RATING THE GAMES

**** Makings of a classic

*** No remote needed

** Good to keep checking

* Strictly fantasy fodder

*** Cincinnati (8-6) at St. Louis (11-3), Ch. 2, KLSX- FM (97.1), 10 a.m. Bengals better have on their track shoes because Rams will be off and running at home. LINE: Rams by 7.

** Miami (8-6) at Buffalo (6-8), 10 a.m. The Dolphins have to play like a desperate team; they can start packing for summer vacation if they lose to the Bills. LINE: Bills by 2.

** Detroit (4-10) at Carolina (9-5), 10 a.m. The Panthers may be without injured running back Stephen Davis and that could lead to an upset victory for the Lions. LINE: Panthers by 9.

* Washington (5-9) at Chicago (6-8), 10 a.m. Bears can still finish with a .500 record and have turned to rookie quarterback Rex Grossman to complete the season. LINE: Bears by 4 1/2.

** Baltimore (8-6) at Cleveland (4-10), KFWB (980), 10 a.m. The Ravens equaled Kansas City for the most Pro Bowl spots but they still haven’t clinched a playoff berth. LINE: Ravens by 3.

* N.Y. Giants (4-10) at Dallas (9-5), Ch. 11, Ch. 6, 10 a.m. Coach Bill Parcells and Cowboys will be looking to contribute to Jim Fassel debacle with Giants. LINE: Cowboys by 10 1/2.

** Tennessee (10-4) at Houston (5-9), 10 a.m. The Titans should have enough to defeat the Texans with or without injured quarterback Steve McNair. LINE: Titans by 6.

** New Orleans (7-7) at Jacksonville (4-10), 10 a.m. The Saints have been difficult to figure out all season but they need to keep winning if they want to make the playoffs. LINE: Jaguars by 2.

* San Diego (3-11) at Pittsburgh (5-9), Ch. 8 (San Diego), KMPC (1540), KFMB (760 San Diego), XEXX (1420 Spanish), 1 p.m. Coach Bill Cowher can’t be too happy that his Steelers may be the softest team in AFC. LINE: Steelers by 6.

** San Francisco (6-8) at Philadelphia (11-3), Ch. 11, Channel 6, KFWB (980), XPRS (1090), KAVL (610), 1:15 p.m. It’s been a joy to watch Donovan McNabb and Eagles improve every week and quietly take control of NFC. LINE: Eagles by 7.

** Arizona (3-11) at Seattle (8-6), KLSX-FM (97.1), 1:15 p.m. The Seahawks have been having a party at home all season and don’t look for that to stop against the Cardinals. LINE: Seahawks by 14.

*** Denver (9-5) at Indianapolis (11-3), ESPN, ESPND, KLSX-FM (97.1), 5:30 p.m. If Clinton Portis plays for the Broncos, this will be the game of the week because Denver needs to win and the Colts are playing their best football of the season. LINE: Colts by 5.

*** Green Bay (8-6) at Oakland (4-10), Monday, Ch. 7, 6 p.m. The Packers can stay in the thick of the NFC playoff race with a victory over the Raiders, who will be looking to win two in a row after defeating Baltimore last week. LINE: Packers by 5.

-- Lonnie White