RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** No remote needed

** Good to keep checking

* Strictly fantasy fodder

** Dallas (4-1) at Detroit (1-4), 10 a.m. Now that the Cowboys’ bandwagon is starting to fill up again, it will be interesting to see if Coach Bill Parcells can keep his team winning. And has anyone seen owner Jerry Jones lately? LINE: Cowboys by 3.

* New Orleans (2-4) at Atlanta (1-5), 10 a.m. This is the type of game only a special teams coach would love. Expect plenty of punts from the struggling Saints and the Falcons, too, without quarterback Michael Vick in the lineup. LINE: Saints by 2.

*** Green Bay (3-3) at St. Louis (3-2), Channel 11, 6 KFWB (980), KAVL (610), 10 a.m. This should a fun game to watch, featuring veteran Packer quarterback Brett Favre and up-and-coming Ram starter Marc Bulger. LINE: Rams by 4.

*** Tennessee (4-2) at Carolina (5-0), 10 a.m. In case you missed the Panthers’ win over Indianapolis last week, you can catch them against Steve McNair and the high-powered Titans. The Panthers’ offense may not be too exciting, but their defense is the real deal. LINE: Panthers by 1 1/2.

*** New England (4-2) at Miami (4-1), KLSX-FM (97.1), 10 a.m. If you like defense, then watch Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots try to slow down the Dolphins’ Ricky Williams. Then there’s Miami Coach Dave Wannstedt, who may have the league’s best overall defense. LINE: Dolphins by 5 1/2.

** Philadelphia (2-3) at New York Giants (2-3), 10 a.m. The New Jersey Turnpike Special. Neither the Eagles nor the Giants expected to be below .500 at this point in the season. LINE: Giants by 3.

* Baltimore (3-2) at Cincinnati (1-4), 10 a.m. The Ravens run the ball and play solid defense. The Bengals try to run the ball and play good defense. Adds up to a boring game unless Baltimore’s Jamal Lewis breaks out with another record performance. LINE: Ravens by 2.

**** Denver (5-1) at Minnesota (5-0), Channel 2, 10 a.m. Even with Steve Beuerlein starting at quarterback, the Broncos are still among the league’s top teams. The Vikings will be looking to remain undefeated. And of course, there’s always the Daunte Culpepper/Randy Moss show. LINE: Vikings by 3 1/2.

* San Diego (0-5) at Cleveland (3-3), Channel 8 (San Diego), KMPC (1540), KFMB (760 San Diego), XEXX (1420 Spanish), 10 a.m. The Chargers may not be winning but when their offense is clicking, the combination of LaDainian Tomlinson and David Boston is fun to watch. The Browns are seeking their third consecutive victory with Tim Couch starting at quarterback. LINE: Browns by 5.

* New York Jets (1-4) at Houston (2-3), 1 p.m. After losing their first four games, the Jets will be shooting for two in a row. The Texans are improving but not enough to get excited about. LINE: Jets by 3.

* Chicago (1-4) at Seattle (4-1), KLSX-FM (97.1), 1:15 p.m. The Bears will be without starting quarterback Kordell Stewart, and running back Anthony Thomas is not expected to play because of injuries. LINE: Seahawks by 11.

** Washington (3-3) at Buffalo (3-3), 1:15 p.m. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey and the Redskins were appealing when they were winning, but not now that they have lost two in a row and are facing the Bills, who lost to the previously winless Jets last week. LINE: Bills by 3.

** Tampa Bay (3-2) at San Francisco (2-4), Channel 11, 6, KFWB (980), KAVL (610), XPRS (1090), 1:15 p.m. With a dominant game against the 49ers, the Buccaneers can make a statement to the league that their fourth-quarter collapse against Indianapolis two weeks ago was a fluke. LINE: Buccaneers by 3 1/2.

*** Kansas City (6-0) at Oakland (2-4), Monday, Channel 7, 6 p.m. Al Davis can’t be too pleased with the Raiders, who suddenly have forgotten how to win games they should win. They’ll try to get their act together against the undefeated Chiefs. LINE: Chiefs by 3 1/2.

-- Lonnie White