TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

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San Diego at Kansas City

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Chargers 2-0; Chiefs 1-1.

* Story line: The Chargers’ Ryan Leaf is the first rookie quarterback to start 2-0 since 1983, when John Elway did it for the Broncos. But he has yet to face a crowd like the one he’ll by trying to scream over today in Arrowhead Stadium or a defense with a pass rush as ferocious as the Chiefs’. For the Chiefs, Rich Gannon starts again in place of Elvis Grbac.

* Line: Chiefs by 10 1/2.

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Green Bay at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Packers 2-0; Bengals 1-1.

* Story line: The spotlight will shine even more brightly on Packer quarterback Brett Favre now that running back Dorsey Levens will be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a broken leg last week. Bengal quarterback Neil O’Donnell, who passed for 303 yards in an overtime victory over the Lions last week, has completed a league-high 72% of his passes.

* Line: Packers by 7.

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Denver at Oakland

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Broncos 2-0; Raiders 1-1.

* Story line: With John Elway perhaps out because of a strained right hamstring, the Broncos will rely even more heavily on running back Terrell Davis, who surprisingly has never rushed for 100 yards against the Raiders. The Raiders’ Napoleon Kaufman rushed for 227 yards against the Broncos in an upset victory last season.

* Line: None.

*

Philadelphia at Arizona

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Eagles 0-2, Cardinals 0-2.

* Story line: Two of the league’s three worst offenses square off in prime time. Jake Plummer’s quarterback rating of 54.6 is the worst in the NFL and the Cardinals are only five for 25 on third-down conversions. The Eagles, meanwhile, rank last in the league in passing and total offense, though quarterback Bobby Hoying played well against the Falcons.

* Line: Cardinals by 4 1/2.

THE REST

Detroit at Minnesota

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

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

* Story line: With Scott Mitchell demoted to third string, the Lions’ rookie quarterback, Charlie Batch, makes his first NFL start in one of the league’s loudest stadiums. For the Vikings, Randall Cunningham replaces the injured Brad Johnson.

* Line: Vikings by 6 1/2.

*

Indianapolis at New York Jets

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Colts 0-2; Jets 0-2.

* Story line: The Colts’ Peyton Manning has struggled mightily, with six interceptions in two games. The Jets, though, would love to have him. Instead, they have Glenn Foley and Vinny Testaverde. Making matters worse, the Jets are having trouble running the ball too.

* Line: Jets by 9.

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Pittsburgh at Miami

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Steelers 2-0; Dolphins 2-0.

* Story line: His team might be unbeaten, but the Steelers’ Kordell Stewart has yet to get hot. Same goes for the Dolphins’ offense, which will be tested against the Steelers’ blitzing defense. Dan Marino has thrown only 50 passes in two games as Jimmy Johnson emphasizes the run, but will he air it out against a Steeler defense that’s giving up 227 passing yards a game?

* Line: Dolphins by 2 1/2.

*

St. Louis at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Rams 0-2; Bills 0-2.

* Story line: Ram Coach Dick Vermeil and his players kissed and made up after a midweek mutiny threat by the players, but will more losing rip them apart? Ram quarterback Tony Banks had four passes intercepted last week. For the Bills, former USC quarterback Rob Johnson needs to improve or risk losing his job to Doug Flutie.

* Line: Bills by 4 1/2.

*

Tennessee at New England

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Oilers 1-1; Patriots 1-1.

* Story line: The Patriots have yet to establish a running game to take the pressure off Drew Bledsoe, but that might not matter today. The Oilers’ Steve McNair passed for 173 yards and a touchdown last week against the Chargers, but Eddie George gained only 15 yards in 11 carries, matching the worst performance of his career.

* Line: Patriots by 6 1/2.

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Washington at Seattle

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Redskins 0-2; Seahawks 2-0.

* Story line: Blown out by the 49ers last Monday night at home, the Redskins face a Seahawk defense that has forced seven turnovers in two games. Trent Green made the first start of his career against the 49ers and played well, completing 14 of 25 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown. Ricky Watters’ first 100-yard rushing game for the Seahawks last week against the Cardinals was the 22nd of his career.

* Line: Seahawks by 8 1/2.

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Chicago at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Bears 0-2; Buccaneers 0-2.

* Story line: After playing all of their exhibition games and their first two regular-season games on the road, the Buccaneers finally play for the first time in their new stadium. Trent Dilfer is hoping he’s not sacked six times, as he was last week against the Packers. The Bears’ Curtis Enis is fifth in the NFC with 171 yards rushing.

* Line: Buccaneers by 7 1/2.

*

Baltimore at Jacksonville

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Ravens 1-1; Jaguars 2-0.

* Story line: All four games between these teams have been decided by three points or fewer, with the Jaguars winning all four. The Jaguars seem to have found a consistent runner in James Stewart, who last week became the team’s first running back with consecutive 100-yard games. Raven quarterbacks Jim Harbaugh and Eric Zeier are bothered by nagging injuries.

* Line: Jaguars by 6 1/2.