GAME OF THE WEEK

GAME OF THE WEEK

Jacksonville (2-1) at Pittsburgh (2-1). Everyone’s down on Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh, and in Jacksonville it appears quarterback Mark Brunell and Coach Tom Coughlin are looking cross-eyed at each other. Winner chases Tennessee in the AFC Central, loser ignites more locker room controversy. The line: Jacksonville by 3.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Kansas City (2-1) over San Diego (1-1). The Chargers are favored--now that’s an upset. The Chargers are best at stopping the run and the Chiefs say they are going to run. You would too if you had Elvis Grbac at quarterback. The Chargers have to score, though, and they don’t do that very well. Record: 0-3. The line: San Diego by 1.

POTENTIAL STAR OF THE WEEK

Cincinnati running back Corey Dillon. Someone must take credit for putting a stop to the Rams’ joy ride. Dillon has averaged more than four a yards a carry while sentenced to oblivion in Cincinnati, but for one week he can dominate ESPN highlights. Record: 2-1. Didn’t realize Jake Plummer couldn’t play with only nine fingers.

POTENTIAL STIFF OF THE WEEK

Jets’ defense. The Broncos have averaged 13.6 points in first three outings with Brian Griese in command, but it’s time for Terrell Davis to bust out and Denver to close in on 30 points. Record: 3-0. Stupidity also counts. Greedy attempt for more points left Steve Young unconscious. One more conk on the head and he might be contemplating retirement.

THIS WEEK’S TREND

Rematches and renewals. Those will be the buzzwords as the NFL begins Week 4, the quarter mark for most teams. It will be a week filled with rematches of ’98 playoff games and renewals of hard-fought division rivalries. In fact, two of the playoff rematches are division renewals--an extra reason to get the motors running. Still, a veteran advises the slow approach. “You don’t want to spend your energy getting mad,” said eight-year Miami cornerback Terrell Buckley, “or you might be tired by the time the game begins.”

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

At least four games will be decided by no more than three points. The 14 games decided by three points or fewer through the first three weeks of the season tie 1997 as the most since 1970 for a season’s first three weeks.

AND FINALLY

Who would have guessed when the season started that the Broncos and Jets would be 0-3 heading into this week’s matchup? History proves that 0-3 is not the end of a team’s playoff hopes. Five teams have begun a season 0-3 and made the playoffs--the 1981 Jets, 1982 Buccaneers, 1992 Chargers, 1995 Lions, and last year, the Bills.

ON TV

* Jacksonville at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m., Ch. 2

The home team has won all eight games in this series, so look for a Steeler victory.

Line: Jacksonville by 3.

* Arizona at Dallas, 10 a.m., Ch. 11

In the last two games vs. Cowboys, Jake Plummer is 50 for 92 passing for 678 yards.

Line: Dallas by 7.

* Tennessee at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 2

The winner of the last eight meetings has gone on to earn a playoff berth.

Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2.

* Oakland at Seattle, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

These teams have combined for 407 points in their last eight meetings (50.9 per game).

Line: Seattle by 3 1/2.

THE REST

Baltimore at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Line: Atlanta by 2 1/2.

New England at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Line: New England by 12.

New Orleans at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Line: New Orleans by 1.

Philadelphia at New York Giants, 10 a.m.

Line: New York by 9 1/2.

St. Louis at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Line: St. Louis by 3 1/2.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Line: Minnesota by 7.

Carolina at Washington, 1 p.m.

Line: Washington by 8 1/2.

Kansas City at San Diego, 1:15 p.m.

Line: San Diego by 1.

New York Jets at Denver, 1:15 p.m.

Line: Denver by 5 1/2.

Buffalo at Miami, 6 p.m., Ch. 7

Line: Miami by 4 1/2.