The first bye weekend allows AFC East teams Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami and New England, plus Carolina and Seattle, to rest.
There is little hope of derailing either the 49ers or Cowboys this week–the 49ers play at winless Detroit Monday night while the Cowboys host the struggling Cardinals.
Something has to give between the winless Saints and Giants, who face off in the Meadowlands.
Games of the week
Bears (2-1) at Rams (3-0)
Both teams got seven turnovers last week. The Rams did a better job of capitalizing. They haven’t given up a fumble or interception all year, so law of averages favors Bears. Rams DE Sean Gilbert is out with a sore knee, but the Bears are really battered. This is RB Rashaan Salaam’s coming out party against a Ram defense fourth against the run. Noon.
Broncos (2-1) at Chargers (2-1)
The hot AFC West features four winning teams with not much to separate one from another yet. QB John Elway continues to carry Denver’s offense and the defense is improved. But look at the Chargers, sneaking into the statistical elite as the only team besides the 49ers, Cowboys, and Dolphins ranked in the top 10 in both offense and defense. 3 p.m.
Chiefs (3-0) at Browns (2-1)
Former Browns coach (1984-88) Marty Schottenheimer returns to Cleveland Stadium for the third time as coach of the Chiefs. Schottenheimer is 0-1-1 in Cleveland. On returning to Cleveland, “I have to be honest with you. Maybe it’s my age , but the memories have faded. The Cleveland Browns thing has been a long time ago.” Chiefs QB Steve Bono has been king of the fourth quarter. 3 p.m.
Games worth a peek
Vikings (1-2) at Steelers (2-1)
Vikings looked fired up against Cowboys last Sunday night and will need to extend the effort in Pittsburgh, where Steelers are still reeling and beat up after Monday night loss in Miami. QB Mike Tomczak will get the start for the Steelers after a tough outing. Vikings have four NFC Central games in a row coming up and don’t want to fall too far behind. Noon.
Eagles (1-2) at Raiders (2-1)
Randall Cunningham delayed his demise last week with three TD passes in loss. Raiders will be seething after overtime loss to Chiefs on interception aided by an inadvertent pick by an official. Serves them right, said Chiefs’ coach Marty Schottenheimer. They were trying to use the official to pick off the defender. Teams are running at underweight Eagles rookie DE Mike Mamula. 3 p.m.
Cardinals (1-2) at Cowboys (3-0)
This looks like another easy notch in Cowboys’ belt. Cards are having trouble stopping the run (ranking dead last) and trouble scoring, falling right into Cowboys’ arms and Emmitt Smith’s legs. With the 29th offense and 27th defense, Buddy Ryan’s team at least is displaying togetherness. 3 p.m.
Packers (2-1) at Jaguars (0-3)
Packers will face their old backup quarterback, Mark Brunell, who has seen enough of Reggie White in practices. This will match the Packers’ No. 2-ranked defense against the Jaguars’ No. 30 offense. The Jaguars have given up a league-high 17 sacks but will get top draft pick OT Tony Boselli for the first time. 7 p.m.
49ers (3-0) at Lions (0-3)
From the frying pan into the fire, the Lions get no rest and could enter bye week with four losses to ponder. The Silverdome is like the briar patch for the 49ers, who point to their win there last year as the turning point in their championship season. If you think the Bears’ schedule is “easy,” check out the world champions before their Nov. 12 meeting in Dallas: Lions 0-3, Giants 0-3, Colts 1-2, Rams 3-0, Saints 0-3, Panthers 0-3. Monday night, 8 p.m.
Games of the weak
Saints (0-3) at Giants (0-3)
This is unfamiliar territory for coaches Jim Mora and Dan Reeves, who have higher expectations and must scramble to salvage their seasons. Neither team has been able to either run or stop the run, an unhappy combination. Saints are 30th on defense, a welcome sight for Giants’ 27th-ranked offense. Noon.
Redskins (1-2) at Bucs (1-2)
After opening-day wins, it’s been back to the same old same old for both teams. This will be an interesting matchup between second-year quarterbacks Gus Frerotte, Redskins’ seventh-rounder, and Trent Dilfer, Bucs’ first-rounder. Frerotte is playing so well that Heath Shuler will have trouble regaining job when his shoulder mends. Noon.
Oilers (1-2) at Bengals (2-1)
The Oilers are banged up and reeling, yet coach Jeff Fisher has kept them in games thanks to the league’s surprising No. 1-ranked defense. This could be pivotal for the Bengals, who don’t enter many contests expected to win by a touchdown. Last year, Bengals WR Carl Pickens had 11 catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns. 3 p.m.
Jets (1-2) at Falcons (2-1)
Neither team has beaten a team that has won a game, so that ignominious distinction will change. Jets have to find a way to stop WR Eric Metcalf and the run-and-shoot, which has racked up more yards than any team but the 49ers. 3 p.m.
