TODAYS GAMES

ON TV

Detroit at Green Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Last year’s records: Lions 9-7; Packers 13-3.

* Story line: Travis Jervey will likely start at running back for the Packers, and Dorsey Levens will get a few carries. Otherwise, you know what you’re getting with the Packer offense: A three-time MVP quarterback, two stellar receivers and a great tight end. That’s a pretty stout test for the Lions’ still-inexperienced secondary.

* The line: Packers by 9 1/2.

*

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Last year’s records: Steelers 11-5; Ravens 6-9-1.

* Story line: The Steelers did some last-minute shuffling on the offensive line, which is never a good sign. Also, the running game could struggle early without outstanding fullback Tim Lester, who will be out for the season’s first six games. Jerome Bettis had a horrible preseason, but he’ll surely shore up his game.

* The line: Steelers by 3.

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New York at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Last year’s records: Jets 9-7; 49ers 13-3.

* Story line: The focus will be on the offensive line, specifically tackles Dave Fiore and Derrick Deese. Both were forced into starting roles because of injuries, but they played surprisingly well in the preseason. Fortunately for the 49ers, the Jets’ pass rush isn’t going to scare anybody this season.

* The line: 49ers by 7 1/2.

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Oakland at Kansas City

* Kickoff: 5:20 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Last year’s record: Raiders 4-12; Chiefs 13-3.

* Story line: Look for quarterback Elvis Grbac to hand the ball to . . . to . . . to . . . well, Marcus Allen has retired and Greg Hill wasn’t invited back, so the feature back position goes--by default--to Donnell Bennett. Fullback Kimble Anders will have his workload increased, but his specialty is still catching the ball. For a team that has Super Bowl aspirations, it is amazing that this situation was overlooked until the season started. The passing game is in better shape. Receivers Andre Rison, Derrick Alexander and Kevin Lockett will be fine. Tony Gonzalez is a physically gifted tight end who should be tough to defend.

* The line: Chiefs by 7 1/2.

THE REST

Atlanta at Carolina

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Falcons 7-9; Panthers 7-9.

* Story line: One of the snoozers of Week 1 pits the two teams most likely to finish second in the NFC West, which says it all about that division. The Falcons’ passing game has a slightly new look this season, as the primary receiver is Tony Martin instead of Bert Emanuel. The key, really, to this offense is oft-injured quarterback Chris Chandler. If he’s healthy, Atlanta can compete with most teams.

* The line: Panthers by 4 1/2.

* Jacksonville at Chicago

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Jaguars 11-5; Bears 4-12.

* Story line: Should be little more than a glorified walk-through for the Jaguars, who play the Chiefs in Week 2. Jacksonville could have the best offense in the league. Quarterback Mark Brunell and the team’s No. 1 unit was a steamroller in the preseason, scoring six touchdowns on 11 possessions with five drives of at least 68 yards. Running back James Stewart was a pleasant surprise, handily beating out first-round pick Fred Taylor for the starting job.

* The line: Jaguars by 10.

*

New Orleans at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Saints 6-10; Rams 5-11.

* Story line: The Saints, with probably the least-appealing offense in football, will do everything in their power to try to control the ball. Don’t look for too much fancy stuff. Just a lot of grind-it-out plays behind standout left tackle William Roaf.

* The line: Rams by 4.

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Seattle at Philadelphia

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Seahawks 8-8; Eagles 6-9-1.

* Story line: All eyes will be on running back Ricky Watters, who opens the season against his former team. Running behind a good offensive line, he should have plenty of success. However, the Eagles’ strength is at linebacker.

* The line: Seahawks by 4.

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Tampa Bay at Minnesota

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Buccaneers 10-6; Vikings 9-7.

* Story line: The quest to knock the Packers off their three-year perch at the top of the NFC Central starts in Week 1, as the division’s top two up-and-comers meet at the Metrodome. The Vikings will throw what, barring injuries, could be one of the league’s best offenses at what should be one of the league’s best defenses.

* The line: Vikings by 3.

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Tennessee at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Oilers 8-8; Bengals 7-9.

* Story line: Quarterback Neil O’Donnell picked up the Bengals’ offense quickly in the preseason, making him the clear-cut starting quarterback. He’ll benefit from a healthy offensive line, second-year running back Corey Dillon and good receivers in Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott.

* The line: Bengals by 1.

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Washington at New York

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Last year’s records: Redskins 8-7-1; Giants 10-5-1.

* Story line: This game should mirror the NFC East race: solid football with no clear-cut winner until the end, where Washington’s talent wins out. The Redskins feature a ball-control offense. Terry Allen and Skip Hicks are solid, though unspectacular, runners.

* The line: Giants by 2 1/2.

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Arizona at Dallas

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Last year’s records: Cardinals 4-12; Cowboys 6-10.

* Story line: All of the NFL will be watching the Cowboys closely, as much of the off-season talk has been on Chan Gailey’s reworking of the offense, Among the changes: a variety of wide receiver sets and quarterback Troy Aikman operating out of the shotgun on obvious pass plays.

* The line: Cowboys by 5 1/2.

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Buffalo at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Last year’s records: Bills 6-10; Chargers 4-12.

* Story line: Both teams gave up a lot to get a new starting quarterback for 1998--Rob Johnson for the Bills, Ryan Leaf for the Chargers--and it’s doubtful that coaches and fans will be too patient with their new franchise players.

* The line: San Diego by 1 1/2

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Miami at Indianapolis

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Last year’s records: Dolphins 9-7; Colts 3-13.

* Story line: This will be one of the more closely scrutinized matchups of Week 1, as top draft pick Peyton Manning makes his debut.

* The line: Dolphins by 3 1/2