PRO FOOTBALL / Week 9 : THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY Dallas (6-2) at New York Giants (6-2), 10 a.m. It’s a dogfight in the NFC East again. For the Cowboys, playing the St. Louis Cardinals last week was almost as good as having a bye. Running back Tony Dorsett had a chance to heal, and quarterback Danny White had to play only a half, leaving the team injury-free overall. The Cowboys, with running back Herschel Walker and rookie receiver Mike Sherrard fully involved, have more offense now than when they beat the Giants in the opener, 31-28, and they’ll need it against a physical defense that makes few mistakes. Silent Joe Morris, in good form again, gives the Giants’ sputtering offense a boost, but quarterback Phil Simms still doesn’t have enough uninjured receivers. The Cowboys have won their last three from the Giants by a total of 11 points.

OTHER NFC GAMES San Francisco (5-2-1) at New Orleans (3-5), 10 a.m. If the crippled 49ers, playing with a squad of about 40, can limp through this one, they too will have a chance to get well against St. Louis next week. Jeff Kemp is still on crutches with a sprained hip, so Mike Moroski will start at quarterback again. Safety Ronnie Lott, having an All-Pro season, is listed as questionable with a cracked shin bone. Coach Bill Walsh also ought to have kicker Ray Wersching’s throat checked. Wersching has missed so many big ones recently that the 49ers tried out Ali Haji-Sheikh. The 49ers usually play well on the road. Saint quarterback Dave Wilson hasn’t been sacked in three games.

Minnesota (5-3) at Washington (6-2), 1 p.m. The Redskins are tough to beat in RFK. The Vikings may have peaked in upsetting the Chicago Bears two weeks ago. Quarterback Tommy Kramer is playing with a sore shoulder, and the right side of the defense will be an inviting target for hard-running George Rogers, what with linebacker David Howard hurting and end Gerald Robinson out with a knee injury. The Redskins have reactivated running back Kelvin Bryant, who missed the last six games with an injured left knee.

Philadelphia (3-5) at St. Louis (1-7), 10 a.m. Just when the Cardinals seemed to be coming around, they folded against the Cowboys, 37-6. Roy Green returned, but twice Neil Lomax couldn’t find him in the end zone. After “long consideration,” Coach Gene Stallings decided to leave Lomax at quarterback for now, rather than switch to Cliff Stoudt. The Cardinals’ best defensive player, linebacker E.J. Junior, is “very doubtful” with a knee injury. Eagle Coach Buddy Ryan is itching to use hyperactive Randall Cunningham at quarterback, but his assistants favor Ron Jaworski.

AFC GAMES New York Jets (7-1) at Seattle (5-3), 1 p.m. Seahawk Coach Chuck Knox benched quarterback Dave Krieg and will try Gale Gilbert, a second-year free agent from Cal who has never started an NFL game. Knox said he is looking for “a catalytic-type effect.” He hopes it isn’t catastrophic. The Jet rush defense, toughest in the NFL, ordinarily would stuff Seahawk running back Curt Warner, but Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Mehl is out, and All-Pro nose tackle Joe Klecko is doubtful. The Jets have won six straight.

Kansas City (5-3) at San Diego (1-7), 1 p.m. The effect of a new coach, Al Saunders, could give the Chargers a lift, even with quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Mark Herrmann still out after suffering concussions. Tom Flick and Saunders will get their first NFL starts. Flick hasn’t started since the ’81 Rose Bowl with Washington. The Chargers rolled up 512 yards on a league-record 95 plays in a 42-41 loss at Arrowhead Stadium two weeks ago. Chief quarterback Bill Kenney has regained the starting job, but the Chiefs have lost 9 of their last 10 on the road.

Cleveland (5-3) at Indianapolis (0-8), 10 a.m. Here’s how the season is going for the Colts: Coach Rod Dowhower split his pants in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins. Still, with rookie Jack Trudeau and receiver Matt Bouza developing into a passing threat, the Colts are equipped to give the Browns trouble. The Browns, however, can do something the Dolphins couldn’t--pound the Colts on the ground.

Houston (1-7) at Miami (3-5), 10 a.m. The Dolphins’ defense may cure some of the Oilers’ offensive ills, but the Oilers are the league’s most resourceful team at finding ways to lose--penalties, turnovers, blind instant replay officials. Rookie Ernest Givins is their one bright light, and if they have done one thing that will help them against Dan Marino, it’s play pass defense.

INTERCONFERENCE GAMES Atlanta (5-2-1) at New England (5-3), 10 a.m. Two trends will have to reverse themselves for the Falcons to check their slide from the top of the NFC West. With quarterback David Archer slumping and with only two uninjured receivers, the Falcon offense has scored only two touchdowns in 17 quarters. The Patriots haven’t allowed any in 10. The Patriots, lowest in NFL turnovers, don’t issue any handouts, either. Tony Eason hasn’t thrown an interception in 224 attempts dating back to last season and the playoffs. The Patriots’ one weakness is the disappearance of a ground game. Eason was their leading rusher with 55 yards last week.

Buffalo (2-6) at Tampa Bay (1-7), 10 a.m. Former USFL quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Steve Young will have few better chances to look good. The Buccaneers’ offense ranks last, but the Bills have lost their last 21 road games since ’83. At least Kelly has kept his preseason promise. He hasn’t turned the Bills into winners overnight.

Cincinnati (5-3) at Detroit (3-5), 10 a.m. It’s hard to say whether the Bengals or the Browns are the worst-looking division leaders in the NFL, which is probably why they’re tied. Both should be able to run the ball, but Bengal quarterback Boomer Esiason needs to recharge his confidence in the air. He’ll have time against the Lions’ weak pass rush. The Silverdome will look good to the Lions after three straight on the road.

Green Bay (1-7) at Pittsburgh (2-6), 10 a.m. This junior varsity matchup could be fun to watch. The youthful Packers are playing with enthusiasm, if not efficiency, and the Steelers seem bent on taking out their frustrations with street fight tactics.