GAME OF THE WEEK

Seattle (3-1) at San Diego (3-1): This is not a joke. Repeat--this is not a joke. The Chargers are playing a big game because they have an easy schedule, John Elway retired and Mike Shanahan’s ego turned him toward Brian Griese, and because the rest of the NFL has gone haywire. The Seahawks have Jon Kitna, and isn’t that exciting? Line: Seattle by 1 1/2.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Atlanta (1-4) over St. Louis (4-0): The upset of all upsets. The Rams are fat and sassy and have already beaten the Falcons by 28 points this season, but Dan Reeves knows how to put a team with less talent in position to win. Kurt Warner looks like the real deal, but how will he react, knowing his next pass might determine victory or defeat? Record: 1-4. Line: No line.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis. Time for the Bus to get rolling. In one of the great mysteries of the year, the tough-minded Bill Cowher has allowed his team to play finesse football. The Steelers have lost 10 of their last 14 games, reason enough for Cowher to reflect on what earned him such rave reviews earlier in his career.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Chicago quarterback Cade McNown. McNown, pronounced the most ready to play in the NFL in draft previews by most scouts, has been getting time each week and now starts in place of Shane Matthews, who went down with a hamstring injury. His team is favored by a touchdown over the inept Eagles, but McNown tries too hard to impress and Philadelphia scores on defense to win.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Look for more close games in a topsy-turvy season in which last year’s Super Bowl participants are treading water and the St. Louis Rams are the talk of the league. Ten games last week were decided by three points or fewer, the most ever in an NFL weekend, topping the previous record of eight.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

The Washington Redskins are an offensive power. Led by quarterback Brad Johnson, whose passer rating ranks second in the NFL behind only Kurt Warner’s, the Redskins have scored 150 points in four games, nearly half the 319 they scored last season in 16.

AND FINALLY

You know that Dan Marino is getting on in years when, for his 38th birthday last month, his family gives him CDs of “the old stuff I used to listen to--Styx, Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival.” At least Santana is back on the charts, so perhaps Marino’s musical heroes aren’t all unknown to his teammates.

ON TV

* Oakland at Buffalo, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

Doug Flutie takes on a team that has lost three games by a total of eight points.

Line: Buffalo by 3 1/2.

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

Who would have guessed that Rams would be in position for a sweep of the NFC champions?

Line: No line.

* Carolina at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 11

George Seifert returns to San Francisco to see for himself what’s happened to the 49ers.

Line: San Francisco by 5.

* Washington at Arizona, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

The Redskins have given up more yards than any other team, but their offense rocks.

Line: Washington by 3.

* Dallas at N.Y. Giants, Monday, 6 p.m., Ch. 7

The Cowboys showed in Philadelphia that they’re capable of losing to anybody.

Line: Dallas by 3.

THE REST

Cleveland at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Line: Jacksonville by 17 1/2.

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

Line: Indianapolis by 2 1/2.

Miami at New England, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 2.

Minnesota at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Line: Minnesota by 3 1/2.

Philadelphia at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: Chicago by 6 1/2.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Pittsburgh by 5.

Tennessee at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Line: Tennessee by 3.

Seattle at San Diego, 1 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 1 1/2.

Green Bay at Denver, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Green Bay by 3 1/2.