WEEK 2 PRIMER

GAME OF THE WEEK

Dallas (1-0) at Denver (1-0). Dallas’ big three of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin might find some success in Mile High, but Chan Gailey, former Bronco assistant and now no-name Dallas coach, gets his first “Are the Cowboys for real?” test. The answer, of course, is no.

Line: Denver by 7 1/2

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Tampa Bay over Green Bay. The Buccaneers spent their off-season trying to improve enough to defeat the Packers. They weren’t good enough to topple Minnesota, but maybe Minnesota’s better than Green Bay too. Tampa Bay can’t win in a slugfest, but if the defense plays to form, it can prevail, 20-17.

Line: Green Bay by 7 1/2. Record to date: 0-1

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis. Bettis was held to 41 yards in 23 carries last week at Baltimore--his lowest total since moving from the Rams to the Steelers. The Bears played way over their heads against the Jaguars, lost, 24-23, and if they’re not demoralized, will be after getting run over by the bus.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

New York Giant quarterback Danny Kanell. Picked the right game for the potential stiff last week, but the wrong quarterback with Washington’s Gus Frerotte falling apart. Everyone beats the Raider defensive backs, but rookie Charles Woodson, beaten badly last week, makes his home debut and should get a jump on Kanell’s rag arm.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Note to the 15 teams with 0-1 records: don’t go 0-2. Sixteen teams have gone 0-2 the last two years. Only New England has made the playoffs.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

The Giants have played 73 consecutive games without a quarterback throwing for 300 yards--something Peyton Manning did in his first NFL game. Since Phil Simms threw for 337 yards on Nov. 28, 1993, against Arizona, there have been 256 games in which NFL quarterbacks have thrown for more than 300.

AND FINALLY

Hall of Fame representatives will no doubt be in attendance when Danny Wuerffel starts at quarterback for New Orleans, ready to accept the football if the Saints score. In Wuerffel’s two other starts, the Saints were shut out, 13-0 by Carolina and 23-0 by San Francisco.

ON TV

* Kansas City at Jacksonville, 10 a.m., Channel 2

Jaguars, after struggling to beat Bad News Bears, face bad-to-the-bone Chiefs.

Line: Jacksonville by 4

* Tampa Bay at Green Bay, 10 a.m., Channel 11

Burned by Randy Moss, Buccaneer defense faces another streaker in Antonio Freeman.

Line: Green Bay by 7 1/2

* Dallas at Denver, 1:15 p.m., Channel 11

Game at Mile High won’t be the Gailey affair the Cowboys had in Dallas in Week 1.

Line: Denver by 7 1/2

* Indianapolis at New England, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Patriots can’t beat John Elway, but they can beat up on rookie quarterback Peyton Manning.

Line: New England by 10 1/2

THE REST

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Line: Atlanta by 8 1/2

Baltimore at New York Jets, 10 a.m.

Line: New York Jets by 6.

Buffalo at Miami, 10 a.m.

Line: Miami by 7 1/2

Carolina at New Orleans, 10 p.m.

Line: Carolina by 4.

Chicago at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Line: Pittsburgh by 11 1/2.

Cincinnati at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Line: Detroit by 7.

Minnesota at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Line: Minnesota by 7 1/2

San Diego at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Line: Tennessee by 7 1/2

Arizona at Seattle, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 8.

New York Giants at Oakland, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Oakland by 2.

San Fran. at Washington, Mon., 5:15 p.m., Ch. 7

Line: San Francisco by 4 1/2.

*

TV game comments from Times staff

SIMERS’ RANKINGS: TOP 5

1. Kansas City

Lots of injuries, but Schottenheimer will figure a way to win.

2. Denver

Elway’s farewell tour begins with his saying he might come back.

3. San Francisco

49ers are going to Washington; DeBartolo, Clinton swap stories.

4. Green Bay

Packers veto starting Rick Mirer to make it an even contest against Trent Dilfer.

5. Minnesota

Network pregame hype this wek could be called “The Randy Moss Show.”

SIMERS’ RANKINGS: BOTTOM 5

26. Indianapolis

Faulk left, Faulk right, now third and eight and Manning has to pass.

27. Oakland

See what happens when Al Davis leaves a coach all alone?

28. St. Louis

Who burns out first? Vermeil or paying customers?

29. Chicago

Rookie Curtis Enis says he’s too tired to play on; what would Ditka have said?

30. Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love, come one, come all and pad your record.