RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** No remote needed

** Good to keep checking

* Strictly fantasy fodder

*** Tampa Bay (4-4) at Carolina (6-2), Channel 11, Channel 6, 10 a.m. This is the time of season that separates contenders from pretenders. This is the type of game that decides which team is which. LINE: Buccaneers by 3.

** Houston (3-5) at Cincinnati (3-5), 10 a.m. The Texans have been competitive and the Bengals still believe that they are a playoff team. But don’t expect too much. LINE: Bengals by 5 1/2.

* Chicago (3-5) at Detroit (2-6), 10 a.m. Quarterback Joey Harrington and the Lions may play ugly football, but they are still more exciting than the Bears. LINE: Lions by 2.

** Indianapolis (7-1) at Jacksonville (1-7), 10 a.m. Coach Tony Dungy and the Colts have been getting the job done this season. For what it’s worth, the Jaguars are the NFL’s best 1-7 team. LINE: Colts by 6.

** Cleveland (3-5) at Kansas City (8-0), Channel 2, KLSX-FM (97.1), 10 a.m. The Chiefs will be defending their unbeaten record against the up-and-down Browns. Expect Kansas City Coach Dick Vermeil to have his team ready. LINE: Chiefs by 9 1/2.

** Atlanta (1-7) at New York Giants (4-4), 10 a.m. Unless Deion Sanders is hired to coach the Falcons, this game doesn’t have too much appeal. But the Giants have been playing better lately. LINE: Giants by 10 1/2.

** Arizona (3-5) at Pittsburgh (2-6), 10 a.m. The Cardinals are looking for their first road victory of the season and the Steelers are looking for the real Tommy Maddox. to stand up. LINE: Steelers by 7.

*** Miami (5-3) at Tennessee (6-2), 10 a.m. If this is the season that the Dolphins are going to return to the Super Bowl, they better show the Titans something in this game. LINE: Titans by 5.

** Seattle (6-2) at Washington (3-5), KAVL (610), KFWB (980), 10 a.m. The Redskins need to win this game if they want to stay in the playoff picture. The Seahawks are looking for respect as one of the league’s top teams. LINE: Seahawks by 3.

** Minnesota (6-2) at San Diego (1-7), Channel 8 (San Diego), KMPC (1540), KFMB (760, San Diego), XEXX (1420, Spanish), 1 p.m. The Vikings have lost two games in a row, and the Chargers have lost seven of eight. But let’s not forget Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper are playing. LINE: Vikings by 5 1/2.

** Buffalo (4-4) at Dallas (6-2), KLSX-FM (97.1), 1:15 p.m. The Cowboys will try to retain their first-place hold on the NFC East while taking on the Bills’ passing combination of Drew Bledsoe and Eric Moulds. LINE: Cowboys by 4.

* New York Jets (2-6) at Oakland (2-6), Channel 2, XTRA (690/1150), KFWB (980), XPRS (1090), 1:15 p.m. Charles Woodson vs. Coach Bill Callahan: That would probably be more interesting to watch than having the Jets play the Raiders at Oakland for the third time since Dec. 2, 2002. LINE: Jets by 3.

*** Baltimore (5-3) at St. Louis (5-3), ESPN, KLSX-FM (97.1), KAVL (610), 5:30 p.m. The Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” vs. the Ravens’ power combination of Jamal Lewis and Ray Lewis. An interesting matchup. You can only hope that Baltimore’s Kyle Boller doesn’t ruin it with a bad game. LINE: Rams by 7.

*** Philadelphia (5-3) at Green Bay (4-4), Monday, Channel 7, 6 p.m. The Eagles can make a major statement with a road victory over the Packers, who are fighting to stay in the NFC North playoff picture. LINE: Packers by 4 1/2.

-- Lonnie White