ON TV

Baltimore at Green Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Ravens 2-4; Packers 4-2.

* Story line: The Packers have lost two in a row. The Packers haven’t been able to get a running game going. The Packers have seen their cornerbacks exposed. The Packers have endured nine interceptions in three games from Brett Favre. But the Ravens might be just the medicine the Packers need. They, too, have lost two straight and are a desperate team. The Ravens’ desperation won’t be enough to beat the Packers on the road.

* Line: Packers by 10 1/2

San Francisco at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Ch. 11.

* Records: 49ers 5-1; Rams 2-4.

* Story line: The Rams have lost 15 straight against the 49ers, and there is little reason to believe the streak will end here. The 49ers’ offense has been no less than incredible, and it should continue to steamroll against the Rams. The Rams’ offense has been typically inconsistent with erratic Tony Banks at quarterback. The 49ers have to hope new cornerback starter Marquez Pope is healthy enough to cover speedy Isaac Bruce.

* The line: 49ers by 9.

Jacksonville at Denver

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Ch. 2.

* Records: Jaguars 5-1; Broncos 6-0.

* Story line: This has quickly become an excellent rivalry. The Broncos still have it out for the Jaguars after being upset by them in the 1996 playoffs. The Jaguars will benefit from the expected return of Fred Taylor. Last year Terrell Davis ran wild on the Jaguars, but that isn’t as likely to happen this year now that the Jaguars are healthier up front. The Jaguars might be more dangerous now that they were slapped back to reality by the Bills last week. But that still doesn’t make them dangerous enough to beat the Broncos at Mile High Stadium.

* The line: Broncos by 8.

Buffalo vs. Carolina

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Bills 3-3, Panthers 0-6.

* Story line: After their upset of the Jaguars, the Bills could be ripe for being upset themselves. Although they have been losing, the Panthers have been playing teams tough. The Bills will try to get some more magic out of Doug Flutie. There could be a number of sacks in this game, as it pits two pretty good pass rushing teams (the Bills feature Bruce Smith and the Panthers feature NFL sack leader Kevin Greene) against lousy offensive lines.

* The line: Panthers by 2.

The Rest

Minnesota at Detroit

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Vikings 6-0; Lions 2-4.

* Story line: At some point, the Randall Cunningham balloon has to burst. Doesn’t it? It might not be this week, because the Lions have been vulnerable against the pass, and their pass rush has been inconsistent. The last time these teams met in September, the Vikings’ pass rush gave Charlie Batch, then a first-time starter, fits. But Batch has gained more confidence since that time. Barry Sanders usually has big games against the Vikings, and if he puts a hurt on the Vikings this time, an upset could occur.

* The line: Vikings by 5 1/2.

New England at Miami

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Patriots 4-2; Dolphins 4-2.

* Story line: The Dolphins built their whole off-season around getting past the Patriots, as they changed their offense in part because of how they couldn’t score enough against the them in the playoffs last season. The offense might not have to score much, however, because the Dolphins’ defense has been outstanding at Pro Player Stadium. But the Dolphins haven’t hosted a team with the kind of offensive firepower the Patriots have.

* The line: Dolphins by 1.

Falcons at Jets

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Falcons 5-1; Jets 3-3.

* Story line: The up-and-down Jets could be in for a letdown following an emotional Monday night victory over the Patriots. Say this for the Jets--they clearly have been a better team with Vinny Testaverde under center. And speaking of the quarterback position, the Falcons might be without Chris Chandler, who has been one of the league’s best quarterbacks thus far.

* The line: Jets by 6.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Buccaneers 3-3; Saints 3-3.

* Story line: The Buccaneers have won three of four; the Saints have lost three straight. There seems to be little doubt of the direction of these two teams. The Saints are committing too many penalties, getting physically beat and being passed into submission. Coach Mike Ditka decided to go with Billy Joe Tolliver at quarterback again this week, but it’s probably going to be only a matter of time before Kerry Collins takes over.

* The line: Buccaneers by 3.

Chicago at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Bears 2-5; Oilers 3-3.

* Story line: The Oilers are 3-3 and the Bears are 2-5, but both teams are feeling pretty good about themselves. Mistake. The Oilers routed the Bengals, 44-14, a week ago, but still must be considered inconsistent offensively. The Bears have won two of three, but have yet to shake a disturbing penchant for turnovers.

* The line: Oilers by 6.

Cincinnati at Oakland

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Bengals 2-4; Raiders 4-2.

* Story line: This game would be a lot easier to pick if the Raiders had quarterback Jeff George healthy, but George is sitting out another week. Former Bengal Donald Hollas replaces him, and if he performs like he did two weeks ago against the Chargers in his only start of the season, the Raiders will crash and burn. The Raiders will try to run the ball a ton against the Bengals’ soft defense.

* The line: Raiders by 2 1/2.

Seattle at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Seahawks 3-3; Chargers 3-4.

* Story line: The Chargers might start playing better as a result of the switch to June Jones as head coach. Jones has simplified the offense and will rely on the running game more in an effort to take some pressure off rookie quarterback Ryan Leaf. But the blitz-happy Seahawks won’t comply, as they’ll try to knock Leaf into Tijuana against the Chargers’ depleted offensive line.

* The line: Seahawks by 6 1/2.