In an unusual development, seven of this week’s 11 games feature matchups between winning or .500 teams. It’s because the AFC Central is resting along with New England and Phoenix, eliminating four losing teams and leaving the NFL with a banner weekend.
One of the best matchups involves two losing teams, Green Bay and Dallas, both desperate for a victory at 1-2 if they want to keep pace with preseason predictions. The Cowboys have had two weeks to get Emmitt Smith into shape for the Packers, who appear vulnerable to the run.
Several teams have the chance to make believers of the skeptics. Nobody figured the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets to start this fast. The undefeated New York Giants play their first winning team, the Buffalo Bills. The Indianapolis Colts have a chance to prove something in Denver.
Games of the week
Eagles (3-0) at Jets (2-1)
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What’s more surprising? New York with the No. 1 offense or Philadelphia with the No. 5 defense? Boomer Esiason has the Jets in gear as the league’s top-rated passer, but the Eagles have forgotten Reggie White and are sailing along with the No. 3 offense under Randall Cunningham. 3 p.m.
Saints (4-0) at Rams (2-2)
Los Angeles has defeated New Orleans only once in their last nine games, but Jim Everett proved something to himself and teammates last week by passing for 300 yards against Houston. The Rams catch the Saints the week following a nail-biting victory against top NFC West rival 49ers. This could be an upset special. 3 p.m.
Colts (2-1) at Broncos (2-1)
Indianapolis has won four in a row on the road, but Denver has lost only two at Mile High in the last two seasons. The Broncos have had two weeks to prepare and are coming off a tough loss in Kansas City. If the Colts win this one, they are for real. They might be for real even if they don’t. “When we’re healthy, we’re a good football team,” said coach Ted Marchibroda. They’re healthy. 3 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Giants (3-0) at Bills (2-1)
This is their first meeting since the 1990 Super Bowl, and New York has a completely different team, even though it won. The Giants have beaten the Bucs, Bears and Rams so their undefeated record isn’t getting much respect. Buffalo, which lost last week to Miami in Rich Stadium, hasn’t lost back-to-back games at home since 1985. 7 p.m. TNT.
Games worth a peek
Lions (3-1) at Buccaneers (0-3)
Of all the teams in the NFC Central Division, Tampa Bay gives Detroit the most trouble. It is 15-15 over the years and Tampa Bay has a 4-2 edge over the last three years. The Lions have turned to Andre Ware at quarterback; the Bucs have turned to desperation again. Noon.
Raiders (2-1) at Chiefs (2-1)
Both teams have had two weeks to get ready for this early-season AFC West test. It marks the first chance for Kansas City running back Marcus Allen to stick it Los Angeles owner Al Davis after their feud last season. Allen felt Davis was preventing him from playing in order to keep him out of the Hall of Fame. Raiders’ coach Art Shell called Allen a liar and cancer on the team. Think he’ll get a few carries? Noon.
Vikings (2-1) at 49ers (2-2)
Struggling San Francisco is 24th against the run, but Minnesota is 22nd in overall offense. A better matchup is the 49ers’ second-ranked offense against the Vikings’ second-ranked defense. The Vikings have scored only two touchdowns with Jim McMahon at quarterback. The 49ers have a turnover problem. 3 p.m.
Chargers (2-1) at Seahawks (2-2)
This is the first rematch of the season. The two opened the year with San Diego’s John Carney kicking six field goals to win 18-12. Quarterback Stan Humphries is still bothered by a sore right shoulder, so John Friesz might play. San Diego has scored only two touchdowns. 3 p.m.
Redskins (1-2) at Dolphins (2-1)
The first Miami-Washington game ever on Monday night, the Redskins are 3-6 in their previous nine Monday night games against AFC teams and 7-14 in 21 road games on Monday night. They are coming off a disappointing last-play loss to Philadelphia and meet a Dolphins team riding high after winning in Buffalo. 8 p.m., Monday night.
Games of the weak
Falcons (0-4) at Bears (1-2)
If Atlanta’s 28th-ranked defense played in the 106-team NCAA Division I, it would rank 99th in scoring defense (36.5 points), 74th in run defense (175.5 yards), and 84th in pass defense (243 yards). Unfortunately, the Falcons aren’t a college team. They play the Bears, who have little to be overconfident about despite their 47 points last week against Tampa Bye. Noon, WBBM-Ch. 2.
Packers (1-2) at Cowboys (1-2)
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Maybe it’s not a must-win to you, but to the Green Bay and Dallas, both favored to win their divisions, time is wasting. The agents for Emmitt Smith did the Cowboys no favors by keeping him unsigned the first two games, but they are helping out now by keeping Packers linebacker Tony Bennett unsigned so he can’t tackle him. Noon.