WEEK 2 PRIMER

GAME OF THE WEEK

Arizona (1-0) at Miami (1-0). The Dolphins have the fastest defense in the league, but can they catch a slippery Jake Plummer, who has already replaced John Elway as the league’s comeback king? Eagles ran for 130 yards against Arizona, and Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson will try to jam the ball down Cardinals’ throats. The Line: Miami by 9.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

New York Jets (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1). The Jets are finished, having lost Vinny Testaverde for the season, but there’s a theory in sports that when a team loses its top player, it rallies to play over its head in the next outing, then falls apart the rest of the way. That’s the theory. Upset Record: 0-1. The Line: Buffalo by 4.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe. This could be the first of many Bledsoe-Peyton Manning shootouts. Bledsoe has yet to establish himself as a superstar, but against the Colts he’s a Hall of Famer with 11 touchdowns and one interception. Last week’s choice: A gold star. Washington’s Brad Johnson led all passers with 382 yards and two touchdowns.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Bear quarterbacks Shane Matthews and Cade McNown. NFL tradition dictates that a slug cannot play over his head two consecutive weeks, which dooms Matthews. The handicapped parker McNown, left, will throw the ball to Shawn Springs, who plays for Seattle. Last week’s choice: A gold star. New York Giant quarterback Kent Graham threw for 91 yards.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Miami domination. The Dolphins are 25-9 in September in the ‘90s--the NFL’s best mark. They have won 14 of last 17 at home, and last five home openers. And Coach Jimmy Johnson has won his last eight meetings with the Cardinals.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

It doesn’t make any sense. There was an average of 47.3 points scored opening weekend--the most since 1968--and there isn’t much more than a handful of light-it-up quarterbacks these days. The defenses should be dominating against the likes of Kurt Warner, Doug Pederson, Matthews, Ty Detmer, Billy Joe Hobert and Trent Dilfer.

AND FINALLY

Imagine the slap in the face to Barry Sanders if the Lions stun the Packers and open the season 2-0. And it’s not that farfetched. Brett Favre has thrown 16 interceptions in his six games in the Silverdome, and the Lions have won five of those. Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch completed 16 of 19 passes against the Packers last year. Barry who?

ON TV

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

Raiders let victory get away last week and could be a mess dealing with Moss.

Line: Minnesota by 11.

* New Orleans at San Francisco, 1 p.m., Ch. 11

Would be so much more fun to watch if Saints’ Ricky Williams was healthy.

Line: San Francisco by 10 1/2.

* Denver at Kansas City, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2

Two-time champion Broncos could be 0-2, but then again, they are playing lowly Chiefs.

Line: Denver by 3 1/2.

* N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Both teams made playoffs last year, but loser in this one will be in 0-2 hole.

Line: Buffalo by 4.

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

Chandler, Lett, Sanders, Johnston . . . both teams losing players by the minute.

Line: Dallas by 6 1/2.

TV game comments from Times staff

THE REST

* Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Line: Pittsburgh by 2 1/2

* Jacksonville at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Line: Jacksonville by 9 1/2

* Seattle at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: Seattle by 3 1/2

* San Diego at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: Cincinnati by 1

* Green Bay at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Line: Green Bay by 6

* Indianapolis at New England, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 4

* Washington at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

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

* Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Line: Tampa Bay by 6 1/2

* Cleveland at Tennessee, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Tennessee by 16