PRO FOOTBALL / Week 16 : THE OTHER GAMES

GAME OF THE DAY New York Jets (10-5) at Cincinnati (9-6), 10 a.m. The Jets are already assured a playoff berth but the Bengals must win and hope that the Kansas City Chiefs lose in order for Cincinnati to make the playoffs. That would seem to give Cincinnati the edge in incentive. On the other hand, New York is coming off four consecutive losses after a 10-1 start. The Jets suffered a setback last week when defensive linemen Joe Klecko and Reggie McElroy were put on injured reserve. They already have a wild-card berth but a New England loss Monday night would give them the division title.

OTHER AFC GAMES Kansas City (9-6) at Pittsburgh (6-9), 10 a.m. TV: Channel 4

The Chiefs, battling for their first playoff berth in 15 years, are coming off consecutive victories over the Broncos and Raiders. The Steelers, trying to salvage respectability in a season that started out 1-6, similarly are coming off consecutive wins over Detroit and the New York Jets. Since Kansas City has something to play for, it should have the edge, even in Three Rivers Stadium.

Buffalo (4-11) at Houston (4-11), 10 a.m. Despite the Bills’ dismal record, only twice this season have they been beaten by more than 10 points. Then, too, this is a homecoming of sorts for Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly, who played for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers. Although two of the Oilers’ four victories have been over the equally hapless Packers and Colts, Houston has also managed to beat Cincinnati and Minnesota. Last week’s 23-10 win was one of the Oilers’ most impressive in years and knocked the Vikings out of playoff contention.

San Diego (4-11) at Cleveland (11-4), 10 a.m. If the Browns win, they will clinch the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Having won seven of its last eight--the lone loss was to the Raiders--Cleveland appears to be an overwhelming favorite. The Browns have the incentive and the ability, especially with quarterback Bernie Kosar growing stronger and more confident by the week. For the Chargers, meanwhile, the only thing to look forward to is the season’s end. They have given up an average of 23 points a game, although the defense has played better since Al Saunders became head coach in week 9.

NFC GAMES Chicago (13-2) at Dallas (7-8), 1 p.m. TV: Channel 2

With quarterback Doug Flutie now convinced that it’s Mike Ditka who calls the play, the Bear offense might begin functioning a little more smoothly than it did during most of the three-point win over the Lions last Monday. The Cowboys, with the memory of last season’s 44-0 debacle still haunting them and the knowledge that a loss would give them their first losing season in more than two decades, will throw everything they have at Chicago’s rock-like defense. Since the Cowboys are out of the playoffs, Tom Landry said he will start third-string quarterback Reggie Collier instead of Steve Pelleur. If the New York Giants lose Saturday, Chicago can clinch home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Dallas.

Atlanta (6-8-1) at Detroit (5-10), 10 a.m. Chuck Long, the Lions’ rookie quarterback, did nothing to embarrass Coach Darryl Rogers in his first NFL start against the Bears last Monday. Long faces another tough defense in Atlanta’s, which has held opponents to an average of 19 points a game. After an impressive start, the Falcons’ offense has failed them, however, and they have averaged just 12 points a game in their last 11 outings. Detroit has lost seven of its last nine and is 1-6 at home.

New Orleans (7-8) at Minnesota (8-7), 10 a.m. Having shot themselves in the foot at Houston, the Vikings might have difficulty finding the incentive to beat a Saint team that is coming off a win over Atlanta and close losses to the Dolphins and Patriots. New Orleans’ strong ground game and its much-improved defense could cause Minnesota some problems.

Tampa Bay (2-13) at St. Louis (3-11-1), 10 a.m. With the Colts looking like sure losers against an angry Raider team at the Coliseum, the Buccaneers could lose to the Cardinals and wind up with Vinnie Testaverde on draft day. The problem they then would face: To keep both Testaverde and Steve Young or trade one of them? If so, which one? For the Buccaneers this season, questions about the future are more meaningful than those about the past. St. Louis won the earlier encounter this season at Tampa Bay, 30-19.

Washington (11-4) at Philadelphia (5-9-1), 10 a.m. The Redskins have clinched a wild-card spot in the playoffs and will merely be trying to get through this game without suffering an injury that could hurt them down the road. The Eagles were overwhelmed by Washington in the season opener, 41-14, and Buddy Ryan would like to close his disappointing first season as Philadelphia’s coach by avenging that loss. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last three starts, having upset the Raiders and tied the Cardinals, both in overtime, and having beaten the slumping Cowboys last week.

MONDAY NIGHT New England (10-5) at Miami (8-7), 6 p.m. TV: Channel 7

Only once this season--against the Bengals two weeks ago at New England--have the Patriots failed to score at least 20 points. The Super Bowl runners-up have averaged 25 points a game, are 6-1 away from home and could wrap up the AFC East title with a victory. All of which bodes ill for the Dolphins, a mediocre 4-3 at home. Still, Miami is 17-1 against the Patriots at the Orange Bowl and Don Shula, Dan Marino and company are coming off a rousing overtime win over the Rams, so things are not entirely bleak.

NOTE: All times PST. Standings, Page 19.