The first bye weekend couldn’t arrive fast enough for Arizona’s Buddy Ryan. Dallas’ Barry Switzer needed a day off, too.
After 0-3 Cincinnati plays 0-3 Houston, either David Shula or Jack Pardee will feel like they have a bye.
As for the undefeated, Kansas City is at home against the Los Angeles Rams, but Miami and San Diego have stiff road tests-at Minnesota and at the Los Angeles Raiders, respectively.
Games of the week
Dolphins (3-0) at Vikings (2-1)
When these teams met four weeks ago in the preseason, the Dolphins accused the Vikings’ pass rushers of dirty tactics for going at the knees of Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar. The Vikings claim they just wanted to give the Dolphins something to remember for next time. Marino looked awful in his final exhibition, but has looked great ever since. The Dolphins are No. 1 in the league in stopping the run, the Vikings No. 2. This is the sixth Marino-Warren Moon confrontation. Moon leads 3-2. Noon. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Chargers (3-0) at Raiders (1-2)
The Chargers are the surprise team of the league, with QB Stan Humphries leading everybody in passer rating. They have won two of their three on the road, both against AFC West opponents. They get another chance to make big strides in the division this week. The Raiders finally woke up in Denver, with QB Jeff Hostetler responding to criticism with four touchdown passes. Raiders have to stop RB Natrone Means, no mean feat. 3 p.m.
Rams (1-2) at Chiefs (3-0)
Joe Montana has taken every snap this season, and so far no body parts have snapped. Marty Schottenheimer conceded it was a mistake to leave him in last week when Atlanta was beaten. The Rams don’t match up well anywhere in this contest. This marks only the fifth meeting between the two franchises. If Chiefs and Chargers can hit their bye week at 4-0, they meet Oct. 9 in the month’s first game of the century. Noon.
Broncos (0-3) at Bills (2-1)
The most desperate team in the league, featuring desperate quarterback John Elway, gets to show the whole nation what’s wrong on Monday night. Denver coach Wade Phillips thinks his team is a locomotive stalled by logs on the tracks. He’s trying to keep from getting derailed. Buffalo has won two on the road since losing its home opener and wants to make amends for the friendly crowd. The Bills are warming up for their encounter next week in Chicago. 8 p.m., Monday, Ch. 7.
Steelers (2-1) at Seahawks (2-1)
Barry Foster vs. Chris Warren is a poor man’s AFC version of Emmitt Smith vs. Barry Sanders. The two running backs are vital to each team, and Warren is hurting from a broken bone in his elbow. Seattle has stopped the run better than Pittsburgh, which has faced Smith and Marshall Faulk.
Games worth a peek
Bears (1-2) at Jets (2-1)
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Bears must find out this week whether they are victims of two flukes in a row or whether their defensive shortcomings are serious problems. Jets are bouncing back from disappointing loss in Miami. The key again for the Bears is stopping the run. Jets have weakest running attack Bears have faced yet, but Bears are 28th in stopping the run, not to mention 27th in run offense. This is another prime-time opportunity for Bears, who blew their last appearance against Philadelphia. 7 p.m. WBBM-Ch. 2, TNT.
Saints (1-2) at 49ers (2-1)
New Orleans coach Jim Mora was worried about facing ex-Saint Rickey Jackson, who will be especially fired up in his San Francisco uniform. Now the Saints also must cope with Deion Sanders, who used to drive them crazy when he was with Atlanta. The Saints made a bigger offer to Sanders than the 49ers did, but wanted him to play football full time. The Saints are last in the league in running and 24th in stopping the run. New QB Jim Everett rarely has success against 49ers. 3 p.m.
Buccaneers (1-2) at Packers (1-2)
First installment of Reggie Cobb-for-Jackie Harris “trade.” Cobb’s production has been disappointing to Green Bay fans who figured he was a 1,000-yard rusher. Harris is Bucs’ leading receiver, but has only 10 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Both teams are playing good defense. Packers QB Brett Favre needs to make some plays. His passer rating is an ordinary 77.4, way below Tampa Bay counterpart Craig Erickson’s 100.9. Noon. WFLD-Ch. 32.
Patriots (1-2) at Lions (2-1)
After gaining confidence by beating the world-champion Cowboys, Detroit gets to face the 28th-rated defense in the league. But consistency never has been a characteristic of Lions teams. Barry Sanders gained 194 yards in 40 carries last week, 16 in 12 carries the week before. The Lions used more two-back sets last week, but will they do it this week? New England arrives with the No. 1-ranked offense, thanks to the No. 1-ranked passing offense. 3 p.m. WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Games of the weak
Falcons (1-2) at Redskins (1-2)
Both coming off disappointing losses. New QBs Jeff George of Atlanta and John Friesz of Washington have looked good; both teams boast top-10 passing statistics. Because neither defense is overpowering, this could be a shootout. Noon.
Browns (2-1) at Colts (1-2)
After promising opener, Indianapolis is back to old ways with 27th offense and 27th defense. Marshall Faulk not enough to carry offense and help injury-plagued defense. Cleveland QB Vinny Testaverde clicked last week against Cardinals. Noon.
Bengals (0-3) at Oilers (0-3)
Cincinnati hasn’t won in Houston since 1984, but even Houston has trouble winning in Houston these days. Oilers offensive coach Kevin Gilbride is under fire from his own players. Whole Bengals organization is being criticized by players. Loser of this one will have lowest self-esteem in league. 3 p.m.