The Detroit Lions are going to Washington for the third time in 12 months Sunday to play the Redskins. They spend more time there than some congressmen. Coach Wayne Fontes said he wants his team to forget about last year`s 45-0 and 41-10 losses. ”If they don`t forget about them, some of them won`t get on the plane,” Fontes said. This is a good barometer to gauge how much the Lions have progressed or how far the world champion Redskins have regressed.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
BRONCOS (2-0) AT EAGLES (2-0)
If last week`s Buffalo-San Francisco shootout was the offensive preview of a Super Bowl, this is the defensive version. Former Philadelphia defensive coordinator Wade Phillips gets to see if his Denver defense matches up. The Broncos were first in the AFC last year behind four NFC teams led by the Eagles. This is only the second meeting between Randall Cunningham and John Elway. The Eagles won in 1989. Noon.
Saints (1-1) at Falcons (1-1)
After losing twice last season to the Falcons in New Orleans, including a playoff loss, the Saints are looking for revenge in the new Georgia Dome, where the Falcons are 1-0. Atlanta`s speed overwhelmed New Orleans last season even though the Saints won the NFC West. Noon.
Lions (1-1) at Redskins (1-1)
In a rematch of last season`s 41-10 NFC championship blowout, the Redskins have the practice advantage of having played the run-and-shoot Falcons last week. The Redskins have the disadvantage of losing cornerback Darrell Green, whose coverage is vital against multiple wideout teams. The Redskins couldn`t stop Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith in the opener, giving the Lions reason to hand off to Barry Sanders. 3 p.m. Ch. 2.
Buccaneers (2-0) at Vikings (1-1)
The Bucs last won a road game Sept. 30, 1990, in Minnesota. The last time the Bucs were 3-0 was 1979 when they won the division. Vinny Testaverde hasn`t thrown an interception. After outscoring teams 140-6 in the preseason, the Vikings have leveled off to a 40-51 pace. Noon. Ch. 2.
Chiefs (2-0) at Oilers (1-1)
Two Super Bowl hopefuls have met the last four years, with Houston winning three. Two years ago, Warren Moon put on a near flawless performance, passing for 527 yards. New K.C. quarterback Dave Krieg beat the Oilers the last two times he faced them with Seattle. Noon.
GAMES WORTH A PEAK 49ERS (2-0) AT JETS (0-2)
The disappointed Jets get to open at home with coach Bruce Coslet trying to avoid the team`s first 0-3 start since the gory days of Walt Michaels in 1981. The Jets have beaten the 49ers only once in six tries-in 1983. Last week, young quarterback Browning Nagle discovered defense in Pittsburgh. This week, he faces NFC defense. Noon.
Browns (0-2) at Raiders (0-2)
Mike Tomczak against Todd Marinovich? How quickly fortunes change. Only the third week and two teams who had big plans are struggling out of the box. The Raiders are going with Marinovich after giving up on Jay Schroeder. The Browns will start Todd Philcox in place of injured Bernie Kosar, but Tomczak knows the offense. 3 p.m.
Cardinals (0-2) at Cowboys (2-0)
The Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC. The Cardinals are hot only in Phoenix in the daytime. The Cowboys haven`t been 3-0 since 1983. The Cards usually start out faster than they finish, bad news for a team that can`t keep its quarterback upright. 3 p.m.
Giants (0-2) at Bears (1-1)
The Monday night schedule looked better than this two weeks ago. The Giants started counting moral victories with last week`s stirring comeback that fell short. They haven`t been 0-3 since the 1987 strike year. The Bears haven`t been 1-2 since Mike Ditka`s first two seasons. Neal Anderson is still on the spot, but no more so than his teammates and coaches who make their first Monday night appearance since last year`s season-ending 52-14 debacle in San Francisco. 8 p.m., Monday. Ch. 7.
Colts (1-1) at Bills (2-0)
Ted Marchibroda returns to Buffalo to show his old pals how a no-quarterback offense is a tougher trick than a no-huddle offense. The Bills will change some signals in case Marchibroda is paying attention. 7 p.m. TNT. Rams (1-1) at Dolphins (1-0)
Dan Marino began his week and his season with a classic last-minute drive in Cleveland. It`s a good thing for the Rams that Don Shula doesn`t allow Marino to run the no-huddle offense. 3 p.m.
GAMES OF THE WEAK BENGALS (2-0) AT PACKERS (0-2)
How is this game a ”Pick `em”? Because nobody figures the Bengals are good enough to go undefeated much longer. Statistics don`t mean much after only two weeks, but it is interesting the Packers are the only team already ranked in the 20s in both offense (20) and defense (27). Noon. Ch. 5.
Seahawks (0-2) at Patriots (0-1)
They`re flying coast-to-coast for this? Kelly Stouffer and Hugh Millen are the two lowest-rated passers in the AFC. Noon.
Steelers (2-0) at Chargers (0-2)
Don`t look now, but the Steelers haven`t been 3-0 in a non-strike year since 1979. With the Packers, Browns and Bengals plus a bye next, new coach Bill Cowher has a decent chance to go 6-0, something Chuck Noll did only once, in 1978. 3 p.m.
