being led by Jason Garrett, who although sensational last week, will eventually wake up. Line: Dallas by 6 1/2. Record to date: 0-5.

Potential of the Week

Buffalo running back Antowain Smith. The Bills are in position to win two in a row and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, that would be considered an NFL miracle. All the Bills have to do is make sure quarterback Rob Johnson is kept from the throwing the ball--instead placing it in Smith’s belly to trample a pathetic Colt defense.

Denver quarterback John Elway. Don’t think it will ever come to chants of “Bring back Bubby!” but Elway has been sidelined for two weeks because of injuries and will try to play against a Seattle defense that has shown vast improvement. Another chance for cornerback Shawn Springs to return an interception for a touchdown. Denver can’t score 40 points every game, can it?

THIS WEEK’S TREND

San Francisco goes to New Orleans after a road loss in Buffalo, but has not lost consecutive road games since 1991--hasn’t lost consecutive games, period, since 1995. Steve Young is 10-1 versus the Saints. If memory is correct, the 49ers also never lose to the Saints. . . . Elway is 6-1 versus Warren Moon, but Moon has sore ribs and might not start for Seattle.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, MAYBE

Elway, of course is a cinch to make the Hall of Fame, but is Moon? Moon is best known for his longevity, having played in his 200th NFL game last week--only 24 fewer than Elway. Elway has thrown for 49,265 yards and Moon, who began his professional career in Canada, has thrown for 48,139 yards in the NFL. Moon has 286 touchdown passes and 22 touchdowns rushing; Elway has 282 and 33. Moon has never played in a Super Bowl; Elway has been in four, winning one.

Hall of Fame voters have made few exceptions in recent years in supporting quarterback candidates who have not made it to the Super Bowl--San Diego’s Dan Fouts being an exception.

AND FINALLY

After hearing that Elway practiced without pain earlier in the week, Seattle Coach Dennis Erickson said, “Him playing without pain gives me a pain.”

ON TV

* Kansas City at New England, 10 a.m. PDT, CBS

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has returned to the building! Please remain in your seats.

Line: New England by 3

* San Francisco at New Orleans, 10 a.m. PDT, FOX

Watch out, Mike Ditka. The 49ers will not be happy campers this weekend.

Line: San Francisco by 10

* Denver at Seattle, 1:15 p.m. PDT, CBS

Broncos will try out some guy named Elway on Sunday. Apparently, he used to play baseball.

Line: No line

* Atlanta at New York Giants, 5:15 p.m. PDT, ESPN

Dan Reeves, riding high as coach of the Falcons, returns to the scene of the crime.

Line: New York by 2

THE REST

* Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Pittsburgh by 2 1/2

* Buffalo at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Buffalo by 2 1/2

* Tennessee at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Line: Baltimore by 3 1/2

* Washington at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Line: Washington by 2 1/2

* Carolina at Dallas, 10 a.m.

Line: Dallas by 6 1/2

* Chicago at Arizona, 1 p.m.

Line: Arizona by 3

* New York Jets at St. Louis, 1:15 p.m.

Line: New York by 3 1/2

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

Line: Oakland by 5

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

Line: Jacksonville by 6 1/2

TV game comments from Times staff

SIMERS’ RANKINGS / TOP 5

1. Denver--Elway appears ready to start, replace Brister. There goes Broncos’ season.

2. Kansas City--Schottenheimer brings back Elvis. A better choice might have been Lombardi.

3. Minnesota--Cunningham says God speaks through Coach Green. Someone had to replace George Burns.

4. Jacksonville--Undefeated, but unimpressive and now pitted against Ally McBeal on Monday night.

5. San Francisco/Green Bay--A little cheese, a little wine and a slice of humble pie.

BOTTOM 5

26. San Diego--Chargers have six TDs in last 32 quarters. What if Gilbride weren’t an offensive genius?

27. St. Louis--Time for Georgia to step in and starting calling the plays.

28. Carolina--Collins quits. Opposition signing petition to bring him back.

29. Washington--Instead of impeaching Clinton, make him watch every Redskin game.

30. Philadelphia--Rhodes elevates Peete. Has to stoop down to tell him.