Desperation games dot the NFL landscape after only two weeks. In Denver, the winless Broncos take on the winless Los Angeles Raiders in the best game of the weak. Both teams figured to make the playoffs.
Winless Buddy Ryan has turned to Jim McMahon to save his Arizona Cardinals in Cleveland against the Browns, who are feeling heat after losing their home opener last week to Pittsburgh.
The 0-2 New Orleans Saints get to play the Bucs in Tampa to cure their ills. What if they don’t?
The 0-2 New England Patriots will see if they can score 35 points, and win this time, against the 0-2 Bengals in Cincinnati.
It’s the first “Throwback” weekend, so expect old uniforms to get some of the credit or blame.
Games of the week
Jets (2-0) at Dolphins (2-0)
New York has been known to start fast before, but beating Buffalo and Denver is impressive even outside of New York. Miami QB Dan Marino is starting fast himself with seven TD passes in first two weeks. Jets traditionally play Dolphins tough, winning five of last six games. Their throwback uniforms will give Miami coach Don Shula shivers. They are the ones the Jets wore when they upset Shula’s Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Noon.
Chargers (2-0) at Seahawks (2-0)
Two NFC West powers clash with first place at stake. Powers? Nobody figured these teams as serious contenders in a division including the Chiefs, Broncos and Raiders. But here they are, surprising everybody. San Diego QB Stan Humphries sits alone atop passer ratings, and RB Natrone Means is giving Marshall Faulk and Emmitt Smith a run for their money. Seattle, hit by preseason injuries, has won two on the road and will play this one at University of Washington while Kingdome is under repair. 3 p.m.
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Vikings (1-1) at Bears (1-1)
With all five NFC Central teams heading for 8-8 seasons, this is a chance for somebody to start breaking the deadlock. Minnesota has scored only one offensive touchdown. Bears defense was lit up by Randall Cunningham on Monday night. Bears QB Erik Kramer is quietly the fourth-highest-rated passer behind Humphries, Jeff George and Marino. Slowing Minnesota pass rush is a key for Bears. Noon. WFLD-Ch. 32.
Lions (1-1) at Cowboys (2-0)
Barry Sanders vs. Emmitt Smith. Last time they met was 1992, when Dallas won 37-3 and Sanders outrushed Smith 108-67. The time before that, the Lions eliminated the Cowboys in the 1991 playoffs when Erik Kramer was Detroit’s QB. In that one, Smith outrushed Sanders 105-69. Lions must allow QB Scott Mitchell to recover from six-sack attack by Minnesota last week. But league-leading sacker Charles Haley will be relishing the Monday night spotlight. 8 p.m. Monday, WLS-Ch. 7.
Chiefs (2-0) at Falcons (1-1)
Atlanta thinks it has a chance to get something going behind George and WR Andre Rison, who have combined for 26 catches in two games, a pace that would obliterate records. George is closing in on record for avoiding interceptions. Kansas City leads the league in takeaways. The Falcons think their defense is vastly improved. Now they seek Joe Montana’s opinion. 7 p.m. Sunday, TNT.
Games worth a peek
Packers (1-1) at Eagles (1-1)
Reggie White’s first return to Philadelphia won’t be as emotional as his first game against his old teammates last year in Green Bay, when Norman Braman owned the Eagles. When the Eagles won that one, White said Braman acted like he had won the Super Bowl. Eagles QB Randall Cunningham is coming off a great night against Bears. Packers struggled against Dolphins, running only seven times, not a good sign for a team determined to improve. Noon.
Cardinals (0-2) at Browns (1-1)
Buddy Ryan thinks Jim McMahon can inject life into his 28th-ranked offense. An 0-3 start with a bye next week would provide too much time for the naysayers. At least Ryan can boast the league’s No. 1 defense. Cleveland coach Bill Belichick has problems of his own. QB Vinny Testaverde impersonated his old self with four interceptions last week, and stars Eric Metcalf and Eric Turner were jailed for reckless (Eric-less?) driving. Noon.
49ers (1-1) at Rams (1-1)
Deion Sanders is supposed to play against his old teammate at Atlanta, Los Angeles QB Chris Miller. Without injured Richard Dent, the 49ers will need a cover guy like Sanders to bolster a defense that Montana exposed as vulnerable, if you’re Montana. Can Rams DT Sean Gilbert and friends take advantage of 49ers makeshift offensive line? 3 p.m.
Redskins (1-1) at Giants (2-0)
Washington QB John Friesz threw four TD passes in New Orleans last week. New Redskins coach Norv Turner doesn’t know if that’s good or bad. Now what does he do with plans to force-feed rich rookie Heath Shuler? Giants are trying to join Jets at 3-0 and mark first time both N.Y. teams are undefeated after three weeks. Spare us, please. 3 p.m.
Games of the weak
Bills (1-1) at Oilers (0-2)
After opening-day disasters, both clubs improved last week, although Houston still lost a close one to Dallas. In last 11 meetings, home team has won 10. Buffalo has problems on offensive line, but Oilers have problems on defensive line. Noon.
Colts (1-1) at Steelers (1-1)
Indianapolis is hurting on defense and needs Marshall Faulk and its No. 1-ranked rushing game to control the ball against Pittsburgh’s No. 25 rushing defense. Noon.
Patriots (0-2) at Bengals (0-2)
New England has the No. 1 offense and the No. 28 defense, an embarrassing turn of events for coach Bill Parcells. It goes to show what all the rules to increase scoring can do. The Patriots lead the league in scoring with 70 points, and they don’t have anything to show for it. But they do have Cincinnati. Noon.
Saints (0-2) at Buccaneers (1-1)
Just when Tampa Bay is having trouble selling tickets and wins a game against the Colts, New Orleans arrives in town. Good thing there’s no baseball to distract anyone. Saints thought they had something in rookie running back Mario Bates until he got his jaw broken in a fight with his own teammate. Noon.
Raiders (0-2) at Broncos (0-2)
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Broncos having trouble winning at home. Raiders have won nine of last 10 against Denver. Both teams have injuries and both coaches and quarterbacks are desperate. 3 p.m.