GAME OF THE WEEK

Detroit (8-4) at Tampa Bay (8-4). Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Shaun King started his first game Monday night and the Buccaneers got a confidence booster with a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Add to that a strong Buccaneer defense and it figures to be the Lions who are in for the tough match. The line: Tampa Bay by 4.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Arizona (6-6) at Washington (7-5). The Redskins are hanging on to a slim lead in the NFC East. Their chances of winning the division title would be better if they could hang on to opposing ballcarriers. Washington is last in the NFC in total defense. Look for the Cardinals to take advantage of the Redskins’ shoddy play. The line: Washington by 5 1/2.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Miami Dolphin receiver Tony Martin. Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino, so angry after last week’s last-second loss to the Indianapolis Colts that he took it out on the media, will vent his frustration this week on the New York Jets, 15th among the 16 AFC teams in pass defense. And when Marino gets mad, Martin gets the ball.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

New England Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Not everyone can qualify in this category, but Bledsoe has prepared for it by throwing 11 interceptions and only four touchdown passes over the last four games. Now he must come to Indianapolis this week to play a Colt team that has won eight in a row.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Look for the New Orleans Saints, who play the St. Louis Rams, to continue their losing ways--and for Coach Mike Ditka to remain defiant. “If you think there’s any one way that any person is going to come in and this thing is going to get better tomorrow, it’s impossible,” he said this week. “It doesn’t matter who it is. It could be Knute Rockne, George Halas--it’s not going to happen.”

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

Injuries are unavoidable in the NFL. “Some of these things happen because it’s a collision sport,” said trainer Ronnie Barnes, who has been with the New York Giants since 1976. “You drive your car on the highway every day and one day someone pulls out in front of you. . . . It’s beyond your control.”

AND FINALLY

Because of an extra exhibition game and no bye until Week 17, the Cleveland Browns will become the first NFL team in the 1990s to play a game in 21 consecutive weeks. Has the grind hurt? “Oh, man, ain’t no doubt about that,” safety Corey Fuller said. “I’m tired.”

ON TV

* Carolina at Green Bay, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

Durable quarterbacks Steve Beuerlein and Brett Favre meet in a game the Packers need.

Line: Green Bay by 8.

* Miami at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Ch. 2

Dolphins need to start winning; Jets may have bottomed out in embarrassing loss to Giants.

Line: Miami by 3.

* Detroit at Tampa Bay, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

Lions may be better without Sanders; Buccaneers definitely better without Dilfer.

Line: Tampa Bay by 4.

* Minnesota at Kansas City, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Vikings looked like threat to Rams in NFC before loss to Buccaneers; Chiefs on the rise.

Line: Kansas City by 1.

* Denver at Jacksonville, Mon., 6 p.m., Ch. 7

Jaguars have played one team with a winning record--and lost to the Titans.

Line: Jacksonville by 9.

THE REST

Arizona at Washington, 10 a.m.

Line: Washington by 5 1/2.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2.

Cleveland at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Cincinnati by 7.

New England at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Indianapolis by 7.

New York Giants at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Line: Buffalo by 8.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 10 a.m.

Line: Dallas by 9.

St. Louis at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Line: St. Louis by 10 1/2.

San Diego at Seattle, 1 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 9 1/2.

Atlanta at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Atlanta by 3.