RATING THE GAMES

*--* **** Makings of a classic *** Smash-mouth football ** Good for an end around * Strictly fantasy fodder ** Dallas (1-2) at St. Louis (0-3), 10 a.m., Channel 11: After Ernie Conwell’s well-meaning “a house divided cannot stand” comment this week, is there any doubt who will win this one? LINE: St. Louis by 12 *** Chicago (2-1) at Buffalo (1-2), 10 a.m.: It took the Bears four years of losing before they started winning the close ones. Bills’ two losses are by a combined 11 points. LINE: Buffalo by 3 ** New Orleans (3-0) at Detroit (0-3), 10 a.m.: Jim Haslett honors Lou Holtz this week by spouting, “This is not a mismatch.” LINE: New Orleans by 7 1/2 *** Miami (3-0) at Kansas City (1-2), 10 a.m., Channel 2: Will Priest Holmes steal back the thunder that Ricky Williams took from him during their “Hook ‘Em Horns” days? LINE: Miami by 3 *** Carolina (3-0) at Green Bay (2-1), 10 a.m.: Even another Panther victory probably won’t make the Super Bowl buzz any louder than a house fly. LINE: Green Bay by 7 *** Cleveland (2-1) at Pittsburgh (0-2), 10 a.m., KNX (1070): Maybe Tim Couch was in a reminiscent mood this week and studied tapes of his backpedal-and-launch days at Kentucky. Steeler secondary cringes. LINE: Pittsburgh by 6 * New York Jets (1-2) at Jacksonville (1-1), 10 a.m.: Jaguar owner Wayne Weaver predicts on Web site that team will make playoffs. Tom Coughlin hurts mouth after biting lip. LINE: Jacksonville by 3 1/2 * Houston (1-2) at Philadelphia (2-1), 10 a.m.: “No game is an easy game,” Eagle safety Blaine Bishop said. Except this one. LINE: Philadelphia by 19 1/2 ** New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona (1-2), 1 p.m.: What will be worse: the game-time temperature on the field or the heat on Cardinal quarterback Jake Plummer if he doesn’t produce? LINE: New York by 3 ** Tampa Bay (2-1) at Cincinnati (0-3), 1 p.m.: Jon Gruden hoping that Keyshawn Johnson’s visit to Bengalland has same effect as showing a misguided teen the inside of a prison. LINE: Tampa Bay by 7 **** New England (3-0) at San Diego (3-0), 1:15 p.m.: The Chargers, who haven’t beaten the Patriots since 1973, hope glare of New England Super Bowl rings doesn’t blind them on road from nowhere. LINE: New England by 3 *** Tennessee (1-2) at Oakland (2-0), 1:15 p.m., Channel 2, KMPC (1540), KNX (1070), XTRA (690): Last time the Titans lost to the Raiders, they were the Houston Oilers and pro football was still being played at the Coliseum. LINE: Oakland by 7 ** Minnesota (0-3) at Seattle (0-3), 5:30 p.m., ESPN: The what-will-Randy-Moss-do-next sideshow bumps up this snoozer by one star. Bet ESPN can’t wait for NBA season. LINE: Seattle by 3 ** Denver (3-0) at Baltimore (0-2), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7: Luckily this game is in Baltimore so Brian Griese can’t walk his dog as a way to kill time Sunday. LINE: Denver by 7 Open date: Indianapolis, Washington, Atlanta, San Francisco

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