THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY

Houston (5-2) at Cincinnati (6-1), 10 a.m.

The Oilers are confident they can knock off the Bengals for the fourth straight time and move into a tie for the lead with Cincinnati in the AFC Central Division. That’s because quarterback Warren Moon returned to action last week and showed little signs of rust after missing 5 weeks with a shoulder injury. Cincinnati quarterback Boomer Esiason was off-target last week in the Bengals’ first defeat, throwing 5 interceptions after only 3 in the first 6 games, but has thrown for 17 touchdowns to lead the NFL.

INTERCONFERENCE GAMES

Cleveland (4-3) at Phoenix (4-3), 1 p.m.

Bernie Kosar, out with an elbow injury since the first week of the season, will be back at quarterback for the Browns, who went 3-3 without him. But Cleveland lost its best receiver, Webster Slaughter, who suffered a broken forearm last week against Philadelphia. Cleveland’s stingy defense, which held Philadelphia in check last week, 19-3, may be too tough for the Cardinals and Neil Lomax to crack. After 4 straight victories, Phoenix was outclassed by Washington, 33-17, last week.

Detroit (1-6) at Kansas City (1-5-1), 10 a.m.

Coach Frank Gansz has reinstated 10-year veteran Bill Kenney as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, replacing Steve DeBerg, who was 1-3-1 as a starter. Kansas City has scored more than 20 points just once in 7 games. Lion quarterback Rusty Hilger, the ex-Raider replacing injured Chuck Long and Eric Hipple, gets something of a breather after facing Chicago and the New York Giants in his first two starts for Detroit.

AFC GAMES

Denver (4-3) at Pittsburgh (1-6), 10 a.m.

Bronco quarterback John Elway probably will not play because of ankle and knee injuries, but Denver has a capable replacement in Gary Kubiak, and its defense has allowed just 14 points per game this season. Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, Bubby Brister, has missed 2 games with a broken finger, but he may be able to return. Todd Blackledge has started in his place for the Steelers, who have lost 6 straight.

Indianapolis (2-5) at San Diego (2-5), 1 p.m.

The Chargers will stick with Mark Malone at quarterback after getting their offense going in a 31-28 loss to Miami, although Coach Al Saunders said he doesn’t yet consider the change permanent. San Diego’s 4 touchdowns represented the offense’s best output in 16 games. The Colts continue to rely on Eric Dickerson for most of their offense.

New England (3-4) at Buffalo (6-1), 10 a.m.

After knocking off Cincinnati, the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team, last week, the Patriots can get back into the AFC East race with a victory over Buffalo this week. New England has won 2 of 3 games since Doug Flutie took over at quarterback. But the Bills are off to their best start since 1977, including a 16-14 victory at New England the third week of the season.

New York Jets (3-3-1) at Miami (4-3), 10 a.m.

The Jets’ defense received a jolt when end Mark Gastineau, who leads the AFC with 7 sacks, suddenly quit the team for personal reasons. The Jets haven’t won in Miami since 1980. The Dolphins have won 3 straight after a slow start and Dan Marino is starting to get into the groove. With kicker Fuad Reveiz out with an injury, the Dolphins have brought in Tony Franklin, formerly with Philadelphia and New England.

NFC GAMES

Dallas (2-5) at Philadelphia (3-4), 10 a.m.

The Cowboys are still steamed at Eagle Coach Buddy Ryan for calling a pass play, rather than running out the clock, to set up a touchdown in the closing seconds of a 37-20 victory over Dallas last season. The Cowboys, off to their worst start since 1965, have lost 3 straight. Philadelphia, which has allowed 34 sacks, must protect Randall Cunningham better against a Dallas front that has recorded 22 sacks.

New York Giants (4-3) at Atlanta (1-6), 10 a.m.

The Giants are hoping they turned their season around when they allowed Detroit just 13 yards in the second half after a chair-throwing tirade by linebacker Harry Carson at halftime, when the Lions led, 10-7. The Falcons may have the services of quarterback Chris Miller, who has missed 3 games with a sprained ankle, but Miller said he won’t play if he can’t run full speed.

Washington (4-3) vs. Green Bay (2-5)

at Milwaukee, 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Doug Williams returns as the Redskins’ starting quarterback, but only because his replacement, Mark Rypien, still is bothered by bruised ribs he suffered last week. Washington was 2-2 without Williams, who underwent an emergency appendectomy. Rypien played well, throwing 12 touchdown passes. The Packers have scored 79 points with Don Majkowski at quarterback and have defeated New England and Minnesota after opening the season with 5 straight losses. Coach Lindy Infante has said Majkowski is his quarterback, even when injured Randy Wright recovers. Packers have problems at running back with Kenneth Davis, Paul Ott Carruth and Brent Fullwood ailing.

Minnesota (4-3) at Tampa Bay (2-5), 10 a.m.

Viking Coach Jerry Burns is going back to Wade Wilson at quarterback after Tommy Kramer had a miserable first half in last week’s loss to Green Bay. Kramer has had 4 straight poor outings since leading a big victory over Chicago 5 weeks ago. With Kramer at quarterback, the Vikings eked out a 14-13 victory over Tampa Bay 2 weeks ago. Buccaneers continue to come close, with 4 of 5 defeats coming by a touchdown or less and a total of 15 points.

MONDAY NIGHT

San Francisco (5-2) at Chicago (6-1)

TV: Channel 7, 6 p.m.

The 49ers didn’t let Joe Montana throw the ball in practice until late in the week because of an injury to his throwing elbow, and Coach Bill Walsh said there is a chance he will have to go with Steve Young at quarterback. The 49ers have won 11 straight games on the road and have game-breakers Jerry Rice and Roger Craig, but it may be a different story against the Bears, who are playing defense the way they did on the way to their Super Bowl championship in 1985. Not only that, the Bears are still smarting from a 41-0 embarrassment the 49ers handed them last season.

NOTE: All times PDT. .