Since the Denver Broncos lost last week, they can’t catch the Kansas City Chiefs in Mile High this week. That leaves the schedule without one compelling matchup affecting division standings, although Chicagoans have plenty to cheer in Tampa.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
CHIEFS (9-3) AT BRONCOS (7-5)
This is more of a must-win for the Broncos than they thought. They no longer can move into a first-place tie in the AFC West, but they have to worry about staying in the playoff race with the Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, other 7-5 teams. The Chiefs won in Kansas City 15-7 last time the two teams met when a Monday night encounter between John Elway and Joe Montana turned into an embarrassing, penalty-dominated bust. Montana is ready for his third start in a row. The Bears hope the Broncos lose and come into Soldier Field next Saturday with their heads down. 3 p.m. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
STEELERS (7-5) AT DOLPHINS (9-3)
Scott Mitchell promises to return to help the Miami Dolphins take another step in their tough road to an AFC East title. Next week, they play host to the Buffalo Bills. The question is whether Barry Foster can return from an ankle injury that has the Steelers wondering how tough he is. They haven’t been the same team since their last Monday night performance when they trounced the Bills 23-0 despite losing Foster to injury on the first drive. Monday, 8 p.m. WLS-Ch. 7.
COWBOYS (8-4) AT VIKINGS (6-6)
Dallas has to win to stay close to New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers in fight for home field. Minnesota has to win to keep realistic chance in NFC Central. The Cowboys have been shaky lately, but Emmitt Smith’s running is the difference. The Vikings have nobody to match him and help out Jim McMahon, while Troy Aikman at least can slow the Vikings’ rush by handing off to Smith. The Vikings have lost three in a row in the Metrodome for the first time since 1984. 3 p.m.
BEARS (7-5) AT BUCS (3-9)
Tampa Bay showed the Vikings and Green Bay Packers it means business, and it already beat the Detroit Lions earlier in the year. But the Bears played their best offensive game of the year against the Bucs in a 47-17 romp in Soldier Field. The Bucs are weak against the run, and Tim Worley is ready to bust out. Dave Wannstedt has done a good job of keeping the team focused. Noon. WBBM-Ch. 2.
PACKERS (7-5) AT CHARGERS (6-6)
Brett Favre faces another tough defense in the San Diego Chargers, who rank 27th against the pass but second against the run. They have limited their last five opponents to 17, 16, 12, 0 and 10 points, although losing two. Stan Humphries is finally healthy for Chargers, who think they still have a wild-card shot. 7 p.m. ESPN.
LIONS (7-5) AT CARDINALS (4-8)
The Phoenix Cardinals will be trying to break the most embarrassing streak in the league-nine consecutive losses to fifth-place teams. They lost to the Lions in Pontiac when Andre Ware had his day as a starter. Now, Erik Kramer is the new man on the spot as the Lions try to break a three-game skid. They have played two games without Barry Sanders in the last three years and lost by a combined 58-0. 3 p.m.
GAMES WORTH A PEEK
BROWNS (6-6) AT OILERS (8-4)
Houston is on a big-time seven-game roll, with Buddy Ryan’s defense kicking in and Warren Moon regaining confidence in an offense buoyed by the running of Gary Brown. After Atlanta’s Bobby Hebert was intercepted six times by the Oilers last week, Ryan said: “He was just chuckin’ it to us as fast as we could catch it.” What about Jack Pardee as coach of the year? Noon.
SEAHAWKS (5-7) AT RAIDERS (7-5)
Los Angeles is without top rushers Greg Robinson and Napoleon McCallum, which means Nick Bell is on the spot again unless Art Shell unleashes the Rocket, Raghib Ismail. Rocket has been mainly a kickoff-return specialist, with 17 receptions at wide receiver and three rushes. Rick Mirer continues to impress at quarterback for Seattle. Raiders won first meeting 17-13. 3 p.m.
BILLS (8-4) AT EAGLES (5-7)
Besides losing two games in a row and three of their last four (something they haven’t done since their 1-3 finish in 1989), the Bills have been hit hard by key injuries. Five starters will miss this game: receiver Andre Reed (elbow), safety Mark Kelso (concussion), nose tackle Jeff Wright (knee), guard Jim Ritcher (shoulder) and linebacker Mark Maddox (neck). Philadelphia keeps showing amazing resolve despite losing seven of eight. Noon. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
COLTS (4-8) AT GIANTS (9-3)
Go figure: Indianapolis is 3-3 this season when it doesn’t score a touchdown and 1-5 when it does. The Colts become the first team to play consecutive road games in the Meadowlands, having defeated the Jets last week. They have won five in a row at the Meadowlands and six of the last seven, all against the Jets. This is the first time they have played the Giants in the Meadowlands since 1979 when their coach was also Ted Marchibroda. They won that game 31-7.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
BENGALS (1-11) AT PATRIOTS (1-11)
This is the Draft Bowl, with Marshall Faulk or Tyrone Wheatley or Heath Shuler as the consolation prize for the loser. The winner won’t fare too badly, either. Noon.
RAMS (3-9) AT SAINTS (7-5)
New Orleans has lost five of seven and needs to end its skid or risk missing out on the playoffs. It beat the Rams 37-6 last time, but that’s when it was playing better on defense. The Saints 21st-ranked run defense is an invitation to Los Angeles’ Jerome Bettis. Noon.
