RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** No remote needed

** Good to keep checking

* Strictly fantasy fodder

** Minnesota (8-5) at Chicago (5-8), 10 a.m. The Vikings are a different team when they have to play outdoors on the road. LINE: Vikings by 3.

** San Francisco (6-7) at Cincinnati (7-6), 10 a.m. Don’t expect another six-touchdown game from the 49ers’ Jeff Garcia. LINE: Bengals by 3.

*** Atlanta (3-10) at Indianapolis (10-3), 10 a.m. Michael Vick vs. Peyton Manning. A quarterback battle worth watching. LINE: Colts by 7 1/2.

** Detroit (4-9) at Kansas City (11-2), 10 a.m. After a loss, the Chiefs should not have a problem bouncing back against the Lions. LINE: Chiefs by 14.

*** Jacksonville (4-9) at New England (11-2), 10 a.m. Read it here first: Upset special with the Jaguars. LINE: Patriots by 6 1/2.

* Pittsburgh (5-8) at N.Y. Jets (5-8), KLSX-FM (97-1), 10 a.m. To add spark to the game, the Steelers’ Bill Cowher and Jets’ Herman Edwards will have their own run drill. LINE: Jets by 3.

*** Seattle (8-5) at St. Louis (10-3), Channel 11, KAVL (610 Lancaster), 10 a.m. If the Seahawks hope to do anything in the playoffs, they’d better start to win on the road. LINE: Rams by 7.

* Houston (5-8) at Tampa Bay (6-7), 10 a.m. The Buccaneers’ defense will take out its frustration on the injury-plagued Texans. LINE: Off.

** Buffalo (6-7) at Tennessee (9-4), 10 a.m.: The Bills still have hopes for the playoffs. The Titans hope quarterback Steve McNair can play. LINE: Off.

** Cleveland (4-9) at Denver (8-5), Channel 2, 1 p.m. The Broncos’ Clinton Portis may shoot for six touchdowns against the Browns. LINE: Broncos by 10 1/2.

** Baltimore (8-5) at Oakland (3-10), XTRA (690/1150), 1 p.m. The Ravens’ defense might score more points than Rick Mirer and the Raiders’ offense. LINE: Ravens by 6 1/2.

* Carolina (8-5) at Arizona (3-10), 1:15 p.m. The Panthers need to wake up because they are not a playoff lock just yet. LINE: Panthers by 6 1/2.

*** Dallas (8-5) at Washington (5-8), Channel 11, KFWB (980), KAVL (610 Lancaster), XPRS (1090), 1:15 p.m. The Redskins would love nothing better than to knock off Coach Bill Parcells and the Cowboys. LINE: Cowboys by 1.

** Green Bay (7-6) at San Diego (3-10), Channel 6 (San Diego), KFMB (760 San Diego), KMPC (1540), KLSX-FM (97.1), XEXX (1420, Spanish), 1:15 p.m. The Chargers should enjoy playing the role of spoiler against the Packers. LINE: Packers by 5.

* N.Y. Giants (4-9) at New Orleans (6-7), ESPN, ESPN Deportes, KLSX-FM (97.1), 5:30 p.m. The Giants should dump Gatorade -- and the bucket -- on Coach Jim Fassel if they lose to the Saints. LINE: Saints by 7.

*** Philadelphia (10-3) at Miami (8-5), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7. All eyes will be on the Eagles trying to judge whether they are for real. LINE: Dolphins by 2.

-- Lonnie White