ON TV

Denver at Pittsburgh

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Records: Broncos 11-2, Steelers 9-4.

* Storyline: While the Broncos have the better team, the Steelers could match up well against them. Jerome Bettis should be effective against the Broncos’ flimsy run defense, especially with the Broncos having injury problems on their defensive line. Steeler quarterback Kordell Stewart has to step up his play to take some of the pressure off Bettis. Will the Broncos be caught looking ahead to their Monday night showdown against the 49ers?

* Odds: Steelers by 1 1/2.

* The pick: Steelers.

Green Bay at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Packers 10-3, Buccaneers 9-4.

* Storyline: The Buccaneers gave the Packers a run earlier in the season at Lambeau Field. Both teams have been erratic of late, with the Buccaneers losing to the Bears and the Packers losing to the Colts in the last three weeks. The key will be the Packer run defense with Gilbert Brown (ankle) and Reggie White (back) being limited.

* Odds: Packers by 3 1/2.

* The pick: Buccaneers.

Minnesota at San Francisco

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 11.

* Records: Vikings 8-5, 49ers 11-2.

* Storyline: The 49ers laid perhaps the largest egg of the NFL season last week against the Chiefs, collapsing in all areas. The Vikings, meanwhile, have lost three in a row. The 49ers have some serious distractions orbiting around them, as Eddie DeBartolo has stepped down as chief executive of the team amid allegations of gambling fraud, and Jerry Rice is stepping up his rehabilitation in an effort to get back on the field. Randall Cunningham starts for the first time since 1995 in place of Brad Johnson, sidelined for the rest of the season because of a neck injury.

* Odds: 49ers by 9.

* The pick: 49ers.

Detroit at Miami

* Kickoff: 5 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Records: Lions 7-6, Dolphins 8-5.

* Storyline: These are two teams that need to win badly. The Dolphins will have to find a way to do what no team has been able to do since the second game of the season: Contain Barry Sanders. Against the Dolphins’ undersized front, Sanders could have a big game. Dan Marino, on the other hand, could have some fun against the Lions’ rookie cornerbacks, Bryant Westbrook and Kevin Abrades (unless Corey Raymond is healthy enough to play). Whoever has the ball last could win.

* Odds: Dolphins by 3.

* The pick: Dolphins.

THE REST

Oakland at Kansas City

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Raiders 4-9, Chiefs 10-3.

* Storyline: The Chiefs can beat the Broncos and the 49ers. Wouldn’t it be something if they couldn’t beat the Raiders? There is no question the Raiders have the talent to play even with the Chiefs, especially with Elvis Grbac sidelined. This could be the Raiders’ version of the Super Bowl--their one chance to shine against a hated rival that’s headed for the real Super Bowl. The Chiefs could suffer a letdown after their exhilarating blowout of the 49ers.

* Odds: Chiefs by 9.

* The pick: Raiders.

Buffalo at Chicago

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Bills 6-7, Bears 2-11.

* Storyline: After building a 17-3 lead against the Lions on Thanksgiving, the Bears were outscored, 52-3. Rick Mirer is expected to get playing time for the first time in weeks, and Alonzo Spellman returns to the field after alienating teammates and coaches by refusing to play or have his injured shoulder operated on. The Bills have been vulnerable against big offensive lines and bruising running backs, so the Bears could surprise.

* Odds: Bills by 1.

* The pick: Bears.

New England at Jacksonville

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Patriots 8-5, Jaguars 9-4.

* Storyline: Do not confuse the Patriots with a team that is playing well. They’ve won only one tough game on the road this season, against the Bills. Beating the Jaguars will be a tall order, especially because Jaguar quarterback Mark Brunell is finding his passing touch.

* Odds: Jaguars by 4.

* The pick: Jaguars.

New York Giants at Philadelphia

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Giants 7-5-1, Eagles 6-6-1.

* Storyline: This game could have playoff implications. The Giants appear to be fading quickly. Their offense is reverting to form, and quarterback Danny Kanell needs a good game to continue as the starter. The Eagles, meanwhile, have started to come on behind Bobby Hoying.

* Odds: Eagles by 5.

* The pick: Giants.

St. Louis at New Orleans

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Rams 3-10, Saints 5-8.

* Storyline: The Rams whipped the Saints in the season opener, and they whipped the Redskins last week. But the Saints have won three of four and may finally be responding to Mike Ditka’s passion. The Saints have gotten a boost after promoting Billy Joe Hobert to starting quarterback and moving Ray Zellars to tailback from fullback.

* Odds: Saints by 2 1/2.

* The pick: Saints.

Seattle at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Records: Seahawks 6-7, Ravens 4-8-1.

* Storyline: Warren Moon might have a field day against a beat-up secondary. Then again, Eric Zeier might have a field day against a beat-up secondary. The Seahawks continue to fall apart on special teams.

* Odds: Ravens by 1 1/2.

* The pick: Ravens.

Washington at Arizona

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Redskins 6-6-1, Cardinals 3-10.

* Storyline: This game could pit the NFL’s worst offensive line (Cardinals) against the NFL’s worst defensive line (Redskins). The Redskins are in serious trouble after a Sunday in which they lost a game they should have won, their starting quarterback for the season, and their starting tailback, Terry Allen, for this week. Jeff Hostetler, who will replace Gus Frerotte at quarterback, hasn’t had much work with the first team before this week.

* Odds: Cardinals by 1 1/2.

* The pick: Redskins.

Atlanta at San Diego

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Falcons 5-8, Chargers 4-9.

* Storyline: The Falcons are coming on strong, having won four of their last five. When Chris Chandler is healthy, the Falcon offense is on a different level. Jamal Anderson is griping that he isn’t getting enough carries, but perhaps the Chargers will give the Falcons reasons to run the ball. The Chargers seem to have packed it in. Does anyone believe Craig Whelihan is the answer at quarterback for this team?

* Odds: Falcons by 2.

* The pick: Falcons.

Indianapolis at New York Jets

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Records: Colts 1-12, Jets 8-5.

* Storyline: The Patriots can testify that the Colts are a dangerous team at this point of the season. Jim Harbaugh looks like a different quarterback after his long layoff. But the Colts aren’t good enough to overcome any more missed field-goal attempts by Cary Blanchard. The Jets will miss left tackle Jumbo Elliott, sidelined for the season because of an Achilles’ injury. They also could be without starting right tackle Dave Williams and starting cornerback Aaron Glenn. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson is finally getting revved up.

* Odds: Jets by 6 1/2.

* The pick: Jets.