Times NFL writer T.J. Simers poses--and answers--the burning questions on . . .NFL GAME DAY

1. Question: Can it get any worse for the Eagles? “I guess this is hell,” Philadelphia Coach Ray Rhodes said. “If hell is worse than this, then hell is really something.”

Answer: Yes, it can. The Eagles, who are last in the league in points, yards gained, passing yards and average yards per pass play, and who have yet to have a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass, will have Koy Detmer starting at quarterback.

2. Q: Why are the Giants’ wide receivers smiling every time selfish Jerry Rice’s name comes up?

A: Rice, complaining his team no longer passes him the ball enough, has 61 catches, which would have led the Giants--for the year--in 61 of their last 66 seasons.

3. Q: Are the Giants that inept?

A: Steve Young has seven 300-yard passing games this season. The Giants have seven in their last 12 seasons--none since 1993.

4. Q: Shouldn’t they disband the Packers now that they can no longer win?

A: Not as long as they can play on the frozen tundra. The Packers are favored to beat the Eagles, making it the 54th straight regular-season and playoff game in Lambeau Field and Milwaukee in which they have been the pick to win.

The last team expected to beat Green Bay was theEagles in Week 10 in 1992 in Milwaukee. The Packers won, 27-24.

5. Q: How bad are the Rams?

A: Greg Hill leads the team in rushing with 240 yards and he hasn’t played since Game 3 because of a broken leg and torn ankle ligaments. Since the start of the 16-game schedule in 1978, the lowest rushing total to lead a team was turned in by Green Bay’s Michael Haddix with 311 yards in 1990. That’s how bad the Rams are.

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Bonus question: How bad are the Rams, Part II?

Dick Vermeil needs to win his final five games to match the 13-19 record that got his predecessor Rich Brooks fired. That’s how bad the Rams are.