GAME OF THE WEEK

Washington (4-1) at Dallas (3-2)--Cowboys rallied to defeat the Redskins, 41-35 in overtime, after Washington had scored 35 points and lost two fumbles inside the Dallas five-yard line in the first three quarters. Dallas win gives the Cowboys the tie-breaking edge in NFC East. Washington win gives Redskins two-game lead in the division. The line: Dallas by 2.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Washington over Dallas. Redskin Coach Norv Turner is fighting to keep his job, and has the weapons to open the game up against a team that cannot afford to get into a high-scoring contest. The Redskins rank No. 2 in the NFL in scoring behind St. Louis. The Cowboys have given up 75 points in five games, 40 in the last four.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Minnesota quarterback Jeff George. The Vikings believe this game provides a fresh start, switching from Randall Cunningham to George. Playing against the 49ers’ secondary doesn’t hurt, which has given up an NFL-high 15 touchdown passes. San Francisco has given up 167 points, second worst in the league behind Cincinnati’s 169.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Seattle quarterback Jon Kitna. He’s home, and he’s thrown only two interceptions, but Coach Mike Holmgren is going to grow impatient, and instead of short passes to the sideline, he’s going to ask him to throw the ball down the field. The Seahawk running game won’t help. Seattle is the only team in the league without a touchdown rushing.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Look for players to continue to rise from obscurity. Five former NFL Europe quarterbacks--Damon Huard of the Miami Dolphins, Jay Fielder of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brad Johnson of Washington Redskins, Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams--led their teams to victories last week.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

The St. Louis Rams have been the league’s biggest surprise. They have outscored their first five opponents by 123 points, the fourth-largest point differential in NFL history for a 5-0 team. Only the 1921 Buffalo All-Americans, the 1941 Chicago Bears and the 1968 Dallas Cowboys outscored their first five opponents by wider margins.

AND FINALLY

With his next victory, Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys will become the winningest starting quarterback of any decade. Aikman has won 86 games in the 1990s, the same number that Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers won in the ‘80s.

ON TV

* Denver at New England, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

The Patriots have gone cold, while the Broncos--and Brian Griese--have caught fire.

Line: New England by 3 1/2.

* San Francisco at Minnesota, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

Looked like a great matchup in August, but teams have combined for seven losses already.

Line: Minnesota by 7.

* New York Jets at Oakland, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Rick Mirer faces Raiders, who haven’t played a game decided by more than a touchdown.

Line: Oakland by 6 1/2.

* Atlanta at Pittsburgh, Monday, 6 p.m., Ch. 7

The Steelers have been erratic, defending NFC champion Falcons have been awful.

Line: Pittsburgh by 5 1/2.

THE REST

Chicago at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Line: Tampa Bay by 8.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Line: Indianapolis by 10 1/2.

Cleveland at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Line: St. Louis by 19.

Detroit at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Line: Carolina by 4 1/2.

New Orleans at New York Giants, 10 a.m.

Line: New York by 3.

Philadelphia at Miami, 10 a.m.

Line: No line.

Washington at Dallas, 10 a.m.

Line: Dallas by 2.

Green Bay at San Diego, 1 p.m.

Line: Green Bay by 3.

Buffalo at Seattle, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Seattle by 2 1/2.