Today’s Games

ON TV

Denver at New York Giants

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Records: Broncos 13-0; Giants 5-8.

* Story line: There is a possibility the Giants could find the Broncos asleep at the wheel for this one, dreaming of their next opponent, the Dolphins. But then again, Mike Shanahan probably is too good a coach and this team is too experienced to let that happen. And even if the Broncos did sleep through this one, they probably still could handle the Giants.

* Line: Broncos by 12 1/2

***

Chicago at Green Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Bears 3-10; Packers 8-5.

* Story line: The Bears must have bottomed out in their loss to the Vikings a week ago . . . unless the Packers can drive them down farther. The Bears haven’t been able to run the ball (though Edgar Bennett should have ample motivation against his former team), and they haven’t been able to throw it since Erik Kramer left.

* Line: Packers by 13 1/2

***

Dallas at Kansas City

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Cowboys 8-5; Chiefs 5-8.

* Story line: Could the Cowboys lose three in a row? They can if they don’t have Deion Sanders, and if they don’t find a way to prevent Troy Aikman from getting hit as frequently as he has been getting hit. The Chiefs could be in for a letdown after their wonderful performance against the Broncos last week, or they could be on the verge of being the team they were supposed to be at the start of the season.

* Line: Chiefs by 2

***

New York Jets at Miami

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Jets 9-4; Dolphins 9-4.

* Story line: The winner of this game is in position to control the AFC East. This is a great matchup of an explosive offense (the Jets, in case there was any doubt) versus a great defense. That Dolphin defense is even better at home. Bryan Cox’s return to Miami could be eventful. The Dolphins should get a lift from the return of tight end Troy Drayton and an offensive lineman or two.

* Line: Dolphins by 3

THE REST

Arizona at Philadelphia

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Cardinals 6-7; Eagles 3-10.

* Story line: You can’t take anything for granted with the Cardinals, because just when you think they’re going to turn the corner, they run into the wall. The Cardinals are very banged up on defense, and they’ve been incapable defensively even when relatively healthy. Then again, the Eagles are in no position to take advantage of the Cardinals’ misfortunes, and they have a banged-up defense of their own to worry about. This is a must win for Arizona.

* Line: Cardinals by 3

***

Atlanta at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Falcons 11-2; Saints 6-7.

* Story line: If the Saints come out and play defense the way they did last week against the Cowboys, they will beat the Falcons. But that inspired performance will be difficult to duplicate. The Saints also will have to find a way to run the ball to keep Chris Chandler and Jamal Anderson from staying on the field all day.

* Line: Falcons by 4

***

Cincinnati at Indianapolis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bengals 2-11; Colts 2-11.

* Story line: The loser of this game might be in position to draft Ricky Williams. The Bengals are going with their third starting quarterback, as Jeff Blake will replace the injured Neil O’Donnell. Blake could make the decision to bench him at the start of the season look foolish against a sorry Colt defense.

* Line: Colts by 4

***

Oakland at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Raiders 7-6; Bills 8-5.

* Story line: The Raiders have some serious offensive problems. Now that it appears that Don Hollas isn’t the answer, Wade Wilson will get a shot. The Raiders are so banged up on defense that they may have lost the edge that was so vital for them earlier in the season.

* Line: Bills by 7 1/2

***

New England at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Patriots 8-5; Rams 3-10.

* Story line: These are two teams headed in opposite directions. The Rams reached their low point last week against the Eagles, while the Patriots have won three in a row and have put themselves back in the playoff picture. The Patriots won’t be the same defensively without linebacker Ted Johnson. But they’re playing so well offensively since the return of Terry Glenn that they should be able to overcome it, especially against these guys.

* Line: Patriots by 7

***

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Steelers 7-6; Buccaneers 6-7.

* Story line: After beating the Packers on Monday, the Buccaneers have to defeat another highly regarded opponent if they intend to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Steelers, too, are clinging to their hopes of making the playoffs, but they aren’t playing well. The Buccaneers are playing very well offensively, and the Steelers are playing very poorly offensively. * Line: Buccaneers by 3

***

Tennessee at Jacksonville

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Oilers 7-6; Jaguars 10-3.

* Story line: Can Jamie Martin do it two weeks in a row? His performance a week ago in relief of injured Mark Brunell was no less than amazing. The Jaguars could be more dependent on Fred Taylor than usual in this game, and that might not be a good thing for the Oilers.

* Line: Jaguars by 3 1/2

***

Washington at Carolina

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Redskins 4-9; Panthers 2-11.

* Story line: Will this be Sean Gilbert’s revenge? Or the Panthers’ revenge? The Panthers should want to get back at the Redskins even more because the Redskins stuck them with Gilbert. The Redskins, behind surprising quarterback Trent Green, have won three of four.

* Line: Panthers by 3

***

Minnesota at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Vikings 12-1; Ravens 5-8.

* Story line: The Vikings are performing at such a high level offensively that it seems they could plug in almost anybody and still achieve the same results. Moe Williams, LeRoy Hoard, Matthew Hatchette . . . just plug them in and light up the scoreboard.

* Line: Vikings by 10

***

San Diego at Seattle

* Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

* Records: Chargers 5-8; Seahawks 6-7.

* Story line: The Seahawks have played two very good games since Jon Kitna has been starting at quarterback, and they should have beaten the Jets last week but for a bad officiating call. The aggressive Seahawks defense could stifle the undermanned Charger offense. * Line: Seahawks by 7