The Week Ahead

Eagles at Falcons. When these two teams last got together—during the preseason in Macon, Ga.—Atlanta won the scrimmage two touchdowns to one and the skirmishes also by 2-1. "It was more like a war than a game," says Eagle defensive tackle Mike Golic. Actually, it was a proving ground for macho coaches Buddy Ryan and Jerry Glanville. Benches cleared after Falcon safety Scott Case pushed Philly wideout Mike Bellamy out of bounds. Five Eagles nearly threw Atlanta running back John Settle over a fence. The heavyweight headliner: Philadelphia's 295-pound defensive tackle Jerome Brown body-slammed the Falcons' 275-pound center Mike Ruether.

Steelers at Bengals. Here's what one NFL personnel director had to say about the AFC Central race at the beginning of the season: "The team with the best defense will win, and that's why I don't think the Bengals can win. They're the Denver Nuggets of the NFL." Cincinnati ranks 27th in the league in total defense. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is playing tough, Piston-like D, particularly against the pass. The Steelers share the NFL lead for fewest touchdown passes allowed (four), having yielded just one in the last 19 quarters. The winner of this game will take sole possession of the division lead with a 6-4 record. Even the Bengals' best defense—a ball-control offense led by Boomer Esiason—is struggling mightily, having scored just 17 points against the Falcons and seven against the Saints in its two most recent games.

Raiders at Dolphins. ABC froths. Can't you hear the Monday Night Football promo now? "Shula! Shell! Schroeder! Dynasties of the '70s reborn in the '90s!" Maybe the network will be able to do its entire intro without saying, Bo knows....