GAME OF THE WEEK

Indianapolis (9-2) at Miami (8-3). If Dan Marino’s right arm were at full strength, this would have the potential of being a great game. But with Marino apparently still hurting and the Dolphins depending on rookie J.J. Johnson to carry the ball, this figures to only be a great game for the Colts. Line: Miami by 2.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Dallas (6-5) at New England (6-5). A team on a nice roll visits a team on a downward spiral. The only thing that’s hard to figure is why the oddsmakers like New England. Quarterback Troy Aikman returned to the Cowboys last week in midseason form and the Dallas defense is coming off a shutout of the Dolphins. Line: New England by 2 1/2.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Receiver Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers. Remember him? No, he’s not in the Hall of Fame yet. He’s still playing, though you have to wonder why, considering he’s 37 and his team has collapsed around him. Because of weeks like this, that’s why. Against a weak Cincinnati Bengal defense, Rice gets one more day in the sun.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Quarterback Shaun King of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This rookie’s long-range potential may be promising. Not so his immediate future. Because Trent Dilfer has a broken collarbone, King gets thrown into the glaring spotlight of “Monday Night Football” against the Vikings. Coach Tony Dungy will try to limit King’s workload, but even a little may prove too much.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Look for the San Francisco 49ers to lose their eighth in a row, matching their longest losing streak since 1980. “It’s like we’re a wounded shark,” safety Tim McDonald said. “We’ve been a shark just riding around in the water, eating up everybody. All of a sudden, we get wounded and everybody is all over us. They’re trying to get us. They’re trying to pound it in, so every week is a challenge.”

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

Though he won’t start Sunday, Gus Frerotte of the Detroit Lions would love to get a shot at the Washington Redskins, who released the quarterback last winter. “Everybody knows where I came from,” he said. “And that I’d love to show the Redskins, ‘Hey, look, this is what you passed up.’ ”

AND FINALLY

Through 12 weeks, 129 plays have been reviewed by instant replay and only 36 have been overturned. That’s far fewer than one challenge a game for the 173 games played. Of the 129 challenges, 86 came from the coaches and 43 from the replay official.

ON TV

* Indianapolis at Miami, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

Colts have won seven in a row since Marino rallied Dolphins to 34-31 victory Oct. 10.

Line: Miami by 2.

* St. Louis at Carolina, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

Rams can clinch division title, but Panthers are hoping to climb into wild-card race.

Line: St. Louis by 7.

* Seattle at Oakland, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Kitna went ka-boom against Buccaneers, but Seahawks have won five of six.

Line: None.

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

The Patriots are reeling into the stretch, but Cowboys have lost five in a row on road.

Line: New England by 2 1/2.

* Minnesota at Tampa Bay, Monday, 6 p.m., Ch. 7

Can Buccaneers win with a rookie quarterback in showdown against NFC’s hottest team?

Line: Minnesota by 2 1/2.

THE REST

Green Bay at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: Green Bay by 4.

New Orleans at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Line: Atlanta by 4.

N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

Line: N.Y. Jets by 2 1/2.

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Cincinnati by 3 1/2.

Tennessee at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Line: Tennessee by 3 1/2.

Washington at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Line: Detroit by 3 1/2.

Philadelphia at Arizona, 1 p.m.

Line: Arizona by 7.

Cleveland at San Diego, 1:15 p.m.

Line: San Diego by 7 1/2.

Kansas City at Denver, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Denver by 4.