* Dallas at Pittsburgh* Kickoff: 10 a.m.*...

* Dallas at Pittsburgh

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 11

* Story Line: The game of the day. The Cowboys opened last season in Chicago and were upset, but they opened without Michael Irvin. They are back in force on offense, but lack pressure up front on defense, which makes them vulnerable to being punished by Jerome Bettis. And there may be no reason for Kordell Stewart to scramble. Dallas has to make Stewart throw the ball.

* The Line: Cowboys by 1.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Steelers.

*

* Oakland at Tennessee

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* TV: Channel 4

* Story Line: What’s everyone supposed to make of the Oilers? They have looked horrible in the preseason and, unable to overcome the distractions last year, they begin anew bothered by the fact no one wants to watch them play in Memphis. The Raiders unleash Jeff George, but to make George effective they need to get Napoleon Kaufman going. Raider defensive line should clobber Steve McNair.

* The Line: Raiders by 3.

* The Pick: Decisive edge to Raiders.

*

* New Orleans at St. Louis

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: The Lost World--Part II, featuring a clash of coaching dinosaurs in a game that ordinarily no one would care about. The Rams have all the talent, but will bounce up and down all season long while Tony Banks develops. The Saints want to run the ball, and you would too if you had Heath Shuler at quarterback and no one to catch his passes.

* The Line: Rams by 4.

* The Pick: Decisive edge to Rams.

*

* Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: Dave Brown gets the weapons to look good, but how many believe that’s going to happen? The Giants should have more punch with rookie receiver Ike Hilliard and running back Tiki Barber, and then get a soft touch in the Eagles’ defense to start fresh, but it will be Ricky Watters’ job to hog the ball and show off.

* The Line: Eagles by 3.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Eagles.

*

* Minnesota at Buffalo

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: The Bills give the ball to Todd Collins, who will promptly be ordered to surrender it to Thurman Thomas and Antowain Smith in Dan Henning’s new offense. Buffalo’s defense still looks potent, which presents an early test for the new-look Vikings under Brad Johnson, who finished strongly last season.

* The Line: Bills by 2 1/2.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Bills.

*

* Atlanta at Detroit

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: Never underestimate Dan Reeves’ ability to take a bunch of dogs and properly train them. Bobby Ross got off to a slow start when he took command in San Diego, losing his first four games, but then came on in a rush. He has Scott Mitchell all fired up, and he loves to run the ball and has the best in the business in Barry Sanders.

* The Line: Lions by 8

* The Pick: Decisive edge to Lions.

*

* San Diego at New England

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: The Chargers hope to trick everyone early on with Coach Kevin Gilbride’s offensive expertise. Defense will be without Junior Seau, and a season-ending injury to Reuben Davis leaves the middle wide open for Curtis Martin to go where he pleases.

* The Line: New England by 7 1/2.

* The Pick: Decisive edge to Patriots.

*

* Arizona at Cincinnati

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: If the Bengals start as they finished a year ago, the Steelers and Jaguars will have unexpected company on top of the AFC Central. The Cardinals, lost on offense since Jim Fassel’s defection to the Giants, will have to hope Leeland McElroy can break off some big runs.

* The Line: Bengals by 8.

* The Pick: Decisive edge to Bengals.

*

* Indianapolis at Miami

* Kickoff: 10 a.m.

* Story Line: Early test to see which way these teams will be going this year. The Colts contend if they get any kind of protection for Jim Harbaugh. The Dolphins contend if their youngsters can respond to Jimmy Johnson’s demands. Rookie Jason Taylor could come on like Zach Thomas of a year ago against the Colts’ shaky tackles.

* The Line: Dolphins by 6.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Dolphins.

*

* Kansas City at Denver

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* TV: Channel 4

* Story Line: Outstanding. The Chiefs come to town loaded with weapons, a startling change from past visits, while the Broncos continue holding their breath in the hope that John Elway isn’t damaged goods. Best defense decides the day.

* The Line: Broncos by 7 1/2.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Broncos.

*

* Washington at Carolina

* Kickoff: 5 p.m.

* TV: TNT

* Story Line: The Redskins disappeared during the second half of last season, and defensive lineman Sean Gilbert remains AWOL. Carolina opens without Kerry Collins, but can pick away at the Redskins’ defense as long as it does not turn over the ball. Still, a chance for Washington to steal a victory without Collins on the field.

* The Line: Panthers by 4.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Panthers.

*

* San Francisco at Tampa Bay

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Story Line: The 49ers think they have added a running game to their attack, but they continue to have problems along the offensive line. The Buccaneer defense kept scoring down a year ago, which is necessary as long as Trent Dilfer remains Tampa Bay’s quarterback.

* The Line: 49ers by 6 1/2.

* The Pick: Upset special: Slight edge to Buccaneers.

*

* Jacksonville at Baltimore

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Story Line: Rob Johnson catches a break in his role as Mark Brunell’s temporary replacement. The Ravens look understaffed, although rookie Peter Boulware looks as if he could make some things happen. Jaguars can pound Baltimore with Natrone Means, and keep Vinny Testaverde sidelined.

* The Line: Jaguars by 3.

* The Pick: Edge to Jaguars.

*

* NY Jets at Seattle

* Kickoff: 1 p.m.

* Story Line: Bill Parcells against Dennis Erickson. No contest, but the decks are not stacked equally. There is a suspicion in some quarters that the Jets might be a whole lot better than some people expect, but massive turnover in personnel suggests they might be better at season’s end. The Seahawks have a pass rush to shake Neil O’Donnell and the juice on offense to make some noise in the Kingdome.

* The Line: Seahawks by 6.

* The Pick: Slight edge to Seahawks.