RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** Smash-mouth football

** Good for an end around

* Strictly fantasy fodder

*** New Orleans (7-2) at Atlanta (5-3-1), 10 a.m.: Despite rallying for an overtime tie against Pittsburgh last week, Falcons gave up a franchise-worst 645 yards. Now, they get to play the league’s most prolific offense. LINE: Atlanta by 3.

** Cleveland (4-5) at Cincinnati (1-8), 10 a.m.: From the desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures dept.: Cincinnati ticket scalpers took out radio ads this week offering deals on seats for this enticing matchup at below face value. LINE: Cleveland by 3 1/2.

** Dallas (3-6) at Indianapolis (5-4), 10 a.m.: The good news for Cowboys: They’ve given up only 35 points in their last three games. The bad news: They lost all three. LINE: Indianapolis by 7.

*** Buffalo (5-4) at Kansas City (4-5), 10 a.m., Channel 2: Against two of league’s best offenses, lightly regarded Chief defense shut out 49ers in the second half and gave up only one touchdown to the Raiders. Does Kansas City’s luck run out against a rested Drew Bledsoe? LINE: Kansas City by 3 1/2.

** Green Bay (8-1) at Minnesota (2-7), 10 a.m.: If the NFL’s parity label attaches itself to this game, then it should matter that in 10 Metrodome starts, Brett Favre-led teams have lost eight. Just trying to drum up some interest. LINE: Green Bay by 6 1/2.

** Washington (4-5) at New York Giants (5-4), 10 a.m., KNX (1070): Redskin linebacker Jesse Armstead, who was cut by the Giants in a salary-cap move, can’t let go. “When you have that red and blue in your veins, it’s hard to ever get that out of your system.” LINE: New York by 3 1/2.

** Arizona (4-5) at Philadelphia (6-3), 10 a.m.: Both teams are reeling -- the Cardinals more than the Eagles -- but Philadelphia fans can’t be happy to see Jake Plummer come to town. Five of Plummer’s 20 fourth-quarter comeback wins have been against the Eagles. LINE: Philadelphia by 11.

*** Pittsburgh (5-3-1) at Tennessee (5-4), 10 a.m.: Former division rivals meet in battle of division leaders -- the Steelers atop the AFC North and the Titans in the South. They are not definitely scheduled to play again until 2005. LINE: Pittsburgh by 3.

*** San Francisco (7-2) at San Diego (6-3), 1 p.m., Channel 11: As if Chargers needed more reason to worry that their season is unraveling, they haven’t beaten 49ers since 1982, when Dan Fouts was the Charger quarterback. LINE: San Francisco by 2 1/2.

** Carolina (3-6) at Tampa Bay (7-2), 1 p.m.: Carolina rookie Coach John Fox says, “We’re so close to being a good football team we can smell it.” Panthers will get their noses plugged this week by having to play on the road. LINE: Tampa Bay by 9.

*** Baltimore (4-5) at Miami (5-4), 1:15 p.m., KNX (1070): Remember Ricky Williams? The guy who averaged 131 yards in first three games, 69.5 in the last six? He guarantees Miami will make playoffs. Push had better start today. LINE: Miami by 4 1/2.

** New York Jets (4-5) at Detroit (3-6), 1:15 p.m.: Jets have stuck it to Miami and San Diego the last two weeks, but which New York team will show up? Plus, the Lions have won their last three at home after winning only two -- home or road -- all of last season. LINE: New York by 3.

* Jacksonville (4-5) at Houston (2-7), 1:15 p.m.: Dallas will have a rooting interest in this one. A Jaguar loss would be their second of the season to the expansion Texans, a fact Cowboys can point to when their fans bring up the season-opening, nationally televised embarrassment. LINE: Jacksonville by 6.

** Denver (6-3) at Seattle (3-6), 1:15 p.m., Channel 2: Is it possible the Broncos will come out slow again after their debacle against the Raiders on Monday night? Seahawk linebacker Orlando Huff thinks so: “Bring the wood because they don’t like to play physical.” LINE: Denver by 5.

**** New England (5-4) at Oakland (5-4), 5:30 p.m., ESPN, KMPC (1540), KLSX-FM (97.1): Revenge factor alone makes this must-see TV. You never want to anger Raider fans, but when they’ve had 10 months to ponder what happened in the New England snow in January, it’s scary. LINE: Oakland by 3 1/2.

** Chicago (2-7) at St. Louis (4-5), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7, KNX (1070): Everyone talks about Marc Bulger’s having led the Rams out of their 0-5 hole, but if Marshall Faulk can’t play because of ankle and tendon injuries, even the hard-luck Bears might take advantage. LINE: No line.

-- Jim Barrero