TODAY’S GAMES

ON TV

Oakland at Dallas

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Raiders 1-2; Cowboys 2-1.

* Story line: Losers at home last week against John Elway’s stand-in, Bubby Brister, the Raiders try their luck on the road against Troy Aikman’s understudy, Jason Garrett. Garrett was a winner against the New York Giants last Monday night in only the third start of his career. He got plenty of help from Deion Sanders, who returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown, set up a touchdown with a 55-yard reception and returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown.

* Line: Cowboys by 5

*

Green Bay at Carolina

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Packers 3-0; Panthers 0-2.

* Story line: If Brett Favre continues to complete nearly 70% of his passes, as he did in the first three weeks, the Packers should be able to survive without injured running back Dorsey Levens. Their defense, which slipped to seventh last season after leading the league in their Super Bowl championship season two years ago, has returned to form. It ranks first against the run, eighth against the pass and second overall.

* Line: Packers by 6 1/2

*

Atlanta at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Falcons 2-0; 49ers 2-0.

* Story line: The surprising Falcons have won eight of their last 10 games dating to last season. They’ve given up more than 17 points only once in their last seven and rank second in the league against the run. On the other hand, the 49ers have put together consecutive 500-yard games, Garrison Hearst has gone over 100 yards rushing two games in a row and Steve Young is off to the best two-game start of his career.

* Line: 49ers by 10 1/2

*

Cincinnati at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Bengals 1-2; Ravens 1-2.

* Story line: Eric Zeier, who relieved Jim Harbaugh in each of the Raven’s first three games, gets his first start after passing for 189 yards and a touchdown, with one interception, in last week’s loss to the Jaguars. The Bengals, meanwhile, hope to get their offense untracked after producing only two first-half field goals in last week’s 13-6 loss to the Packers.

* Line: Ravens by 5 1/2

THE REST

Arizona at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Cardinals 1-2; Rams 1-2.

* Story line: The Rams, offensively proficient but mistake-prone, have been one of the league’s most entertaining teams. Quarterback Tony Banks scored the game-winning touchdown against the Bills last week on a two-yard run with 11 seconds to play--a week after being stopped at the goal line in the final seconds of a loss to the Vikings. Cardinal quarterback Jake Plummer continues to struggle.

* Line: Rams by 3

*

Denver at Washington

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Broncos 3-0; Redskins 0-3.

* Story line: Even with John Elway limited, or even sidelined, because of a hamstring injury, the Broncos figure to be too much for the Redskins, who are off to their worst start since 1981, when they lost their first five games. Redskin quarterback Trent Green passed 54 times against the Seahawks last week, completing 27 for 383 yards and two touchdowns.

* Line: Broncos by 7

*

Jacksonville at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Jaguars 3-0; Oilers 1-2.

* Story line: The Oilers are in a difficult spot. “Not many 1-3 teams are going to make the playoffs,” said center Mark Stepnoski--and the Oilers will have to put up a big effort to avoid such a start. The Jaguars got a lift last week from top draft pick Fred Taylor, who subbed for injured tailback James Stewart and rushed for a team-record 128 yards in a 24-10 victory over the Ravens.

* Line: Jaguars by 3

*

Kansas City at Philadelphia

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Chiefs 2-1; Eagles 0-3.

* Story line: With Bobby Hoying doubtful because of a back injury, the hapless Eagles (15 points in three games) may send Rodney Peete against a defense that last week limited Charger phenom Ryan Leaf to one completion and four yards passing. For the Chiefs, Rich Gannon makes his third start in place of Elvis Grbac.

* Line: Chiefs by 8

*

New Orleans at Indianapolis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Saints 2-0; Colts 0-3.

* Story line: The Saints rushed for 207 yards against the Panthers two weeks ago, keeping the pressure off quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who completed 13 of 18 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in his first start. The Colts’ Peyton Manning would love such stats--and a victory.

* Line: Pick

*

Seattle at Pittsburgh

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Seahawks 3-0; Steelers 2-1.

* Story line: The Seahawks go for the first 4-0 start in their history behind a ferocious defense that already has 19 sacks. “I should be sitting down resting when the offense is off the field, but I’m not,” said Seahawk running back Ricky Watters. “I don’t want to miss what our defense is doing. It’s impressive.” The Steeler offense rested last week, producing only 200 yards in a 21-0 loss to the Dolphins as quarterback Kordell Stewart continued to struggle.

* Line: Steelers by 3

*

N.Y. Giants at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Giants 1-2; Chargers 2-1.

* Story line: Both teams are hurting after ugly losses last week. The Giants collapsed amid a rash of penalties and turnovers in a Monday night loss to the Cowboys and the Chargers were dominated by the Chiefs. Ryan Leaf misfired on his last 14 passes against the Chiefs and had five turnovers, including three fumbles.

* Line: Giants by 1

*

Minnesota at Chicago

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Vikings 3-0; Bears 0-3.

* Story line: They’re talking Super Bowl in Minneapolis, where the Vikings last week limited Barry Sanders, the NFL’s most feared running back, to only 24 yards after the first two series. The Bears have led at halftime in each of their games--and lost all three. Last week, they were up, 15-0, before losing to the Buccaneers, 27-15.

* Line: Vikings by 6 1/2