The NFL is taking a big chance this week. It is going to see what happens when Mike Ditka isn`t around for the television cameras to follow.
Bye weeks are dangerous when Ditka is involved. Will ratings plummet? Or will the networks stalk him on the golf course? Catch his reaction to bogeys? Surely a league anticipating a drop in TV revenues can`t afford to play an entire slate of games without Ditka, can it?
Don`t worry. Before the day is out, Ditka somehow, some way will appear in your living room, probably more than once. Otherwise, the Week 6 card looks dull.
Games of the week
Falcons (2-3) at Dolphins (4-0)
The only undefeated team in the AFC so impressively trounced the Bills in Buffalo last week that it now is allowed to eye its upcoming schedule-Falcons, Patriots, Colts, Jets, Colts before its Monday night, Nov. 16 rematch with the Bills. Falcons are 28th on defense. Noon. Ch. 2.
Eagles (4-0) at Chiefs (3-2)
The Chiefs are tough at home and like to think they play NFC-style football. They will get to see if they stack up against the best in the NFC. This is the first game between these two teams since 1972, because of schedule quirks, the only time they ever have played. Noon.
Broncos (4-1) at Redskins (2-2)
The Redskins are following a familiar pattern. After their 1987 Super Bowl victory, they also lost a season-opener and a fourth game to the lowly Cardinals. They didn`t repeat, of course, and don`t appear ready to change history. The Broncos are busy fighting the perception they are the worst 4-1 team in the league. Monday, 8 p.m., Ch. 7.
Games worth a peek
Seahawks (1-4) at Cowboys (3-1)
The Cowboys had the toughest schedule in the league before the season. Now, their last 12 opponents are currently 24-32 thanks to the sub-.500 starts of playoff teams Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and the Raiders. The Seahawks`
starting quarterback is Dan McGwire, whose only claim to fame is that he`s Mark`s brother. Noon. Ch. 5.
Bills (4-1) at Raiders (1-4)
To practice for the Super Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., the Bills are trying to win as many West Coast games on grass as they can. They beat the 49ers two weeks ago. The Raiders avoided total panic by pulling out their first victory against the Giants. The Bills won 30-27 in overtime in the Coliseum last year. 3 p.m. Ch. 5.
Rams (2-3) at Saints (3-2)
The Saints have scored more than one touchdown only once-against the Bears-but are two plays removed from undefeated. How do they do it? The Rams and Jim Everett showed some signs of life against the 49ers. ”I`ve looked at about every film of him in the last two years,” Saints coach Jim Mora said.
”This is an entirely different person. Why do we have to get him now?”
6:30 p.m. TNT.
Oilers (3-1) at Bengals (2-2)
If the Oilers want anybody to take them seriously, they have to win division games on the road. Having already lost a division game at home, they have not earned league-wide respect. This is the debut of free agent Webster Slaughter as another target for Warren Moon in the NFL`s top-rated passing offense. The Bengals are slipping after a 2-0 start. 3 p.m.
Steelers (3-1) at Browns (1-3)
Pittsburgh`s Bill Cowher and the Vikings` Dennis Green have set the pace for new coaches. The Steelers already have beaten the Oilers on the road. The Browns are staring disaster in the face, trying to tread water until Bernie Kosar gets back in the second half of the season. Noon.
Games of the weak
Cardinals (1-3) at Giants (1-3)
For sole possession of last place in the tough NFC East, the Giants are touchdown favorites, but it doesn`t figure the Cards will be overconfident after upsetting the Redskins last week. Of course, the Cards could be looking ahead to their next three opponents-Saints, Eagles and 49ers, thank you very much. Noon.
49ers (4-1) at Patriots (0-4)
Is this fair? Garin Veris ought to be ashamed of himself, jumping as a free agent from the Patriots to the 49ers. At least he could have let the women and children go first. New England coach Dick MacPherson, the picture of enthusiasm last season, told his team after the Jets` loss last week: ”This is the sorriest excuse for a football team I`ve ever seen. If you want to blame somebody, blame the head coach. Blame me! Blame me!” Even the PR director quit. Noon.
Jets (1-4) at Colts (2-2)
Although both teams are coming off one-game winning streaks, neither is convincing anybody to watch yet. The Colts got Jeff George back for the first time last week, so he is undefeated. 3 p.m.
Game of midweek
Lions (1-4) at Vikings (4-1)
It`s not Thanksgiving yet, but the last-place Lions play the first-place Vikings on Thursday night, Oct. 15. The Lions` only victory and the Vikings`
only loss occurred in their last meeting Sept. 13 in the Silverdome. 6:30 p.m., Thursday, TNT.
