Coming Up

CHIEFS at BILLS
Between them, these AFC stalwarts have failed to make the playoffs only once in the '90s. Yet they are empires in decline. Buffalo's Jim Kelly is the lowest-rated starting passer in the AFC, while Kansas City has not had a quarterback throw for 300 yards in its last 25 games.

STEELERS at PANTHERS
Carolina has yielded just 13 second-half points at Ericsson Stadium, where it is 7-0. If the Panthers' fierce pass rush gets to Pittsburgh quarterback Mike Tomczak, they should win the game and thus the NFC West.

LIONS at 49ERS

Should the Panthers stumble, San Francisco can seize the division title—and a first-round bye—with a win. Disappointing Detroit can take solace in Barry Sanders, who will quietly earn his fourth NFC rushing title in eight seasons.

VIKINGS at PACKERS
The quarterbacks demand attention: Minnesota's Brad Johnson may be the NFL's most improved player, Green Bay's Brett Favre its most valuable, But keep an eye on the Pack's Desmond Howard, who this season has returned three punts for TDs, one fewer than the league record.

COWBOYS at REDSKINS
It's the final game at 35-year-old RFK Stadium, and who better for Washington to host than the much-despised Cowboys? No foe has paid more visits to RFK than Dallas (37), and no team besides the Skins has won more games there (18).