PRO FOOTBALL / WEEK 1 : THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY

San Francisco (13-2) at New Orleans (12-3), 10 a.m.

The 49ers have a chance to get a jump on the Saints after chasing the NFL’s surprise team most of last season before winning the NFC West. San Francisco, however, has a history of slow starts under Coach Bill Walsh, who has a 3-6 record in openers. Joe Montana has held off Steve Young at quarterback, but both can get the ball to extraordinary receiver Jerry Rice. Walsh is concerned about injuries on defense, where safety Ronnie Lott, nose tackle Michael Carter and end Dwaine Board are hobbling. That could mean trouble, because the Saints can move the ball with running back Rueben Mayes and quarterback Bobby Hebert.

INTERCONFERENCE GAMES

Miami (8-7) at Chicago (11-4), 10 a.m.

TV: Channels 36 and 39.

Most of the talk surrounding the Bears is about who’s not with them. Walter Payton retired, wide receiver Willie Gault was traded to the Raiders, linebacker Wilber Marshall signed with Washington, linebacker Otis Wilson is out for the season with a knee injury and tackle Jimbo Covert is recovering from back surgery. If Raider rookie quarterback Steve Beuerlein could pass for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Bears in an exhibition game, Miami’s Dan Marino could really carve up what’s left of the Chicago defense. By the same token, Jim McMahon should pick apart the woeful Dolphin defense, even with linebacker John Offerdahl healthy and fit.

Dallas (7-8) at Pittsburgh (8-7), 10 a.m.

The Steelers have 15 newcomers on the roster and 8 new faces in the starting lineup. Coach Chuck Noll is going with mobile quarterback Bubby Brister. Tom Landry and the Cowboys kept four quarterbacks, with Steve Pelluer starting and Danny White the first man off the bench. With Tony Dorsett gone, Dallas is turning over much of the offense to Herschel Walker.

Phoenix (7-8) at Cincinnati (4-11), 10 a.m.

Bengal Coach Sam Wyche’s move for unity by rooming black players with white seemed to pay off with a 4-1 exhibition season. Boomer Esiason will be shooting at a Cardinal defense that was 25th in the NFL both in passing defense and overall defense last season. Cardinal Coach Gene Stallings was openly critical of quarterback Neil Lomax until he had a strong exhibition finale.

Minnesota (8-7) at Buffalo (7-8), 10 a.m.

Minnesota Coach Jerry Burns gave Wade Wilson the nod over Tommy Kramer at quarterback for the Vikings, who could unseat Chicago in the NFC Central. The Bills can be a threat if shoulder and ankle injuries don’t hamper quarterback Jim Kelly. Buffalo has an overpowering defense that includes linebackers Cornelius Bennett and Shane Conlan. Defensive end Bruce Smith, however, has been suspended 30 days by the NFL for failure to pass a drug test.

AFC GAMES

Seattle (9-6) at Denver (10-4-1), 1 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

The Seahawks will need everybody against John Elway, but two of their better defensive players--Fredd Young and Jeff Bryant--just returned. However, Young didn’t take the team plane to Denver. Tony Dorsett, 33, was supposed to provide a running game for the Broncos, but the former Dallas Cowboy has had trouble learning Coach Dan Reeves’ system and wasn’t overly impressive in exhibition games.

Cleveland (10-5) at Kansas City (4-11), 1 p.m.

The Browns lost the man deemed least expendable to their offense, next to quarterback Bernie Kosar, when offensive coordinator Lindy Infante became coach of the Green Bay Packers. There are fears that Coach Marty Schottenheimer will get conservative and call more runs with Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack than Kosar passes to Webster Slaughter. The Chiefs settled on Bill Kenney over Steve DeBerg at quarterback.

Houston (9-6) at Indianapolis (9-6), 1 p.m.

These are two young teams on the rise, with the Colts coming off an AFC East title and the Oilers challenging the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Central. Indianapolis has Eric Dickerson from the start this time around, and quarterbacks Gary Hogeboom and Jack Trudeau both moved the team in the exhibition season. Houston capped a 4-0 exhibition season with a 52-10 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. Houston quarterback Warren Moon operates behind perhaps the best offensive line in football.

New York Jets (6-9) at New England (8-7), 1 p.m.

Steve Grogan will start at quarterback for the Patriots with Tony Eason sidelined by an elbow injury. Stanley Morgan and Ray Clayborn are slowing down and who knows what Irving Fryar will do next? Jet quarterback Ken O’Brien has to like the addition of Dave Cadigan up front, giving him more time to spot Al Toon, but the New York defense appears shot.

NFC GAMES

Philadelphia (7-8) at Tampa Bay (4-11), 10 a.m.

Coach Buddy Ryan figures his Eagles are about ready to challenge for the NFC East title. The Eagles have a varied attack with runner-passer Randall Cunningham throwing to Mike Quick, and Keith Byars carrying the rushing load. End Reggie White may be the league’s best defensive player. The Buccaneers got even younger when 9 of 12 draftees made the team, but quarterback Vinny Testaverde struggled through a winless exhibition season.

Atlanta (3-12) at Detroit (4-11), 10 a.m.

Lion Coach Darryl Rogers was almost fired last season and he’s living on borrowed time after a 0-4 exhibition season. Rogers is hoping for an improved defense with rookies Bennie Blades at strong safety and Chris Spielman at linebacker. Best feature of this game is Chuck Long vs. Chris Miller.

MONDAY NIGHT

Washington (11-4) at New York Giants (6-9)

TV: Channel 7, 5 p.m.

The Giants hope to give the Redskins their first lesson on why Super Bowl champions don’t repeat. Last season, the defending champion Giants started 0-5 and never recovered. Lawrence Taylor is suspended for drug use, but holdout linebacker Carl Banks returned to the Giants last week. Doug Williams, the Super Bowl MVP, hasn’t started and won a regular-season game since 1982 with Tampa Bay. Timmy Smith, the Redskins’ other Super Bowl star, has the tailback spot to himself with George Rogers gone. Washington’s Dexter Manley is back after a 30-day drug suspension.