Don Shula can pass George Halas with win No. 325 if Miami avenges its only loss of the season against the New York Jets.
Dallas can take over the NFC East from the New York Giants and be on top alone by midseason, which seemed unlikely after its 0-2 start. If you think September and October were rough for the Bears, check out November. A stretch of three games against the AFC West is followed by a Thanksgiving trip to Detroit. By contrast, Detroit prepares for that holiday feast with Tampa Bay, a bye and Green Bay.
Games of the week
Giants (5-2) at Cowboys (5-2)
The Giants’ record has been distorted by their easy schedule, which changes Sunday in Dallas. Losing to the Jets last week puts the Giants in a bind, but they remain 5-0 in the NFC. The Giants have the No. 1-ranked rushing offense in the league, but the Cowboys have Emmitt Smith, the No. 4 run offense, the No. 5 pass offense, and the No. 1 overall offense. The Giants have the No. 3 defense, so the matchup is a good one all around. Noon, Channel 2.
Broncos (4-3) at Browns (5-2)
Bill Belichick gets a chance to earn his new contract extension in Cleveland by beating the team that doomed Marty Schottenheimer. John Elway versus Bernie Kosar has produced some excitement in the past, but Elway rates an edge here with the No. 3 pass offense against the No. 23 pass defense of the Browns. Kosar has the No. 27 pass offense, but the Broncos’ pass defense ranks 28th. Think Eric Metcalf will get many punts? Noon.
Packers (4-3) at Chiefs (5-2)
Catching Kansas City without Joe Montana is the good fortune of every other team that plays him. Green Bay still has plenty of time to catch Detroit in the division, but the Chiefs figure to cover Sterling Sharpe this week after an embarrassing loss to Scott Mitchell and the Dolphins. 8 p.m., Monday. Channel 7.
Dolphins (6-1) at Jets (3-4)
Shula continues his chase of history against a team that has given him trouble. Scott Mitchell gave the Jets all kinds of film to study. Boomer Esiason makes this a rare battle of left-handers. The Jets are helped by the return of Rob Moore, who caught six passes for 124 yards against the Dolphins in game one. Miami has lost four of the last five against the Jets, but none of them meant as much as Shula’s 325th. 3 p.m.
Games worth a peek
Raiders (4-3) at Bears (3-4)
Nobody has given up more sacks than the Bears; only one team has more sacks than Los Angeles. This is terrible news for Jim Harbaugh, who has lost whatever sense of timing he ever had. Coaches think he should get rid of the ball faster. Pass rusher Anthony Smith may drive home the point. Bears want to get Tim Worley into a game, but a groin injury is holding him back. 3 p.m., Channel 5.
Chargers (3-4) at Vikings (4-3)
After blowing one against the Lions, Minnesota gets another chance to defend the home field against another one of Jim McMahon’s former employers. But injury finally caught up with McMahon, who will miss the game with a dislocated left shoulder. After losing to the Lions last week, this game becomes crucial to Vikings. After beating the Raiders last week, this game provides San Diego with another chance to contend. Chargers play Bears next. Noon.
Games of the weak
Bills (6-1) at Patriots (1-7)
Now that New England has established itself as a candidate for another No. 1 draft choice, the only surprises left would be monumental upsets. The Bills scored 38 points against the Pats in the season opener and haven’t matched that offensive output since, but their defense is rounding into championship form allowing 14, 7, and 10 points in their last three games. Drew Bledsoe has temporarily lost his job to journeyman Scott Secules. Noon.
Eagles (4-3) at Cardinals (2-6)
A game for the birds, Philadelphia has flopped to earth, losing three in a row while scoring 6, 10 and 10 points. St. Louis has beaten only Washington. Eagles beat Cards 23-17 in season opener, but that was with Randall Cunningham. Coach Joe Bugel’s days are numbered with the Cards, who haven’t learned how to win close games. 3 p.m.
Steelers (4-3) at Bengals (0-7)
Coming off a bye after a tough loss to Cleveland, Pittsburgh should be more than hapless Cincinnati can handle. Jay Schroeder is expected to get the call at quarterback for David Shula’s team. The most glaring mismatch is the Bengals’ 27th run offense banging its head against the Steelers’ No. 1-ranked wall against the run. Noon.
More Top Picks Adhd Reading Comprehension Strategies That Work
Seahawks (4-4) at Oilers (3-4)
Buddy Ryan’s specialty used to be swallowing young quarterbacks whole and Houston has had two weeks to prepare for rookie Rick Mirer. But nobody has heard much from Ryan or the Oilers lately. They have won two in a row, but against New England and Cincinnati, a combined 1-14. Noon.
Buccaneers (2-5) at Lions (6-2)
This is never an easy game for the Lions, it seems. They already lost once to the Bucs, who are in the midst of another one-game winning streak. But scoring against Atlanta in the Georgia Dome and scoring against Detroit in the Silverdome are as different as north and south. Rodney Peete was benched in last game against Bucs. Noon.
Colts (3-4) at Redskins (1-6)
What a debut for ESPN! How does the Boomer sell this? Rumbling, bumbling, stumbling to the starting line, Washington looked presentable against the Bills last Monday and could be ready to give Jeff George trouble. Indianapolis couldn’t score a touchdown against the Patriots. 7 p.m., ESPN.
Latest line
By Keith Glantz and Russell Culver
(copyright) 1993 Sports Features Syndicate
%% Favorite Line Underdog
L.A. Raiders 2 BEARS
DALLAS 10 N.Y. Giants
Buffalo 9 1/2 NEW ENGLAND
CLEVELAND 2 1/2 Denver
MINNESOTA 3 1/2 San Diego
HOUSTON 9 Seattle
Pittsburgh 9 1/2 CINCINNATI
DETROIT 12 1/2 Tampa Bay
Miami 1 N.Y. JETS
PHOENIX 2 1/2 Philadelphia
WASHINGTON 6 1/2 Indianapolis
KANSAS CITY 3 Green Bay
Home team in CAPS
%%