RATING THE GAMES

*--* **** Makings of a classic *** Smash-mouth football ** Good for an end around * Strictly fantasy fodder *** New York Jets (1-1) at Miami (2-0), 10 a.m.: After eight consecutive losses to Jets, “It’s time to change the number,” as Dolphin Larry Chester says. LINE: Miami by 6 ** Cleveland (1-1) at Tennessee (1-1), 10 a.m.: Butch Davis closed Brown practices this week to keep this week’s helmet-thrower a secret. LINE: Tennessee by 4 **** New Orleans (2-0) at Chicago (2-0), 10 a.m.: Only matchup of unbeatens. OK, so it’s not Week 16 we’re talking about. LINE: Pick ** Dallas (1-1) at Philadelphia (1-1), 10 a.m., Channel 11: A friendly reminder to Quincy Carter: Troy Aikman was sacked 11 times in his first game against Eagles. LINE: Philadelphia by 9 * Indianapolis (1-1) at Houston (1-1), 10 a.m.: Only hope for Texans is Vic Fangio. Former Colt defensive coordinator now holds same post in Houston. LINE: Indianapolis by 11 1/2 *** Kansas City (1-1) at New England (2-0), 10 a.m., KNX (1070): As underdogs, Patriots have won two games by a combined 53 points. LINE: New England by 9 * Carolina (2-0) at Minnesota (0-2), 10 a.m.: On paper, Vikings shouldn’t be much of an obstacle on Panthers’ path toward a perfect season. LINE: Minnesota by 6 *** Buffalo (1-1) at Denver (2-0), 1 p.m.: After Kurt Warner and Jeff Garcia, does Broncos’ luck run out against Drew Bledsoe? LINE: Denver by 9 ** San Diego (2-0) at Arizona (1-1), 1 p.m., Channel 2: Rumor has it that the winner gets to move to Los Angeles next season. LINE: San Diego by 1 1/2 * Green Bay (1-1) at Detroit (0-2), 1:15 p.m.: Is Mike McMahon to Joey Harrington the same as going from a Pontiac (Silverdome) to a Ford (Field)? LINE: Green Bay by 8 ** Seattle (0-2) at New York Giants (1-1), 1:15 p.m.: Sobering fact: Kerry Collins has thrown for more than 300 yards in five consecutive regular-season games. LINE: New York by 6 *** Washington (1-1) at San Francisco (1-1), 1:15 p.m., Channel 11, KNX (1070), XTRA (690): Memories of Osaka still fresh for Steve Mariucci and 49ers, no matter what they say. LINE: San Francisco by 9 * Cincinnati (0-2) at Atlanta (0-2), 5:30 p.m., ESPN: It’s only Week 3 and the network gets stuck with this bomb. Who’s the dirty bird who bungled this one? LINE: Atlanta by 7 *** St. Louis (0-2) at Tampa Bay (1-1), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7: Wonder how Jon Gruden feels about being an underdog at home on Monday night. LINE: St. Louis by 2 1/2 Open date: Pittsburgh, Oakland, Jacksonville, Baltimore

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