RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** No remote needed

** Good to keep checking

* Strictly fantasy fodder

** Arizona (1-2) at St. Louis (1-2), 10 a.m. This should be an entertaining game because both teams love to throw the ball. Besides, Coach Mike Martz is always a must-watch because you never know when he’ll make another bad decision to cost the Rams a win. LINE: Rams by 10 1/2

*** Tennessee (2-1) at Pittsburgh (2-1), 10 a.m. If you like smash-mouth football played by two solid teams, this is the game for you because both the Titans and Steelers bring their “A” games. LINE: Steelers by 3.

** Jacksonville (0-3) at Houston (1-2), 10 a.m. May be a good idea to watch rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich make his first start for the Jaguars but you’ll also have to check out the drab Texans, who were unimpressive in last week’s loss to Kansas City. LINE: Jaguars by 3.

** Philadelphia (0-2) at Buffalo (2-1), 10 a.m., KLSX-FM (97.1). The Eagles can’t play as ugly as they did in losing their first two games and this game will feature two quality quarterbacks in Donovan McNabb and Drew Bledsoe looking to rebound from blowouts. LINE: Bills by 3.

** New England (2-1) at Washington (2-1), 10 a.m. Rookie quarterback Patrick Ramsey and receiver Laveranues Coles have helped turn the Redskins into an entertaining team and the Patriots have improved each week. LINE: Redskins by 3.

** Cincinnati (0-3) at Cleveland (1-2), 10 a.m. This game has the potential of being a dud, but it also could turn out to be an interesting matchup. Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch is making his first start ... and it’s at home. LINE: Browns by 4 1/2.

** San Francisco (1-2) at Minnesota (3-0), 10 a.m. , Channel 11. The Vikings are proving to be a team worthy of the attention they are receiving, and this may be the start of the 49ers’ decline under Coach Dennis Erickson. LINE: Minnesota by 1.

*** Kansas City (3-0) at Baltimore (2-1), 1 p.m. If you can’t get juiced about a clash of two of the NFL’s best running backs, the Chiefs’ Priest Holmes and the Ravens’ Jamal Lewis, you may not like football. LINE: Chiefs by 3.

**San Diego (0-3) at Oakland (1-2), 1 p.m., Channel 2, XTRA (690/1150), KMPC (1540), KLSX-FM (97.1), KFMB (760), XEXX (1420). You’re never disappointed when watching the Raiders play the Chargers but since this game is in Oakland, don’t expect as many fights among fans. LINE: Raiders by 7.

** Dallas (1-1) at New York Jets (0-3), 1:15 p.m., XPRS (1090). If Coach Bill Parcells can get the Cowboys to compete as they did against the New York Giants, this should be a decent game. New York Coach Herman Edwards knows the Jets can’t afford another embarrassing loss. LINE: Jets by 3.

* Atlanta (1-2) at Carolina (2-0), 1:15 p.m. The Panthers may be undefeated but they are not a great team to watch and playing the Michael Vick-less Falcons sure doesn’t help. Strictly a game for people who have Stephen Davis on their fantasy team. LINE: Panthers by 6.

** Detroit (1-2) at Denver (3-0), 1:15 p.m., Channel 11. The Lions are trying to find themselves under Coach Steve Mariucci, but the Broncos know what they have with veteran Coach Mike Shanahan. LINE: Broncos by 12.

** Indianapolis (3-0) at New Orleans (1-2), 5:30 p.m., ESPN, KLSX-FM (97.1). Quarterback Peyton Manning returns to Bourbon Street and the Colts will be looking to stay undefeated against the disappointing Saints. LINE: Colts by 1 1/2.

** Green Bay (1-2) at Chicago (0-2), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7. Don’t miss the start of this one with the Bears reopening Soldier Field before a national television audience. The Packers are in desperate need of a win and they’ll be tested by the fired-up Bears. LINE: Packers by 4.

-- Lonnie White